Kansas

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1974–1979: rise to national prominence

Their 1974 self-titled debut album, produced by Gold, was released in March 1974, nearly a year after it was recorded in New York. It defined the band's signature sound, a mix of American-style boogie rock and complex, symphonic arrangements with changing time signatures. Steinhardt's violin was a distinctive element of the group's sound, being defined more by heartland rock than the jazz and classical influences which most progressive rock violinists followed.

The band slowly developed a cult following due to promotion by Kirshner and extensive touring for the debut album and its two follow-ups, Song for America (February 1975) and Masque (October 1975). Song for America was co-produced by Wally Gold and their former White Clover bandmate Jeff Glixman, who would go on to produce all of their albums from Masque to Two for the Show (October 1978) on his own, returning to the helm for 1995's Freaks of Nature. Both Masque and their next release, Leftoverture, were recorded at a studio in the middle of the Louisiana Bayou named Studio in the Country.

Kansas released its fourth album, Leftoverture, in October 1976, which produced a hit single, "Carry On Wayward Son", in 1977. The follow-up, Point of Know Return, recorded at Studio in the Country in Bogalusa, Louisiana and Woodland Sound Studios in Nashville and released in October 1977, featured the title track and "Dust in the Wind", both hit singles. Leftoverture was a breakthrough for the band, hitting No. 5 on Billboard's pop album chart. Point of Know Return peaked even higher, at No. 4. Both albums sold over four million copies in the U.S. Both "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind" were certified gold singles, selling over one million units each. "Dust in the Wind" was certified gold as a digital download by the RIAA in 2005, almost 30 years after selling one million copies as a single. Leftoverture was eventually certified five-times platinum by the RIAA in 2001.

During this period, Kansas became a major headlining act and sold out the largest venues available to rock bands at the time, including New York's Madison Square Garden. The band documented this era in 1978 with Two for the Show, a double live album of recordings from various performances from its 1977 and 1978 tours. The band gained a solid reputation for faithful live reproduction of their studio recordings.

In March 1978 Kansas was brought over to tour Europe for the very first time and later on that same year, they were named UNICEF Deputy Ambassadors of Goodwill.

The follow-up studio album to Point of Know Return was Monolith (May 1979), which was self-produced. The album generated a Top 40 single in "People of the South Wind", whose title refers to the meaning of the 'Kanza' (Kaw) Native American people, after whom the state and the band are named. The album failed to garner the sales and radio airplay of its two predecessors. Nevertheless, the album eventually went platinum. Livgren's platinum award for the album is on display at the Kansas Museum of History. The band toured the US for Monolith during the summer and fall of 1979 then went over to tour Japan for the first time in January 1980.

1980–1984: creative tensions

Kansas bandmembers began to drift apart in the early 1980s. During the tour supporting Monolith, Livgren became an evangelical Christian, and this was reflected in his lyrics on the next three albums, beginning with Audio-Visions (September 1980). "Hold On", a Top 40 single from that album, displayed his new-found faith. Hope soon converted to Christianity as well. This would be the final album with the original lineup (until they briefly reunited in 1999–2000), and also the last Kansas studio album to be certified gold by the RIAA.

Due to creative differences over the lyrical direction of the next album, Walsh left in October 1981 to form a new band, Streets. In early 1982 Walsh was replaced by vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist John Elefante, who—unknown to Livgren and Hope at the time—was also a Christian. He was chosen from over 200 applicants, such as Sammy Hagar, Doug Pinnick, Ted Neeley (who played the title character in the movie Jesus Christ Superstar), Warren Ham (ex-Bloodrock, who would join the band on the road in 1982 adding sax, flute, harmonica, back-up vocals and extra keyboards) and Michael Gleason (who would supply keyboards and back-up vocals on the group's 1983 tour).

