Kansas Singer Robby Steinhardt Has Passed Away, Age 71

Kansas co-lead vocalist and violinist Robby Steinhardt, best known for belting out the absolute tune that is ‘Carry On, Wayward Son’, has died at the age of 71.

As Stereogum reports, the musician was admitted to hospital suffering acute pancreatitis before his condition deteriorated. He went into septic shock and was placed on life support before eventually passing away on July 17.

“We are beyond devastated as our lives were about to start a new adventure,” his wife, Cindy Steinhardt, wrote on Facebook, revealing her husband had planned to release new music and embark on a tour.

“Robby just recorded his first solo album with the talented music producer Michael Franklin at Solar Studios. A tour to start in August, Robby was so looking forward to being back on stage doing what he loved.”

Steinhardt was a member of Kansas for close to two decades, joining shortly after their original formation in 1971 when they were still calling themselves ‘White Clover’. He played with the band until 1982, before rejoining for a string of live and studio recordings in 1997, before departing again in 2006.

The surviving members of the band have paid tribute to their old friend on Facebook, writing: “We love him and will miss him always”.

“Robby will always be in our souls, in our minds, and in our music,” the post continued.

“What he brought to us as bandmates, to the fans who attended our concerts, and to the sound of KANSAS, will always be heartfelt.”

You can read their post below.