Steve Morse

Steven J. Morse is a rock guitarist and guitar virtuoso, best known for his position as guitarist in the Dixie Dregs and Deep Purple. His career has encompassed rock, country, funk, jazz, classical, and fusions of these genres. In addition to a thriving solo career, he enjoyed a brief stint with Kansas and has been working with Deep Purple since 1994. Image File history File linksMetadata Steve_morse. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Steve_morse. ... Steve Howe playing lead guitar for Yes in 1977 A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. ... The Dixie Dregs is a progressive rock band formed in the 1970s. ... This article is about the rock group. ... Kansas is a 1970s American rock band, specializing in progressive rock with a distinctly American flavour. ... This article is about the rock group. ...

Biography

Morse was born July 28, 1954 in Hamilton, Ohio. His father was a minister and his mother a classically trained pianist; both psychologists. The family moved to Tennessee, then Ypsalanti, Michigan where Morse spent his childhood. Although familiar with piano and clarinet, he became interested in guitar and his real musical career began. He worked briefly with his brother Dave in a band called The Plague until the family moved to Augusta, Georgia. Enrolled in Richmond Academy, he met bassist Andy West and together they formed the nucleus of Dixie Grit, adding keyboardist Johnny Carr, guitarist and vocalist Frank Brittingham with Dave Morse drumming. However, this effort was shortlived, since covering Led Zeppelin, Cream and the like limited their ability to get higher-paying dance gigs. West and Morse continued to play as a duet billed as the Dixie Dregs until Morse's expulsion from school in the 10th grade for refusing to cut his hair enabled his enrollment at University of Miami's School of Music. July 28 is the 209th day (210th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 156 days remaining. ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Led Zeppelin were an English rock band who are widely regarded as one of the most influential bands of all time. ... Cream (also The Cream) was a 1960s British supergroup which featured guitarist Eric Clapton, bassist Jack Bruce, and drummer Ginger Baker. ... The Dixie Dregs is a progressive rock band formed in the 1970s. ...

During the 1970s, The University played host to a number of future influential musicians, including Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Bruce Hornsby and others. Andy West soon enrolled and with Morse collaborated in a lab project entitled Rock Ensemble II, along with drummer Bart Yarnall, keyboardist Frank Josephs and violinist Allen Sloan. Rehearsing and performing Morse's compositions at school brought some attention to his credibility as a composer and player. The group compiled a recording used for promotional efforts in 1975. This recording was eventually released as The Great Spectacular in 1997. Pat Metheny in Melbourne, Florida, USA Patrick Bruce Metheny (born 12 August 1954 in Lees Summit, Missouri USA) is an American jazz guitarist and leader of the Pat Metheny Group. ... Jaco Pastorius, born John Francis Anthony Pastorius III (December 1, 1951 – September 21, 1987) was a jazz bassist and composer, notable for his virtuoso technique and fretless bass playing style. ... Bruce Randall Hornsby (born November 23, 1954 in Williamsburg, Virginia) is an American singer, virtuoso pianist, accordion player, and songwriter, best known for his 1980s signature song The Way It Is and the top five hits Mandolin Rain and The Valley Road. Later in his career he moved in a...

Dixie Dregs

Upon Morse's graduation in 1975, he and West officially named the group Dixie Dregs. A fellow alumnus, Rod Morgenstein replaced the injured Bart Yarnall and the band commenced performing on a very regular basis, interspersing their compositions with covers of John McLaughlin and of southern rock gems. Despite their decidedly non-commercial intent, an increasingly heavier performance schedule eventually led to the attention of Capricorn Records recruiters and in late 1976 the group was signed by the vaunted southern rock label. Rod Morgenstein is an American drummer and music educator. ... Several people are named John McLaughlin: John McLaughlin (musician), an English jazz fusion guitar player. ... Capricorn Records was launched by Phil Walden in 1969 in Macon, Georgia (with offices in Atlanta). ...

