![[hand]](/hs-pics/portraits/hands/morse10.jpg)
![[face]](/hs-pics/portraits/faces/mcbride6.jpg)
Simon says “it’s official”
Many people assumed so, but it is only today, September 16, 2022, that Simon McBride became a permanent member of the band. A message to that effect was released today:
Following the news in July that Steve Morse will be stepping back from the band, after more than a quarter of a century, Deep Purple announce that, following an abundant Summer of touring, Simon McBride will join the band permanently.
Collectively, the band stated “We are thrilled that Simon has agreed to join. Simon’s playing is up there with the greats. Of course, Steve can’t be replaced, the same as Ritchie, and Steve has a long legacy with Deep Purple. In Simon we have not found a replacement, but an extraordinarily talented and exciting guitarist in his own right. The reception from audiences over the Summer has already been great and we are looking forward to the forthcoming dates in the UK and Europe across the rest of the year. It is clear that Simon also holds great respect for those before him. We are all excited for what the years to come hold for the band.”
Simon stated “I’m very happy to be asked to join the band, at the start of the pandemic if someone would have said to me that I was going to be the new guitarist in Deep Purple I would have just laughed, but here we are and it’s happening. Deep Purple has a history of great guitarists so I’m very honoured to be asked to be part of that. They are all amazing musicians and more importantly, I have become very good friends with the guys so I can’t wait to continue touring and even perhaps some writing and recording.”
Thanks to Mike Whiteley, AndreA, and Mad Hatter for the info, and to Wormdp for pointing out the typo.
Image credit: Ueli Frey
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
The Purps just won’t say die !!
September 16th, 2022 at 16:52Welcome Simon.
Now, let’s have a proper new studio record !
I CANT WAIT FOR A NEW STUDIO ALBUM WITH THE BRILLIAND NEW GUITARIST
September 16th, 2022 at 19:01Best choice. Saw him thre Times with Don Airey. A brillant guitarplayer. the first Irish Member.
Welcome, Simon in Deep Purple Mark IX.
September 16th, 2022 at 19:53Complimenti per aver ingaggiato Simon McBride, bravo bravissimo, Steve mancherà a tutti come Ritchie gli chittaristi che hanno fatto parte del gruppo. Bravi aventi cosi per sempre e Richie stavolta vuole duettare con il suo allievo dateli stavolta la possibilità, il mondo intero guarderà questo duetto.
September 16th, 2022 at 20:39This makes sense and does not come as a surprise. Simon is extremely talented and is a great fit for this band. I will miss Steve and hope there are more live releases from when Steve was in the band.
September 16th, 2022 at 20:46Great news … I ve seen and hear him live on stage and he was very good himself and with the other guy
LLRnR
Kraatzy
September 16th, 2022 at 20:51It’s not an easy job but he made look so easy and made his signature on stage.
September 16th, 2022 at 20:52I love the guy and he is the present and the future.
But no one knows what the future hold so make every minute and Second counts and enjoy it to the max Simon.
BTW we are also blessed that Steve and Ritchie are both in good health so as the rest of the current line up so all is good news.
Peace 🕊️❤️
Welcome Mk IX !!!
https://s2.gifyu.com/images/F12.gif
https://c.tenor.com/KlnN_fvrrtEAAAAC/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-hobbit.gif
September 16th, 2022 at 20:55Great news!
The band was in great shape this summer, I hope they’ll go and record a new album soon.
September 16th, 2022 at 21:26Well deserved & and a excellent evolution for the band!
September 16th, 2022 at 21:44I remember my first introduction to Simon, watching one of Ian Gillan’s concert dvd’s with the Don Ariey Band.
The whole show I kept saying “Who The Hell Is This Guy”!
Well now I know!
Welcome Aboard Simon, hope you get to meet Bob Ezirn soon!
There’s life in the ole ‘saur yet!
https://images.fineartamerica.com/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/3/colorful-pink-and-purple-mean-looking-dinosaur-with-long-sharp-teeth-in-black-background-susan-vineyard.jpg
September 16th, 2022 at 22:08Great news.
September 16th, 2022 at 22:09Awesome !!! Congratulations Simon, & welcome aboard !!!
Just keep on making great music guys !
