Streets (Live) - So Far Away (Volunteer Jam X)

[@andrewgehrt5166]

Hey my dad is the drummer, thats cool. If anyone wants any info on this band I've got a bunch of pictures/knowledge just let me know. Also if anyone has any video of them other than this or their music videos please let me know!

[@zmb5501]

That's awesome I work with a drummer from the band quiett riot he works in the meat department his name is pat ashby

[@jamisondean3479]

well he doesnt obviously drum for the band as Frankie Banali is the original drummer for the band and Kevin DeBrow the singer croaked years ago.. So maybe hes in a cover band...So there is no Quiet Riot...Well...actually maybe there is.....as its all quiet!

[@pheleant]

Andrew Gehrt Andrew, I'd love to have more stuff from Streets. I'll try to send you a pm. Your Dad is awesome. I'm a huge Streets fan, and a Huge Kansas fan. Thanks for the offer!!

[@johnwatson8276]

You have the Topeka 1983 concert 63 min. on video by now I presume - this being two years later! It has been on YT. Message me if not.

[@themondayamericanahistoryp2501]

Hey John I actually don't have that but I would love it!

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

Walsh had the best "oo" vowel of any rock vocalist I know of. What range and power.

[@civilwarbuckeye]

This was actually February 4, 1984. I was there at Volunteer Jam X. Sill have my ticket Stub.

[@craigkelm488]

Still my favorite band from the 80's! Mike Slammer is unbelievable.... these guys shoulda been huge! My band opened for them in 84 at the Palms in Milwaukee... great bunch of guys as well!

[@dgcmusi]

Yes Mike Slamer. thanks. That guy makes guitars sing !

[@MrCamelneck]

Great video! When Steve was at his prime (as he is here), he was the best singer in rock n' roll! Nobody could touch him! Having seen Kansas play several times over the past 10 years, all I can say is I wish he would have taken better care of that incredible, golden voice.

[@smickleberrystew8698]

I would say this was slightly after his prime. I'd say his prime years were '76-'81. Back then, he was untouchable. His voice had everything; power, range, clarity, control, soul. Right here, his voice is already getting raspy and he can't hit those high notes as well and it breaks a little bit because of the drug and alcohol abuse.

[@edcollins9377]

