Ex-DEEP PURPLE Keyboardist JON LORD Made Honorary Doctor Of Music

According to JonLord.org, former DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Jon Lord has received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music from the University of Leicester.

"Jon Lord is one of British music's most eclectic and talented instrumentalists. There are no signs of his creative talents abating.”

These words rounded off a detailed account of Jon Lord's musical life that preceded Jon being presented with the Honorary Degree.

"It is humbling to hear your life retold with such accuracy," Lord said in his acceptance speech, where he also spoke fondly of his musical childhood in Leicester.

His first concert was experience was in the same hall where the presentation ceremony was being held.

"I was 6 or 7 years old and heard cutting edge classical stuff performed by the Haley Orchestra; the William Tell Overture, Grieg's Piano Concerto and the New World Symphony.

"It thrilled me and possibly changed things right there," he explained.

Years later in the same hall, he saw Buddy Holly.

"He spun my head around," Lord said. "The love of what Buddy Holly represented and the love of what the Haley Orchestra represented has defined my musical life.

"This town was and still is deep inside my bones, and it's a huge, huge
privilege and an honor to come back here and accept this honorary
degree. My parents — were they alive — would be dancing in the street. I
suspect and hope they're dancing somewhere far more pleasant than
Averill Road [Jon's childhood home]. Thank you and God bless!"