Steve Walsh (musician)
Encyclopedia
Steve Walsh is a singer and songwriter best known for his work as a member of the progressive rock
band Kansas
.
. He was adopted as an infant and grew up in St. Joseph, Missouri. He attended St James Catholic School and then Christian Brothers High School. He now lives in Atlanta, Georgia
. He is married and he has a son who was born in 1980, a daughter who was born in 1999, and another son in 2006. He is a professional musician and he makes his living performing with the progressive rock band Kansas
releasing occasional solo projects and providing guest vocals on recordings.
" which ultimately became Kansas. The band White Clover toured relentlessly and sharpened their original brand of distinctively American, hard-rocking progressive music. When the group was getting signed to Don Kirshner
's label their name got changed to Kansas. Originally "Kansas" was the name of a defunct band which Kerry Livgren, a then member of the band, had formed.
With 1972's self-titled debut album, Kansas started a winning streak that has continued for 35 plus years. 1976's 'Leftoverture' and 1977's 'Point Of Know Return' were enormously successful and are deservedly recognized as rock classics, as are the previously mentioned hits they contained, "Carry On Wayward Son," "Dust In The Wind" and "Point Of Know Return". While many other albums by Kansas have come out since this time, the band is most known for their hits during the mid-1970s. Steve's solo albums have never had commercial success, but are considered by his fans to be some of his best and most creative works.
With Kansas, Steve has released 12 studio albums, 6 live albums, 2 DVDs, a video, and numerous singles. He has had three solo albums thus far.
. Also in 1980, he released his first solo album, 'Schemer-Dreamer,' which included some of his former band mates Kerry Livgren, Rich Williams and Phil Ehart and special guests including the guitar virtuoso Steve Morse (who in 1985 would join the revamped Kansas group). In 1982 he formed a straightforward rock band called Streets which released the albums '1st' in 1983 and 'Crimes In Mind' in 1985 before disbanding.
) split in 1983, but reformed about three years later with Walsh back on board and he has remained with the band ever since. During this time he has released albums and DVDs with Kansas including the albums 'Power,' 'In The Spirit Of Things,' 'Freaks of Nature', 'Somewhere To Elsewhere', the acclaimed live DVD 'Device Voice Drum', the 2004 Kansas "boxed set" entitled 'Sail On: The 30th Anniversary Collection 1974-2004' spanning the band's entire career (up to that date) and featured two CDs of hits and important album cuts and one DVD of rare television appearances, music videos, live footage and new interviews. In 2009 Kansas released their 35th anniversary DVD 'There's Know Place Like Home
' which was recorded in Topeka, Kansas with the Washburn Symphony and special guests Kerry Livgren
and Steve Morse
.
With his new solo album entitled “Shadowman” Steve Walsh unveiled another landmark of creativity, with the collaboration of such musicians as Joe Franco (Twisted Sister, Magellan) on drums, Joel Kosche
(Collective Soul) on guitars and bass and with David Ragsdale
from the group Kansas on violin on the song “After” and Symphony X
's mastermind Michael Romeo
caring for the orchestration on "After", "Shadowman" and "Hell is full of Heroes". With this release Steve Walsh reached a new height in his artistic expression focusing on a great songwriting and superb production, but issued a statement that he had concluded his writing career.
Streets
Contributions
Kansas
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Kansas
Kansas (band)
Kansas is an American rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on Album-Oriented Rock charts, and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind"...
.
Introduction
The keyboardist/vocalist/songwriter/producer/percussionist is best known for his visionary work with Kansas. He sings lead on Kansas' biggest and best-known hits -- "Carry On Wayward Son," "Dust In The Wind" and "Point Of Know Return".Basic Personal Information
Steve Walsh was born June 15, 1951 in St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. He was adopted as an infant and grew up in St. Joseph, Missouri. He attended St James Catholic School and then Christian Brothers High School. He now lives in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. He is married and he has a son who was born in 1980, a daughter who was born in 1999, and another son in 2006. He is a professional musician and he makes his living performing with the progressive rock band Kansas
Kansas (band)
Kansas is an American rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on Album-Oriented Rock charts, and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind"...
releasing occasional solo projects and providing guest vocals on recordings.
