QueenZone discussion #371320
Kansas singer calls Freddie an asshole
| Smartie 30.07.2004 10:10 |
This is an interview with Kansas lead singer Steve Walsh i found on a fanpage. I really love Kansas but in some kind of way I dislike that Freddie is called an asshole by him. And the funny thing is: He also calles the rest of the Queen guys gay *lol* I don't know if this is a joke or if he really dislikes Freddie. What do you think? So here's the interview part: Tim: Hi Steve, Thanks for sharing your musical gifts throughout the years. My question is regarding the time that Kansas spent touring with Queen back in the 70s. In the past, I have read statements made by Kansas members that Kansas stage performances were somewhat influenced by watching Queen's shows during the early years. I have also seen pictures of Kansas members (at least of Kerry and Robby) hanging out backstage with Freddie and Co. I know that Roger Taylor sang backup vocals on Vinyl Confessions shortly after you left the band in the early 80s. Do you have any memories of the Kansas / Queen days that you would like to share with your fans? For example, are there any personal highlights of touring with them that stand out? Steve: Yeah, Freddie was a complete asshole. The rest of the guys were great...gay(not that there's anything wrong with that), but great. |
| Music Man 30.07.2004 10:22 |
This looks familiar. |
| QueenZeppelin 30.07.2004 10:33 |
Of course, Steve Walsh is one of the greatest frontmen of all time, and Kansas is fondly remembered by all. Freddie is just a turd and nobody knows who the hell Queen is. *statement DRIPPING with sarcasm* |
| Smartie 30.07.2004 10:37 |
Ok it sounded quite sarcastic to me as well, i hope he also means it that way... I like Steve and Kansas quite a lot and was quite shocked reading a statement like that ;) |
| Into La Ment 30.07.2004 10:40 |
Ooh... is this another 'X isn't allowed an opinion' thread? I do love these. If I cared at all for Kansas, I'd defend tham. I don't care at all for Kansas. |
| Brian_Mays_Wig 30.07.2004 11:27 |
HeMaToSe_SuInA wrote: Who does he think that he is?Somebody thats entitled to an opinion, so Freddies an asshole??? It doesnt affect my life, I like his music. As for Kansas, never listened to them. |
| ♥Killer_Queen1946♥ 30.07.2004 11:33 |
My god. I'd prefer any Queen song, which I do, over Kansas' Dust in the Wind. Well, maybe he should've told HOW Freddie was being an asshole. It could've just been the way Freddie was!!! ta-ta |
| Music Man 30.07.2004 11:35 |
Maybe they just don't like each other or something, you know? |
| VmS 30.07.2004 11:38 |
B_M_W (the wiggy one) wrote:I agree. It might not have been a *nice* thing to say, but if for some reason he didn't get on with Freddie, then he's entitled to say so. I really don't think the opinions of a singer(?) from Kansas is going to change anyone elses thoughts though, so I wouldn't worry :).HeMaToSe_SuInA wrote: Who does he think that he is?Somebody thats entitled to an opinion, so Freddies an asshole??? It doesnt affect my life, I like his music |
| Smartie 30.07.2004 11:38 |
I just can say,as a Queen fan i also love 70's Kansas records like "Leftoverture" or "Song for America". Very epic Songs, nice lyrics, great singer and lots of piano and synthesizer parts. Its prog rock at its finest. I just got angry about Steve's answer and wanted to post it here to see some more reaction. |
| Krizzy 30.07.2004 12:24 |
When did he say this? Recently? Well, he is certainly entitled to his opinion but since FM is gone he can say whatever he likes however, Brian May and Roger Taylor most certainly have a right to their reaction to his comment. (BTW since Freddie has passed this was a very insensitive comment to make!) Brian might be the more nicer of the two, as far as RMT he'll probably tell him where to f*cking stick his opinion. And I'll agree to that! Kriz ;o) |
| Adam Baboolal 30.07.2004 12:26 |
I just don't get why he said it. He gives no reason for it. And the "gay" comment about Bri and Rog??? I'm sorry, but that's not really an opinion. Spiteful wretch! :) Peace, Adam. |
| Oberon 30.07.2004 12:37 |