Their first effort for Capricorn, (Free Fall), established Morse as an important newcomer to the fusion genre not only for his compositional skills but for his consummate musicianship. Considered a pivotal jazz fusion piece in a genre gone cold, his tunes are bright, complex and fresh. Critically acclaimed, the album showed little commercial promise and in 1978, What If was released. Widely considered The Dixie Dregs' finest work, Morse's playing had matured into something a bit more than what defined fusion at the time. Southern rock, classical, folk and country elements combined to form a cohesive and complex pastiche of passionate and highly listenable music. Though supported by a tour, record sales remained flat but gained Morse and the boys an invitation to perform at Montreux Jazz Festival July 23, 1978. The recorded performance was released the following year on Night of the Living Dregs. Capricorn went belly up in late 1979, and the Dixie Dregs were stranded without a label. Free Fall is a studio album by the jazz fusion band Dixie Dregs, released in 1977. ... Bitches Brew (1970) by Miles Davis is considered the most influential early fusion album Jazz fusion (sometimes referred to simply as fusion) is a musical genre that loosely encompasses the merging of jazz with other styles, particularly rock, funk, R&B, and world music. ... What If is a studio album by the jazz fusion band Dixie Dregs, released in 1978. ... Poster designed by Keith Haring The Montreux Jazz Festival is the best-known music festival in Switzerland. ...

Enter Arista Records, who signed the band to record three albums in 1979. Production control was handed to Morse and Dregs of the Earth was released in May, 1980. All eight tracks were written by Morse and the album peaked at number 27 on Billboard's Jazz Album Chart. Arista became increasingly concerned about Dixie Dregs' album sales and pressured the band to change their name to simply The Dregs in an attempt to address the band's visibility in the public eye. Unsung Heroes brought eight additional Morse compositions forward in early 1981, but the name change did little to address Arista's worries. The Dregs were compelled to add lyrics to their next effort, appropriately titled Industry Standard (1982), an apparent reference to executive and management oversight of the creative process. Despite this, Morse's compositions on Industry Standard are often considered more akin to his evolving solo work than Dregs collaborations and the album stands out to critical and public praise. Industry Standard was voted Best Guitar LP by readers of Guitar Player magazine in their annual reader's poll that year. Additionally, Morse was voted Best Overall in the same poll, an honor that he would enjoy for five consecutive years (which ended his eligibility by retiring him into their "Gallery of Greats", a distinction shared only by Steve Howe of Yes.) Arista Records is an American record label that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony BMG, and operates under the RCA Records Group // History The company was founded as the successor label to Bell Records in 1974 by Clive Davis, and named after his secondary school honor society. ... Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry. ... Guitar Player magazine contains articles, interviews, reviews and lessons of an eclectic collection of artists, genres and products. ... Yes guitarist Steve Howe in 2004 Stephen James Howe (b. ... Yes is a British progressive rock band that formed in London in 1968. ...

1980s

Having fulfilled their commitment to Arista, the band succumbed to the pressures of constant gigging, and disbanded in early 1983. Morse began putting together the Steve Morse Band, a trio with Jerry Peek (bass) and Doug Morgan (drums). Rod Morgenstein soon replaced Morgan, and they began recording The Introduction in September. The group toured Germany in early 1984 with Morse conducting clinics and the group was signed by Elektra Records, who released The Introduction mid-year. A second German tour began in December, 1984 and Stand Up was released in 1985. This effort included guest vocalists and guitarists (Eric Johnson, Alex Ligertwood, Peter Frampton, Albert Lee, Van Temple), and violinist Mark O'Connor. Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, and today operates under Atlantic Records Group. ... Eric Johnson Eric Johnson (born August 17, 1954) is a Grammy Award winning guitarist and recording artist from Austin, Texas. ... Peter Framptons solo career skyrocketed after the release of Frampton Comes Alive!, one of the most successful live albums. ... Albert Lee is an English guitarist. ... Mark OConnor (born August 5, 1961 in Seattle, Washington) is widely considered to be the most prominent fiddler of his generation. ...

In 1986, Morse joined Kansas. While with the band, they released two albums, Power (1986) and In the Spirit of Things (1988). Morse left the band after touring behind the latter album. He again played with the band for part of their 1991 tour. Kansas is a 1970s American rock band, specializing in progressive rock with a distinctly American flavour. ... Power is the eleventh album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1986 (see 1986 in music). ... In the Spirit of Things is the twelfth album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1988 (see 1988 in music). ...

From late 1987 to early 1988, Steve worked as a commercial airline co-pilot [1] [2].

1990s

During the 1993 Deep Purple tour supporting their The Battle Rages On album, Ritchie Blackmore quit the band in the middle of a tour. Before they settled on Morse permanently, Joe Satriani served as a short-term replacement, to finish the tour. This article is about the rock group. ... The Battle Rages On is the fourteenth studio album by Deep Purple, released in 1993. ... Ritchie Blackmore Richard Hugh Blackmore (born in Weston-super-Mare, April 14, 1945) is regarded as one of the most influential and respected British guitarists of all time. ... Joe Satch Satriani (born on July 15, 1956, in Westbury, New York and brought up in Carle Place, New York, USA) is an instrumental rock guitarist and teacher, and a recognized virtuoso of the rock guitar. ...