September 16th, 2022 at 23:32He plays quite well. Purple’s history is having incredible talent and variety. I never like to see someone leave, but the new musicians never disappoint. Unlike many “classic rock” bands that have seen a marked dropoff in their sound, Purple has remained strong all through the years. Everyone has their own tastes, but I’d rank the main ones this way:
September 17th, 2022 at 00:00Guitarists:
1. Ritchie Blackmore
2. Tommy Bolin
3. Simon McBride
4. Steve Morse
Singers:
1. Ian Gillan
2. Rod Evans
3. David Coverdale
4. Glenn Hughes
5. Joe Lynn Turner
Keyboards:
1. Jon Lord
2. Don Airey
Bass:
1. Roger Glover
2. Glenn Hughes
Drums:
1. Ian Paice (it was a tough choice -just kidding!)
I actually wonder how many times I have heard him on other things and did not realize who he was at the time.
Well, if they make it back to Southern California for another go around it will bring a little “Can’t Wait” anxious anticipation to see and hear something new.
Now if they would only do something about updating that old USA Greatest Hits is 90 % of our Set List situation…………..(Roger? Are you there)
September 17th, 2022 at 00:26Wow. It just keeps getting fantastic. I a absolutely thrilled that Purple will continue for years yet! Thank you Steve. Welcome Simon 🤘🏾🙏🏾🔥
September 17th, 2022 at 05:36Official band members for DP over it’s history, 54321. 5 lead vocalists, 4 guitarists, 3 bass guitarists, 2 keyboardists & 1 drummer. I guess that says something about Ian Paice’s resilience, determination, good character & of course impeccable playing. There is something special about drummers, being able to put up with so much & also managing to change all those different light bulbs. Should we anoint him, Saint Ian perhaps. Or a Knighthood, Sir Ian Paice. Either way kudos to him for being there all this time. The Numero Uno. Of course I am biased to drummers at times, why not? Cheers.
September 17th, 2022 at 05:37YOU ARE WELCOME ♡
September 17th, 2022 at 11:30“We’ll never forget” You Steve: God bless You and your wife♡
I pray for you two.
Welcome Simon and can’t wait for an LP!! Steve thank you so VERY MUCH (missed already) and please a live LP or 2 from the Morse decades 🙂
September 17th, 2022 at 14:22Bittersweet because of the obvious health/life crisis at hand….
Peace,
September 17th, 2022 at 14:50Ted
@14
September 17th, 2022 at 18:27I know this ranking is your opinion and you are entitled to it but Tommy Bolin # 2?
First of all to me Come Taste The Band was by far the worst Deep Purple album ever. Talk about a last ditch effort to try to save the band at that time that failed big time. Secondly, did you see Purple live with Bolin by any chance. Maybe you did and maybe he was good on that night but the 2 times I saw them he was so messed up he couldn’t play. It was so bad that Jon Lord had to do the guitar solos on the organ for Burn and Highway Star because Tommy was so messed up.
Again your opinion and I respect it but really?
George @21: Tommy could be both, bedazzling good or incredibly disappointing. But when he was on fire and had his charm button pressed, he was something. You don’t get rated as an excellent guitar player by peers as diverse as Jimmy Page, Joe Walsh, Ritchie Blackmore and Jeff Beck for nothing. Tommy was special, just not consistent live.
And Come Taste The Band is my third-favorite DP album of all time after Machine Head and Burn. Horses for courses.
James @14: OMG, you’re just like the RRHF, you forgot NICK SIMPER !!! Listen, learn, read on his magnificent work on The Book of Taliesyn for just and appropriate penance! ; – )
Or to this here, some autobiographical bits contained …
https://youtu.be/NlI8cP0fM7o
September 17th, 2022 at 21:41@ 14 – no doubt others here may mention it also, you forgot Nick Simper & we hope you are not on the R&RHOF committee, he he he!. Regarding McBride, he has only just officially joined after a few gigs, surely Morse would be way ahead of him at this stage with studio recordings etc. Lets see what McBride’s ‘influence’ relates to in some way. If recording new material I am hoping for a big shift in sound & hopefully riffs, melodies & song structure etc. It will be interesting how Ezrin works with him, or maybe they might get a different producer? Why not? Each to their own as we say. Cheers.
September 17th, 2022 at 21:45The Antipodean @17: I believe the secret to Little Ian’s longevity is that – like most drummers – he just digs hanging around with true musicians. ; – p
September 17th, 2022 at 21:48@ 24 -bingo, you have it in one. Cheers.
September 18th, 2022 at 00:02@21 Yep. Just opinions. I think “Come Taste the Band” is seriously underrated and shows Tommy Bolin’s brilliance on guitar.
