STEVE MORSE Officially Leaves DEEP PURPLE To Care For His Ailing Wife

DARK PURPLE guitarist steve morse has officially left the band to take care of his wife, janinewho is fighting cancer.

MorseThe latest announcement comes four months after the guitarist said he was taking a break from the band, hoping to reunite with his bandmates once his wife’s health improved. He was later replaced on the road by the Irish blues-rock guitarist. Simon McBride.

Earlier today (Saturday July 23),DARK PURPLE issued the following statement via social media: “DARK PURPLE announces that steve morse he will walk away from the band, having been their guitarist for more than a quarter of a century. Steve‘s personal circumstances have made it impossible for him to commit to the band’s schedule throughout 2022 and beyond.

“A few months ago, Steve openly shared with fans of the band the sad fact that his wife, janineshe is battling cancer and, in her own words, ‘I just have to be there with her’.

“Since I joined the band in 1994, Steve He has written and recorded eight studio albums with the band: ‘purple’, ‘Quit’, ‘bananas’, ‘Rapture from the deep’, ‘Now what?!’, ‘Infinite’‘Whoosh!’ [and] ‘Turning to crime’. Also, Steve He has also recorded many live albums with DARK PURPLE Through the years.

“Steve He will be greatly missed by the band, crew, management, record label and all those who had the pleasure of working with him over the years.

“Steve has always been enormously grateful for the support and love of DARK PURPLE fans from all over the world.

“A true master…”

Morse said in a statement: “Last fall, I suddenly left the PURPLE writing session in Germany because my wife was having a real medical crisis. Almost a year later, we are learning to accept aggressive stage 4 cancer and chemotherapy treatment for the rest of her life.

“We both miss being at shows, but I just couldn’t commit to touring long or far away, as things can change quickly back home. I suggested hiring a substitute guitarist last fall, hoping we might see the miracle cure for Cancer We’ve Heard About Us Over time, I could see how things were going, however, after 28 years of being in the band.

“I’ve already played my last show with PURPLE back in Florida in the Rock legends Cruise.

“I want to thank the listeners who so strongly supported live music and turned every show from a dress rehearsal to an exciting and raucous experience.

“I will miss everyone in the band and crew, but being janineThe assistant and defender of has made a real difference in many key points. As Janine adjusts to her limitations, she can do a lot on her own, so we’ll try to do some shorter nearby concert tours with friends to hopefully get us both out of the house.

“I know Simon You already have the concert nailed down, but now I’m handing over the keys to the vault that contains the secret of how Ritchie‘s [Blackmore] ‘Smoking in the water’ the introduction was recorded. I guess you have to move the key properly because I never opened it.”

DARK PURPLE singer Ian Gillan said, “In circumstances like these, it’s usually hard to find the right words, but not in the case of steve morse; I know what I mean.

“He came from a different background than the rest of us in DARK PURPLE and yet his musical genius has somehow been supported and played a major role in the new direction taken by the group when he joined and made his first album with us in 1996, and then for over a quarter of a century , enjoying the longest concern of any PD guitarist and contributing to the longest unvarying lineup, which began when Don Airey substituted jon sir —who retired in 2002— to this day.

“I realized for the first time Steve via DIXIE FECESparticularly the track ‘Take it off the top’ what was the theme of tommy vance‘s BBC rock show and I was powerfully impressed. I didn’t realize at the time that one day I would be lucky enough to be on stage with Steve and enjoy his consummate up-close and dangerous skills.

“I got to know him as a very kind man, full of ideas and with the patience to see them unfold. He said, ‘You never know until you try’. We sure had fun discussing that approach, but mostly on good terms.” “. humor and he always gave the best he received.

“Steve has a legacy with DARK PURPLE that can never be forgotten, and that smile will be missed.

“It would be wrong to comment on his personal circumstances, suffice to say he is in a bad place right now but he is facing it bravely and to the best of his ability, we all admire his devotion, he has been a strong family man all his life.

“This has all come at a terrible time for everyone, including the other musicians in DARK PURPLE.

“After two years off the road due to lockdowns everywhere, we had to get back to what we do, which is playing live around the world and making music like we always have, since 1968.

“As we get older, we realize we’re much closer to the end, and that triggers an urge that won’t be tamed.

“Of SteveFrom her perspective, I can only imagine that there is no possible ‘nice’ way to continue with a new man, but it’s either that or end, because the lack of momentum was gradually turning into something more significant; he felt terminal.

“The best way I can describe this is by using Steveown words; When I sent her a love letter a few weeks ago, she replied that it was weird being home while we guys were out there, but ‘reality kicks in’… and that’s what happened. I can only express love and respect and positive vibes in memories of good times together.”

DARK PURPLE drums peace ian said: “From the moment Steve joined us on PURPLE, it was obvious that it could open up new musical possibilities for us. Like most great creative musicians, he has the ability to come up with musical ideas that no one else has thought of. I think the easiest way to say it is that he is always ‘thinking outside the box’. Not many of us can do that! We learned that he is also an incredibly nice man, who put up with our lack of knowledge of US sports teams and stars, and our ongoing conversation about UK soccer (soccer for our friends in the US! .!), with great patience. But there is an important truth here and that is that ‘family comes first’. Steve he adheres to that truth with his wife janinethe health situation. We will miss you.”

DARK PURPLE bass guitarist roger glover said: “In the early ’80s, on tour with RAINBOW in germany i heard ‘Go for the baroque’ for him DIXIE FECES on a car radio. He captivated me and I immediately bought ‘unsung heroes’. so i bought SteveThe first solo album of. what a guitarist I could never have dreamed that twelve years later we would be in a band together.

“DARK PURPLE it was at a turning point in the mid 90’s and needed a makeover. Steve it was an inspired choice and he brought us his unlimited talent and imagination, as evidenced by ‘purple’, one of my favorite albums, which allowed the band to start an incredible journey for the next twenty eight years… no small thing. He is a teacher, he inspired us, me in particular, with his energy, his encouragement and his wisdom, and his contribution and legacy to this band is beyond words. We will miss him but our friendship will remain. Sadly, life has intervened, and different challenges are upon us. janine they need it now, and my best wishes and thoughts are with them.”

DARK PURPLE keyboardist Don Airey said: “Thank you Steve for being such a shining light both musically and personally for me over the last (20!!) years. The only thing I can do is wish you and Janine the best for the future, in the new direction that life has taken for you. I know it would take a lot more than this to extinguish her talent and her music, so hopefully we’ll see you guys down the road.”

Morse actually took over Richie Blackmore‘s DARK PURPLE since 1994 and since then he has been in the group for more than Ritchie.

MorseHis solo career has spanned rock, country, funk, jazz, classical and fusion music. Having started playing guitar around the age of 11, he later attended the University of Miami School of Music, where he studied classical and jazz guitar. A “guitarist’s guitarist,” he was voted “Best Guitarist Overall” at the Guitarist Readers’ Poll for five consecutive years, before being removed from eligibility to open up the award to other musicians and being included in their Gallery Of Greats. His work has received seven grammy award nominations, and has appeared on more than 200 albums.

DARK PURPLEthe last album of “Returning to Crime”came out in november via EarMUSIC. The LP contains DARK PURPLEversions of great rock classics and musical gems, including songs originally recorded by bob dylan, FLEETWOOD MAC, Bob Seger, CREAM Y THE BIRDS OF THE YARD — carefully chosen by each member of the band.