Biografia
Instrumental rock guitarist Steve Morse (born July 28, 1954, in Hamilton, Ohio, USA) initially drew significant influence from the Beatles. He broadened his musical horizons by listening to prominent rock bands like the Yardbirds, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin, along with developing an early interest in country music. At age 13, Morse relocated with his family to Georgia, where he was inspired by a live performance by classical guitarist Juan Mercadal and convinced him to provide lessons. He later studied under Mercadal at the University of Miami, simultaneously forming his first band, Dixie Dregs (also known as the Dregs). After seeing John McLaughlin's original Mahavishnu Quartet perform on campus, Morse committed himself to pushing the boundaries of instrumental rock music. The Dregs, serving as a platform for these explorations, produced eight albums of dynamic fusion music. During this period, Morse also earned his pilot’s license, with flying becoming a major passion alongside music. He established the Steve Morse Band with Dregs drummer Rod Morgenstein and bassist Jerry Peek. Their 1984 debut, The Introduction, showcased a skillful mix of instrumental rock fusion and featured guest guitarist Albert Lee. Their follow-up, Stand Up, incorporated more vocals and included guest appearances by renowned guitarists Eric Johnson and Peter Frampton. After a brief tenure with Kansas, Morse released his first solo album, High Tension Wires, which featured a reunion with the original Dixie Dregs on the track "Leprechaun Promenade." By the time Southern Steel was released, the Steve Morse Band consisted of Morse, fellow Dixie Dregs bassist Dave LaRue, and drummer Van Romaine. Throughout the 1990s, Morse continued recording and touring with the re-formed Dixie Dregs. His reputation has remained strong over the years—Guitar Player magazine barred him from their Best Overall Guitarist poll after he won it five times consecutively. He has also collaborated with artists such as Eddie Van Halen, Steve Howe, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and joined Deep Purple in 1994 for a period. The Steve Morse Band’s sixth album, Structural Damage, demonstrated his enduring skill, featuring the Celtic-inspired "Sacred Ground" and the cinematic "Dreamland." He currently records with Deep Purple and pursues various solo projects. His latest album, Split Decision, was released in February 2002, with a highly anticipated new Deep Purple studio album scheduled for later that year.
