[hand] [face]
The Original Deep Purple Web Pages
The Highway Star

The good old days…

Steve Morse

In the latest issue of Notes from the road Steve Morse explains why one day he’ll be referring to the present as the good old days, how he copes with being on the road and his favourite — perils of international travel.

Read all about it on stevemorse.com.

Thanks to Daniel Bengtsson for the info.



29 Comments to “The good old days…”:

  1. 1
    dana faulkner says:

    Nobody tours longer or harder than Purple.They seem to live on the road. I love the purple, but ” Cum on guys, take some time off, and GO HOME FOR AWHILE! ” Dont’t get burned out, and end up hating each other.” TAKE CARE GUYS! LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT TIME YOU COME TO MILWAUKEE!!

  2. 2
    George says:

    Tommorow morning on Australian pay tv on ABC2 they are showing the Montreux concert from 1996, well worth watching ! Don’t have pay tv but will be definatley trying to watch it at a relatives. Think that period was the good old day’s with Jon Lord on the keyboards !

  3. 3
    stoffer says:

    Truly quality words, from a truly quality human being. Proud to be a FAN!

  4. 4
    Anthony Emery says:

    Steve is simply one of the most engaging, humble and terrific people on (and off, while flying!!) this great planet of ours!!

    God bless….

    ps. Gillan needs a rest, his vocals are suffering. Guys – you’re going to kill IG if you don’t start gigging every SECOND night, not every night!!!

  5. 5
    marcinio says:

    Yeah right!
    Deep Purple should have a break.
    Go home guys and finally write a new album!
    I can’t wait anymore ^^.

  6. 6
    Rikk Desgres says:

    Steve is just an awesome guy. I’ve had the pleasure to meet him on a number of occasions. He fits so well with the band. I’d miss my family as well if I were touring as much as Purple.

  7. 7
    SEEK ! says:

    Proud to be Purple..

  8. 8
    Bo says:

    Yes – take a break now and then. Dont burn out, and please for the sake of Deep Purple reputation let it be an event when you around, with 3 or 4 different sets, so we dont know what to expect. The surprise today has gone – due to the internet and yoy playing the same in 99% of all concerts on a tour. You are special, keep it as a special event – and use the time off the road to make THAT special album I’m sure you still can make. I need the Machine Head of this time in Purples life.
    Select your concerts more carefully, make powerfull DEEP PURPLE albums. We know you can do, so please……………

  9. 9
    Bo says:

    I also have to add – Steve, what a nice person you are. A blessing to the crazy business are you are a part of. You fit so perfectly into Purple family. A very nice famíly – all of you

  10. 10
    George says:

    Managed to see the Deep Purple concert that was on Australian tv . turns out it was from last year at Montruex not 96 as was written .
    The band were tight & Don sounded skillfull liked his solo on Pictures Of Home . But felt the band were slow & Steve & the other’s weren’t playing as hard/heavy as they did in the late 90’s. At the House of Blues concerts they were heavy. Toward’s the end of the concert it was silly with Michael Bradford on stage & some other guy singing this spoilt the performance . Not to mention some simple new song Ian had just written. But overall the band sounded nice & Ian can still sing well! They can go on for another decade!

  11. 11
    Seven-47 says:

    Dear Anthony;

    I don’t think Ian would have it any other way, the man loves to perform. Back in late 2006, when Deep Purple were taking a break from The Rapture Of The Deep Tour, Ian went out an a solo tour. I was fortunate enough to attend one of the shows, the man is amazing! After the show Ian took the time to visit with fans and throw back a few Heinekens. He is a true gentleman.

  12. 12
    stoffer says:

    I agree Ian is not happy unless working, solo or w/DP. He is a very nice dude, we met him is in 2005 after a show in US. GOOD GUY!

  13. 13
    Roberto says:

    Deep Purple should do less concert but biggest (like Rolling Stones).
    They are not 20 years old (particularly Gillan).
    And the album should be with a better quality.

  14. 14
    Seven-47 says:

    I hear what you’re saying Roberto. I’d like to see Deep Purple do what The Doobie Brothers did years ago. Have all members past and present participate in a giant show! Problem; Blackmore would never do it, Simper is still way too bitter over his dismissal. Turner? probably not. I bet Coverdale would participate, he wanted to be a part of the 1984 reunion. My guess Hughes would probably be a yes. Evans and Lord?? Just a thought!!.

  15. 15
    Rami says:

    Great to hear the man’s happy!

  16. 16
    T says:

    Steve’s tone is always strikingly optmistic and polite. Never an unkind word. He’s writing these pieces “to” us, not just “for” us. A very pleasant guy.

    His assertion that these are “the good old days” implies that he is quite happy where he is. The man is proud to be in Purple, happy to be touring and recording and he doesn’t mind playing another guitarists songs.

    Whatever one might think of the current line-up, it can’t be denied that the band has never been happier.

