Steve Walsh (musician)

Steve Walsh

Walsh performing in 2012.
Background information
Born (1951-06-15) June 15, 1951
St Joseph, Missouri
Origin Atlanta, Georgia
Genres Progressive rock, hard rock
Occupation(s) Musician, singer-songwriter
Instruments Vocals, keyboards, synthesizer, piano, organ, vibraphone, percussion, harmonica
Associated acts Kansas, Streets

Steve Walsh (born June 15, 1951) is an American musician, singer and songwriter best known for his work as a member of the progressive rock band Kansas.[1] He sings lead on four of Kansas' best-known hits: "Carry On Wayward Son," "Dust in the Wind", "Point of Know Return", and "All I Wanted", the last two of which he also co-wrote.

Career

Steve Walsh in 2008.

Walsh was in a number of local groups prior to his joining Kansas, most notably a group named "White Clover" which ultimately became Kansas. The band White Clover toured relentlessly and sharpened their brand of distinctively American, hard-rocking progressive music. Kansas and White Clover merged and the group was signed to Don Kirshner's label and newly merged bands decided to go with the name Kansas. Walsh is the only original member of the band to not be from the state of Kansas.

During Walsh's time with the band, Kansas recorded two enormously successful albums, 1976's Leftoverture and 1977's Point of Know Return. With Kansas, Walsh has released 12 studio albums, six live albums, and numerous singles. He has released three solo albums thus far. In 1978 he was invited, as well as Kansas drummer Phil Ehart, to play on Steve Hackett's second solo album, Please don't touch. He sang on two of the songs, Narnia and Racing in A.

Walsh left Kansas after 1980's Audio-Visions due to creative differences with the band's primary song writer Kerry Livgren. Earlier in 1980, he released his first solo album, Schemer-Dreamer, which included band mates Kerry Livgren, Rich Williams and Phil Ehart, as well as guitarist Steve Morse (who in 1985 would join the revamped Kansas). It contains the popular song "Every Step of the Way". In 1982 he formed a rock band called Streets, which released the albums 1st in 1983 and Crimes in Mind in 1985 before disbanding.

As a guest vocalist, Steve Walsh has appeared on numerous other artists' recordings.

Kansas (who had obtained a different vocalist, John Elefante) split in 1984, but reformed in 1985 with Walsh back on board. He remained with the band until his retirement in 2014.

Walsh released his second solo album, entitled Glossolalia, in 2000. In 2003 he joined forces with Daniele Liverani to form the AOR Melodic rock band Khymera. Steve sang lead vocals on their first self titled album. Adding to this album were Billy Greer and former Streets band mate Mike Slamer. His third solo album, Shadowman followed in 2005 (reissued in 2007 with bonus tracks), with the collaboration of such musicians as Joe Franco on drums, Joel Kosche on guitars and bass, and David Ragsdale on the re-issued version of the album's bonus tracks.

On June 30, 2014, Steve announced he would retire from Kansas after 41 years. This was publicized through a statement posted on the band's official Facebook page on July 2: "On June 30, 2014, Steve Walsh informed the members of KANSAS that he is resigning from the band. His last performance with KANSAS was 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."

Shortly after the band KANSAS made the announcement that Steve was going to be retiring; Steve made the following statement regarding his decision to retire form the band. This following statement was released on the website MelodicRock.com:

“I'd like to thank all the fans that have come to see me sing in Kansas over the years. Sometimes I had to pinch myself just to make sure I wasn't dreaming that at my age I was still playing in a great band in front of great fans. I'd also like to extend my well wishes to the members. But I'd especially like to thank the crew that we've had now for a while. It's the best group of guys behind the scenes that I've ever worked with. They are most forgiving of us who stand in the bright light, and have done a lot that they really aren't required to do, just to make sure that my comfort and safety are well taken care of. I know there's a lot of different versions out there on why I'm leaving so let me just say that it's time for me to go, and yes, it makes me sad to have to admit that. Thanks again to all of you out there in the seats. I will never forget this. It's been a great party.” ~ Steve Walsh [2]

In 2015 Steve contributed vocals to the latest Radioactive album entitled 'F4Ur', which was released on April 7 on the song 'The Piper'. Additionally, Steve is scheduled to appear with 'The Rock Pack' on November 19, 2015 at The Germain Arena in Fort Meyers, Florida along with other classic rock artists including John Payne of Asia, Bobby Kimball of Toto, Robin Zander of Cheap Trick, Fee Waybill of The Tubes and Mickey Thomas of Starship.

Personal life

Steve Walsh was born June 15, 1951 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was adopted as an infant and grew up in St. Joseph, Missouri. He attended St James Catholic School and is a 1969 graduate of Christian Brothers High School. He now lives in Atlanta, Georgia. He was recently divorced, but he has a son named Bleu who was born in 1980, a daughter named Olivia who was born in 1999, and another son in 2006.

Discography

Solo

Streets

Contributions

Kansas

Studio Albums

Live Albums

Compilations

References

  1. ↑ "History". kansasband.com. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  2. ↑ KANSAS - Steve Walsh & Billy Greer Comment Exclusively | MelodicRock.com
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