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 - 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.

Maybe David Ragsdale or Vanessa Mae to really boost sales!

But Ragsdale plays a mean violin, just listen to Black Fathom 4

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 totally blows!

There's some chatter on the 'People of the South Wind' forum about Ragsdale possibly being considered to fill in for Robbie (I say 'fill in' because he can't be replaced), and also some comments from some guy who said he interviewed Phil Ehart at the Stardust concerts in Vegas last week where Phil said Dave Hope and Livgren might be joining the band for some projects in the near future.  Hard to say if that's true or just a bunch of crap.  Either way, I sure hope things work out for both Robbie and the band, and that there's more to their future than just another lame compilation album (like the 'Works in Progress' coming out next month).

BTW, I know I've bashed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on these forums in the past, but I figure just in case this is the swan song for Kansas, this is one recognition they deserve the right to either accept or reject on their own terms, so here's a link to a petition to have them nominated for the Hall (just in case anyone is interested).  There's 1,973 signatures so far - 10,000 are needed for a nomination.

http://www.petitiononline.com/Carryon/petition.html - http://www.petitiononline.com/CarryOn/petition.html

This is truly sad news.  Robby is irreplaceable.

 SAD NEWS

I saw them last year @ Arrow Rock Festvial and they were superb, but now isn't it Kansas like I know them

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.

Kansasband.com has finally added some information about it and Ragsdale has rejoined.  Not much said about it though.  Also another compilation package  they are releasing called Works in Progress.  It contains songs from 1992-2002 Freaks of Nature, Live under the Influence of Whisky, Always Never the Same and Device Voice Drum. They have an accompanying DVD with it that will include 4-45 songs from DVD again and 3 songs from the Live at the Whisky video tape. .  They also did Dust in the Wind and Hold On from the ANTS symphony album in 5.1 surround sound mixed by Jeff Glixman. 

Surprising in a way is nothing from the 2001 reunion album Somewhere to Elsewhere is mentioned although Icarus II from that album was selected to be on the DVD.

Not one new song or unreleased track on it at all.  

If they are going to release concert footage they should fix up the Houston show they did in 1980.  It is the best Kansas footage out there but the one floating around on EBay is in terrible shape.

http://www.kansband.com - Www.kansband.com

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....

Sounds to me like Walsh is out to try and recreate the Streets sound all over again.  Either that or the band wants one last swan song tour to support YACC (Yet Another Compilation Collection) and then call it quits.  I think Ehart is either still holding out hope Livgren will hand them another collection of tunes, or he's turned totally into a Steve Walsh fanboy.

Either way - we'll miss you Robbie!

^ 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)

Robby is an Icon for progressive rock , he is the face of Kansas and always will be . When we think of Kansas we think of Robbie and his wild hair and gentle eyes as he plays us a violin passage with a gentle noble look on his face.  Never vain hes never egotistical ,  hes going to be missed . Theres an echolyn song called Never The Same , The lyrics go "remember whats been given not taken away" and that pretty much sums this situation up for me.  I will miss you greatly Robby but I`ll never forget you .. thanks for what you have given me my life has been fuller thanks to you 

Now lets get on with it Kansas lets take it someplace special  (stop the compilations) write some songs