September 18th, 2022 at 02:35@21 I should have added, George, that Tommy Bolin’s being strung out on drugs and playing miserably live near the end of his life doesn’t mean he wasn’t a heck of a talent. I mean, a lot of rock musicians ODed in the 1970s. Does that mean they weren’t great musicians?
September 18th, 2022 at 02:38I’d rate the guitarists in this order: 1 Blackmore, 2 Morse, 3 Bolin, 4 McBride
September 18th, 2022 at 07:51@17
September 18th, 2022 at 08:58Your comments about Ian Paice doesn’t really do justice to the other band members.
None of the ex members of DP are sitting at home jobless reading the news papers. They are still active and in good health.
All the break up helped to shape the band history and What Ian Gillan did in the rock and roll hall of fame by mentioning every single past and present member shows how much each person is rooted in the history of the band
I really don’t think your comments are done in an offence way but I think it’s not fairly put together.
Peace ✌️
come on chaps isnt it time to retire now…finish the tour with simon…a great guitarist..then retire ..its only little ian left..what if he has to retire no originals left then!!!..finish off the tour and retire i say
September 18th, 2022 at 11:26@14 1. Blackmore 2. Morse 3. McBride 4. Bolin
September 18th, 2022 at 11:55Adel, I have to hop right in on the side of the percussive ‘roo: I respect and like anyone who is or has been with Purple, but Ian is special. Musically, for providing the idiosyncratic swing throughout all incarnations of DP, as a person for his matter-of-fact attitude sans drama, and as an institution as the connecting tissue to DP‘s origins. That doesn‘t marginalize any other member.
Paice is as pivotal to Purple as Bonham was to Zep.
It is also telling how much he identifies with Purple as a brand. Whether he was playing with PAL, Whitesnake or Gary Moore (or auditioning with Gillan), he always stayed with people of the inner or greater first or second generation Purple family circle (astounding for a drummer as versatile as him), his audition with The Who in the wake of Keith Moon‘s death (Townshend preferred Kenny Jones in the end) and his short stint with Macca as a recovering widower being the only real exceptions. Even Purpendicular as his “keep-in-shape“ rehearsal outfit plays Purple music.
I can‘t imagine a Purple without St. Litte Ian. And that is saying something in a band where line-up changes are a way of life.
September 18th, 2022 at 12:07@27
September 18th, 2022 at 12:35Yeah, after reading what I wrote I came off pretty harsh on Tommy and I shouldn’t have done that. I just remember when Blackmore left I thought they would get a guy who was going to come up with some amazing solos and songs to show that Blackmore would not be missed, IMO, CTTB shows basically nothing to me and I knew there was no chance there would be a follow up. I guess I’d listen to In Rock and Machine head so much that when I’d listen to CTTB
I felt it was a major disappointment. Maybe if I’d never saw them live I would give Bolin a break but I can’t forget how bad he was live. Drugs can ruin you. I know other great guitarist have said he was really good but I can only judge by what I see and hear, just like all of us.
I don‘t think ranking the guitarists makes much sense. Blackmore forged DP in the first 7 years through three line-up upheavals, but wrote his last Purple song 30 years ago, Bolin was just an episode and would have never had a long period with Purple as he had a guitarist/singer/songwriter career waiting for him to which he would have eventually returned, Satriani never recorded, Steve Morse was responsible for the longest period of stability with Purple ever, but by then they were no longer a cultural or commercial force, and Simon has yet to record a single note with DP.
Aside from all playing guitar at a high level, their roles and individual circumstances/environments were/are so different.
Personally I feel that Simon is closer to Ritchie in style, attitude and background than the three Americans, none of which were swashbuckling guitar heroes in the classic sense, but either musicians‘ musicians (Satriani & Morse) or more comprehensive artists (Bolin).
September 18th, 2022 at 12:39@14 Yeah, I was thinking of Nick Simper as I was compiling that list and must’ve gotten distracted. Honestly, the bass was so far down in the mix on those old labels I’d be disingenous if I said I can really tell how good Nick was or wasn’t on bass. I’ve seen some of his interviews and he seems like a really good guy.
September 18th, 2022 at 17:24@22 Ha ha! Unlike the Rock and Roll Hall of Shame – which I’ve been to – I intended no slight against Nick Simper. As far as I can tell, he was good. Of course, the mix on those albums wasn’t great, so I don’t know whether he was really good or not. I actually WAS thinking of him, but started thinking about something else. By the way, Ian Gillan told me in the past he was a huge fan of the original Deep Purple and still likes them!
