So, luckily for Deep Purple, they were on the radio, and, I decided to interview them. And, interview them with my wacky spirit sure to raise a few eyebrows.
It worked.
For this week’s Say What?!?! I present you one of the greatest bands of all time – specifically their guitarist, Steve Morse. No, they are no The Who or the Rolling Stones, but they are a great band with a closet full of musical history. If you want to get a good grasp on just who Deep Purple is, check out their greatest hits album.
After playing phone tag for about 8 hours...and no, this time I wasn’t driving.
What’s up Steve? How are you doing?
Hey Nick. I’m doing well. How are you? Sorry about all the confusion with the interview time.
I’m good. I’m good. Hey, man, no problem on the interview. It all worked out. You rockstars just live a busy life.
(Laughs)
So, you guys are still touring like crazy, how’s that going?
Yeah, we just did a few days in Europe. It’s going good. It’s going to be great because the band adapts to anything. And these guys have been playing for well over 30 years.
Even before you joined the band, were you following these guys? (Joined as a replacement to guitarist Ritchie Blackmore)
Yeah, I mean, I was more a fan of the early Deep Purple stuff. I was more into underground music than rock music, but I did follow them early on.
Right on. So, how’s the chemistry in the band, and how do band’s like Deep Purple keep the boat rockin’ for such a long time?
That’s a really good question. I guess with what we have, there is always a little give and take. The majority of the time, everyone sees the same vision, so, in that sense, the chemistry is amazing. We are super comfortable working with each other. No big surprises.
How hard is it to come into a band that is already established? Is it hard to feel ownership right away?
For a band that is playing into its fourth decade, I would say it’s impossible for me to feel ownership (laughs).
(Laughs)
That’s with some comedic value. In all actually, I do feel ownership, but more so over the newer stuff. With the classics, I will always be the new guy. That’s never going to change. And this is my 12th year. I totally understand though.
You have your own band too, right?
Yeah, I do. Two of them. No, wait, in fact three (laughs).
Oh wow. And four, once you join my band that I haven’t started yet.
(Laughs)
Is it hard to balance it all?
Sure. I think scheduling is one of the major sources of stress in my life. You know, I have kids and my schedule is always changing. It’s weird to not ever know what I am doing next.
It gets tough sometimes.
Is it tough going out on the road for the whole summer?
Yeah, but it’s part of the job. And, that’s what makes it a job. One of the best things about Deep Purple is that it is a very relaxed, easygoing, very comfortable band. And they just get it. It’s fantastic, so, it makes this job work.
So, you just wrapped up at Milwaukee’s Summerfest and in Rockford, how do you feel about playing these types of festivals?
I have always enjoyed it. We played Summerfest years and years ago, and it has always been one of my favorites. I still play people, in all parts of the world, who have a really wrong idea about America, that if you want to go and see something that you would like, and see American culture, go to the upper Midwest. And, that’s one of the places I tell them about. That’s where you are going to find a little more culture.
Do you ever want to move to the Midwest?
I have always wanted to move to the Midwest. Heck, I was in the band Kansas, right? One of the common things that everyone believed was that the Midwest is where you want to be if you want to have kids (laughs).
(Laughs)
(Laughs) And, It just didn’t work out (laughs).
Things have a funny way of working out sometimes.
With my luck (laughs), my kids would have been a part of Eminem’s posse (laughs).
(Laughs)
So, if you decided to be a white rapper, what would your name be?
Wow. Um. Instead of Ludicrous is would be Ridiculous (laughs).
(Laughs) Man, you rock, dude. A rock star with a sense of humor. Don’t hear about that too often.
(Laughs)
Have you ever considered going into rap?
One of my stepsons is heavily into it.
(Laughs) So, you could technically do it?
Um, no. First off, he would disown me (laughs).
(Laughs)
It would be a lot more embarrassing than having your dad at your high school dance (laughs).
For sure. Hi, everyone, this is my dad, the white rapper.
(Laughs) I’m a white rapper.
I’m sure every journalist asks you about being a pilot, but I have to ask how that has worked into your career?
You are definitely not the first to ask that question (laughs). Well, it was a way to expedite getting home. I learned how to fly as a way to get home to my family quicker. I was the guy who did the drives. I was the only guy in the band who would stay up all night to get home. So, it made sense for me to become the night flyer.
What do you love more – music or airplanes?
Oh, it’s totally different. It’s like, who do you love more – your parents or your baby?
(Laughs) OK, you got me there.
(Laughs)
Well, you are definitely a true rock star in many ways – eclectic my man. And, soon, you can add white rapper to your resumé.
(Laughs) That is exactly my plan.
• Nick Powills can be reached at SayWhatPOWILLS@aol.com
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