They are all amazing musicians and more importantly, I have become very good friends with the guys so I can’t wait to continue touring and even perhaps some writing and recording.” Deep Purple has a history of great guitarists so I’m very honoured to be asked to be part of that. Simon stated “I’m very happy to be asked to join the band, at the start of the pandemic if someone would have said to me that I was going to be the new guitarist in Deep Purple I would have just laughed, but here we are and it’s happening. We are all excited for what the years to come hold for the band.” It is clear that Simon also holds great respect for those before him. The reception from audiences over the Summer has already been great and we are looking forward to the forthcoming dates in the UK and Europe across the rest of the year. In Simon we have not found a replacement, but an extraordinarily talented and exciting guitarist in his own right.

Of course, Steve can’t be replaced, the same as Ritchie, and Steve has a long legacy with Deep Purple. Simon’s playing is up there with the greats. A message to that effect was released today:įollowing the news in July that Steve Morse will be stepping back from the band, after more than a quarter of a century, Deep Purple announce that, following an abundant Summer of touring, Simon McBride will join the band permanently.Ĭollectively, the band stated “We are thrilled that Simon has agreed to join. Many people assumed so, but it is only today, September 16, 2022, that Simon McBride became a permanent member of the band.

Simon says song ad 2014