Stage Persona
Steve Walsh has left an important mark in popular music with his distinctive soaring vocals and unique keyboard style, yet instead of resting on his laurels he continues to push his creativity. This spark has guided him throughout his career with the bands Kansas and Streets and as a solo artist. He was well known for what he called his "keyboard antics" which included doing handstands and kicking and dancing while he sang and played extremely complicated keyboard parts during concert performances. He no longer displays such "antics" on stage, mainly due to age and sobriety.Musical Career Basics
Steve was in a number of local groups prior to his joining Kansas, most notably a group named "White CloverWhite clover
Trifolium repens, the white clover , is a species of clover native to Europe, North Africa, and West Asia...
" which ultimately became Kansas. The band White Clover toured relentlessly and sharpened their original brand of distinctively American, hard-rocking progressive music. When the group was getting signed to Don Kirshner
Don Kirshner
Don Kirshner , known as "The Man With the Golden Ear", was an American song publisher and rock producer who is best known for managing songwriting talent as well as successful pop groups, such as The Monkees, Kansas and The Archies.-Early life:Don Kirshner was born to Gilbert Kirshner, a tailor,...
's label their name got changed to Kansas. Originally "Kansas" was the name of a defunct band which Kerry Livgren, a then member of the band, had formed.
With 1972's self-titled debut album, Kansas started a winning streak that has continued for 35 plus years. 1976's 'Leftoverture' and 1977's 'Point Of Know Return' were enormously successful and are deservedly recognized as rock classics, as are the previously mentioned hits they contained, "Carry On Wayward Son," "Dust In The Wind" and "Point Of Know Return". While many other albums by Kansas have come out since this time, the band is most known for their hits during the mid-1970s. Steve's solo albums have never had commercial success, but are considered by his fans to be some of his best and most creative works.
With Kansas, Steve has released 12 studio albums, 6 live albums, 2 DVDs, a video, and numerous singles. He has had three solo albums thus far.
Career Turning Point
1980 marked a turning point in Walsh's career. He left Kansas after 'Audio-Visions' due to some philosophical differences with the band's primary song writer Kerry LivgrenKerry Livgren
Kerry Allen Livgren is an American musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band, Kansas.-Biography:...
. Also in 1980, he released his first solo album, 'Schemer-Dreamer,' which included some of his former band mates Kerry Livgren, Rich Williams and Phil Ehart and special guests including the guitar virtuoso Steve Morse (who in 1985 would join the revamped Kansas group). In 1982 he formed a straightforward rock band called Streets which released the albums '1st' in 1983 and 'Crimes In Mind' in 1985 before disbanding.
Rejoining Kansas
The band Kansas (who had obtained a different vocalist, John ElefanteJohn Elefante
John Elefante is an American singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer.-Early years:Born in Levittown, New York, his family soon moved to Long Beach, California. Growing up, he sang and performed drums for his family band, the Brotherhood...
) split in 1983, but reformed about three years later with Walsh back on board and he has remained with the band ever since. During this time he has released albums and DVDs with Kansas including the albums 'Power,' 'In The Spirit Of Things,' 'Freaks of Nature', 'Somewhere To Elsewhere', the acclaimed live DVD 'Device Voice Drum', the 2004 Kansas "boxed set" entitled 'Sail On: The 30th Anniversary Collection 1974-2004' spanning the band's entire career (up to that date) and featured two CDs of hits and important album cuts and one DVD of rare television appearances, music videos, live footage and new interviews. In 2009 Kansas released their 35th anniversary DVD 'There's Know Place Like Home
There's Know Place Like Home
There's Know Place Like Home is Kansas' fifth live and 26th overall album. It was released as a double CD and also on DVD on October 13, 2009 and Blu-ray on November 23, 2009...
' which was recorded in Topeka, Kansas with the Washburn Symphony and special guests Kerry Livgren
Kerry Livgren
Kerry Allen Livgren is an American musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band, Kansas.-Biography:...
and Steve Morse
Steve Morse
Steven J. "Steve" Morse is an American guitarist and composer, best known for his work in the hard rock band Deep Purple since 1994. He began his career to form the unique styled instrumental rock band Dixie Dregs in the 1970. Morse's musical inspiration comes from country, funk, jazz fusion, and...