​@@smickleberrystew8698 You're totally wrong!! I saw Steve during Kansas' "Power" tour and his voice was amazing. Steve himself has said his voice was at its peak on the "Power" LP, which came out 2 or 3 years after this performance. In interviews from approximately 10 years ago, Rich and Phil have said that Steve's voice was always rather fragile and during the 70's he would frequently have off nights due to stress and strain. In a recent interview, Rich affirmed what I had been saying for many years. Rich said that Steve left Kansas in 1980 because he wanted to be a rock star. He wanted to be a hard rock singer/screamer, but his voice wasn't designed to be a screamer. To quote Rich, "Steve's voice was "meant to sing Kerry's songs". Although I always like Streets, I always thought Steve's voice was not right for that type of music and this is why Steve let Billy sing lead on "Cold Hearted Woman". (That song was beyond his range.) In Streets, Steve tried to make his voice sound raspy, but he actually sounds like he is straining his vocal cords. On some of those Streets' songs, Steve sings in such a way that it sounds like it hurts. But after Streets broke up, Steve rejoined Kansas for the "Power" LP (even though Kerry was no longer in the band). On "Power", you hear vintage Walsh vocals. Once again he is thriving in his element. Except for a few off performances, his voice stayed in good shape until around 1995. In particular, I saw quite a few Kansas shows during the mid-90's. During some shows his voice sounded great, but other shows it didn't sound so good. I will admit that at this point, his voice quickly began to deteriorate. When Device, Voice, Drum came out, his range was quite impacted and his voice sounded weak lacking the power it once had. So much has been said about how drugs and alcohol ruined his voice. Obviously, Steve (and he wasn't the only one in Kansas) abused cocaine. While I agree that drugs impacted certain performances (most noticeable Live at the Whiskey), I'm not sure if drugs were responsible (at least not solely responsible) for the long term damage to his voice. There are plenty of singers that have abused drugs and still sound good at the age of 60+. Take Tommy Shaw of Styx who is pushing 70 (69 I think). He can still kill those high notes. So can Frank Dimino of Angel. He is in his mid-70's and sounds incredible. I can also think of quite a few singers who didn't abuse drugs or alcohol and their vocals have deteriorated significantly following a timeline and course very similar to that of Steve Walsh. Other than smoking weed in the 70's and drinking a little wine, Geddy Lee lived a pretty clean lifestyle, but his voice has followed a path similar to Steve's. In fact, his voice began to lose much of his high range as early as the mid-80's. When their 30th anniversary DVD came out, my favorite song was the long instrumental medley. (It was my favorite song on the DVD because I didn't have to hear Geddy's washed out vocals.) As much as I liked Rush in the 70's, 80's, and early 90's, I refused to see them during their last 10 years of touring. Paul Stanley of Kiss is another example of someone who didn't drink or do drugs, but his voice has been "gone" for quite some time. (He now resorts to lip-synching). I doubt that Steve even knows the exact cause or causes as to why his voice has deteriorated over the years. Drugs? Alcohol? Age? Stress? Wear and Tear? Or just too many performances???? But everyone seems to know (thanks to VHS tape) that Steve was high at that particular "Live at the Whiskey" show and his voice sounded awful that night. Because of that one show, fairly or unfairly, they automatically jump to the conclusion that drug abuse permanently destroyed his voice. And on youtube, we continue to be bombarded with comment after comment where these people spout out their opinions as if they are experts on the human voice.

[@thesmallnotesduo]

Thanks dude - appreciate the insights @@edcollins9377

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

You have to wonder whether Steve Walsh would have been a major solo act all on his own. He definitely had the voice and the stage presense. I'll bet he really wanted that a lot. So friggin' underrated!!

[@clifthorburn776]

He did have a solid solo career going as well as fronting Kansas, Streets, and the debut album of Khymera. He's also collaborated with other band mates on projects such as Kerry Livgren's Christian Rock albums. He's had like a total of 4 solo LP releases over the years. After Streets he came back and basically took control of Kansas once Kerry Livgren left. Alas he retired finally in 2014 and is likely enjoying the time off.

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

​@@clifthorburn776I hope he reunites with Kansas as a guest, like Lou Gramm did with Foreigner. Both were my biggest vocal influences..

[@clifthorburn776]

@@VIDEOHEREBOB if his voice holds up he might. He like other great vocalists have had problems with nodules and other ailments that affected the vocal cords. We'll have to cross our fingers and pray.

[@hootch2]

I was a huge Kansas fan. In 1983 while stationed in Myrtle Beach S.C. I couldn't believe that Streets & Steve Walsh were going to play at a small club I hung out at called Xanadu. I had only seen Kansas at large venues like the Civic Areana and 3 Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. But there I was, 2 feet from him. Wailing away on his key board and doing the trademark hand stands. Thanks for the video. Brings back some good memories.

[@craigthilman8450]

any links to video of the handstands? People refuse to believe me.

[@robbhouston5492]

I worked this show. I was in college and they had some of us youngsters stocking booze in the on stage fridge style road-cases, icing beer and water, etc... I've long since been a full time musician based out of Nashville for 25+ years. I was always a huge Walsh fan, his classic work with Kansas, of course, and his solo stuff too. Loved Streets. Sometimes, when in excellent vocal form, it seemed there was no note he couldn't hit. He was also an avid exercise person, hence the workout clothes instead of rockstar clothes. Yeah, it was early 80s too... :-) Great video clip, thanks for sharing whoever posted!

[@edcollins9377]

Thanks for the info!!

[@jaminjef]

This is the first time I've ever seen live footage of Streets! Thank you, Utube! Walsh sounds great and check him out jumping around playing the piano!

