Glass eye bothered him, so he removed it & wears a patch now..he blew it out in childhood with an explosive..Rich is an amzingly funny warm guy in person.
So sad to hear Walsh's voice gone to crap )-; He had the most searing tenor of anyone in the business until about Monolith or a bit after. I'm sincerely sorry to say it, but this is tragic at best. Rundren was able to take care of his voice through years, I wonder how you do or don't?
What happened to Rich Williams' eye? You can tell on the photo in Leftoverture that one of his eyes is glass. Later as seen here, he wore a patch.
I would like to check Kerry Livgren's 80's Christian band "A.D."
Excuse me, aren't you the one that made a big deal about the spelling of Robbie's name? Because that's not pathetic at all. Look, I respect Kansas' history and I like the old stuff. But like Steve said after Robbie left, Kansas is much deeper than the 3 classic albums that they draw heavily from, and I agree.
Whatever man....go do another bong hit and reminisce about the "good old days". I learned about Kansas as a 10 year old in "87 and have been a fan ever since. Yes, Walsh isn't what is he was, but '77? Are you kidding me? Have you heard the "Power" album? Fu**....no wonder Kansas waned...buncha old dipsh** who couldn't move on past "Carry On".
Dude, you need to quit harassing others in a personal way when their views disagree with yours. If you were born in '77 (the year I saw Zeppelin in the Kingdome, Kansas, and Genesis on the Wind and Wuthering tour) you need to chill out and respect these band's histories.
BTW, do you even know WHO Steve Morse was before Kansas??? Doubt it.
As far as Morse goes, jeez dude....I know his history with the Dregs and the Steve Morse band. I have most of the albums. As a guitar player and musician, Morse has been a guy I've studied and looked up to for a long time. Care to make any more dumb assumptions?
Not sure how anyone could even compare Robby to Rags-Stage presence, soul, phrasing, and ABILITY....Ragsdale, hands down. Sorry Kansas purists (as I'm only 30) but I have the albums, seen them with all lineups....Ragsdale injects so much life into the band and the songs that Robby couldn't do. No wonder Steve is happy to have him back.
Robbie can sing the real Kansas songs and harmonize with Steve - and he co-wrote several of them...Kansas was/is at the peak with Robbie and Steve (at least spell his name right, if you've seen them and have all the discs)
Oh my bad...a "y" instead of the "ie". Crucify me. I won't argue with Kansas' peak being when RobbIE was in the band...and I respect him...BUT...I stand by my statements. Kansas is a much better band musically with Rags. Steve was pissed when Rags left...and RobbIE left/was fired because he wasn't in to what was going on. Sorry, I'll side with Steve and the band.
"Several" of the Kansas songs? Ok......Kansas writing was Walsh/Livgren. And I'll take any of Ragsdale's writing contributions on Freaks over RobbIE's.
And as far as the "real Kansas songs"....again.... I like modern day Kansas as well. I like "Power", "ITSoT", and "Freaks". Sorry...those are "real" Kansas songs to me too.
Hmm - did you forget your medicine? Only my opinion, dchris24....do you always require four replies? I just like Kansas with Robby (yes, you were right), and Kerry, the classic line up.
Hey, you were right about one thing, there IS no comparison!
(I like how you went from "crucify me" to "you didn't catch my sarcasm"...do you work in marketing, or politics?)
My fav Kansas album was Song for America, I have seen them 8 times starting in '79 at SPAC, then in Richmond many times after that. PLease come back to Richmond guys! Your fans want to see you again!
You are so right. I never realized in the 70's until now just how the lyrics to all there songs were so profoundly deep, and a bit menacing and thought provoking. Poetry at its best. I think masque was my Fav.
Given that Steve's voice was so shot that night I wonder why this -- his cool short rendition of the Spider -- didn't make the final cut. If Steve's voice were more up to snuff and the keyboards sounded a little thicker, this could have been the best version of Kansas because of how tight they were.
No offense, but I respectfully disagree. No Kansas lineup could be the "best" without Kerry Livgren in it. Period. And the absence of Robby's harmony vocals also precludes it from being the "best" IMHO.
This band is tight as hell (just amazing), and if Steve hadn't been strung out most of the time it would have been even better (and he has said so in interviews). Embarrassing lead vocal, but otherwise great stuff. :-)
And is it just me, or does it seem like Phil hardly ages at all?
It's not just you, that is clean living my friend! Did you hear some guy named Jedialladin says this song is about Einstein! I told him I would give him $50,000 if he could prove it! What the hell was that"1,2,3-1,2,3" during the violin solo? Geez!