.
Solo career
In 1980, he released his first solo album, 'Schemer-Dreamer' (mentioned above) which contained the popular song 'Every Step Of The Way'. Walsh released his second solo album entitled 'Glossolalia' in 2000 and his third, 'Shadowman' in 2005 and a repackaged 'Shadowman" CD in 2007 which included two additional tracks.With his new solo album entitled “Shadowman” Steve Walsh unveiled another landmark of creativity, with the collaboration of such musicians as Joe Franco (Twisted Sister, Magellan) on drums, Joel Kosche
Joel Kosche
Joel Sefton Kosche is the current lead guitarist for Collective Soul. He has also just released a full length solo album, ....
(Collective Soul) on guitars and bass and with David Ragsdale
David Ragsdale
David Ragsdale, violinist for Kansas since 1991, started violin at the age of three. After studies with renowned classical teachers and a stint at the Tulsa Philharmonic, David's violinist duties took him out of the largely classical area and into rock and roll.Through the years he has performed...
from the group Kansas on violin on the song “After” and Symphony X
Symphony X
Symphony X is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey.Founded in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo, their albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite have given the band considerable attention within the progressive metal community...
's mastermind Michael Romeo
Michael Romeo
Since 2005, Romeo has taken advantage of a new custom model, Caparison Dellinger II - Michael Romeo Custom, which he used to record the Symphony X album Paradise Lost...
caring for the orchestration on "After", "Shadowman" and "Hell is full of Heroes". With this release Steve Walsh reached a new height in his artistic expression focusing on a great songwriting and superb production, but issued a statement that he had concluded his writing career.
Currently
Steve continues to tour with Kansas as their lead singer and sole keyboardist. He contributes guest vocals for different acts from time to time. He enjoys spending time at home with his wife and kids when not touring.Discography
Solo- (1980) Schemer Dreamer
- (2000) GlossolaliaGlossolalia (album)Glossolalia is the 2000-released solo album from Kansas keyboaridst/vocalist Steve Walsh. It was released on Magna Carta Records and features help from Trent Gardner, Virgil Donati, and Billy Greer.-Track listing:# "Glossolalia" 5:20...
- (2005) ShadowmanShadowman (album)-Track listing:#"Rise" – 5:15#"Shadowman" – 6:44#"Davey and the Stone That Rolled Away" – 5:54#"Keep On Knockin" – 5:53#"Pages of Old" – 4:54#"Hell is Full of Heroes" – 6:03#"After" – 9:58#"The River" – 4:13...
- (2007) Releases (singles) Dark Day & Faule Dr Roane via MP3 download only
- (2008) Re-release of Shadowman (album) w/2 adtl. tracks Dark Day & Faule Dr Roane
Streets
Streets (band)
Streets was a band made up of singer, keyboardist Steve Walsh, guitarist Mike Slamer, bassist Billy Greer, and drummer Tim Gehrt.Steve Walsh had also been in the band Kansas and Mike Slamer has been in several other bands, including Britain's City Boy. He has also been a session guitarist...
- (1983) 1st1st (album)-Personnel:*Tim Gehrt – percussion, drums, vocals*Billy Greer – bass, vocals*Mike Slamer – guitar*Steve Walsh – synthesizer, keyboard, vocals-Charts:Album – Billboard...
- (1985) Crimes in MindCrimes in MindCrimes in Mind is a 1985 album by Streets.-Track listing:#"Don't Look Back" - 3:22#"The Nightmare Begins" - 3:16#"Broken Glass" - 3:54#"Hit 'N Run" - 3:08...
- (1987) King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents StreetsKing Biscuit Flower Hour Presents StreetsKing Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Streets is a 1983 recording of a Streets concert. The album features Streets live on its first tour, which was in support of the debut album on Atlantic Records...
or Live-Shakedown
Contributions
- (1978) Steve HackettSteve HackettStephen Richard Hackett is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist. He gained prominence as a member of the British progressive rock group Genesis, which he joined in 1970 and left in 1977 to pursue a solo career...
