Kansas is a 1970s American rock and roll band, specializing in progressive rock with a distinctly American flavor. In spite of a harsh critical reception then and now, Kansas has remained a classic rock radio staple.
Steve Walsh later sang for the band Streets.
On the strength of the major hit single "Carry On Wayward Son," the band's fourth album, Leftoverture (1976) was a smash hit and a constant presence on the burgeoning AOR radio format. The followup Point of Know Return (1977), featured the title track and "Dust in the Wind," both hit singles, and was an even bigger hit than Leftoverture. The 1979 album Monolith which featured lyrics influenced by The Urantia Book, was less popular, although it included the disco influenced hit single "People of the South Wind."
The 1990s saw a string of barely noticed releases, and Kansas has continued to tour year after year, but the band has never been able to regain any mass popularity or critical notice.
1974 Kansas
1974 Song for America
1975 Masque
1976 Leftoverture
1977 Point of Know Return
1978 Two for the Show
1979 Monolith
1980 Audio-Visions
1982 Vinyl Confessions
1983 Drastic Measures
1986 Power
1988 In the Spirit of Things
1992 Live at the Whisky
1995 Freaks of Nature
1998 Always Never the Same
1998 King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents
2000 Somewhere to Elsewhere
2002 Device, Voice, Drum
2003 From The Front Row...Live!
Official website
German fansite
Origins
Dave Hope (bass), Phil Ehart (drums), Robby Steinhardt (violin), Steve Walsh (keyboards, vocals) and Rich Williams (guitar) had formed a group called White Clover in their hometown of Topeka, Kansas. Upon the arrival of Kerry Livgren (keyboards, guitar) the band's name was changed to Kansas and the group soon won a record deal with Don Kirshner's eponymous label.Steve Walsh later sang for the band Streets.
The 1970s
A somewhat successful debut album, Kansas, was released in 1974, and showcased Kansas' signature mix of guitars, keyboards, vocals, and Steinhardt's ever-present violin submerging American-style boogie-rock in complex arrangements and changing time signatures. Relentless promotion by Kirshner and touring behind the debut album and its two followups slowly brought Kansas' name to households across America.On the strength of the major hit single "Carry On Wayward Son," the band's fourth album, Leftoverture (1976) was a smash hit and a constant presence on the burgeoning AOR radio format. The followup Point of Know Return (1977), featured the title track and "Dust in the Wind," both hit singles, and was an even bigger hit than Leftoverture. The 1979 album Monolith which featured lyrics influenced by The Urantia Book, was less popular, although it included the disco influenced hit single "People of the South Wind."
1980-1983
Kansas began to fall apart in the early 1980s. Hope and Livgren both became born-again Christians circa 1979-1980, reflected in the heavily Christian oriented lyrics on the Audio-Visions album. Walsh left in 1981 to form a new band. Walsh was replaced by vocalist John Elefante, also a born-again Christian and otherwise best known for producing albums by the band Petra along with his brother. Robby Steinhardt also left during this period. In spite of the major hit single "Play the Game Tonight" and two successful albums Vinyl Confessions (1982) and Drastic Measures (1983), the group split at the end of 1983 following a live performance on New Years Eve. Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope left to form AD with former Bloodrock member Warren Ham; Elefante has since become well-known as a contemporary Christian music musician and producer.Kansas since 1986
In 1986, the band reformed with Walsh but sans Livgren or Hope, and released Power with new bassist Billy Greer, guitarist Steve Morse formerly of the Dixie Dregs, and notably, no violin player. "All I Wanted," from Power, became the last Kansas single to hit the Billboard Magazine Top 20 charts.The 1990s saw a string of barely noticed releases, and Kansas has continued to tour year after year, but the band has never been able to regain any mass popularity or critical notice.