  17. 17
    frank says:

    I really agree that steve is a great guy. In the end it’s probably not what counts. In terms of songwriting and live performances there was and never will be anything better than ritchie. He was deep purple! Just take a look at the ridiculous performances of gillan and self-overrating attitude and we can see why purple will never make it again. That’s what really hurts most.

  18. 18
    elprupdeep says:

    happy holidays steve and happy holidays deep purple; enjoy your break and see you next year; cheers guys!

  19. 19
    stoffer says:

    Question for frank………….. you say purple will never make it again. What, in your opinion are they trying “make”?

  20. 20
    purplepriest1965 says:

    Purple is making fun of their heritage

    Yeah, I know my name is not Frank. But who cares?!

  21. 21
    stoffer says:

    I think they are rescuing their heritage!

  22. 22
    stoffer says:

    purplepriest…maybe rescuing is the wrong word, how about REVIVING!!

  23. 23
    purpelaar1965@hotmail.com says:

    Well………….
    Maybe………
    maybe not……….
    Dunno…………
    Just drank my first coffee…………Melancholy and so and has yet not set in…………..

    Listening to the HOUSE OF BLUE LIGHT………..

    Although my critiscm still is the same :

    Production, fucking synts!!!!, drumcomputers………..
    Great tracks that do not really shine and LIVE could have been real KILLERS if they had taken a REAL effort!!!!!

    3 OUCH tracks(Call of the wild(Still PUKE),Miitzi…. Mad Dog-although that kinda grew on me later on,…..

    And :
    Mitzi Du Pree……well the fact that I called my kitten that way must say something, pity she died after 2 year(…). She was kinda crazy but loved her anyway. I suppose that’s what love is about(…)

    Love : Strangeways, Unwritten law, Dead or Alive, Spanish Archer(Smooth Dancer 2?), Bad Attitude…….

    They did 3 of them and LIVE they really came out shining, more HAMMOND, less polish,………passion…….
    Strangeways should have been the ONE to take to the fore…Preferebly as openingsong or with lots of extension.
    They did not………….
    Btw, HardLoving Woman was live a nice R and R song as well……..Could have been even more “nitty gritty”……..

    Well, Gotta go shopping………….Gotta eat………

  24. 24
    Andy says:

    Recently I’ve bought DP Live at Montreux 1996.It has a bonus tracks from 2000.Man,what a great show.2000 was their return performance.Gillan shorn his black curls.But not like Samson,he had still the strength in his voice.Morse is a guitar king.That were the times……..

  25. 25
    Malvin Billings says:

    Can anyone tell me where I can purchase the album “Highway Star”. I had the LP for 30 years but was stolen from my archives last week. Even the CD would be appropriate as Deep Purple has been my favourite band for the last 35 years.

  26. 26
    Anthony Emery says:

    To Seven-47 and anyone else…

    I’m in Melbourne, Australia and seen Purple the last 4 times they have been here (inc being AT the Total Abandon DVD night!)

    Gillan was supposed to tour here in Jan ’06 until Rodney the bassist got shot in the neck!!! So yes, I’d have been there!! I saw the Gillan band when they toured here supporting Toolbox in 1992 – WHAT A KILLER SET THAT WAS!!!!

    I love IG, but I still think he should play every second night now.

    ps I saw Ronnie Dio with Heaven and Hell a couple of months ago here in Melbourne and while IG is 62 and still fine, Ronnie is about 65 and still doing it superbly as well. These guys are TRUE role models!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  27. 27
    Seven-47 says:

    Dear Anthony Emery;

    You’re probably right, but had you seen him the night I did it was phenominal. He had the energy of a teenager, even though he had played the night before three states away. As I stated earlier after the show he hung out signing autographs, answering questions, and drinking a few beers. He even invited my girlfriend and me on the tour bus for more conversation and libation. He is a fun guy living a life many only dream off!

  28. 28
    Anthony Emery says:

    I know, I know… and probably as the end draws closer (not imminent I hope!) they’d want to do as much as they can right?

    Also against my own argument was in 2004 (the BEST I ever saw Purple) they were on their 4th gig in 5 nights…

    aaaah what they hell… they rock. Whenever any of them show up I’ll be there!!!

  29. 29
    purplepriest1965 says:

    “As the end draws closer…….”

    Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh………..

    Days are long, COLD and hard…………..

    Winter HERE is hard…………

    “In my life there’s been heartache and pain.
    I don’t know If I can face it again…….”

    (Foreigner.” I wanna know what LOVE is…”)

    Well, almost 2008

    “On an on…….., the road goes on,
    And it’ll go on forever,
    Time will show if you and I ,
    Will walk that road together…………”

    “Wings of the storm”

    (Whitesnake, “Slip of the tongue, 1989)

Add a comment:

Preview no longer available -- once you press Post, that's it. All comments are subject to moderation policy.

||||Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
© 1993-2024 The Highway Star and contributors
Posts, Calendar and Comments RSS feeds for The Highway Star