The song, "Hold On", from 1980's AUDIO-VISIONS, is a love song from Kerry Livgren to his wife, Victoria. He wrote it not long after he accepted Jesus Christ into his life, and his wife was still seeking answers spiritually. It's a powerful song, and doubly so when you think about the story behind it-a man, loving a woman, experiencing forgiveness, and pouring his heart out in prayerful lyrics, and the story has a happy ending. She does hold on and she does move forward and experience God's love.
Dave Hope (bass) also became a Christian after Kerry, and John Elefante (vocals) and Warren Ham (flute) were already believers. It's not as rare as you think, thank the Lord!
People need to not be putting Steve Walsh down. He got into the drug life but he is out now and thank God he is still living look at how many entertainers we have lost because of drugs.. give Steve the credit he deserves.
Yes. It's a good thing that Steve left the drug world behind. But, unfortunately, not soon enough to save his voice or stage presence. As I mentioned in an earlier post on this thread, look up Live at the Whisky on RU-vid. It is a perfect example of how badly Steve destroyed his career. On the other hand, Kerry Livgren is still writing incredible progressive music. Can't wait for his Cantata, The Resurrection of Lazarus, to be completed & released!
From back in the day... Kansas had several hits, just seem to be forgotten. With a Tune like this one how can you not enjoy their works, Both vocalist were able to bring it, Steve Walsh left his mark, while John Elefanti added his vocals on the power ballard era.
john Elefante did an amazing job,Got to see Kansas once with this lineup,1980 in Lacrosse Wis. with Chuck Berry opening,who at the time toured alone and used local musicians from whatever town he was playing in.Frankly speaking,I'm not sure the current generation has the ability to appreciate a band like kansas.If Im being honest,Kansas is the best of the'stadium rock bands of that era including,Boston,Styx,Journey,Reo Speedwagon and of course Kansas.Bless them all and I am so appreciative of the Music they made!
Mr. Brewer; Gotta include Canadian musicians like April Wine, Loverboy, Triumph, & Honeymoon Suite. All of those bands had some resemblance 2 Kansas (musically speaking).
Saw the guys live several times in their original line-up. Still a great live act today with current members filling in admirably. Long live Classic Rock.
For you believers and seekers, try Kerry's first band after Kansas, AD, his solo albums, and his latest group, Proto-Kaw. Typically great Livgren music and unapologetic Christian lyrics. Phenomenal!
Saw them in fall, 1979 at Chicago's Uptown Theatre - a small venue, BEST SHOW EVER! Steve was amped, he was doing one handed handstands on the piano, playing and singing, it was the most amazing performance out of so many.
Look in the mirror and tell me Just what you see What have the years of your life Taught you to be Innocence dyin' in so many ways Things that you dream of are lost Lost in the haze Hold on, baby, hold on 'Cause it's closer than you think And you're standing on the brink Hold on, baby, hold on 'Cause there's something on the way Your tomorrow's not the same as today Don't you recall what you felt When you weren't alone Someone who stood by your side A face you have known Where do you run when it's too much to bear Who do you turn to in need When nobody's there Hold on, baby, hold on 'Cause it's closer than you think And you're standing on the brink Hold on, baby, hold on 'Cause there's something on the way Your tomorrow's not the same as today Outside your door he is waiting Waiting for you Sooner or later you know He's got to get through No hesitation and no holding back Let it all go and you'll know You're on the right track Hold on, baby, hold on (hold on to me baby) 'Cause it's closer than you think And you're standing on the brink Hold on, baby, hold on (yeah I need you by my side) 'Cause there's something on the way Your tomorrow's not the same Hold on, baby, hold on (I got talk to you baby) 'Cause it's closer than you think And you're standing on the brink Hold on, baby, hold on (there's something on the corner) 'Cause there's something on the way Your tomorrow's not the same as today Hold on
if Kerry -rich and Robbie-dave-phil hire ya,you must be damn good few bands equal the dynamics and power of KANSAS,when I heard him do perfect lover and fire I knew he was up to the task the rest Is history,but know this,STEVE WALSH along with all his antics and quirks is in the top 5 best in the world,along with GRAMM-WALSH-RODGERS-FARNER-PERRY the rest you name
Elefante was definitely a good replacement for Walsh at the time, but I feel like a lot of the "soul" that Walsh provided in many of their songs (including this one) is lost in translation with him, even if Steve was his main inspiration. Like Steve himself says, if it doesn't have soul, then what the hell is it? Still, gotta love Elefante's tenor voice.