- Please Don't TouchPlease Don't TouchPlease Don't Touch! is the second solo album by English guitarist Steve Hackett, and his first after leaving Genesis in 1977.The album featured several guests including R&B singer Randy Crawford, American folk icon Richie Havens, the drummer and vocalist for the progressive rock band Kansas , Frank... - (1980) Kerry LivgrenKerry LivgrenKerry Allen Livgren is an American musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band, Kansas.-Biography:...
- Seeds of ChangeSeeds of Change (album)Seeds of Change was Kerry Livgren's first solo album. Released in 1980 while he still was a member of Kansas, three other members of the band appeared as guests . In 1996, Seeds of Change was reissued through Renaissance Records with a 21:24 long interview with Livgren as a bonus track... - (1982) The DregsDixie DregsThe Dixie Dregs are an American band formed in the 1970s. Their mostly instrumental music fuses jazz, southern rock, bluegrass and classical forms in an often unique style.-Formation and early years:...
- Industry StandardIndustry StandardIndustry Standard is a 1982 album by The Dregs. It is their only album featuring vocals and garnered the group their fourth Grammy nomination.-Track listing:All tracks are written by Steve Morse, except where noted.#"Assembly Line" – 4:25... - (1983) Paul BarrérePaul BarrerePaul Barrere is a current member of the band Little Feat, having joined the band in 1974...
- On My Own Two FeetOn My Own Two FeetOn My Own Two Feet is the 1983 debut solo album by Paul Barrére.-Track listing:1. Sweet Coquette 2. High Roller 3. Fool For You 4. Love Sweet Love 5. Who Knows For Sure 6. She Lays Down The Beat 7. Fortune Cookie 8. Along This Lane... - (1990) Blonz - Blonz
- (1993) Jeff Watson - Around The Sun
- (2000) Jeff Watson - Around The Sun (EU rerelease)
- (2000) Jeff Watson - Around The Sun (US rerelease)
- (2000) Vince di Cola - In-Vince-ible!
- (2000) Christmas Collection with Father Rodgers - Remember The One
- (2001) Seventh Key - Seventh Key
- (2001) Trent GardnerTrent Gardner-Magellan albums:*Hour of Restoration *Impending Ascension *Test of Wills *Hundred Year Flood *Impossible Figures *Symphony for a Misanthrope *Innocent God -Trent's projects:...
- Leonardo - The Absolut Man - (2001) The December People - Sounds Like Christmas
- (2002) Explorers Club - Raising the MammothRaising the Mammoth-Personnel:*Steve Walsh – lead vocals*James LaBrie – lead vocals*Kerry Livgren – guitar*Marty Friedman – guitar*Gary Wehrkamp – guitar*Jeff Curtis – additional guitar*Trent Gardner - keyboards*Mark Robertson - keyboards*John Myung - bass...
- (2002) Daniele Liverani - Genius - A Rock Opera
- (2003) Saint James Parish - Come Home For Christmas
- (2003) Khymera - Khymera
- (2010) Joel KoscheJoel KoscheJoel Sefton Kosche is the current lead guitarist for Collective Soul. He has also just released a full length solo album, ....
- Fight Years - (2010) Roswell Six - Terra Incognita: A Line in the Sand
Kansas
Kansas (band)
Kansas is an American rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on Album-Oriented Rock charts, and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind"...
- Studio Albums
- (1974) Kansas
- (1974) Song for AmericaSong for AmericaSong for America is the second album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1975. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2004....
- (1975) Masque
- (1976) LeftovertureLeftovertureLeftoverture is the fourth album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1976. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2001.-Overview:...
- (1977) Point of Know ReturnPoint of Know ReturnPoint of Know Return is the fifth album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1977. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2002.The huge success of Kansas's previous effort, Leftoverture, brought a new kind of pressure...
- (1979) Monolith
- (1980) Audio-VisionsAudio-VisionsAudio-Visions is the seventh studio album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1980. The album was remastered and reissued in 2011, as a Japanese import vinyl-replica....