[@davidoran123]

Mike Slamer on lead guitar was from City Boy another really great band of the time.

[@billyhodges7194]

Just incredible on vinyl and live.... Along with white sister and aviator the absolute best AOR bands of all time

[@michaelbujanda8785]

Thanks for sharing this awesome video!!! This performance is electrifying!!! Spectacular!!!! I am a big fan of 80s AOR Hard Rock with melodic vocals!!!! Steve Walsh was in the band Kansas!!!! Mike Slammer played the guitar solos on Warrant's Filthy Rotten Stinkin Rich record !!! 😂😊😊 ☺️ 😃 😊

[@robpfeiffer5292]

So good to see this again. I had recorded this on VHS when it first aired back in 1984. I can now forgive my sister for recording General Hospital over it a few days later :)

[@strattuner]

the great STEVE WALSH, in the top 5 of the best vocalists in rock music,fact,he is amazing,worked with his dad and I'm amazed at his prowess behind the mic

[@robert2948]

Sounds good to me. Where's your demo?

[@edcollins9377]

I think this was Steve's first major public appearance after he left Kansas. BTW, this excellent song is from Streets' "1st" album.

[@marcusbengtson8570]

Mike Slamer is a guitargod!

[@karenstepp669]

WoW!!! Both the song and the video are awesome!! Steve's energy level is amazing... he is the best!

[@stevelentz3]

I remember seeing Streets in Madison, WI and it was one of the best concerts I had ever seen...the energy was unbelievable and they put on an awesome show even though there were perhaps 50 people at the show. I am so happy some one had the sense to record video of this band. They ended before their time. Great video!

[@craiglawson4866]

Doh!! Headliners? I and some buddies drove up from Rockford just to see who was playing on that rainy night.We saw Streets on the marquis and assumed it was a "local" band, and drove home.Been kicking myself in the ass ever since.

[@stevelentz3]

Yep you bet. It was there at Headliners. We went back behind in back alley after the show and talked to them a little. That was cool. I was surprised to see such a small audience that night..you would of loved it. Also the first time I heard Billy Greer sing...hell of a singing voice. Like I said, they performed top notch to such a small crowd.

[@FretlessBass70]

This is the VHS copy I recorded in 1983 and then sent to Billy at his request nearly ten years ago. I had emailed him congratulating him when his solo record came out and mentioned it to him. He asked if I could send a copy, so I made 2 and sent them to an address he gave me. Never heard anything back but was happy to see it surface here! My brother was a DJ at the time of this show and had some cool interview footage with different artists backstage.

[@TheOneEyesView]

I used to mix the house sound for a band from Indiana and we played at a place in Davenport Iowa alot . I got there in the morning to set up the PA and stage and the owner told us that a band called Streets was going to be there to play in a couple of days and we would open for them. The singer I worked with was a huge fan of Steve Walsh and even he had no idea that this lineup was touring. This was right around the time of this video and couldn't have been very deep into the tour. It was tight.

[@Mad_Axe_Man125]

The guitarist, Mike slamer did all the solos on the first two warrant albums.

[@mottosierra1372]

Actually he said in a interview that he recorded all the solos from the first album but just played a about 4 solos on the cherry pie record

[@arthurmurfitt7698]

@@mottosierra1372 close enough lol

[@martianshoes]

They had that guitar player from City Boy, he was terrific...

[@rdalev1]

Gteat video and Slamners guitar playing is one of a kind!

[@dgcmusi]

The 2 albums by Streets are very good! the production on the Crimes in Mind album is even better than the first. Great guitar work by the great Bobby Slammer. Thank God for Arizona Basement. Simply the best go to guy for the best kansas on the tube!!!!!!! This video is so RARE !

[@mottosierra1372]

Mike slamer

[@caggt8141]

Amazing guitarwork on "Blue Town"!!!

