Steve Walsh Leaves Kansas Again

[Virtualman64]

Yes,
Steve Walsh officially announced his retirement on June,30th 2014.There has been a version of the band still touring in recent years,but,in my opinion Kansas ended with the departure of Kery Livgren years ago.and Steve will always be "The Voice"of Kansas. They have already replaced Steve with yet another lead singer(Details can be found on Facebook)Any thoughts?

[hefdaddy42]

That's too bad, but since they have only been a touring band for the last decade or so anyway, not sure that it matters much, as long as they hire someone who can faithfully reproduce his keyboards/vocals.

Styx was able to do that.

Things like this would matter more if they were still creating new music.  But sadly, that isn't the case with Kansas.  But who knows?  Maybe this will be the impetus for that to happen, since I'm fairly sure that Walsh didn't have any interest in writing new Kansas music anyway.

[HolidaysAnoraks]

To me, the best thing about Kansas getting a new vocalist is the fact that they're talking about changing up the setlist. I'm a big fan of Walsh, but Ronnie Platt sounds pretty good in the clips I've seen him in with Shooting Star. If they bring back something like Hymn To The Atman and Platt can do it justice, I'm all for him.

[King Postwhore]

Hey, it's all good.  Steve wants to retire and they want to continue so as a fan it's my choice if I want to spend my money seeing them with the new singer or not.

[Kwyjibo]

Things like this would matter more if they were still creating new music.  But sadly, that isn't the case with Kansas.  But who knows?  Maybe this will be the impetus for that to happen, since I'm fairly sure that Walsh didn't have any interest in writing new Kansas music anyway.

This.

Steve Walsh is a great singer but Kansas seems to be more of a nostalgic act over the last years

[KevShmev]

Yep, I saw this back when it was announced.  I thought the timing was more than odd, since he's leaving in the middle of their 40th anniversary tour.  Granted, the tour is on a rather small scale, but still, just odd timing.

[pogoowner]

It's been obvious for a long time, if you pay close attention, that Steve had very little interest in the band anymore. He didn't want to make new music, didn't want to do longer sets or more shows, and he was basically just paying the bills. The chances of getting new music from Kansas, and a more varied setlist even, just skyrocketed. I'm not bashing him (he's my favorite singer), but that's just how it is.

[hefdaddy42]

I would love for them to make some new music.

[pogoowner]

I would love for them to make some new music.

The other members have shown a desire to. That's what Native Window was, a few years ago--Kansas minus Steve Walsh.

[bl5150]

Shame that Elefante knocked it back this time - his voice is as strong as ever.  He says he considered it but ran it by God and God said "No"   

[Beowulf]

I must be living under a rock, because this is news to me.  Not completely surprising, though.  As previously mentioned, Steve hasn't wanted to put out any new music.  It just seemed like they've been touring just for a paycheck.  They just played in my hometown on July 4, but i skipped the show.  The last time i saw them (Kansas, Styx and Foreigner), they were just going through the motions (no pun intended!).  Was not a good show from them.
Hopefully this will breathe some new life in the band and YES change the setlist to some deeper cuts, and maybe even make some new music!

[Tick]

That's too bad, but since they have only been a touring band for the last decade or so anyway, not sure that it matters much, as long as they hire someone who can faithfully reproduce his keyboards/vocals.

Huge lifelong Kansas fan! No Steve, no interest.

[Virtualman64]

That's too bad, but since they have only been a touring band for the last decade or so anyway, not sure that it matters much, as long as they hire someone who can faithfully reproduce his keyboards/vocals.

Huge lifelong Kansas fan! No Steve, no interest.

DITTO!!!

[Tick]

I always thought Kansas should still make albums cause it would have generated more interest over the past 10 years, but to be honest minus one or 2 really good songs the last album in 2002 was pretty weak.

[KevShmev]

Huh?  Their last album, Somewhere to Elsewhere, from 2002, was mostly really good  Only one dud, a few great ones, and a bunch of good to really good ones.

[Tick]

Huh?  Their last album, Somewhere to Elsewhere, from 2002, was mostly really good  Only one dud, a few great ones, and a bunch of good to really good ones.

I don't agree. Icarus 2 was great, but most of it was below average for a Kansas record. and Grand Fun Alley is the worst Kansas song of there career.

[Nel]

"Look At The Time" and "Disappearing Skin Tight Blues" are my favorites off the record, and "Icarus II" is pretty great also. I should really listen to it again. Also, I think it might have been from 2000, not 2002.

[hefdaddy42]

Huh?  Their last album, Somewhere to Elsewhere, from 2002, was mostly really good  Only one dud, a few great ones, and a bunch of good to really good ones.

I don't agree. Icarus 2 was great, but most of it was below average for a Kansas record. and Grand Fun Alley is the worst Kansas song of there career.

I disagree strongly, I thought it was a fantastic album, in the vein of their earliest output, a chance at a return to greatness, eventually squandered.

If they can find a replacement and try to write new material, I will be overjoyed.

[Tick]

Huh?  Their last album, Somewhere to Elsewhere, from 2002, was mostly really good  Only one dud, a few great ones, and a bunch of good to really good ones.

I don't agree. Icarus 2 was great, but most of it was below average for a Kansas record. and Grand Fun Alley is the worst Kansas song of there career.

I disagree strongly, I thought it was a fantastic album, in the vein of their earliest output, a chance at a return to greatness, eventually squandered.

If they can find a replacement and try to write new material, I will be overjoyed.

I may be being a bit harsh. I did like the album when I bought it but I don't think it aged well. Not for me anyhow. I should listen to it again objectively.

[Beowulf]

It was a decent album.  I agree with Tick, in that it didn't age too well. 

Actually i loved "Byzantium", especially live.  that was a great tune.

[pogoowner]

I think Somewhere to Elsewhere belongs right up there with their first 5 albums in terms of quality. It was an amazing return to form. Unfortunately, being that Kerry Livgren wrote it, we likely won't ever see something along those lines again.

[hefdaddy42]

I think Somewhere to Elsewhere belongs right up there with their first 5 albums in terms of quality. It was an amazing return to form. Unfortunately, being that Kerry Livgren wrote it, we likely won't ever see something along those lines again.

All of this.

[HolidaysAnoraks]

According to setlist fm this is the setlist with the new lineup:

People of the South Wind
Point of Know Return
The Wall
Reason To Be
Dust in the wind
Opus Insert
Closet Chronicles
Hold On
Belexes
Portrait
Sparks of the Tempest

Fight Fire
Carry on Wayward Son
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/kansas/2014/state-fair-grandstands-oklahoma-city-ok-13cfe97d.html

It's good to see What's On My Mind and South Wind getting dragged out

[hefdaddy42]

Yeah, but Sparks of the Tempest?   

[TheAtliator]

I uploaded that set on there, but I wasn't there or anything. I just noticed some people posted it on Facebook so I thought it should be on setlist.fm. It could be off by a song, I don't know.

[pogoowner]

I'm not a Southwind guy, but Closet Chronicles! Yes! Love some of the additions they've made.