The first Kansas album with Elefante, Vinyl Confessions, was released in May 1982. The record renewed interest in the group and generated the band's first Top 20 hit in several years, "Play the Game Tonight", which hit number 4 on Billboard's newly deployed Mainstream Rock chart. The album's mostly Christianity-based lyrics attracted a new audience and garnered radio airplay on the then fledgling Contemporary Christian Music format. The album featured backing vocals from Queen drummer Roger Taylor, who was recording in the studio next door. Still, sales of the album fell short of gold status.

Drastic Measures followed in July 1983. For various reasons, Livgren contributed only three songs to the album; the rest were penned by John Elefante and his brother Dino. With violinist Steinhardt leaving the group before the recording sessions, the result was a more mainstream pop-rock album. Though the album charted lower than any Kansas album since Masque, peaking at number 41, its single "Fight Fire with Fire" fared better. It did not crack the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, but reached No. 3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. It was the highest chart position of any Kansas release on any chart, though this particular chart did not exist prior to 1981. For their 1983 tour for Drastic Measures, Kansas was joined on stage by the aforementioned Michael Gleason and Terry Brock (who covered the absent Steinhardt's harmony vocals).

During the band's time with Elefante as lead vocalist, Livgren became increasingly uncomfortable with Kansas representing his Christian worldview. After a final New Year's Eve performance on December 31, 1983, Livgren and Hope left to form AD with Warren Ham and Michael Gleason. They were joined by drummer Dennis Holt.

Elefante, Ehart and Williams sought to continue as Kansas and recorded one more song, "Perfect Lover", which appeared on the retrospective The Best of Kansas (August 1984), which has sold over four million units in the U.S. alone. The song would eventually be removed in favor of other songs on the remastered release of the compilation. The group disbanded after its release, which thus became the final Kansas recording with Elefante. Since leaving the band, Elefante has become a popular Contemporary Christian music artist and has not performed with the group since.

In March 1984, Ehart, Williams and Elefante were part of a United Service Organizations (USO) tour of US military bases that had been put together by Ehart, called 1st Airborne Rock and Roll Division, that also included Patrick Simmons (Doobie Brothers), Leon Medica (LeRoux), David Jenkins, Cory Lerios and John Pierce (from Pablo Cruise) and Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen and Bun E. Carlos (from Cheap Trick). The supergroup began four days of rehearsals in Hawaii on March 10 before beginning a 17-day tour playing for the United States Seventh Fleet in the Indian Ocean and land-based troops in Korea, Okinawa, Diego Garcia and the Philippines. This was followed by a second USO tour in March 1985 that included Ehart, Williams and Steve Walsh.

1985–1990: reformation

In July 1985 the band came back together with Ehart, Williams and Walsh (who had briefly played keyboards on the road for Cheap Trick in the spring and summer of 1985 after the break up of Streets), but without Livgren, Hope or Steinhardt. The new lineup included Streets bassist Billy Greer and guitarist Steve Morse (formerly of the Dixie Dregs). The first performances of the new lineup with Morse and Greer took place during a third USO 1st Airborne Rock and Roll Division tour that toured US military bases in the US, Japan, Okinawa, the Philippines, Singapore, Iceland and most of Europe during the late summer through early October 1986.

The re-formed band released Power on October 28, 1986. The first single, "All I Wanted", became the last Kansas single to hit the Billboard Top 40 chart, reaching No. 19. It made the Top 10 on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks and received considerable airplay on MTV. Two more singles, the title track and "Can't Cry Anymore", were less successful, "Power" hitting the lower end of the Hot 100 and getting substantial play and charting on the Rock Charts, but "Can't Cry Anymore" receiving little airplay despite a clever music video. The album sold approximately 400,000 copies.

The band added Baton Rouge native Greg Robert on keyboards and back-up vocals at the suggestion of LeRoux's Leon Medica. Greg played his first show with Kansas on January 31, 1987, along with 38 Special, at Roberto Clemente Coliseum in Puerto Rico.