September 18th, 2022 at 17:28@27 All the musicians in DP were fine. I might have Bolin as second-best one day and Morse or someone else the next. When you have musicians that good, tastes can adjust based on mood.
September 18th, 2022 at 17:30Simon age 43. Deep Purple now on average, much younger, under 70, more precisely 68.8 🙂
September 18th, 2022 at 19:46Let’s go guys to 2023 new album
@32 – ‘the percussive ‘roo’, ha ha ha, I like it. Back in the 1980’s myself & a friend stumbled upon two large male kangaroo’s about to engage in a duel, we actually heard them before seeing them. No doubt a territorial feud & both were large red ‘s beating themselves in the chest & it did have a primal rhythm to it. Then when ready for combat they commenced to takes turns hitting each other in the chest with their hind legs, propped up on their tails as they do. It was site to behold even though we were a little worried if they noticed us, however we managed to sneak away & leave them to it. We could still hear them going for it hundreds of metres away. Thanks for the morning laugh, I enjoyed it. Cheers
September 18th, 2022 at 22:18“Of course, the mix on those albums wasn’t great, so I don’t know whether he was really good or not.”
As a fellow bassist, I feel honor-bound to not let this stand! James @36, sit down, we’re gonna practice this now, it’s Nick Simper bass listening school!!!
Here at 01:15, now tell me what he does ain’t lyrical bass playing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWeqxE6ZFtE
At 01:00 and 02:22 here, that’s Nick on fuzz bass, not Ritchie on guitar!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhBOq0O_XHI
Here, Nick’s repeating bass line carries the song right from the start:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6Ikxh1jpw0
Descending bass lines à la Bach:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAsGTkksHB4
As it said in the original gatefold sleeve’s comments on the track (Chasing Shadows): “Nicky’s bass line is a gas!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVz25F6gK4c
Much more melodic, rhythmic and inventive than what Roger would play on a similar track a few months later:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZXhZ6Wejqc
Nick is a fluid player to this day (bass solo @03:50) …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShwGb4Z25z8
That’s not to say that Roger did not eventually bring great things to Purple as a bassist, but in 1969 and coming from Episode Six his style was much less established than Nick’s. Of course, by late 1971, he reigned supreme with his classic Rickenbacker sound, Machine Head wouldn’t sound like Machine Head without it, snappy and snarly as it was in all its glory, but it took him three studio recordings with Purple to get there:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtBq6rCfm7M
September 19th, 2022 at 00:27@ 30: But Mike, this forum is populated with geriatric men who want them to continue! Yes, Ian is the only guy left from the original line-up, but to the world at large, DP only started with Mk II and of that line-up we still have 3/5th, that’s not to shabby. Mk I existed for little more than a year, Mk II for almost four (first time around).
Ritchie left the band at his own volition and Jon left in hindsight just at the right time so he still had a decade of doing something outside of Purple (as was his wish).
Don Airey was hardly my favorite keyboard player back in Rainbow/Ozzy/Gary Moore days (I preferred Jon with Whitesnake and Colin Towns with IGB/Gillan), but he has grown as a musician with Purple and has carried Jon’s baton well – he too gives the current line-up credibility in my ears.
And Simon is likely to be their last chapter and I for one am interested how that is gonna turn out. I’ve listened to all his solo albums extensively now and I believe that if there is a final or penultimate (if we’re lucky) DP studio album, it’s gonna have a Bad Company vibe.
September 19th, 2022 at 01:45So looking foward to Simon’s unique statement with the band. Sharing the love of all members that have brought their talents to the band.
There hasn’t been a change in this band that has ever suffered talent, it’s only brought different perspectives.
Cheers!
September 19th, 2022 at 02:59@21 George and @22 Uwe:
CTTB is my 4th, behind Machine Head, MIJ, and Perpendicular. Bolin fell down touring, but, CTTB’s sound and playing was amazing to me. You keep on Moving is one of the greatest songs I’ve ever heard and the swing of This Time Around/Owed to G? Who else was doing anyting like that at the time? Who could? Glenn Hughes’ vocals were ethereal.
Paicey was on fire throughout, and the way that Bolin danced his fingers in Blackmore’s wake? Totally inventive.
God! I Love This Band! Every Mark of it.
September 19th, 2022 at 03:17My rankings of Deep Purple guitarists.
1. Ritchie Blackmore
2. Steve Morse
3. Tommy Bolin
4. Joe Satriani
5. Simon McBride
Joe Satriani is only #4 because he did not make any studio album with them.
