Episode 5: Jon Lord with Tony Ashton 1970 Nottingham

Episode 5 Resume

• He joins Bill Ashton Combo

• Then Red Bludd’s Bluesicians

• Next came the Artwoods: Nottingham was their major stamping ground, including Boat Club, Union Rowing Club and Dungeon Club, but also The Corporation in Derby

• Record label creates group to cash in on gangster craze: St Valentine’s Day Massacre: Buddy Can You Spare a Dime

• Jo joins Flowerpot Men’s backing group and tours with their hit single ‘Let’s go To San Francisco’

• Ex-Searchers member, Chris Curtis, is forming a new band and asks Jon to join. Lure for Jon is that he want to work with Ritchie Blackmore

• Jon has electric shock live on stage

• ‘Deep Purple in Rock’: ‘Speed King’

• Gemini Suite recorded with Tony Ashton, Yvonne Elliman, Albert Lee

• Ashton, Gardner and Dyke were good enough to played Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London. They play alongside Herbie Mann. Scott is so impressed he re-books then to support sax legend, Julian ‘Cannonball’ Adderley • Asthon and Lord also have a single out. It’s been commissioned for a cowboy film s/t ‘The Last Rebel’ starring Joe Namath, in real life a top US football player

NOTES M/C Head recorded in Switzerland Dec 1971 released 1972 1971 Gemini Suite commissioned by BBC [LSO, Yvonne Elliman, Tony Ashton vcls, Albert Lee,] performed at Royal Festival Hall. 1969 Royal Albert Hall for BBC ‘Concerto for Group and Orchestra. 1971 Film ‘The Last Rebel’ Titles written by Lord and Ashton performed by Ashton, Gardner and Dyke and The Royal Liverpool Symphony Orchestra