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Cesar Inca 
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 Topic: Steve Walsh to leave KANSAS
Posted: July 02 2014 at 18:09 |
On June 30, 2014, Steve Walsh informed the members of KANSAS that he is resigning from the band. His last performance with KANSAS will be August 16, 2014, in Sioux City, Iowa, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
As KANSAS continues on, the band wishes Steve only the best in his future endeavors, and thanks him for the 41 years.
Sad news taken from their official FB, but everything is dust in the wind, so we have to cherish the moment and make the best out of every day: thank you, Steve, for all the art, passion and musical beauty that you gave us throughout the years.
"The closet truly empty now, it's occupied by none... Now destiny is done!"
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ClemofNazareth
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Prog Folk Researcher
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Points: 4659
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Posted: July 02 2014 at 18:17 |
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End of an era (again), but I've see Kansas four times in the past five years; Steve's voice and passion are both spent. It was a great run and I'm sure all the band's fans wish him the best.
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"Peace is the only battle worth waging."
Albert Camus
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Prog_Traveller
Forum Senior Member
Joined: May 29 2005
Location: Bucks county PA
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Points: 1474
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Posted: July 02 2014 at 23:45 |
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Kansas without Steve Walsh will be like YES without Jon Anderson. I'm sure they will continue though. It will be interesting to see who they get as a replacement. I doubt it will be John Elefante but you never know.
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Man With Hat
Collaborator
Jazz-Rock/Fusion/Canterbury Team
Joined: March 12 2005
Location: Neurotica
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Points: 166178
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Posted: July 02 2014 at 23:52 |
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Wow.
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Dig me...But don't...Bury me
I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive
Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.
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Clepsydra
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Joined: March 14 2006
Location: United States
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Posted: July 03 2014 at 11:00 |
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A great band who, like Yes, should call it a day....
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Finnforest
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Posted: July 03 2014 at 11:05 |
 Clepsydra wrote:
A great band who, like Yes, should call it a day....
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cartwing
Forum Newbie
Joined: May 03 2011
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Posted: July 04 2014 at 11:45 |
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maybe they can find a singer who sounds more like the young Steve...
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SMSM
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Posted: July 04 2014 at 12:04 |
Unlike Yes who still have song/music writers, Kansas lost this when Kerry Livergren left, and even with Steve Morse, were never able to capture anything close to what they did with Kerry.
Steve's voice has been spent since the early 2000s and maybe it has become time to call it a day for such reasons as I doubt people will want to see Kansas with maybe two original members and a sound a like Walsh
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richardh
Prog Reviewer
Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
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Points: 26108
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Posted: July 05 2014 at 02:09 |
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Glad I got to see them about 10 years ago (great gig in London) although my recollection was that it was Morse who carried the band. My memory is not always that good though.
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Slartibartfast
Collaborator
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Posted: July 05 2014 at 09:36 |
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Kansas was a primary factor in me getting into prog. Steve bowing out Kansas is no big deal. They were my fist concert in 1978 and that show was instrumental into turning me in total prog nut. They kind of ran off the tracks shortly after that when they went in a more commercial direction.
What made Kansas a great band was that they scored hits without making songs that they intended to be hits. Once they started doing that they turned to sh*t...
Edited by Slartibartfast - July 05 2014 at 09:42
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Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Cesar Inca
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Joined: May 19 2004
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Points: 4888
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Posted: July 14 2014 at 18:34 |
Ronnie Platt enters KANSAS as its new vocalist/keyboardist. here is the piece of news straight from the band's official FB page.-
"KANSAS would like to introduce lead vocalist and keyboardist, Ronnie Platt, as it’s newest member. Ronnie’s first show with the band will be September 12 in Oklahoma City, OK, where he will take over singing duties for departing vocalist Steve Walsh. Ronnie, please meet the greatest fans in the world….. “I want KANSAS fans to know, first and foremost, I’m one of them,” says Platt, a Chicago area native. “Heck, I’m a blue collar guy that rides a Harley and I’ve spent most of my adult life earning a living by driving a truck. I’m a long time fan of the music and have always looked up to Steve Walsh. My goal is not to replace Steve; no one can do that. It is my goal and responsibility to sustain the integrity that is KANSAS. This is a lifelong dream and I would like to thank Phil, Rich, Billy, and David for the opportunity. Yes, I’ve got the job, but now it’s time to earn it….and I take nothing for granted that has been given to me. My performance in KANSAS will be how I’ve always performed, with passion and enthusiasm. “ KANSAS drummer Phil Ehart states, “After considering other candidates, it became clear Ronnie was our guy. He’s a perfect fit musically and personally with the band. His passion for the band and the music, as well as his musicianship, is exceptional.” KANSAS guitarist Richard Williams adds, “Once we get back from Europe, we’ve got a lot of work to do to be ready for our fans in September. People can expect us to shake things up musically and dust off some songs we haven’t played in quite a while. Who knows? With Ronnie now on board, there may even be new music in our future!” Ronnie, welcome to KANSAS!"
