Why Kansas’ Steve Walsh Calls Freddie Mercury A Prima Donna
via freddiemercuryclub/Instagram
People in rock have famous sounds and strong personalities, and those two traits don’t always get along. The lead singer of Kansas, Steve Walsh, was always willing to share his ideas. His songs include “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind.” Furthermore, Walsh made it clear that he wasn’t inspired by Freddie Mercury of Queen.
A Legendary Showman, But Not His Style
In a 2003 interview with Gary James, Walsh opened up about what he thought of Mercury. While most musicians heap praise on the Queen frontman, Walsh had a very different opinion. He said:
“I think Freddie Mercury was a great showman, but I never liked him. I never liked the way he sang. I never liked the way he looked. I never liked anything about him.”
That’s a bold statement, especially considering Mercury is widely considered one of the greatest rock vocalists of all time. But Walsh wasn’t trying to win fans with his opinion—he was just being honest.
Kansas vs. Queen: Different Approaches to Rock
Walsh also talked about how he saw the differences between his own band, Kansas, and Queen. He said:
“I think Queen was more of a flamboyant band, and we were more of a musical band.”
Kansas leaned heavily on musicianship, progressive rock structures, and meaningful lyrics. Queen, on the other hand, mixed rock with glam and opera, throwing dramatic flair into every performance. Clearly, that theatrical style didn’t resonate with Walsh.
Still Gave Credit Where It Was Due
Even with all the criticism, Walsh didn’t deny Mercury’s ability to put on a show. “I think he was a great showman,” he said. That simple acknowledgment shows that while he didn’t like Mercury’s voice or image, he still respected the energy and presence Mercury brought to the stage.
Rock ‘N’ Roll Opinions, Loud and Clear
Steve Walsh’s direct attack on Freddie Mercury stands out in a world where most artists choose to be polite. This reminds us that not all rock stars agree with eveything, and that honest views can have a bit of a sour side.