In addition to playing with Deep Purple, in 2003, together with Jimmy Barnes, Bob Daisley, Lee Kerslake and Don Airey, Steve formed Living Loud. Two Fires (1990) Jimmy Barnes (born April 28, 1956 as James Dixon Swan) is a popular Australian rock singer. ... Daisley with his trademark long hair. ... Lee Kerslake (born April 16, 1947) is the longtime drummer for Uriah Heep. ... Don Airey (born June 21, 1948) is the keyboardist for the British rock band Deep Purple. ... Living Loud is a heavy metal band featuring Lee Kerslake and Bob Daisley (Both played in Uriah Heep and Ozzy Osbourne), Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs, Kansas, Deep Purple) and Jimmy Barnes, a famous Australian singer. ...

Discography

with Dixie Dregs

• 1975 The Great Spectacular(Formally released in 1997)
• 1977 Free Fall
• 1978 What If
• 1979 Night Of The Living Dregs
• 1980 Dregs Of The Earth
• 1981 Unsung Heroes
• 1982 Industry Standard
• 1989 Divided We Stand
• 1992 Bring 'Em Back Alive
• 1994 Full Circle
• 1997 King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents - The Dregs 1979
• 2000 California Screamin
• 2002 20th Century Masters: The Best Of The Dixie Dregs
• 2002 Sects, Dregs & Rock 'n' Roll

The Dixie Dregs is a progressive rock band formed in the 1970s. ... Free Fall is a studio album by the jazz fusion band Dixie Dregs, released in 1977. ... What If is a studio album by the jazz fusion band Dixie Dregs, released in 1978. ... Standardization or standardisation (sometimes abbreviated s13n), in the context related to technologies and industries, is the process of establishing a technical standard among competing entities in a market, where this will bring benefits without hurting competition. ...

With the Steve Morse Band and solo

• 1984 The Introduction
• 1985 Stand Up
• 1989 High Tension Wires
• 1991 Southern Steel
• 1992 Coast To Coast
• 1995 Structural Damage
• 1996 StressFest
• 2000 Major Impacts
• 2002 Split Decision
• 2004 Major Impacts 2
• 2005 Prime Cuts - From Steve Morse´s Magna Carta sessions

With Deep Purple

• 1996 Purpendicular
• 1997 Deep Purple Live at the Olympia '96
• 1998 Abandon
• 1999 Total Abandon (Live in Australia, 1999)
• 2000 In Concert With the London Symphony Orchestra
• 2001 Live at the Rotterdam Ahoy 30/10/00
• 2001 The Soundboard Series
• 2003 Bananas
• 2005 Rapture of the Deep

This article is about the rock group. ... Purpendicular - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Abandon is an album by Deep Purple, released in 1998 on the CMC International Record Label. ... Bananas is a studio album by the British band Deep Purple, released in 2003. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ...

With Kansas

• 1986 Power
• 1988 In the Spirit of Things
• 1998 King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Kansas(Recorded on February 14, 1989)
• 2004 Sail On: The 30th Anniversary Collection

Kansas is a 1970s American rock band, specializing in progressive rock with a distinctly American flavour. ... Power is the eleventh album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1986 (see 1986 in music). ... In the Spirit of Things is the twelfth album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1988 (see 1988 in music). ... King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Kansas is a live album from the band Kansas, featuring performances by Steve Walsh & the Steve Morse. ...

Guest appearances with other artists

• 1977 Tropical Nights - Liza Minnelli
• 1980 Schemer-Dreamer - Steve Walsh
• 1986 Storytime - T Lavitz
• 1987 Stone From Which The Arch Was Made - Mark O'Connor
• 1987 Surveillance - Triumph
• 1988 Southern By The Grace Of God: Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour-1987 - Lynyrd Skynyrd
• 1988 Love Your Man - The Rossington Collins Band
• 1990 Nashville Rendez-Vous - Marcel Dadi
• 1991 Fingers Crossing - Marcel Dadi
• 1992 Country Guitar Flavors - Marcel Dadi
• 1992 Lone Ranger - Jeff Watson
• 1993 Coven, Pitrelli, O'Reilly - CPR
• 1994 Thonk - Michael Manring
• 1995 Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus
• 2001 Seventh Key - Seventh Key
• 2001 Nylon & Steel - Manuel Barrueco
• 2001 Feeding the Wheel - Jordan Rudess
• 2002 Camino Latino/Latin Journey - 'Liona Boyd
• 2004 Rhythm Of Time - Jordan Rudess
• 2003 Living Loud - Living Loud
• 2006 Living Loud-Live - Living Loud
• 2006 Gillan's Inn - Ian Gillan