Well, I can imagine that Fred could come over as an asshole if he couldn't be arsed to get to know someone. if he wanted to talk to you, I can imagine he'd be incredibly engaging or charming etc, but if he didn't he could probalby be completly dismissive. As for the "gay" comment, who knows. Might just have been a reaction to the vibe from the band's theatrics. I expect this comment was made sometime in the late 70's/early 80's (can't quite remember when Kansas were "big"). Can't imagine they would've met Fred at any other time |
| Sebastian 30.07.2004 12:42 |
I think the "gay" comment is also about John, not just B&R. John is also part of the band. Anyway... it's weird considering that he was already married I think, so even if Steve wasn't his friend I guess sometime he would have heard some comment like "how's the missis?" or stuff... On the other hand, we don't know so much about how they adressed to each other. Maybe they joked around with stuff like "you look pretty" (like many people do with friends), and he completely misunderstood the situation. Finally, I don't think Steve's the first or the last person in referring to Fred as an "asshole" or something to that effect |
| Daburcor? 30.07.2004 13:36 |
I like Queen and I like Kansas. I couldn't care less what they think of eachother. |
| Maz 30.07.2004 14:33 |
Wasn't Walsh kicked out of the band at one point for being "too Christian"? |
| Pim Derks 30.07.2004 14:35 |
I hope he burns in hell for calling Freddie an asshole. |
| ♥Killer_Queen1946♥ 30.07.2004 14:54 |
Well, then he would meet Freddie there. But Freddie wouldnt be burning there. I dont mean this in a bad way, either! It was just that I was reading an interview with Freddie, and he said he wanted to go to hell because imagine all the people you would meet. Freddie Mercury was the greatest frontman ever! ta-ta |
| Smartie 30.07.2004 15:49 |
No I think he wasn't kicked out in 1981 because he was too Christian ;o) Because Kerry Livgren, the guitar player and Kansas mainman left Kansas in 1984 to make Christian Music. After Steve left Kansas in 1981, Roger Taylor played drums on their 1982 "Vinyl Confession" record and sang Backings :) |
| Maz 30.07.2004 15:59 |
"Because Kerry Livgren, the guitar player and Kansas mainman left Kansas in 1984 to make Christian Music." Ah, my mistake. Not a huge fan, so I couldn't remember who left the band for holier pastures. |
| 7Innuendo7 30.07.2004 19:08 |
If Freddie's an asshole, then Steve Walsh is the toilet paper. Maybe Robert Smith is the lid or even the ring. |
| Bob The Shrek 30.07.2004 20:03 |
My Mum calls me worse names than that every day. |
| pma 30.07.2004 20:07 |
If Freddie was being an asshole, who was the dick? |
| radio_what's_new 31.07.2004 08:42 |
kansas???? never heard any song of them. that syas enough |
| substitute 31.07.2004 09:32 |
The asshole is him. What the fuck is Kansas compared with Queen??? I would say shit. |
| deleted user 31.07.2004 10:53 |
let him tell anything he wants all of us knows who the real asshole bloody swine MC BC !@#$@#@!#!@#!$#^*&^!@ i better stop typing or might just break my keyboard out of anger |
| Queen_Bee_16 31.07.2004 11:03 |
so he thinks Freddie is an asshole and the other guys are gay...that's his smart-ass opinion. |
| Sicmot 31.07.2004 14:34 |
His reaction is driven by envy and jealousy... He knew already back then Queen was going to be legend.. and their band kansas was being just dust in the wind.. well Dust in the wind is one of the greatest songs ever made.. |
| Daburcor? 31.07.2004 14:35 |
Bob The Shrek wrote: My Mum calls me worse names than that every day.As any good mother would, Bob. As any good mother would... ;) |
| fairydandy 01.08.2004 09:35 |
Yeah, he's right, Freddie was an asshole. Not if it meant saving my life could I name a Kansas song. Bet he wishes he was an asshole like Freddie too... Anyone know when the Kansas musical featuring their greatest hit is starting its run in Vegas? |
| Brianmay1975 01.08.2004 11:36 |
