yeah, IMO both steves are quiet close, head on match

Exactly!!!

Been a fan since "Take it off the top."

Kerrie Redgate It's interesting to listen to Joe Satriani about his joining Deep Purple. Apparently he took a call from Steve Vai whose advice was not to go-ahead because he would always be compared to Ritchie Blackmore and it would kill his career. Joe stayed for a while - kudos to him - but Steve Morse picked up the baton and ran with it in the long-term. He knew that he could step in to Ritchie's shoes - and commit long-term - without losing his personal identity, or 'dis' Ritchie; I guess he went through the same with Kerry Livgren and Kansas... but for me 'Power' was their best album and that was Steve Morse. On a personal-note, whenever I feel down I can play a Steve Morse interview and immediately feel revitalised... the 'Light' just shines through him and everything he does.

Peter Marshall Steve definitely is a beacon of light. I love reading his book "Open Ears" (from his Guitar mag column). The guys in Deep Purple credit the band's survival to Steve joining the band at that juncture, not just musically (which was huge) but he made a big difference on a personal level... When interviewed on stepping into Richie Blackmore's shoes, Steve replied, "When Richie left, he took his shoes with him."

Kerrie Redgate Hi Kerrie, I'll track down the book, thanks for the recommendation. I find the Deep Purple Ritchie/Steve situation really interesting, it's always seemed to me to represent an example of darkness and light. I think it's hard to find a musician more 'black' than Blackmore or more light than Steve Morse. Ritchie really had the milk of human-kindness coursing through his veins... said no one, ever !

Peter Marshall It's interesting that I was not a Deep Purple fan during the Blackmore era (when I was a rock singer). By their own admission, the energy in the band was strained in the old days. It does come through the music, as accomplished as they all were, even in those days. Their energy and joy on stage with Steve (as I can see in their DVDs - I have yet to see him live!) is infectious! Yet, Steve is very humble and gives credit to a lot of the good riffs that came out of Richie, and he still incorporates those. We are sooo fortunate that Steve did not stick to commercial flying! It was inevitable that the music in him would win as a profession. From memory, I think I found the book on Amazon, only a few years ago. Really insightful stuff, and often very funny! One of the things Steve stresses in the book is the need for musicians to develop themselves: to become tolerant of others, and generous in their attitude. He certainly personifies that.

Kerrie Redgate The historic divisions within Deep Purple are legendary though I sense that most were centred on Ritchie, whose ego always demanded that he was 'top-dog'. Jon Lord and Ian Paice will always be up there for me with the best, and Roger is also a solid-musician. I think unless Steve had come along to quieten and sweeten things, the band would have died many years earlier. Perhaps the saddest part for me was the concert for Jon Lord held at the Albert Hall in London; Jon was such a talented, well-respected musician and a gentleman. There's a great interview of Jon Lord by Rick Wakeman somewhere on KZfaq that's well worth 30-minutes of your time as a fellow-rocker of a similar vintage. Everyone who was anyone, attended... apart from Ritchie. Very sad. Anyway, I digress... however, I must say that Mitch - the interviewer - bears a striking resemblance to Jon Lord in his later years !

Steve Smith And Mitch needs credit for coaxing more from Steve, without stamping his character all over it. A great interviewer - like Mitch - cajoles and gets the best from the interviewee but blends into the background.

And mine since 1980 !

Luís Teixeira he plays the best song of DP!

I've had one of his blue guitars for quite a while. If it's just questions about how the switches work, I can help.

Omair Sheikh I know what you mean, but I think he just gets more relevant. We need more Steve Morse's in this world.

Peter Marshall True that, his style is still very unique and as always his focus is on passion and soul as opposed to showmanship. I really wish he works on another SMB or Dregs record soon.