Robby steinhardt biography for kids
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Kansas (band)
American rock band
Kansas is an American rock band formed in Topeka, Kansas in They became popular during the s initially on album-oriented rock charts and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind".[4] The band has produced nine gold albums, three multi-platinum albums (Leftoverture 5x, Point of Know Return 4×, and The Best of Kansas 4×), one other platinum studio album (Monolith), one platinum live double album (Two for the Show), and a million-selling single, "Dust in the Wind". Kansas appeared on the US Billboard charts for over weeks throughout the s and s and played to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout North America, Europe and Japan. "Carry On Wayward Son" was the second-most-played track on US classic rock radio in and No. 1 in [5][independent source needed] Jason Ankeny of AllMusic referred to Kansas as "staples" of classic rock radio.[6]
History
[edit]– early years
[edit]In , Don Montre and Kerry Livgren (guitars, keyboards, synthesizers) were performing in a band called the Reasons Why in their hometown of Topeka. After leaving to form the band Saratoga with Lynn Meredith and Dan Wright, they started playing Livgren's original material, with Scott
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Robby Steinhardt: Musician who gave Kansas their distinctive sound
Robby Steinhardt, who has died of pancreatitis aged 71, was a singer and classically trained musician whose violin playing with Kansas created the American band’s distinctive sound.
The group were influenced by British “progressive rock” outfits such as King Crimson and Jethro Tull. Steinhardt joined them in when they were performing as White Clover, a year before the name change to that of their home state.
Kansas were among the first acts whose music was labelled AOR – album-orientated rock – as they found a home on American FM radio, shipped more than 15 million albums and sold out stadiums for their concerts.
On stage, Steinhardt stood out with his beard and mountain of hair – and as the voice of the band. “Robby had a unique function as a violinist, second vocalist and MC in a live situation,” said guitarist and founding band member Kerry Livgren. “Robby was the link between the band on the stage and the audience.”
Steinhardt, Livgren and their fellow bandmates – keyboard player and singer Steve Walsh, guitarist Rich Williams, bassist Dave Hope and drummer Phil Ehart – worked hard at touring and eventually hit the American Top 10 with their album Leftoverture.
It spawned their first hit single, “