September 19th, 2022 at 04:22Yo, I’d suggest that the “boys” gave-up on the idea of retirement many years ago, since I’d guess that all have families that are well & truly grown-up now-days… So as musicians, what better way to enjoy an unofficial retirement, than to keep-on playing ???…Sure age & time may be against us, but careful time management, selected tour arrangements, & maybe some recording time for a new record will see a great balance of work & play, & something to look forward to for everyone, band & fans alike ! They have nothing to prove, the legacy of work / recordings is behind them now for over 50-years ! Probably a big ask at the moment, but I for one would love to see a new studio recording when the time is right.
Peace !
September 19th, 2022 at 04:57It´s logic but at the same time, sad,.,
Simon semes to be a nice bloke, but hes from the heavy blues roock sid of it with heroes like Gary Moore and maby,- Joe Bonamassa?
September 19th, 2022 at 07:34Great guitarists indeed but they lack that outside influences that makes Purple so special.
Ritchie had hes classical influenses, Steve had the bluegrass-Jazzy-thing, but Simon has – “heavy bluesrock?””..
That combined with Dons less groovy aproach to the organ than Jon makes DP anno 2022 far from the golden years of 95-2001 that i thing is the most intresting period of the bands long life
I find it amazing that people are rating Simon before he’s recorded with Purple or before any live sets have been officially released (or indeed soundboard bootlegs have been issued) Until they have I will reserve judgement apart from to say what I’ve seen on YouTube demonstrates to me a very fine guitar player – and considerably better than Mr B’s recent rock efforts.
September 19th, 2022 at 10:55Uwe@32
September 19th, 2022 at 11:22I think you have a valid point as you can never say that all musicians that formed or joint purple are of equal contributions or skill.
Of Course Ian Paice is a towering figure of the DP family and the way he looked after himself is pure professional class act.
He never indulged into the drugs and sex part of the rock & roll while some other were sucked into it and he a great dedicated family man which I gather from his interviews. He is very talented and maybe he the main driving force which was hidden behind his quite approach.
The way the band has evolved through out the years while at the helm put him is an undisputed spot at the top of the DP family tree.
But I also love every person who joined DP so it’s more my heart is driving the love rather than loving the music from the ones with the most years of service or contribution.
Peace ✌️
Another painter has picked up the brush!. Let`s see what Simon can add to the musical landscape that is Purple! Looking forward to a new album ( hopefully) and a North American tour ( with same hope!)
September 19th, 2022 at 11:33@47 Blackmore could crank it out, if he devoted himself to rock and roll again. Pickup the Stratocaster every now and again won’t cut it. You take 20 years off from any endeavor, you’re going to rusty. Ritchie grew his nails long to pluck the medieval instruments and put rock on the backburner for two decades until 2016. I thought he was as melodic as ever, but way slower and with a much weaker supporting band than ever before (at least, for rock music. They are fine for the renaissance stuff). The biggest difference was the rhythm section. Without Cozy Powell or Ian Paice on the kit, it looked lame. But I have no doubt Ritch would do well if he returned to Purple. But we all know that horse is out of the barn unless they could all get together just for a party and some socialization someday, and maybe break the ice.
September 19th, 2022 at 17:49Goran @46: Simon is not just steeped in the Blues …
https://youtu.be/3ZTnQ7ngI4Y?list=RD3ZTnQ7ngI4Y
Sound familiar?
https://youtu.be/bRkW3qwXdYI
September 19th, 2022 at 18:48It’s a difficult call to make to retire after a lifetime of touring. It must be much more normal than not touring now and giving up could be detrimental to their health and well being. As long as the performance is of a good level, keep going. If Ian G, Ian P or Roger has to stop at any point, that is definitely the time the band should retire. I’m sad to see some bands limping on with one or no original members. Original members for DP of course includes mark 2.
September 19th, 2022 at 19:59@ 47 -so you find it ‘amazing’ that some comment on a new guitarist, but don’t mind making a ridiculous ‘comparison’ comment on someone’s age difference & the new guitarist? Enough said there. Cheers.