Liza Minnelli. ... Steve Walsh (born June 15, 1951 in St. ... Mark OConnor (born August 5, 1961 in Seattle, Washington) is widely considered to be the most prominent fiddler of his generation. ... Triumph was a Canadian rock band popular in the late 1970s through the 1980s. ... Lynyrd Skynyrd (Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd) is a U.S. Southern rock band, described by All Music Guides Stephen Thomas Erlewine as the definitive Southern rock band, fusing the overdriven power of blues-rock with a rebellious, Southern image and a hard rock swagger. ... Marcel Dadi (1951-July 17, 1996) was a French guitarist known for his country & western music. ... Michael Manring is an electric bassist from the Bay Area (Northern California). ... Feeding the Wheel is the third of many album by keyboardist Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater and Dixie Dregs fame. ... Jordan Rudess Jordan Rudess (born November 4, 1956) is a Juilliard-trained keyboardist most famously known as a member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. ... Liona Boyd. ... Living Loud is a heavy metal band featuring Lee Kerslake and Bob Daisley (Both played in Uriah Heep and Ozzy Osbourne), Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs, Kansas, Deep Purple) and Jimmy Barnes, a famous Australian singer. ... Living Loud is a heavy metal band featuring Lee Kerslake and Bob Daisley (Both played in Uriah Heep and Ozzy Osbourne), Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs, Kansas, Deep Purple) and Jimmy Barnes, a famous Australian singer. ... Ian Gillan in 2003 Ian Gillan (born on 19 August 1945; Hounslow, London, United Kingdom), is an English rock music vocalist known as the lead singer for legendary rock band Deep Purple, and for his year-long stint in Black Sabbath. ...

Various artist compilations and tributes

• 1978 Hotels, Motels And Road Shows (Various artists compilation)
• 1989 Guitar's Practicing Musicians (Various artists compilation)
• 1991 Guitar's Practicing Musicians Vol. 2 (Various artists compilation)
• 1991 Guitar Speak III (Various artist compilation)
• 1992 Rock Guitar Greats (Various artists compilation)
• 1992 Guitar On The Edge Vol. 2 (Various artist compilation)
• 1995 Tales From Yesterday(Various artists tribute to Yes)
• 1996 Crossfire - A Tribute To Stevie Ray (Various artists tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan)
• 1996 Working Man (Various artists tribute to [[Rush (band)|Rush)
• 1996 The Carols Of Christmas (Various artist compilation)
• 1997 The Carols Of Christmas II (Various artist compilation)
• 1997 Merry Axemas - A Guitar Christmas (Various artist compilation)
• 1997 Jazz Fusion Vol. 2 (Various artist compilation)
• 1998 Guitar Battle (Various artist compilation)
• 1999 Tribute to the Titans (Various artist compilation)
• 1999 Rock Guitarists Forever Best (Various artist compilation)
• 2001 Warmth In The Wilderness - A Tribute To Jason Becker (Various artists tribute to Jason Becker)
• 2002 A Southern Rock Christmas (Various artist compilation)
• 2004 Classical Heartbreakers (Various artist compilation)
• 2005 Future of the Blues Vol. 2 (Various artist compilation)
• 2006 Pink Floyd The Wall Revisited (Various artist tribute to Pink Floyd's The Wall)
• 2006 Visions of an Inner Mounting Apocalypse (Various artist tribute to Mahavishnu Orchestra)
• 2006 "The Royal Dan: A Tribute" (instrumental guitar tribute to jazz rock band Steely Dan, featuring a different lead guitarist on 10 different songs, Morse plays Bodhisattva)

Yes is a British progressive rock band that formed in London in 1968. ... Stephen (Stevie) Ray Vaughan, commonly SRV, (October 3, 1954 – August 27, 1990), born in Dallas, Texas, was an American blues guitarist, known as one of the most influential electric blues musicians in history. ... Pink Floyd are a British band noted for progressive rock music, philosophical lyrics, classical rock compositions, sonic experimentation, innovative cover art and elaborate live shows. ... The Wall is a rock opera and concept album by Pink Floyd. ... The original lineup in 1972, featuring Billy Cobham, John McLaughlin, Jerry Goodman, Jan Hammer and Rick Laird. ...

External links

• Steve Morse Website
• Deep Purple Website