Happy Birthday Steve Morse!
Hi, WA Friends
No, that's not me playing, but have you heard of Steve Morse?
Maybe you remember the American all-instrumental fusion band the Dixie Dregs, which featured combined elements of Rock, Country, Bluegrass, Jazz, and Classical to create their own unique brand of music? The Dregs featured Steve Morse, Allen Sloan, Andy West, Rod Davidowski, and Steve Davidowski; all killer players!
Steve also did many albums with the Steve Morse Band and Played with Kansas!
In 1994, Steve joined Deep Purple, replacing none other than the "Black Knight," also known as the "Prince of Darkness," Ritchie Blackmore. Nobody can play like Ritchie, but Steve did an outstanding job in every respect. Unfortunately, the band lost more of its original iconic sound with the death of keyboardist John Lord in 2012, but Steve helped keep the band alive until his departure two years ago.
These days, Steve plays with his progressive Rock band Flying Colors, which includes Neil Morse (no relation), Casey McPherson, Dave LaRue (from Dream Theater), and Mike Portnoy (also from Dream Theater).
You may not know that Steve Morse flew commercial airlines as a co-pilot from 1987 to 1988 and, like Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickenson (also a pilot), flew his band members and equipment around to play various gigs.
Here's a photo of Iron Maiden's "Ed Force One," with Bruce in the pilot set. The jet is mainly filled with the band's stage, lighting, and sound equipment.
Getting back to Steve Morse, I highly recommend you check out his recordings with the Dixie Dregs and Flying Colors!
Happy Birthday, Steve - You Rock!
Frank 🎸
Recent Comments
37
I loved him with Deep Purple!!! I grew up on Deep Purple music (when rock was RACK)!!!
Thank you for allowing me to re-visit my youth, Frank!
-Mike
Hey, Mike
I grew up with Deep Purple, too! Albums like Fireball and Machine Head blew me away.
Steve Morse was a great choice and he was such a fan of the band that he put everything he had into it.
Frank 🎸
I don't know of anyone, Mike! 😊😊
One of the greatest guitar riffs of all times!
However, I find that most people play it wrong, with the fifth above the root of the power chord instead of below it, the way Ritchie does it. It gives the riff its "heavy" sound!
Frank
I know the name, but I did not know what he did, Frank! I do remember watching the video of Bruce Dickinson when he flew "Ed Force 1" for Iron Maiden's "Book of Souls" Tour, which I saw the concert on with Ghost! That was one heck of a show!
Jeff
Hey, Jeff
You should check out some of Steve's stuff with the Dixie Dregs or the Steve Morse band. All amazing, no matter what you choose!
I couldn't resist the photo of Ed Force One. Iron Maiden is a phenomenal band in every respect! I didn't use the airplane photo of Steve's album "Coast To Coast," because it's no where as impressive looking, but I included it below.
Here's a photo from my music studio of a "Piece Of Mind" album the band signed for me when I was the backstage doc at their concert. Sorry for the reflections.
Frank 🎸
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How can I forget him, he's from my age group. Happy Birthday Steve. Jim
Right on, Jim! 👍👍😊