- (1986) Power
- (1988) In the Spirit of ThingsIn the Spirit of ThingsIn the Spirit of Things is the 11th studio album, and 13th overall, by American rock band Kansas, released in 1988 . It is a very loosely organized concept album telling the story of a flood hitting the real Kansas town of Neosho Falls in the early 1950s...
- (1995) Freaks of NatureFreaks of NatureFreaks of Nature is the 12th studio album, and 17th overall, by American rock band Kansas, released in 1995. While the band hoped that it would be a springboard to a strong comeback, the album received little attention beyond what was left of the fan base...
- (1998) Always Never the Same
- (2000) Somewhere to ElsewhereSomewhere to ElsewhereSomewhere to Elsewhere is the 14th studio album, and 20th overall, by American rock band Kansas, released in 2000.This album marks the reunion of the band's original 1970s lineup, along with Billy Greer, who joined Kansas with Power. Kerry Livgren composed all of the album's tracks, and he sings ...
- Live Albums
- (1978) Two for the Show
- (1992) Live at the WhiskyLive at the Whisky-Track listing:#"Introduction" – 1:04#"Howlin' at the Moon" from "Magnum Opus" – 1:31#"Paradox" – 4:11#"Point of no Return" – 4:44#"Song for America" – 8:57...
- (1998) King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents KansasKing Biscuit Flower Hour Presents KansasKing Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Kansas is the third live album, and the 19th album overall, from American rock band Kansas, released in 1998 . In 2003, the album was re-titled and re-released as Greatest Hits Live...
- (2002) Device, Voice, DrumDevice, Voice, DrumDevice, Voice, Drum is the fourth live album, and 21st album overall, by American rock band Kansas, released in 2002 . It is a double-CD companion to the DVD of the same name....
(CD/DVD) - (2008) Two for the Show 30th Aniv. w/bonus CD
- (2009) There's Know Place Like HomeThere's Know Place Like HomeThere's Know Place Like Home is Kansas' fifth live and 26th overall album. It was released as a double CD and also on DVD on October 13, 2009 and Blu-ray on November 23, 2009...
(CD/DVD)
- Compilations
- (1984) The Best of KansasThe Best of KansasThe Best of Kansas is the first compilation album and 11th album overall from the American rock band Kansas. It was originally released in 1984, and featured one new track, "Perfect Lover," written and performed by then-lead vocalist John Elefante...
- (1992) Carry OnCarry On (Kansas album)Carry On is the 14th album, and second compilation, from American rock band Kansas, released in 1992 . It was later repackaged and re-released in 2005 as On the Other Side , although the track selection and order did not change.-Track listing:# "Carry On Wayward Son" – 5:23# "What's on My Mind" ...
- (1994) The Kansas Boxed SetThe Kansas Boxed SetThe Kansas Boxed Set is the third compilation from the band Kansas. It was originally released in 1994, and was the band's first boxed set overview of their career, emphasizing only their progressive rock era which was bracketed by the albums Kansas in 1974 and Audio-Visions in 1980. It also...
- (1999) The Best of KansasThe Best of KansasThe Best of Kansas is the first compilation album and 11th album overall from the American rock band Kansas. It was originally released in 1984, and featured one new track, "Perfect Lover," written and performed by then-lead vocalist John Elefante...
[expanded] - (1999) Definitive Collection
- (2002) The Ultimate KansasThe Ultimate KansasThe Ultimate Kansas is the fourth compilation from the band Kansas. It was originally released in 2002, and focuses solely on their Kirshner period from their debut album Kansas in 1974, up to and including Drastic Measures in 1983...
- (2004) Sail On: The 30th Anniversary CollectionSail On: The 30th Anniversary CollectionSail On: The 30th Anniversary Collection is the fifth compilation from the band Kansas, originally released in 2004. Along with two CDs that include tracks from each one of the band's studio albums, the compilation also includes a 16-track companion DVD which features numerous television...
- (2006) Works in Progress
- (1984) The Best of Kansas
External links
- Official website for Kansas
- http://www.steve-walsh.de
- http://www.melodicrock.com/showcase/stevewalsh-shadowman.html
- http://www.progrockrecords.com/press/view.php?id=95