Cover Illustration by Dave McMacken

Kansas Song for America 1975 Kirshner ——————————————————————— Tracks: 1. Down the Road 2. Song for America 3. Lamplight Symphony 4. Lonely Street 5. The Devil Game 6. Incomudro • Hymn to the Atman ———————————————————————

Phil Ehart

Dave Hope

Kerry Livgren

Robby Steinhardt

Steve Walsh

Rich Williams

Here’s a thing I’ve been wanting to make for a long time with this kind of template.

“Come on guys stop, he’s trying to talk to his mom”: Graham Gouldman, Todd Rundgren, Ray Shulman, Steve Walsh

“*loud fake sex noises*”: Lol Creme, John “Willy” Wilcox, Gary Green

“EVERYONE SHUT THE FUCK UP!”: Eric Stewart, Kasim Sulton, Derek Shulman, Robby Steinhardt

“*is asleep*”: John Weathers, Phil Ehart, Dave Hope

Robert Eugene "Robby" Steinhardt (May 25, 1950 – July 17, 2021) was an #rock #violinist and #singer best known for his work with the #rock #group Kansas, for which he was co-lead singer / "frontman" and mc along with keyboardist Steve Walsh, from 1973 to 1982 and from 1997 to 2006.[1] He and Steve Walsh were the only original members of the band who are not from Topeka.[2]

Steinhardt joined a re-formed White Clover in 1972, with the group adopting the Kansas name before their first album in 1974. In 1983, he did not show up to record the next Kansas album. His departure from the band after the Vinyl Confessions tour in 1982 was for personal reasons. In the interim, he fronted his own band, Steinhardt-Moon and was a member of the Stormbringer Band from 1990 to 1996, recording two CDs with the group during his membership.[4] He also contributed to a Jethro Tull tribute album, To Cry You a Song: A Collection of Tull Tales on Magna Carta Records.[5]

In early 2006, Steinhardt once again left Kansas by mutual agreement due to the pace of touring. Since Steinhardt rejoined the band in 1997,[3] the band had averaged almost 100 shows per year.[6] Steinhardt served as the MC for the band's concerts when he was a member, with his fellow band member, Kerry Livgren describing his role like as: "Robby had a unique function as a violinist, second vocalist, and MC in a live situation. Robby was the link between the band on the stage and the audience."[1] Violinist David Ragsdale (Steinhardt's original replacement) quickly replaced him again.

Kansas Co-founder and Violinist Robby Steinhardt Dies at 71

Robby Steinhardt, the violinist, singer and Kansas co-founder who exited the band in 2006, died July 17, his wife said.

Steinhardt was 71 and had been battling complications from acute pancreatitis, which was diagnosed in May, Cindy Steinhardt said.

“We are beyond devastated, as our lives were about to start a new adventure,” she wrote, adding that her husband had recorded his first solo album and planned to support it with a tour slated for August.

“Robby was so looking forward to being back on stage doing what he loved,” Cindy Steinhardt said.

As co-lead vocalist, violin player and onstage spokesman, Steinhardt was with Kansas, known for hits like “Dust in the Wind” and “Point of Know Return,” from 1973 to 1982 and again from 1997 to 2006.

The current band expressed their “deepest sorrow” over Steinhardt death.

“Robby will always be in our souls, in our minds and in our music,” the group said in a statement. “What he brought to us as bandmates, to the fans who attended our concerts and to the sound of Kansas will always be heartfelt.

“We love him and will miss him always.”

Michael Sweet remembered Steinhardt as “one of my all-time favorites” and a huge influence on his own playing.

“I’ll never forget the first time I heard Robby play,” Sweet wrote on Facebook. “It was such an important part of my musical journey.”