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A pretty easy ride
In an interview published in the recent issue (February 2019, #258) of Classic Rock magazine Steve Morse is waxing philosophical about joining the band:
How did it feel to step into Ritchie Blackmore’s shoes when you joined Deep Purple?
By the time I got there the ice was sorta broken, because Ritchie had left the band and Joe Satriani had done such a great job covering that. Also I had been part of the reunited Kansas, when people mistakenly thought I was trying to replace Kerry Livgren — which I wasn’t — so I was used to the mixed emotions of the audience. Y’know, they’re glad to see the band again… but they wish it was the original guys. Every once in a while, people will be throwing stuff at you — I mean literally throwing stuff at you. For some reason those people stand out more in your memory. I’ve never met Ritchie, but in the press, his posture was: ‘Good luck’. It is a signal to the trolls of somebody says: “They suck with this new guy”. He didn’t do that. I think he made it possible for the band’s success. It’s been a pretty easy ride, but of course there’s a certain percentage of people that just hate me because of who I am.
The issue can be ordered online, but bear in mind that the interview in question is only a page long.
Thanks to Mark Bryant for the info.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
You just have to LOVE that guy!
February 6th, 2019 at 20:53I am a big fan of Ritchie Blackmore but i never understood all the discussion on that topic: they just two different guys at two different moments. Both are great each in their own way.
Debates about who’s better are just insane IMHO, they are so different!
The majority of the people love you Steve. Like I’ve said when we’ve met. Thank you for joining this band and keeping it going for all of these years. I can’t imagine a world without Deep Purple. Looking forward to a new album and tour. Hopefully in the States!
February 6th, 2019 at 21:48So many years playing with Deep Purple and people are still asking him this questions , the guy is a great player and a nice humble human being, After seeing him countless times with Deep Purple I’m glad he is in this band
February 6th, 2019 at 23:24The interview of Purple’s Steve Morse is only a page long in Classic Rock Magazine. Not surprising at all.
What is surprising are the laurels being thrown at the ultimate plagiarist band Greta Van Fleet who never met a Zeppelin song they couldn’t try to rip-off. To add insult to injury they pose their undeserving mugs on a clear appropriation of the Queen 2 album cover. Shameless, yet CRM and RollingStone Mag and the Grammy Awards are drooling all over themselves about the greatness of this most unoriginal group of upstarts.
February 7th, 2019 at 04:06If it wasn’t what it was it wouldn’t be what it is. Purple has always evolved and changed over the years, so much better than doing the same thing decade after decade. It’s been a great journey for the fans as well.
February 7th, 2019 at 11:46Well….. Ritchie Blackmore….. as far as I know…. never had a bad thing to say in public about Steve Morse – quite the opposite….and that goes for Tommy Bolin as well.
February 7th, 2019 at 12:17I think Steve has done a really marvellous work in Deep Purple.
A lot of good input, musically and as it seems also on a personal basis….
Hope to see Deep Purple and also Ritchie Blackmore (Blackmore’s Night or Rainbow or both) in Sweden soon… cheers 👍
How can anybody hate Steve????
February 7th, 2019 at 20:47Anybody who hates Stevie can’t be quite right in the head – he’s a Nobel Peace Prize type.
Or what Krystle was in Dynasty compared to Alexis. ; – )
February 8th, 2019 at 22:45I am so glad Steve has a thick skin. I am sad to say, I used to be a Blackmore purist. As of 1998, I had never heard any Deep Purple recording without Ritchie. I zealously avoided CTTB for my entire adult life and avoided Purpendicular and Abandon as if listening to a non-Ritchie version of Deep Purple would cause me to catch a deadly disease.
No Ritchie; no go for me.
Interestingly enough, it was The Stranger In Us All that started my change. It isn’t a bad record, but it certainly isn’t a particularly good one. Plus it is just a lazy record. It reminded me of a band going through the motions, like about 50% of TBRO is….It was obvious his passion for rock was gone.
I gave Blackmore’s Night a shot and 15 minutes in, I came to the realization that Ritchie loved this renaissance/new age fusion…and I absolutely hated it.
A deep sorrow overtook me….there would be no more good Ritchie Blackmore records. Who was making the kind of riffy, rocking music with exceptional musicianship? I looked around for bands…until I came across a copy of Purpendicular in 1998.
With deep trepidation, I bought the CD, and played it in my car.
5 seconds in to Ted The Mechanic, I realized what a fool I had been. I listened to the album repeatedly, much like I did when a new Rainbow record came out (I graduated from HS in 1984) or when Perfect Strangers and the House of Blue Light came out.
Purpendicular is a great rock record; head and shoulders above any reunion Purple album, including Perfect Strangers. I quickly added Abandon and while the highs were great (7th Heaven is still my favorite SM era song) it did had some samesy feeling filler. I even went back to CTTB and realized that was a very good recording as well.
But
Steve has helped keep the Deep Purple machine running for 30 years and helped make some remarkable music. I am surely glad he didn’t let the likes of me scare him off.
Thanks Steve for not letting idiots like my 1997 self not give you a fair chance.
February 9th, 2019 at 17:16After almost 25 years,Steve must be sick & tired of answering this question,or variations of it.
February 10th, 2019 at 14:37Good band…….but way overrated.
February 11th, 2019 at 16:48My 2 favourite guys… dick & purpular! 😉
February 12th, 2019 at 22:14@ 9, Okay dude. So You’re around the same age as me…You say you did not give the Steve Morse version of Deep Purple a listen. Then you are just an ignorant person. Why would you not….Deep Purple is just not one person, and they have moved on, and have made some great music without Richie Blackmore, besides just listen to Purpendicular it sounds so fresh to this day with Steve on guitar. Steve was the right person at the right time, and they all get along great. And that’s what makes great music.
February 13th, 2019 at 17:02Buttockss @13:
did you try to read #9 comment to the end? or did righteous indignation overcome you before that? you’re quite literally preaching to a converted.
February 13th, 2019 at 17:30Chip @9
Awesome comments. Humility is not something many folks have….
mike @10,
No doubt. But the great man he is just smiles and deals with it….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnKE9OqTyBM
Peace,
February 14th, 2019 at 15:22Ted
This question must get sooo boring to these guys. 26 years later it is still being asked. Deep Purple was great with Ritchie no doubt BUT they would not have lasted this long with Ritchie. Steve Morse is an excellent guitarist. I’ve seen him 4x live with Purple and he killed it each time. The improv that happens in live shows is incredible. Steve has his own style and sound that makes the Purple music unique and fresh. Time to move on many have but some haven’t.
February 14th, 2019 at 15:29