@gotor123 Your "Cover" comment would only be true if Walsh was the only key member in Kansas. Sorry to say he's not. I don't disagree that his voice represents classic Kansas.But, if you've heard him sing lately, even he doesn't sound like himself.
Do you have anything from the Illinois state fair in 1993? My daughter threw a fit cause she didn't want to go see Kansas with me...& enjoyed herself immensely!!!
Steve Walsh was stellar, but Elefante was great too, and was offered the job replacement for Walsh, but he declined. Too bad .... Me thinks he was DAMN good ... imho.
In the early days Steve was a powerhouse writer and singer....sorry, now he is a burnout has been, making loads of money. You cant go backward....YES ELEFANTE WAS THE WRONG CHOICE...However, they had a contract, a short time to find and rehearse someone that not only knew the songs, but had a voice that RESEMBLED Walsh. I know him, and he is a jerk...but, he got it done on stage.
Steve Walsh was NEVER a "powerhouse" writer. It was Kerry Livgren who wrote all the incredible prog songs & lyrics for Kansas. Walsh just wrote some of the straight-ahead rock, not the great ones.
no offense to john elefante or anyone else, but though this is one of my favourite songs ever I found this version quite boring, and too slow...! Sorry Kansas, but this song was a lot more "stronger" and bold than this... u can do better!
Why did Steve Walsh leave the band? Some singers cannot be replaced and reproduced. If Steve was an asshole well he can afford to be anyway he wants to be and he just drew people to the band and his voice made Kansas just like David Lee Roth made Van Halen. When Steve left the band it was devastating for the band as a whole. They floundered for awhile but then they sunk and Kansas dropped off the map into obscurity. When David Lee Roth left Van Halen and Sammy Hagar stepped in to replace him it was Deja Vu all over again and they never recovered.
Bull. It was Kerry Livgren's departure from the band & his preparation to do so for two years before that which caused Kansas to go down the tubes. In Kerry they lost their finest composer, orchestrator, lyricist, pianist, & guitarist. Look up "Live at the Whisky" if you want to hear Steve completely screw up the band after Kerry left. Kerry made a guest appearance at that show & looks so embarrassed to be there w/ Steve "singing." Steve left the band for two reasons: 1) he refused to sing Kerry's spiritual lyrics after he became a Christian, although he returned to the band after Kerry left, and 2) he ruined his voice with blow, booze, cosmetic surgery (which also ruined his good looks), and improper vocal technique & lack of warm-ups.
@@katesjanice ..He wrote them but it was Steve Walsh who sang them even Kerry said it was Steve's voice and stage presence that elevated the band to superstardom. None of the previous singers who were singing Kerry's songs ever got the band to the level that Steve did and Steve left because he didn't sing any songs that had anything to do with religion which is all Kerry wanted to do after he became a born again Christian and even though a couple of hits that Kerry had written that were religious in nature turned out to be the best songs and only noticable songs he ever wrote for the band. Only 3 songs of Kerry's ever went anywhere the rest were just mediocre and not worthy of
Only 3 songs written by Kerry were "noteworthy"! What in the world have you been listening to? If you want to hear the best Kansas, you have to do a deep dive into their discography. The "hits" were far from the best things Kerry wrote. They were hits because they were accessible. Obviously you know nothing about progressive rock. And with respect to "spiritual" lyrics, virtually all of his songs were spiritual in nature as Kerry spent his life searching the religious philosophies of the world, searching for the truth. Ironically, Steve had no problem singing lyrics that discussed other philosophies; but Christianity - no. Ridiculous. I suggest that you read Kerry's books, "Seeds of Change" and "Miracles Out of Somewhere." He has never said anything but positives about Steve. And you are indeed correct that the combination of Steve singing Kerry's songs rocketed Kansas to the top. But it all starts with the songs, and you are absolutely WRONG about the quality of Kerry's deep cuts. Listen to Journey from Mariabronn, Song for America, Lamplight Symphony, Incomudro, Icarus, The Pinnacle, The Wall, Miracles Out of Nowhere, Closet Chronicles, Hopelessly Human, Relentless, Curtain of Iron, etc. If you still think that they are not noteworthy, you are deaf to fabulous progressive rock.