September 19th, 2022 at 21:25@46…Musicians today, especially guitarists have got really, really good access to a number of incredible books for study, such as W.G.Leavitt’s “A Modern Method for Guitar”, whereby through going through its pages ( a full 3-volumes worth ) will produce a player with a skill-level that’s unbelievable, & need to see/hear, to believe, that was possible…
That said, what a musician does with this acquired & hard earned skill-set, remains to be determined by that person, but doors will open…
The old-school rock masters, such as Blackmore, Page, Beck & Clapton as an example, were essentially both very lucky, & at the right place at the right time. And there playing-styles evolved often from some limited lessons / schooling, & a lot of putting themselves into the music they were making with the folks they were with at that time…The thing is here, that electric instruments & amplification were about to explode big-time, & change the way we listened to things forever more, in particular, the electric bass guitar. Rock’n’roll was still only in its teen-age years, so these folks grew up listening to “whatever” was on the AM radio stations, from all across Europe, being jazz/popular music, folk, classical or whatever they could find time to listen too. How many radio stations exist today, & what are they playing ??? * People also forget that before these guys & Jimi, was an extraordinary guitarist/ musician called Wes Montgomery, that regretfully folks won’t know anything about today, but I bet Blackmore, Page, Beck & Clapton know exactly who Wes is / was…
Today’s players, due to vast competition, have to deliver the goods in a multiple of styles to get the continued work, & I have no doubt that Simon will deliver what’s needed, for sure.
Peace !
September 20th, 2022 at 01:36I guess thats official – no way back for Steve
Prior to the news on his wife , I seem to get that sense SM wasnt overly keen with the possible length of the ‘Long Goodbye’ tour.
Very grateful to SM for his immense contribution to DP. He took a failing band and gave it life.
I guess Mcbride has nothing to lose – a couple of years experience with DP wont do his career any harm at all
September 20th, 2022 at 09:13Welcome, Simon! I am looking forward to the band’s new chapter with you.
Thank you, Steve! Your contribution to DP is truly immeasurable.
Speaking of former DP guitarists, and loosely affiliated axemen 😉
Blackmore’s Night: October 30, Sony Hall, New York, NY
Joe Satriani: November 3, Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT
TBD: Jeff Beck: October 7 or October 8, Capitol Theater, Port Chester, NY
September 20th, 2022 at 12:22Steve had long been saying that DP tours too much and too long for him. Purple have become a touring entity, it‘s a way of life to the two Ians, Roger and Don, but Steve was never a touring musician until he joined DP.
September 20th, 2022 at 21:27#55
September 20th, 2022 at 21:46You’re right, I got the sense that Steve wasn’t really happy with the length of the “Long Goodbye Tour” also. I remember the last time I saw him at one of the meet and greets I ask him how many more tours does this band have left in them? He response was ” I thought the last tour was the last tour”. But he was a very humble guy. I would always thank him for helping to keep the band going his response always was ” Well if it wasn’t me it would have been someone else” He is a very modest man. I wish him nothing but the best.
27 years in the same job and your wife not doing well, you’re allowed to rearrange your priorities. Steve has left his stamp on Purple as a band, eternal thanks for that. I hope he finds time to make new music too – I thought the Flying Colors a great band (and they don’t have to slog around as much as Purple tour-wise) and if I dare say: Steve seemed more elated and more inspired on stage with them than with DP though I have never seen him play unenthusiastically with Purple. The man relishes in intricate arrangements, there is a limit to how far you can carry that with a band like DP which will always also have to hit the gut. I think Steve took it as far as he could with Mk VIII already.
September 21st, 2022 at 14:19Thank You Steve! Welcome Simon!
September 21st, 2022 at 18:25Let There Be Rock !!
Uwe @59
September 22nd, 2022 at 08:18Very well said and put comments 👍
27 years of extensive worldwide touring and 8 studio albums with DP. What an achievement.
There is enough material to be played on stage to fill a live set if Purple dared to drop the big hits and use the Steve Morse material.
To be honest you would struggle to find a guitarist that would have done a better job with this great energy and stamina for such a long time. Even the great Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord could not keep up with the extensive touring.
Its also a great credit to the Little Ian, Big Ian, Roger and Don for soldiering on.
Peace ✌️
@31
I agree. Although McBride’s been here for 25 days, while Morse was there for 25 years. If they still go on for some more time and if they still release another album, we’ll see.
I absolutely love all Morse era and I even would say he is responsible for the band still being there. He is incredibly talented and a great person.
BUT. McBride’s style is – at least so far – much more Blackmore’s Purple, and, wether we like it or not, that’s what we all are always looking forward to. To looking back.
And I think Bolin was the least one talented guitar, and CTTB one of the least perfect albums.
Of course, everyone has their opionions, and that’s beautiful.
Long life and God bless DP.
September 26th, 2022 at 21:17@40
Thankyou very much indeed man, a gret lesson, and 2 of the links are really interesting, the Blind/Chasing shadows and the one with Nick in 2018.
September 27th, 2022 at 21:24