The new lineup released a second album, In the Spirit of Things, in October 1988. The concept album and subsequent tour were popular with the fan base but did not receive widespread airplay beyond the "Stand Beside Me" video on MTV. Morse temporarily left the band at the end of a tour of Germany in April 1989.

On September 15, 1990, Walsh, Williams and Ehart played a charity event at the Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu, California, alongside Saga, Lou Gramm (of Foreigner), Mr. Big, Eddie Money, Kevin Cronin (from REO Speedwagon) and others. Alex Lifeson joined them on stage for a short set of Kansas before Geddy Lee flew in to join Alex for a Rush set, with Ehart on drums subbing for Neil Peart.

In November 1990 a German promoter arranged to reunite all the original members of Kansas (except for Steinhardt) for a European tour. Greer joined them, along with keyboardist Greg Robert. At the end of the tour, Hope left again, but Livgren remained on into 1991.

2006–2014: continued touring and regained popularity

Kansas continued to tour every year. The 2006 tour was delayed for a few weeks due to Steinhardt's second departure in March and Ragsdale's subsequent return to the lineup.

In 2008 the Kansas website announced that four of the five members (Ehart, Ragsdale, Williams, and Greer) had formed a side recording group called Native Window and they released their self-titled debut album in June 2009.

In February 2009 Kansas recorded a concert in Topeka featuring a full symphony orchestra, with Larry Baird conducting. Morse and Livgren appeared as special guests on several songs. The performance was released on CD, DVD, and Blu-ray as There's Know Place Like Home that October and the DVD hit No. 5 on the Billboard Music Video Chart the week after its release.

In July 2010 Kansas completed a 30-day "United We Rock" tour with fellow classic rock acts Styx and Foreigner. Kansas then began a collegiate tour in September 2010. On this tour they performed with the symphony orchestras of various US colleges in an effort to raise money for the individual schools' music programs. The success of the tour led the band to start another one the following year.

On September 13, 2012, Kansas began a new tour with a performance at the Best Buy Theater in New York City. Opening for them was the band King's X and a one-man-band called That 1 Guy. This tour featured many hits from the albums Leftoverture and Point of Know Return, as well as material from a number of their other albums.

The band kicked off 2013 being featured on the Rock Legends II cruise. The floating rock festival for a cause aboard Royal Caribbean International's Liberty of the Seas departed January 10, 2013, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Other big names included Foreigner, Paul Rodgers, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Bachman & Turner, 38 Special, The Marshall Tucker Band, Blue Öyster Cult, Foghat and Molly Hatchet.

On March 1, 2013 Kansas announced a 40th anniversary celebration was in the works. However, Steinhardt suffered a heart attack days before the concert and was unable to participate. Nevertheless, the show went on, billed as the 40th Anniversary Fan Appreciation Concert, performed in Pittsburgh on August 17, 2013, at the same venue, Benedum Center (formerly The Stanley Theater), which had propelled them to national recognition. The show featured guest appearances by Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope and the first set featured symphonic accompaniment by the Three Rivers Orchestra, conducted by Larry Baird. Intermission featured Phil Ehart overseeing random prize drawings of autographed band merchandise, videotaped 40th anniversary well-wishes from other bands, and an exclusive first-look at the trailer for the upcoming feature-length documentary Miracles Out of Nowhere.

2014–2020: retirement of Steve Walsh, The Prelude Implicit

On July 2, 2014 a statement was issued on the band's official Facebook page announcing the impending retirement of lead singer Steve Walsh.

On July 6, 2014 former Kansas lead singer John Elefante issued a statement that he had been contacted by the band on July 2 to discuss rejoining. However, on July 4, after turning to prayer, he said that it was not meant to be. At that point, he also cited Steve Walsh as one of the reasons he wanted to become a singer.

A statement was issued on July 14, 2014, through the band's official Facebook page, stating that Chicago native Ronnie Platt (who had previously sung with Shooting Star) had been selected as the band's new lead vocalist and keyboard player.