fairydandy wrote: Anyone know when the Kansas musical featuring their greatest hit is starting its run in Vegas?Lol! Perhaps sometime in the next 10 000 years. Or even earlier, if there's some huge nuclear war or smth. like that and all Queen's records are destroyed, together with a whole lot of other masterpieces. And then, if Kansas' records will be the only songs to reach our grandsons, then maybe they'll make a musical for them... Well,let's hope this will never happen. |
| Andrea75 01.08.2004 16:21 |
Hi everybody! Smartie ok it was from a fanpage...but which was the real source? An Interview from a magazine...or what? Taliking aboout Kansas & Queen, I found here the following a few months ago Kansas Talk About Queen Goldmine Courtesy of ''DrivenByYou'' and Brenda Brubaker... Kansas toured with Queen. Queen drummer, Roger Taylor guested on some Kansas album tracks (backing vocals on "Play the Game Tonight,"Right Away," "Diamonds & Pearls" on the 1982 album, ''Vinyl Confessions''...) During Goldmine''s interviews with the individual members of Kansas, the subject of Queen comes up a couple of times... here is one instance, from the interview with Kansas'' drummer, Phil Ehart: Goldmine: "Of all the bands you guys toured with, who was the most enjoyable for you?" Phil Ehart: "It''s got to be Queen. We did a tour with them, and every night we''d rush to finish our set so we could stand by the side of the stage and hear them. [laughs] That''s how we learned about stage shows, watching them. They were just the best. I think you''ll find that everyone in the band will say that." Goldmine: "Did you guys get to be friends?" Phil Ehart: "Oh yes. Brian May approached us first. When the tour first started, their crew wouldn''t give us any stage space, any lights, they wouldn''t give us an encore or anything. We didn''t get ANY colored lights. We got two white spotlights that they put on us. So Brian walks in one night _ it was a dressing room just like this - and he goes, "How''s it going?" And I say, "Do you really want to know?" We were like six dates into the tour. I said, "Do you think there''s a chance we could get some colored lights? Other than the two spotlights?" He goes, "You don''t have any colored lights?!" I go, "No." And he goes. "Well why didn''t you say something - what else do you want?" I say, "Well, we''re playing in Kansas City, and we''re probably going to get an encore. Can we have an encore?" And he says, "Sure! Anything else you need? I go, "We only have five feet of stage space. Can we have 10 feet?" He goes, "Sure!" I mean, it was a three-piece band, they didn''t have a lot of gear, but the crew didn''t want to give us any space. The next two weeks were like heaven. All the lights, stage space and if we got an encore, we could go back and play one. It wasn''t ever the band messing with us, it was the crew." Goldmine: "What was Freddie Mercury like off stage?" Phil Ehart: "When things started going well, we started going into THEIR dressing room, and Freddie was always there. He was always very nice. Very friendly. Just a regular guy. He was just one of the guys. But the instant he stepped out of that dressing room, he was the star. He was in character. But that whole band was always very nice to us." |
| jericho05 01.08.2004 21:46 |
Kansas sucked anyway. |
| skistyrell 01.08.2004 22:04 |
Hi people, if you want to tell your own opinion to Kansas singer you can write him an email ! He doesn't know the power of the words by Queen fans!I already did it on this morning. Here the addresses: Regards2Steve@steve-walsh.de webmaster@steve-walsh.de |
| Smartie 02.08.2004 01:03 |
@Andrea75 I guess Steve Walsh-Fans asked questions and Steve answered shortly. So it wasn't a real interview. Maby he was just joking. I don't know. If not, its his opinion and although I'm a bit shocked about him saying Freddie was an asshole because Freddie is my all-time favourite singer, i think we shouldn't send him angry e-mails. Maby just ask him why he called Freddie like that. To all Kansas haters: I think in the US Kansas are as famous as Queen are over here in Europe. They already recorded an album with the London Symphony Orchestra which is quite amazing. Andrea, thank you for the interesting Phil Ehart interview. Wish I could have seen a Kansas/Queen show! |
| Krizzy 02.08.2004 12:01 |