[@billyhodges7194]

Streets absolutely blew everything else away at the time and they still stand the test of time.... A cult band here in the UK for those with taste

[@ArcangelofRock]

Was at this Volunteer jam/ TN Baby! Wish the public had got some more of this Walsh/Slamer greatness! U can't kill Rock&Roll....it's not dead,Just slumbering since '93? I hope teenagers hear this & realise what's true & what's just fanfare.

[@thealbumcollector]

There is a live King Biscuit of these guys with some unreleased songs. Don't knock Steve, guys. He is a hell of a performer. Streets is one of the bands I saw in '84 (aka "The Year of Concerts") at Summerfest in Milwaukee. Saw over 40 bands that year Steve invited everyone to his hotel to party. When we got there, only certain people were being let it... none of them had penises.

[@bethleinicke8108]

Oh, to have been in that hotel room! I am a singer/songwriter/musician. Of course; I meant to jam with Steve. 😜

[@mojorisen74]

Last time I saw them they played about 75 minutes and most of the songs were long instrumentals and they had a couple of extra singers.

[@mccartney2]

effking awesome band..and rock your ass off live...oh to get back to the great AOR MUSIC OF THE 80S.... gREER..AWESOME VOCALIST TOO..WALSH ON TOP FORM AND mIKE sLAMER...BRILLIANT GUITARIST..ALL LIVE THIS AND SOUNDING FAB

[@JonWRowe]

Ha. That's part of the fun of watching old Kansas/SW clips.

[@JamieBarrettMusic]

Thanks for posting! Does anyone have my favorite Streets tune- "Blue Town?" If so, please post! Thanks! Mike Slammer is awesome!

[@TopJimmyWinn]

This is my Faaaaaavorite of all time! brothers and sisters! 5 STARS BABY!

[@patty51able]

I remember reading somewhere Steve would definitely reconnect with this band if the opportunity ever came along-wouldnt that be something? He said he wouldnt rule it out-that would be awesome but doubt it would happen now

[@FretlessBass70]

Good call - I had the date wrong (thought it was 1983). My brother was at this show too, and we recorded this video on our VHS. I had been in touch with Billy years later, and he asked me for a copy of it (which is what you see here). Thanks!

[@uriah768ok]

Great performance and Walsh rocks it. But hey, for those who mock Elefante's outfits from his Kansas days, this is pretty scary, too!

[@VanWellfair]

one of my favorit songs..yesss

[@marcusdraden]

The Streets albums are so great, Steve is one of the best vocalists ever, someone knows how yo get the hole show/concert? 

[@hardrock6012]

Excellent

[@BleuTracer]

Steve had amazing power, range, clarity and inflection till the late 80’s, and nobody could really touch him, save Steve Perry. Lou Gramm took the mantle after that from the late 80’s into the mid 90’s, where no one could touch him. Check out Foreigner: Deer Creek live “that was yesterday” or “until the end of time”, live from the tonight show for comparison.

[@LuvIzAhl]

Also have this on video, somewhere.

[@pheleant]

I think that my favorite Streets song is "Lonely Woman's Cry"

[@dgcmusi]

Very cool ! I am in the middle of transcribing a piece Steve wrote on his 1st solo album. It is called "Just How It Feels" It is a song about his Grand parents who he was very close with. Thanks for all your information and keep in touch my friend. Dave.

[@avocados4all]

he looks absolutely coked out of his freakin' mind here, and what a horrendous get-up/outfit!! awesome string bending on the sg gibson though

[@mattmacarthur520]

Mike Slamer ! So underrated

[@rhesreeves5339]

I got into an amazing Christin band Steve was in called A.D. and I urge any fans too check it out too, they were great. I saw someone offer him a joint at a Kansas concert, he was not happy about that and let them know it. I smoke OUT but I still have great respect for that. Lastly, Streets guitarist is AMAZING! Wtf?! I miss that kind of tone and playing!

