Kansas violinist and co-lead vocalist Robby Steinhardt has died at 71. The announcement of his death comes from both his wife, Cindy Steinhardt, and the band.
Cindy Steinhardt shared that her husband had suffered pancreatitis back in May and was placed on life-support following acute septic shock. Upon his recovery and near-release from medical care, the musician suffered another bout of sepsis and died on Saturday (July 17) at a hospital in Tampa.
In her Facebook announcement, his widow explained that Steinhardt had just recorded his first solo album and planned to start touring in August, "so looking forward to being back on stage doing what he loved."
Today, the band wrote in a 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.
After Steinhardt founded Kansas in 1973, they went on to become a staple of '70s radio rock — notably after releasing the hit single "Carry on My Wayward Son" in 1976 and "Dust in the Wind" the following year.
You can see the band's statement in tribute to their late member below.
Cindy Steinhardt shared that her husband had suffered pancreatitis back in May and was placed on life-support following acute septic shock. Upon his recovery and near-release from medical care, the musician suffered another bout of sepsis and died on Saturday (July 17) at a hospital in Tampa.
In her Facebook announcement, his widow explained that Steinhardt had just recorded his first solo album and planned to start touring in August, "so looking forward to being back on stage doing what he loved."
Today, the band wrote in a 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.
After Steinhardt founded Kansas in 1973, they went on to become a staple of '70s radio rock — notably after releasing the hit single "Carry on My Wayward Son" in 1976 and "Dust in the Wind" the following year.
You can see the band's statement in tribute to their late member below.