Steve Morse

Steve Morse
Steve Morse live with Deep Purple in Toronto 2005
Background information
Born	(1954-07-28) July 28, 1954 (age 62) Hamilton, Ohio, United States
Genres	Instrumental rock, progressive rock, hard rock, heavy metal, jazz fusion
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, banjo
Years active	1969–present
Associated acts	Dixie Dregs, Kansas, Deep Purple, Living Loud, Angelfire, Flying Colors
Website	Official web site
Notable instruments
Music Man Steve Morse Signature guitar, Fender Telecaster

Steven J. "Steve" Morse (born July 28, 1954) is an American guitarist and composer, best known as the founder of the Dixie Dregs; and since 1994, the guitar player of Deep Purple. Morse's career has encompassed rock, country, funk, jazz, classical, and fusion of these musical genres. In addition to his successful solo career, he was briefly a member of Kansas in the mid-1980s. Most recently, Morse became a member of the supergroup Flying Colors alongside long-time bandmate Dave LaRue.

Steve Morse was born in Hamilton, Ohio. His family soon moved to Tennessee, then Ypsilanti, Michigan, where Morse spent his childhood. Although familiar with piano and clarinet, Morse ultimately became interested in guitar.

Morse worked briefly with his older brother Dave in a band called The Plague until the family moved to Augusta, Georgia. In the late 1960s, he played in a band called Three with his older brother and a junior high schoolmate, William Gerald (Jerry) Wooten, who played keyboards. The three performed at a local psychedelic youth club, The Green Onion, and at Legion Halls and church functions.

While enrolled in the Academy of Richmond County, Morse met bassist Andy West and together they formed the Dixie Grit, adding keyboardist Johnny Carr and guitarist and vocalist Frank Brittingham, with Dave Morse drumming. This short-lived group covered bands such as Led Zeppelin and Cream. West and Morse continued to play as a duet billed as the Dixie Dregs until Morse's expulsion from school in the 10th grade. This expulsion enabled his enrollment at the University of Miami School of Music.

During the 1970s, the University of Miami played host to a number of future influential musicians, including Bruce Hornsby, Pat Metheny, and Jaco Pastorius. Andy West also enrolled at the University of Miami and, with Morse, drummer Bart Yarnold, keyboardist Frank Josephs and violinist Allen Sloan, collaborated in a lab project entitled Rock Ensemble II. In 1975, the group compiled a recording used for promotional efforts. This recording was eventually released in 1997 as The Great Spectacular.