Deep Purple rocker Jon Lord dies in London

(CBS/AP) LONDON - British rocker Jon Lord, former keyboardist for the band Deep Purple, has died. He was 71 years old.

A statement on Lord's official website says the musician suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism in London on Monday after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He announced last year that he was being treated for cancer.

Lord, who was born in Leicester, England, on June 9, 1941, co-wrote some of Deep Purple's most famous tunes, including "Smoke on the Water," and later had a successful solo career following his retirement from the band in 2002.

The statement posted on Lord's website said he died "surrounded by his loving family."

The New York Times reports the twice married musician was survived by his second wife, Vicky, and two daughters, Amy Cherrington and Sara Lord.