[@clifthorburn776]

It not surprising Steve showed up on the Christian Rock scene. His long time friends from Kansas Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope had left Kansas to go strictly Christian Rock and Walsh was glad to collaborate with them.

[@TheVoltrom]

How i love AOR rock bands :) The best bands Survivor, Journey and Boston.

[@Bridgebain]

They should have been huge. Maybe the shorts and tube socks slowed them down. Just kidding....I love their stuff...what talent. Get their songs if you can.

[@spinalcrackerbox]

No, it's called "it looked normal in the 80's" :-) Steve;s hair is a bit of a shocker. But still, the voice! The energy!

[@skybear1961]

Nice hair, Steve.

[@wasp4eva1]

I’m just starting to get into Streets 2 albums. This is a great rocker and he does have a very good voice. BUT what’s with the shorts & long socks?!! Mike Slamer played all guitars on Warrants debut.

[@thesmallnotesduo]

Awesome music - it doesn't get much better, But man, those shorts

[@ArizonaBasement]

I doubt that - Steve had previously decided to leave Kansas around the time Point of Know Return was recorded, but the rest of the band convinced him to stay. Steve's departure was inevitable - Kerry's conversion was just the catalyst...

[@DinhoHeavyRock]

Muito bom! Very cool

[@TopJimmyWinn]

Rock legends!

[@AndrewTGreen]

Why is he wearing the outfit Linda Ronstadt wore on Back in The USA album cover????? :(

[@Chgolandfisher]

Because he can, because it fits. Sadly, it still would fit him but not the portly Ronstadt.

[@Phoebedumplings]

Those are the gayest shorts I ever saw!!

[@bethleinicke8108]

When you have an incredible runner's body & the best male blues/rock voice & discography I have ever heard; you can wear whatever the hell you please! All that talent Steve Walsh possesses-and the icing on the musical genius is his gorgeous visage & body! The goddesses truly anointed Steve with magic!

[@artheriford]

Is it me, or did Steve look like Fonzie when he was in Streets?

[@TheOneEyesView]

I ran front of house sound for a band that opened the show for them during this tour in big club in Davenport Iowa and it was pretty cool to see them at the very beginning. I had thought they would be going up to the top after seeing what they were doing , but alas there is no justice in the music business and the good stuff gets lost among the trash that is "popular"....as AC/DC said "It's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll". all of these cats have stuff out there , I recommend you do a little google work and check it out

[@patty51able]

@Jetdreams65 Yes i agree with you there-seems like he's always been there

[@ericwalker6068]

Mike Slamer is a monster guitarist. That’s him handling the solos on Warrant’s first 2 albums because they’re not strong soloists themselves.

[@mottosierra1372]

Not all

[@ericwalker6068]

@@mottosierra1372, oh,...excuse me. All but one, and that was CC DeVille.

[@mottosierra1372]

@@ericwalker6068 32 pennies - joey Allen Down boys - mike slammer Big talk - joey Allen Sometimes she cries - mike slammer So damm pretty- joey,eric,mike slammer D.R.D.S.R.-mike slammer In the sticks- mike slammer Heaven-joey allen , mike slammer Riding high - mike slammer Cold seat -eric , mike slammer Cherry pie -CC Deville Uncle Tom’s cabin-Mike slammer/Joey Allen I saw red- mike slammer Bed of roses- Joey Allen Sure feels good-Mike slammer Love in stereo - Mike slammer Blind faith -Joey Allen Song dance man -Joey Allen Mr. Rainmaker-Joey Allen Train train -1 solo Joey 2 solo mike Game of war - mike slammer

[@ericwalker6068]

It's Slamer,...not Slammer.

[@mottosierra1372]

@@ericwalker6068 😅

[@TheOneEyesView]

Walsh was wearing the same shorts and tube socks...haha

[@billholmes6933]

Mike Slamer is a guitar god, pure and simple. Check out any City Boy album...but make sure to strap in first for your air guitar safety..

[@DropAnchor1978]

Let's give credit to Billy for taking the high parts!

