Music
Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord battling cancer
Published Friday, Aug 12 2011, 15:18 BST | By Justin Harp | 11 comments
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Lord announced that he will take a hiatus from live performing as he undergoes cancer treatment, but insisted that he will not let the disease prevent him writing songs.
He wrote on his blog: "I would like all my friends, followers, fans and fellow travellers to know that I am fighting cancer and will therefore be taking a break from performing while getting the treatment and cure.
"I shall of course be continuing to write music - in my world it just has to be part of the therapy - and I fully expect to be back in good shape next year."
Lord declined to disclose what type of cancer he is suffering from.
The musician first joined Deep Purple in 1967, playing keyboard and organ on hits like 'Highway Star', 'Smoke on the Water' and 'Space Truckin'.
He officially retired from the band in 2002, but has rejoined Deep Purple for live shows on occasion.
Lord and wife Vickie are parents to their only child Amy, while the keyboardist also has daughter Sara from a previous marriage.
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