Hey Rich, Yeah your right, what we were joking about above was about a very long and drawn out back and forth I had with a weirdo who insisted I was wrong when I said exactly that! It went on for page after page until finally the poster interceded and threatened to ban us from commenting! It was on the Portrait He Knew post by Salporin with Elefante singing!The guy offered 50,000 bucks to anyone who could prove that the song was about Einstein!
i did hear an interview with steve,kerry and phil back in the very late 70's. and that was the answer to the question of what was the song portrait/ he knew all about. then seen it in print on a box set booklet back in 1992. do i know for sure? i only know what the guys said, and what i read in that booklet.
It's well known that "Portrait" is about Einstein and that "Closet Chronicles" is about Howard Hughes! Not only have I read many interviews and sources about this but I got it from a primary source: Phil Ehart! I gotb to meet the band in 1982 and phil answered my question about just that subject! Many people even when confronted with incontrovertible proof still insist you are wrong! Go figure!
This was the best lineup they had ever for playing any song in the huge list of songs they wrote over the years. Rags said this in an interview. I saw this tour. Steve was a crazy man that night. What a great artist this man is!! Thanks for posting!!
I was in this audience and I dont care what any of these comments say, Kansas at the Whisky was an awsome concert !
newmikeo 1 month ago
What year did this take place? This is scary.
profilercms 1 month ago
My gosh! What the heck has happened to Steve??? Oh my! He doesn't look healthy here...hmmmmmmm....somewhat bothersome..but great song!
iwillrocknroll4eva 5 months ago
A clever forgery
beerbomber1 1 year ago
I just noticed that the band isnt even in tune with each other ..yikes.
debbiechickie5 1 year ago
Glass eye bothered him, so he removed it & wears a patch now..he blew it out in childhood with an explosive..Rich is an amzingly funny warm guy in person.
debbiechickie5 2 years ago
Todd Rundgren... sorry!
MusicStudioTV 2 years ago
So sad to hear Walsh's voice gone to crap )-; He had the most searing tenor of anyone in the business until about Monolith or a bit after. I'm sincerely sorry to say it, but this is tragic at best. Rundren was able to take care of his voice through years, I wonder how you do or don't?
What happened to Rich Williams' eye? You can tell on the photo in Leftoverture that one of his eyes is glass. Later as seen here, he wore a patch.
I would like to check Kerry Livgren's 80's Christian band "A.D."
MusicStudioTV 2 years ago
He sounds better now!
Gregsynth 1 year ago
Excuse me, aren't you the one that made a big deal about the spelling of Robbie's name? Because that's not pathetic at all. Look, I respect Kansas' history and I like the old stuff. But like Steve said after Robbie left, Kansas is much deeper than the 3 classic albums that they draw heavily from, and I agree.
AfterShock169 3 years ago
Heh. It's more than 3, it's 5, classic albums from which they draw. I know they are much bigger than that. But that was their heydey.
JonWRowe 2 years ago
who is the vocal - is it the killer of Sharon Tate , what's his name ?
Jesus what a creature...
mirekhania 3 years ago
You mean Charles Manson?
CavemanJesus4Life 2 years ago
For everyone commenting here.
Kansas was (is) the first 4 albums. THAT'S IT. End of discussion.
It was all over after Leftoverture. 1976.
Now you have the next 40yrs of looking at what WAS not is now. Steve Walsh is a sad relic of that time 73-77. now move on.
ronoman88 3 years ago
Whatever man....go do another bong hit and reminisce about the "good old days". I learned about Kansas as a 10 year old in "87 and have been a fan ever since. Yes, Walsh isn't what is he was, but '77? Are you kidding me? Have you heard the "Power" album? Fu**....no wonder Kansas waned...buncha old dipsh** who couldn't move on past "Carry On".
dchris24 3 years ago
Dude, you need to quit harassing others in a personal way when their views disagree with yours. If you were born in '77 (the year I saw Zeppelin in the Kingdome, Kansas, and Genesis on the Wind and Wuthering tour) you need to chill out and respect these band's histories.
BTW, do you even know WHO Steve Morse was before Kansas??? Doubt it.
Hopspop 3 years ago
As far as Morse goes, jeez dude....I know his history with the Dregs and the Steve Morse band. I have most of the albums. As a guitar player and musician, Morse has been a guy I've studied and looked up to for a long time. Care to make any more dumb assumptions?