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Cesar Inca
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Joined: May 19 2004
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Points: 4888
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Posted: July 25 2014 at 22:39 |
More news about the current refurbishment of the KANSAS line-up regrading the inclusion of another keyboardist for thoese moments when Ronnie Platt is only singing. News straight from the band's official FB page.-
"KANSAS announces that David Manion will be handling the main keyboard parts for the band on stage along with new lead vocalist and keyboardist Ronnie Platt. Manion has also handled keyboard responsibilities for Billy Greer’s Seventh Key.
“To say how excited I am for the opportunity to be playing keyboards with KANSAS would be the understatement of my life. Composing, recording, and performing have not only always been my passion, it is what I am built for,” says Manion. “It truly is a dream come true. To be a part of a band with a 40-year history, with so many albums out, and one that has proven to have put so much of the “prog” in progressive music since virtually the beginning of the genre, is the greatest feeling I have had in quite some time. I love the music and fans can expect me to put everything I have into the performance.”
KANSAS drummer Phil Ehart states, “It’s going to be great having David up on stage. He’s a world class keyboard player and a long time member of the KANSAS family.”
“I’ve been working with David since the mid eighties,” adds KANSAS bassist and vocalist, Billy Greer. “For me, he has always been the ‘go to’ guy when any keyboard work was needed. As good as he is at designing and running a light show, I know David’s heart has always been in performing live onstage. I’m very excited for David to get this opportunity to show his real passion. David has done a phenomenal job on all the Seventh Key stuff and will bring the same integrity to the music of KANSAS!”
Manion’s first concert will be in Oklahoma City, OK on September 12."
Edited by Cesar Inca - July 25 2014 at 22:39
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foxvalleyal
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Joined: August 29 2014
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Posted: August 29 2014 at 16:48 |
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I don't know how these bands can continue to carry the name when all the original talent has left and they have essentially become a Tribute Band to themselves. Led Zeppelin had it right in dissolving the band when John Bonham died and they all agreed that anything less than the 4 originals just wasn't Led Zeppelin. Even Steve Perry said to Journey when he departed - Don't do this, call the band anything but Journey. I have to agree with them. You just can't match the chemistry of musical talent and writing from the original members that made the band who they were. Anything less is just a Tribute Band to themselves living off the name.
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Padraic
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Posted: August 29 2014 at 19:54 |
Finnforest wrote:
Clepsydra wrote:
A great band who, like Yes, should call it a day....
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Concur. As a big fan of both bands.
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Cesar Inca
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Joined: May 19 2004
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Posted: August 30 2014 at 20:55 |
Concerning the John Perry quote, well... Schon was one of the founding members and he's still on board so there is still genuinity in the current state of Journey. Perry was the most famous frontman but a later comer into the band, so he is not in position to judge if his presence or absence determines the reality of Journey.
Edited by Cesar Inca - August 30 2014 at 20:56
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The Dark Elf
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Posted: August 30 2014 at 22:18 |
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Okay, the question needs to be asked, so I guess I will do it:
Who knew Kansas was still a band?
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...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined
to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology...
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ClemofNazareth
Special Collaborator
Prog Folk Researcher
Joined: August 17 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 4659
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Posted: August 31 2014 at 08:10 |
foxvalleyal wrote:
I don't know how these bands can continue to carry the name when all the original talent has left and they have essentially become a Tribute Band to themselves. Led Zeppelin had it right in dissolving the band when John Bonham died and they all agreed that anything less than the 4 originals just wasn't Led Zeppelin. Even Steve Perry said to Journey when he departed - Don't do this, call the band anything but Journey. I have to agree with them. You just can't match the chemistry of musical talent and writing from the original members that made the band who they were. Anything less is just a Tribute Band to themselves living off the name. |
Another way to look at this is that some of these bands were ripped off by their labels and/or management back in their heydays; some of them made poor choices and can't survive without working in their twilight years; and some don't know how to do anything else (I read an interview with Walsh a couple years ago where he said as much). As long as people are willing to keep coming out to see them in concert, where's the harm? Sure, for the most part it's nostalgia, but they're no different than the 60s Motown acts and 50s crooners who continue to trek around the country playing smaller and smaller gigs to audiences with ever increasing layers of grey hair.
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"Peace is the only battle worth waging."
Albert Camus
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ClemofNazareth
Special Collaborator
Prog Folk Researcher
Joined: August 17 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 4659
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Posted: August 31 2014 at 08:14 |
The Dark Elf wrote:
Okay, the question needs to be asked, so I guess I will do it:
Who knew Kansas was still a band? |
They sold out an anniversary show in Pittsburgh just this summer at an average ticket price of more than $50 and have been doing 75-100 shows a year for decades. I've seen them many times, the latest of which was just a couple years ago at a sold-out show with orchestral backing.
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"Peace is the only battle worth waging."
Albert Camus
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richardh
Prog Reviewer
Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
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Points: 26108
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Posted: September 01 2014 at 10:44 |
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johnobvious
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Joined: May 11 2006
Location: Nebraska
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Points: 1361
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Posted: September 01 2014 at 11:21 |
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Richard, Somewhere to Elsewhere is really great and should be lauded in the canon as far as I am concerned.
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Biggles was in rehab last Saturday
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Steve Walsh to leave KANSAS