Robby Steinhardt no longer in Kansas

From Steve Waslsh's website

Kansas has had some good years and some not so good years. Projects that should've sold lots, and some that shouldn't have. But one thing is for sure. We are deeper than the 3 albums we consistently draw from. We have gone through a big change here. And in my mind it has been one of the most difficult things we've ever had to do. We have parted ways with our original violinist/singer, Robby. I'd like to say it was pleasant, and friendly. But I was in such turmoil at the time, I didn't really know who was my friend, and who wasn't. I really don't want to publish the details. I just want everyone to know that this change-this metamorphosis will make us stronger and better because we will survive it. We care about our legacy and our music, our friends, and yes, it's the way we make a living, and we don't want that to go away either. So, please come and see us. We're gonna be f**king great.... Steve Walsh

http://www.steve-walsh.de/home1.htm

No official news on Kansasband.com but I'll bet David Ragsdale will be rejoining.

^ Everything.  I think the next show is April 22.  Still waiting for something offical to be released.

Robby Steinhardt is more than a violin player - he's a great singer and a fantastic stage guy - in Kansas terms. It's a great loss - again.

I don't believe that kansas will produce anything really significative from now on. The Kansas comeback happened whn Robbie joined the group again. With his departure and no plns of Livgren in the group again, I believe that Kansas will be now in that famous "on tour forever", like BOC and other 70's groups.

This is truly sad news.  Robby is irreplaceable.

Hearing form someone who talked to Robby I guess it was his decision to leave or retire as he calls it.  I am guessing it was on good terms. If Ragsdale comes back it would be the first time in a long time that there might be new music from the band. Ragsdale was disappointed in Freaks Of Nature not being progressive enough and when no new opportunity to write new music became available he left.  I am slightly curious to how this will all work out.  Rags can also play some guitar as well. As long as Steve Walsh does not go back to being a frontman it should not be a bad thing.

Hey, I love Kansas, but more compilations/box sets/etc without any new or interesting material is getting ridiculous.  Talk about over-active marketing.  The awesome packaging art (like the Moses-guy or the Point of Know Return ship) always tempts me to pick up those "compilations" at the store, but everytime I flip it over I see the same songs over and over and over and over....

^ I don't think so Clem.  You have to remember these guys make a pretty good living playing their 50 -70 dates a year.   That European tour last year must have paid handsomely.  The band charges between $20,000 and $35,000 a a show in the states depending on how long they have to play.  Yes they still can command that. Walsh, Erhart and Williams own the touring band. Along with some royalties, although Livgren gets the lions share of those, and some merchandise they all make over six figures easily including Billy Greer And Robby now David Ragsdale (all hired Hands). 

I really can't see them wanting to putting a fork in this.  They all have families to support. I actually think they may have some new music without Livgren's involvement because Rags can write.  I'll bet he has a few concessions coming his way to return. He left because there was not going to be anything more new after Freaks.

David Ragsdale has appeared on some pretty good prog albums Like Be from Salem Hill, Cryptic Vison  initial CD and LA Underscore. He knows this music and it is what he wants Kansas to do.  They (the rest of the band) pushed it to a more pop rock album (Freaks of Nature)