AfterShock169 3 years ago
was that period their "prime"? Was that when Kerry left the group?
janny108 2 years ago
Not sure how anyone could even compare Robby to Rags-Stage presence, soul, phrasing, and ABILITY....Ragsdale, hands down. Sorry Kansas purists (as I'm only 30) but I have the albums, seen them with all lineups....Ragsdale injects so much life into the band and the songs that Robby couldn't do. No wonder Steve is happy to have him back.
dchris24 3 years ago
Robbie can sing the real Kansas songs and harmonize with Steve - and he co-wrote several of them...Kansas was/is at the peak with Robbie and Steve (at least spell his name right, if you've seen them and have all the discs)
Hopspop 3 years ago
Oh my bad...a "y" instead of the "ie". Crucify me. I won't argue with Kansas' peak being when RobbIE was in the band...and I respect him...BUT...I stand by my statements. Kansas is a much better band musically with Rags. Steve was pissed when Rags left...and RobbIE left/was fired because he wasn't in to what was going on. Sorry, I'll side with Steve and the band.
dchris24 3 years ago
"Several" of the Kansas songs? Ok......Kansas writing was Walsh/Livgren. And I'll take any of Ragsdale's writing contributions on Freaks over RobbIE's.
dchris24 3 years ago
And as far as the "real Kansas songs"....again.... I like modern day Kansas as well. I like "Power", "ITSoT", and "Freaks". Sorry...those are "real" Kansas songs to me too.
dchris24 3 years ago
If you didn't catch my sarcasm, you MIGHT want to check how RobbY's name is actually spelled. What a fan...
dchris24 3 years ago
Hmm - did you forget your medicine? Only my opinion, dchris24....do you always require four replies? I just like Kansas with Robby (yes, you were right), and Kerry, the classic line up.
Hey, you were right about one thing, there IS no comparison!
(I like how you went from "crucify me" to "you didn't catch my sarcasm"...do you work in marketing, or politics?)
Hopspop 3 years ago
My fav Kansas album was Song for America, I have seen them 8 times starting in '79 at SPAC, then in Richmond many times after that. PLease come back to Richmond guys! Your fans want to see you again!
egschips 3 years ago
bands just don't rock like this anymore
rg2027x 3 years ago
You are so right. I never realized in the 70's until now just how the lyrics to all there songs were so profoundly deep, and a bit menacing and thought provoking. Poetry at its best. I think masque was my Fav.
acdeucee 3 years ago
Given that Steve's voice was so shot that night I wonder why this -- his cool short rendition of the Spider -- didn't make the final cut. If Steve's voice were more up to snuff and the keyboards sounded a little thicker, this could have been the best version of Kansas because of how tight they were.
JonWRowe 3 years ago
No offense, but I respectfully disagree. No Kansas lineup could be the "best" without Kerry Livgren in it. Period. And the absence of Robby's harmony vocals also precludes it from being the "best" IMHO.
This band is tight as hell (just amazing), and if Steve hadn't been strung out most of the time it would have been even better (and he has said so in interviews). Embarrassing lead vocal, but otherwise great stuff. :-)
And is it just me, or does it seem like Phil hardly ages at all?
Ken5244 3 years ago
It's not just you, that is clean living my friend! Did you hear some guy named Jedialladin says this song is about Einstein! I told him I would give him $50,000 if he could prove it! What the hell was that"1,2,3-1,2,3" during the violin solo? Geez!
rickyon 3 years ago
The song is about Einstein, remember? If I provide proof, are you gonna send $50K my way? *grin*
That "1-2-3, 1-2-3" sounds like a soundman testing a mic at a most inopportune time! *laugh*
Ken5244 3 years ago
we meet again mr. rickyon, this song is without doubt about albert einstein.
ke2323 3 years ago
Hey Rich, Yeah your right, what we were joking about above was about a very long and drawn out back and forth I had with a weirdo who insisted I was wrong when I said exactly that! It went on for page after page until finally the poster interceded and threatened to ban us from commenting! It was on the Portrait He Knew post by Salporin with Elefante singing!The guy offered 50,000 bucks to anyone who could prove that the song was about Einstein!
rickyon 3 years ago
i did hear an interview with steve,kerry and phil back in the very late 70's. and that was the answer to the question of what was the song portrait/ he knew all about. then seen it in print on a box set booklet back in 1992. do i know for sure? i only know what the guys said, and what i read in that booklet.
ke2323 3 years ago
It's well known that "Portrait" is about Einstein and that "Closet Chronicles" is about Howard Hughes! Not only have I read many interviews and sources about this but I got it from a primary source: Phil Ehart! I gotb to meet the band in 1982 and phil answered my question about just that subject! Many people even when confronted with incontrovertible proof still insist you are wrong! Go figure!
rickyon 3 years ago
I totally agree. A bit of a damper without Kerry.
acdeucee 3 years ago
This was the best lineup they had ever for playing any song in the huge list of songs they wrote over the years. Rags said this in an interview. I saw this tour. Steve was a crazy man that night. What a great artist this man is!! Thanks for posting!!
dgcmusi 3 years ago