In another thread, I was reminded that Steve twice replaced better known players in famous bands -

[The Polack MSgt]

And wound up being the best player in that band's history.

Although, to be fair being the best guitarist in Kansas' history is not what you want on your headstone.

But Steve Morse is also - by far, yes BY FAR - the best guitarist in Deep Purple's history.

Sorry, not sorry Richie Blackmore fans.

Steve came to my attention in the late 70s, early 80s as the guitarist and creative pilot of a Jazz/Rock/Country fusion band called The Dixie Dregs:

He put out solo music (That sounded pretty Dregs -y, with more solo guitar)

Then played for Kansas.

In a side note, I said earlier that Steve never did a studio album with Kansas - I was wrong he did 2 - 'Power' and 'In the Spirit of Things' my fault. I had already shined off Kansas at that point and never knew...

And finally, he has been the guitarist for Deep Purple for 23 years. LONGER THAN ALL OTHER GUITARISTS COMBINED.

But I get it - no one even knows that Deep Purple still exists and Richie came up with the "Smoke on the Water" riff.

Here's the thing tho - Richie was an asshole of a bandmate who (more than once) quit in the middle of tours, fought every singer he ever played with, and was disinterested in the on going effort of writing and touring...

And now he dresses up as a Tolkien inspired wizard, and sits in a Scottish castle stoned and shunned by all... Or maybe he's over that phase, I don't know - He dropped off my radar long ago.

But Steve Morse always shows up ready to play. Steve is a true pro.

Steve is the best, sorry