On July 24, 2014 the band announced that their longtime lighting specialist David Manion would be handling the main keyboard parts for the band on stage along with Platt, giving the group a full-time keyboardist for the first time since Greg Robert's departure in 1997. Manion had also handled keyboard responsibilities for Kansas bassist and vocalist Billy Greer's band, Seventh Key.

In March 2015 the band released the aforementioned documentary, Miracles Out of Nowhere. The documentary chronicles the band's formation and follows them throughout their success with Leftoverture and Point of Know Return. It was initially available in a limited-edition release that contained an extra DVD of bonus interviews. The documentary was released alongside a companion CD of the same name that contained a selection of the band's greatest hits along with snippets of commentary from the documentary.

On September 1, 2015 a press release announced that Kansas had signed with Inside Out Music, a German label dedicated to progressive rock and related genres, for the release of their upcoming 15th studio album. The release of this album marked the longest period to date between studio releases since the previous album, Somewhere to Elsewhere, had been released over 15 years prior, in 2000. On February 26, 2016, the group officially announced The Prelude Implicit for a September 2016 release. The album's co-producer and co-writer, Zak Rizvi, was subsequently named as a full member of the band, giving Kansas a second full-time guitarist for the first time since Steve Morse's departure in 1991.

On September 30, 2016 the current lineup kicked off a multi-city tour at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the release of Leftoverture, which was done again in the spring of 2017 with a twelve show 40th anniversary tour, that, like the fall jaunt, included performances of newer tracks, older songs and a complete rendering of the full Leftoverture album. A two CD set, Leftoverture Live & Beyond, was released in November 2017 that contained nineteen songs culled from different shows during the tour and the band's 2017 fall dates also included further 40th anniversary shows.

In 2018 the group decided to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Point of Know Return by playing that album in its entirety at the shows on a tour, set to begin in September.

After the conclusion of the fall tour dates, keyboardist David Manion departed the band, and in December Tom Brislin (who had played with Yes, Meat Loaf, Debbie Harry, Renaissance, Camel, Dennis DeYoung and others) was announced as the new keyboardist, with the second leg of the Point 40th anniversary tour slated to resume in March 2019.

In December 2019 the band played the entire Leftoverture and Point of Know Return albums in a special performance at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.

2020–present: The Absence of Presence, 50th anniversary and beyond

On March 20, 2020 the band announced the upcoming release of a new studio album, The Absence of Presence. Due to manufacturing delays, the album was not released until July 17, 2020. It was promoted by the release of videos for three songs: "Throwing Mountains", "Memories Down the Line" and "Jets Overhead". Recording for the album took place simultaneously during the band's 2019 touring schedule.

To promote the album, an autumn 2020 tour of Europe was scheduled, but following the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the tour was postponed to 2022.

Guitarist Zak Rizvi left the band in April 2021 in order to pursue new projects.

On May 28, 2021 the group released Point of Know Return: Live and Beyond, with performances taken from various dates on the 2019 to early 2020 legs of the Point of Know Return 40th Anniversary Tour.

Former violin player and vocalist Robby Steinhardt died from pancreatitis on July 17, 2021, at the age of 71.

On December 9, 2022 the three disc compilation Another Fork in the Road - 50 Years of Kansas was released to commemorate the band's 50th anniversary in 2023. Included on it are various tracks from all 16 Kansas studio albums, however, tracks from Power and In the Spirit of Things are omitted on disc 2 of the North American version. Also featured is a new 2022 recording of "Can I Tell You", a track originally from Kansas' debut album.

Eric Holmquist, the band's drum tech since 2003, has filled in for drummer Ehart as needed over the years, including 2016 when Ehart was being treated for kidney stones, 2018, and again in the fall of 2022 and 2023 after Ehart sprained his arm. Ehart returned to the stage in June 2023, at the start of the band's 50th anniversary tour, to play the final songs of the set after Holmquist had covered the bulk of the show.

