Steve
Morse
The facts
Born 28 July 1954, Hamilton, Ohio. Formed Dixie Grits with school friend
Andy West. Both went on to the University of Miami where Steve studied under
Juan Mercadal and Stan Simone, and jammed with contemporary Pat Metheny.
He formed the Dixie Dregs (sometimes known as The Dregs) while at the
university. Recently revived, they continue to play and record on an ad
hoc basis.
Inspired by John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra, the Dregs play a
spirited jazz fusion with irrepressible energy and a sense of fun. Sparkle
with originality, they manage to blend rock influences such as Led Zeppelin,
Hendrix and the Yardbirds with country music and jazz.
Steve joined Kansas (1986 - 87) for a brief 2 albums (Power and In
the Spirit of Things). He also appears on Kansas Live on the King Biscuit
Flower Hour released 1989.
With a stack of Grammy nominations to his and the Dregs' names, he was
also named Best Overall Guitar Player 5 years in a row by Guitar Player
Magazine. With the votes from other guitar players that counts for a lot. They
had to make him ineligible after that. Well it wasn't really fair on the rest.
Then he decided to be a commercial airline pilot for a while. Well it's
just the sort of thing a virtuoso guitarist would do isn't it. Something about
liking the way you didn't have to take the work home with you. This man is
different. Fortunately for us he got over that patch and went back to the
guitar full time and to recording.
In November 1994 (yes it is that long ago so why do the press still call
him the new guitarist ?) he joined Deep Purple, following in the footsteps of
Ritchie Blackmore of course, and Joe Satriani who had helped them out for a
short stint. He continues to play with both the Dixie Dregs and the Steve
Morse Band, sometimes on the same tour.