[@mojorisen74]

@patty51able I hate to say it but he would never be able to sing these songs now. He barely sings in Kansas anymore.

[@steveweilhart2359]

Guitarist Mike Slammer from City Boy fame helped make this band so great

[@johnshepherd7340]

I've searched a lot looking for video of the other 3 songs they played that day. Does anyone know if they were all recorded or only So far Away? thx

[@me05501]

I was actually at this show.

[@LuvIzAhl]

Amazing band and performance. All the jealous losers who never could wear shorts need to silence themselves.

[@Gnotestudios]

Lol! The gym teacher outfit!

[@dgcmusi]

It sounds like you had a great rare job in hearing all these great musicians. Did you ever speak to steve walsh ?

[@strattuner]

HUMAN DYNAMO,AND THOSE HE PLAYS WITH ARE ALSO STELLAR

[@williamweiss6128]

Is it Mike Slamer, SG?

[@mojorisen74]

I've heard that also...

[@therugburnz]

I know the stage lights were very hot in the 80's but come on man your dressed for an aerobics class.

[@therugburnz]

I take it back, he is doing aerobics.

[@themadmattster9647]

thats kind of his trademark

[@maxslamer]

I've been a fan of Kansas since 1977 and a fan of City Boy since 1978. Streets however was a disappointment for me back in the 80's, and I still think they lack some of the personality and songwriting skills that I associate with Walsh's and Slamer's former bands.

[@mrbill1390]

Kansas, City Boy, Queen, and the Who are my favorite all time bands. I find it interesting that 3 of them are linked. Kansas opened for Queen during their first US tour, and Walsh ended up playing with Slamer. I always wondered how someone from Topeka linked up with an English guitar player from a fantastic, underrated band. I agree that Streets had everything except the excellent songwriting of Kansas and City Boy. I saw the new Kansas lineup in Lawrenceburg Saturday and the new lineup is fantastic. Now that the keyboard and bass player from Seventh Key are in Kansas, what is Slamer doing. He would have been an unbelievable addition to Kansas.

[@pheleant]

Those socks!!

[@flipwright1138]

I would wear those shorts

[@snard1963]

I'd put this on my favorites if Steve was wearing something half way human.

[@NicolasBlanchet-m6g]

Au summum de sa musculature!

[@butchjones3497]

Mike Slamer!!!!

[@JonWRowe]

I think what might have stopped it was his sense of fashion style.

[@TruthSurge]

godz.... no wonder this band is unknown. haah Walsh has a great voice but shorts? And those really tight ones that look well... goofy. Now I gotta go watch wayward son and fire with fire.

[@srh361]

That attire is definitely questionable but the music is rockin

[@johneargle6004]

I feel a little sorry for Steve because he's actually a stand-up guy these days, but he must feel pretty embarrassed to go back and look at these old videos in his tight little shorts.

[@michaelketley876]

I hope Steve Walsh got some dress sense as he got older. Looks and acts very camp here. Good guitar from Mike Slamer

[@ericpresley7527]

The best singer off all time but the worst dressed.

[@HiltonHeadBob]

If only had a singer that didn't wear shorts and act like a wanna be Freddie Mercury this band would have been huge! Slamer is awesome!

[@kevinandrewmoore]

God he looks awful! The musics great, Slamer's playing is great - but christ!

[@robertstaples1647]

WTF?.........steve, what the hell are you wearing?.........gay outfit!

[@MrLudwigVonSchnauzer]

Remember this is 1983!

[@robertstaples1647]

MrLudwigVonSchnauzer it would have looked gay then

[@MrCamelneck]

Robert Staples It takes gay to know gay!

[@MrLudwigVonSchnauzer]

Robert Staples I wore those socks back then...even with shorts.

[@pheleant]

MrLudwigVonSchnauzer that's what I was thinking, those awful socks we used to wear.

[@caggt8141]

Mike Slamer!!!!!!!