Kansas violinist-singer and founding member Robby Steinhardt dead at 71

Robby Steinhardt, founding member and lead singer of Kansas, one of the greats of US progressive rock, has died. Steinhardt was 71 years old at the time of his death. Steinhardt died on Saturday 17 July in Tampa, Florida, after battling with pancreatic cancer.

The band offers an official statement:

“The members of the band Kansas, past and present, wish to express our deepest sorrow over the death of our bandmate and friend, Robby Steinhardt.Robby will always be in our souls, in our minds, and in our music.What he brought to us as bandmates, to the fans who attended our concerts, and to the sound of KANSAS, will always be heartfelt. We love him and will miss him always.KANSAS”

Steinhardt shared the vocal parts with Steve Walsh. He left the band in 1982, but returned to it again from 1997 to 2006.