DEEP PURPLE KEYBOARDIST EXPLAINS WHY GUITARISTS ARE “VERY INSECURE” PEOPLE: “THEY DON’T REALLY KNOW HOW THEY DO WHAT THEY DO”…read more…

DEEP PURPLE KEYBOARDIST EXPLAINS WHY GUITARISTS ARE “VERY INSECURE” PEOPLE: “THEY DON’T REALLY KNOW HOW THEY DO WHAT THEY DO”…read more…

In a refreshingly candid and witty moment, Deep Purple’s veteran keyboardist Don Airey has sparked lively discussion in the rock music world with his recent comments about guitarists. In an interview with Ultimate Guitar, Airey pulled back the curtain on decades of musical collaboration and shared his thoughts on what he calls the “insecurity” that often lies beneath the confident exterior of many guitar heroes.

“Guitar players are very insecure people,” Airey said during the interview. “They don’t really know how they do what they do.” Though seemingly tongue-in-cheek, Airey’s comments struck a chord with both fans and musicians, shedding light on the mysterious and improvisational nature of many great guitarists.

Airey, who has played with some of the most legendary names in rock—including Ritchie Blackmore, Gary Moore, and Ozzy Osbourne—knows firsthand how iconic guitarists operate. He wasn’t mocking them, he clarified, but rather offering insight into the creative mind of musicians who often work instinctively rather than through precise theory or structure.

A RAW APPROACH TO GUITAR PLAYING

Airey’s comments highlight a truth long acknowledged in the music community: many of rock’s greatest guitarists rely heavily on feel, emotion, and spontaneous creativity. Whether it’s a scorching solo or a perfectly timed riff, much of what guitarists bring to a performance is unplanned and driven by instinct.

“They can be brilliant and mesmerizing,” Airey explained, “but a lot of times, they can’t even explain how they got there. That’s what makes it special—but also what creates a little insecurity.”

While some might interpret that as a criticism, Airey clearly sees it as part of what makes guitarists so vital and exciting to work with. The unpredictability, the raw edge, the reliance on musical intuition—all of it combines to create moments of magic onstage and in the studio.

REACTION FROM THE MUSIC WORLD

Musicians and fans alike reacted to Airey’s comments with humor and self-awareness. On social media, many guitarists admitted there was truth to his words. One user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “He’s right. I have no idea how I pulled off that solo last night—and I probably can’t do it again!”

Others noted the contrast between classically trained keyboardists like Airey—who often approach music with structure and theory—and rock guitarists, who might not even read music. That blend of discipline and chaos is part of what makes bands like Deep Purple so legendary.

A few took a more serious tone, acknowledging that even the most confident-seeming performers can wrestle with self-doubt. “Insecurity in artists is real,” one commenter said. “It’s part of what drives them to push boundaries.”

A REFLECTION OF DEEP PURPLE’S CHEMISTRY

The playful jab also shines a light on the internal chemistry of Deep Purple, where the push and pull between keys and guitar has always been a core part of the band’s signature sound. Don Airey, who joined the group in 2002 after Jon Lord’s retirement, has carried on the tradition of blending classical influences with hard rock energy.

Guitarists like Ritchie Blackmore and Steve Morse, both known for their unpredictability and brilliance, exemplify the kind of spontaneous artistry Airey described. And it’s that chemistry—between calculated keyboards and emotional guitar work—that has helped define Deep Purple’s sound for generations.

A HUMBLE TAKE FROM A ROCK VETERAN

At the end of the day, Airey’s comments are less criticism and more celebration. He’s spent decades making music with some of the greatest guitarists of all time, and he clearly respects the unique magic they bring to every performance—even if they can’t always explain it.

“I’ve seen some of the best guitar playing in the world happen by accident,” Airey said with a smile. “That’s the beauty of it.”

With a mix of humor, insight, and admiration, Don Airey has offered fans a behind-the-scenes look at the complexity—and vulnerability—of the guitar heroes we idolize. And in doing so, he’s reminded us that even the most legendary musicians are human, too.