Guitarist Steve Morse announced this Saturday, the 23rd, that he is leaving Deep Purple permanently.
In April of this year, Morse went on hiatus, saying he needed to care for his wife Janine , who is battling cancer, and hoped to return to touring as soon as circumstances allowed. Now, the musician has admitted that he cannot "commit to Deep Purple for the rest of the year" and has decided it's time to leave the band, which he has been a part of since 1994, when he replaced Richie Blackmore .
In a statement, Morse explained that he had to leave the group's recording sessions last year in Germany due to a health problem involving his wife. "Almost a year later, we are learning to accept her aggressive stage four cancer and the chemotherapy treatment for the rest of her life," revealed Morse, who thanked the fans for their support.
The guitarist also wished good luck to the guitarist who replaced him on the current tour, Simon McBride , who has not yet been officially declared as a new member of the group.
Deep Purple released an official statement regarding the guitarist's departure, saying the following: “Steve will be greatly missed by the band, crew, manager, record label and all those who had the pleasure of working with him over the years… We kindly ask that Steve and Janine's privacy be respected at this time.”
Vocalist Ian Gillan further commented: “In circumstances like these, it’s normally difficult to find the right words, but not in the case of Steve Morse; I know what I mean. He came from a different background than the rest of us in Deep Purple and yet his musical genius was somehow compatible and played a significant role in the new direction the group took when he joined and made his first album with us in 1996, and then, for over a quarter of a century, enjoying the longest tenure of any DP guitarist and contributing to the longest and most unchanging lineup, which began when Don Airey replaced Jon Lord – who retired in 2002 – and continues to the present day.
I first became aware of Steve through Dixie Dregs , particularly the track 'Take it off the Top', which was the theme song for Tommy Vance BBC rock show and impressed me greatly. I didn't realize at the time that one day I would be lucky enough to be on stage with Steve and enjoy his skills.
He is a very kind man, full of ideas and the patience to see them developed. He used to say, 'you'll never know until you try'. We certainly had fun debating this approach, but mostly with his good humor, and he always gave his best.
Steve has a legacy with Deep Purple that can never be forgotten, and that smile will be missed. It would be wrong to comment on his personal circumstances, suffice it to say that he is in a difficult situation right now, but dealing with it bravely and in the best way possible; we all admire his devotion; he has been a strong family man all his life.
The best way to describe this is using Steve's own words; when I sent him a love letter a few weeks ago, he replied that it was strange being at home while we were out there, but 'reality intervenes'... and that's what happened.
I can only offer love, respect, and positive vibes to the memories of good times together.”