by Tom Demalon
In 1981, with personal changes happening in the band and commercial fortunes on the decline, Kansas lead singer Steve Walsh left the band that he had fronted since their recording debut in 1974. Wanting to explore new territory, Walsh assembled a new band with bassist Billy Greer, drummer Tim Gehrt, and guitarist Mike Slamer (of British cult band City Boy). Taking the name Streets, the quartet based themselves out of Atlanta and set to working out some original material almost immediately. Streets made their live debut in January 1983 at Charlie Daniels' Volunteer Jam and signed a recording contract with Atlantic. They released their debut, 1st, later that same year. Eschewing the progressive leanings of his former band, Walsh and Streets was more straight-ahead rock & roll; a formula that, combined with Walsh's profile, earned them a healthy response at rock radio for the record's lead single "If Love Should Go," which was a Top Ten hit. Unfortunately, it didn't lead to very substantial album sales and, following their sophomore effort Crimes in Mind in 1985, Atlantic dropped the band. A year later, Walsh and Greer would be a part of a re-formed Kansas, which included drummer Phil Ehart, and guitarists Richard Williams and Steve Morse.
In 1981, with personal changes happening in the band and commercial fortunes on the decline, Kansas lead singer Steve Walsh left the band that he had fronted since their recording debut in 1974. Wanting to explore new territory, Walsh assembled a new band with bassist Billy Greer, drummer Tim Gehrt, and guitarist Mike Slamer (of British cult band City Boy). Taking the name Streets, the quartet based themselves out of Atlanta and set to working out some original material almost immediately. Streets made their live debut in January 1983 at Charlie Daniels' Volunteer Jam and signed a recording contract with Atlantic. They released their debut, 1st, later that same year. Eschewing the progressive leanings of his former band, Walsh and Streets was more straight-ahead rock & roll; a formula that, combined with Walsh's profile, earned them a healthy response at rock radio for the record's lead single "If Love Should Go," which was a Top Ten hit. Unfortunately, it didn't lead to very substantial album sales and, following their sophomore effort Crimes in Mind in 1985, Atlantic dropped the band. A year later, Walsh and Greer would be a part of a re-formed Kansas, which included drummer Phil Ehart, and guitarists Richard Williams and Steve Morse.
