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It’s what not to play
Some time earlier this year, before Deep Purple departed for Japan, Simon McBride sat down for a chat with dopeYEAH talk.
What does it take to step into one of the most legendary bands in rock history — and make it your own? 🎸🔥 In this episode, Rob Cass sits down with Simon McBride, the guitarist who took on the massive challenge of joining Deep Purple and stepping into the shoes of Steve Morse and Ritchie Blackmore.
Simon opens up about the moment that changed his life, the pressure of his first show with Deep Purple, and why the “easy” songs can actually be the hardest to play. One of the most compelling parts of the conversation is his honest take on replacing a legend — and how he approached it with respect, but also with confidence in his own voice. From picking up the guitar at just nine years old to winning Young Guitarist of the Year, his journey has been driven by pure passion for music. Along the way, he shares stories about touring with heroes like Joe Satriani and evolving across genres, from hard rock to soul and R&B 🎶
Beyond Deep Purple, Simon reflects on his early days with Sweet Savage, forming his own band Blind Friday, and building a career that blends technical mastery with feel. The episode wraps up with Simon playing his top five favorite guitar riffs, giving you a glimpse into the influences behind his sound. Honest, powerful, and full of guitar wisdom — this is a must-watch for any rock fan 🎥✨
It is a long form conversation, clocking at 70 minutes, and a very interesting one, with Simon in a quite relaxed and talkative mood.
TL;DR takeaway: the new Deep Purple album comes out in June. We speculate June 5th, right before the tour resumes on the 11th, hopefully with a revamped setlist.
Thanks to Mike Whiteley and Uwe Hornung for the heads-up.
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