Jon Lord autographed California Jam book

Deep Purple California Jam is a new coffee table documentary book published by Rufus Stone Limited Editions this December. The book takes an in-depth look Deep Purple‘s appearance at the Calfornia Jam festival on April 6 1974 in front of 165.000 people.

Strictly limited to 1.000 copies across three different edition, pre-orders are taken now.

The 288-page slipcased high quality print book features previously unseen photographs, a detailed essay on the concert itself and rare memorabilia. Two editions of the book also includes the concert itself on heavy weight double vinyl.

The book comes in three different editions, the most exclusive being 350 copies bearing Jon Lord’s signature. The Signature Edition benefits Jon’s family as well as Sunflower Jam, the cancer treatment charity that Jon himself helped initiate and which has held annual concert events in London since 2006.

The Rufus Stone Team explains how Jon came to be involved with the book:

“Back when we began work on the title we thought that it would be great to have one or two people connected with the original concert to sign an edition, and with this in mind we have spoken to some of the crew of ’74 to get this organised. At the same time, we were working with Jon Lord’s manager on some publishing ideas and told him of the California Jam book. Somewhat to our surprise, as he was deeply involved in the re-recording of the new Concerto at the time, Jon told us he’d be happy to sign copies of the California Jam book.

Not wanting to miss this opportunity, we sorted the details out and prepared the printed, translucent pages, with a view to binding these into the final publication once Jon had done his bit.

As the agreed date for the meeting came round, Mark from Rufus Stone took the pages to Jon’shouse for signing. Jon was out at the time and the pages were left for him to sign. A few days later we were told they were finished and that Jon wanted to meet to chat about the project. On Monday June 25th Mark returned to Jon’s house and sat down with him to discuss the project over a cup of tea. Jon, despite being tired, was happy to talk about the Jam itself, his career in general and was very excited about his forthcoming Concerto release. He said he had done the signing while listening to classical music in his kitchen. He had taken great care with each one. Mark left Jon that day with a shake of the hand and an offer from Jon to help further with the project if he could. He was looking forward to seeing it.

It was our intention to make an announcement quickly but just a few weeks later Jon was suddenly taken into hospital and as we all know passed away in July.

Since then we have been trying to decide how to progress. There was naturally an immediate reaction that the signed pages should be quietly put to one side and not mentioned. Having discussed the matter further with his manager and members of Jon’s family, it was agreed that the signed edition will proceed, and that the cover price will include a donation to Jon’s preferred cancer charity.”

The Signature Edition (350 individually signed copies)
This premium edition is numbered and individually signed by Jon Lord in June 2012.
The 288 page hand-bound coffee table book is bound in Purple recycled leather with a silver foil emboss to the front.
Printed on 170gsm artpaper, the pages will be guilt edged and hand stitched.
The book comes in a recycled leather slipcase and is presented in a beautiful leather style clamshell box with inlaid colour graphic.
Alongside this is a heavyweight double vinyl album of the live recording from the concert, together with reproduction back stage passes, poster and certificate of production.

The Vinyl Edition (150 copies):
Presented in slipcase together with the vinyl recordings this edition of the book is the same book without the guilt edging to the pages. Individually numbered with a certificate of production. 150 copies available

The Standard Edition (500 copies):
The book on it’s own and quarter bound with a photographic cover and supplied in a card slipcase. Individually numbered.