Ah! I see thanks Andrea75, Kansas has redeemed themselves. I guess that guy who was anti-Freddie was just jealous of his talents. Beside they are really ugly guys in Kansas. Yeesh! BTW a little side-note, rumor has it that the Behind the Music show refused to do a show about Kansas because the band was just too boring...LOLOLOLOL!!! FM is probably laughing as well....LOL! Kriz ;o) |
| The Real Wizard 02.08.2004 14:22 |
I'm tired of reading how people say Kansas sucks. They were a very talented band who created wonderful music. If you don't like them, then you're entitled to your opinion of the genre, or the band themselves. But don't say a band sucks without something good to back it up. |
| Daburcor? 02.08.2004 14:24 |
Sir GH wrote: I'm tired of reading how people say Kansas sucks. They were a very talented band who created wonderful music. If you don't like them, then you're entitled to your opinion of the genre, or the band themselves. But don't say a band sucks without something good to back it up.I agree. Kansas were very talented! I love their music! :D |
| Krizzy 02.08.2004 14:47 |
WHOA! I never said Kansas sucks, please do not put words in my mouth, thank you very much! I only said that they were ugly physically that's all. I may not be into their music but I respect the fact that they certainly have their fans even though I am not one of them. Sheesh!!! Kriz ;o0 |
| Andrea75 02.08.2004 15:35 |
Krizzy, it wasn't my intention to redeem Kansas... DON'T MAKE ME DO ACTIONS I DON'T WANT TO DO In these days I was reading another interview (that I posted here) so it sounded strange their singer said that. That's it. At least their drummer has a different opinion... to make it clear: I love Queen ! Sorry for my english! Bye Andrea |
| WarQueen 02.08.2004 16:16 |
Poor Kansas boy... he justs wants to gain some popularity by insulting the mighty Queen. Futile Kansas boy... Btw, who are these guys? |
| jericho05 02.08.2004 23:04 |
I said Kansa sucks ... and while I don't have a lot of evidence I would tell you to go buy one of their Cds. Please don't be offended it is just my opinion ... but on a scale of Queen.... Kansas sucks. |
| Maz 02.08.2004 23:15 |
Dear God, have none of you people heard 'Carry On My Wayward Son'? It's a classic rock staple. As for the "asshole" comment, doesn't effect my life in the slightest. I'm sure he wasn't the only bloke who thought Fred was an ass. Seems rather stepfordish to hate someone and their band because they called Fred a naughty name. |
| jericho05 02.08.2004 23:21 |
Yes I've heard Carry On My Wayward Son and yes it is a classic rock staple. It doesn't mean it was a great song or that the band was in the league of Queen. I've never hated them and don't now because of what the guy said. I just dont think they were on nearly the same level. |
| The Real Wizard 03.08.2004 14:27 |
Krizzy wrote: WHOA! I never said Kansas sucks, please do not put words in my mouth, thank you very much! I only said that they were ugly physically that's all. I may not be into their music but I respect the fact that they certainly have their fans even though I am not one of them. Sheesh!!! Kriz ;o0My comments weren't intended in your direction, so my apologies if you thought so. So sheesh yourself! :) |
| Smartie 03.08.2004 17:43 |
Btw Kansas still "are" a great Band because they still exist, just saw them live last year and it was awesome!But although they still release good records they're a typical 70's band and never managed to be as famous in the 80's as Queen. Queen changed their sound during the 80's,but the trademarks were always the same. Freddies beautiful voice, Brians great guitar playing and these awesome compositions. Kansas became boring during the 80's because the members changed and their style turned from Prog Rock to Hard Rock. Don't like their 80's songs that much. |
| Krizzy 04.08.2004 11:00 |
LOL@Sir GH! Touche, dear! |
| quicksilver 04.08.2004 11:14 |
who are kansas?in belgium the only thing that we had here was dust in the wind,never hear or see them anymore after that song,but queen....i saw them 8 times in belgium,always sold out,and about the kansas singer:fuck him |