In May 2023 just prior to the start of the band's 50th Anniversary tour, it was announced that violinist David Ragsdale was leaving for personal reasons to be replaced by violinist/guitarist Joe Deninzon, from the progressive rock band Stratospheerius.

In November 2023 Kyle Henderson of The Producers filled in on bass and vocals on tour for Billy Greer.

In January 2024 former Kansas guitarist Zak Rizvi filled in for Rich Williams for some Florida shows while Williams recovered from a brief illness.

On February 23, 2024 Kansas announced that Phil Ehart was forced to step away from the stage after suffering a heart attack. Eric Holmquist again assumed the drums, starting with a March 1, 2024 show in Richmond, VA.

On April 18, 2024 Kansas announced that Zak Rizvi had rejoined the band. He played his first show after rejoining on April 26, 2024 in Morristown, New Jersey.

On April 26, 2024 Kansas announced that bassist Dan McGowan, of the band The Tea Club, would be filling in for bassist Billy Greer at their upcoming KANSAS 50th Anniversary Tour concerts from April 26 (Morristown, NJ) through May 4th (Toronto, ON.) But even though Greer returned after that, the band's show at The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on September 1, 2024 was Greer's final one with Kansas, as he announced his retirement after thirty nine years with them. Dan McGowan was then brought back as Greer's permanent replacement.

Due to the devastation in the Western Carolinas caused by Hurricane Helene, the band's Las Vegas show scheduled for September 28, 2024, had to be canceled and Rich Williams was unable to travel to the next concerts scheduled for the first week of October in Topeka, Kansas and Park City, Kansas. Guitarist Scott Bernard (from Kenny Loggins's band) was announced as fill-in guitarist, while former members Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope were brought back for guest appearances on "Hold On" and the encore of "Carry on Wayward Son".

At their final show of the year, in Pittsburgh at Benedum Center on December 11, 2024, the group was joined for a few songs by drummer Phil Ehart, original bassist Dave Hope and Kerry Livgren's daughter Kate, who played viola on "Dust in the Wind" alongside the group's current violinist Joe Deninzon.

Joe Deninzon's Stratopheerius band mate, drummer Jason Gianni, filled in on drums for the group at Seminole Casino in Coconut Creek, Florida on January 23, 2025.

In February 2025 lead singer Ronnie Platt was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. But thanks to early detection and surgery, he was singing again, cancer-free, by April. But shortly after Platt's return, bassist Dan McGowan became a first-time father and had to miss a few dates. Tom Brislin's friend Dave Edwards filled in on bass during this time.

Guitarist Scott Bernard, who filled in for Rich Williams previously in 2024 and earlier in 2025, was announced as a new full-time Kansas member as of August 22, 2025, while original member and guitarist Williams would remain an active member but would be scaling back on touring.

For the encore at their show at Azura Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, Kansas on September 26, 2025, the current lineup of Kansas (including Rich Williams) was accompanied by Kerry Livgren, Dave Hope and Phil Ehart.

On November 2, 2025 Kansas played a concert with the New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players at Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ, with Dave Edwards returning to conduct the orchestra.

Kansas

Kansas

Article

Notable quotes

Where does Kansas rank?

Live room · 1 here

Notable quotes

Article

History

1970–1973: early years

1974–1979: rise to national prominence

1980–1984: creative tensions

1985–1990: reformation

1991–1997: addition of David Ragsdale

1997–2006: return of Robby Steinhardt

2006–2014: continued touring and regained popularity

2014–2020: retirement of Steve Walsh, The Prelude Implicit

2020–present: The Absence of Presence, 50th anniversary and beyond

Musical style and influences

Appearances in other media

Members

Discography

Where does Kansas rank?

About Kansas

About Kansas

Article

Notable quotes

Where does Kansas rank?

Live room · 1 here

Notable quotes

Article

History

1970–1973: early years

1974–1979: rise to national prominence

1980–1984: creative tensions

1985–1990: reformation

1991–1997: addition of David Ragsdale

1997–2006: return of Robby Steinhardt

2006–2014: continued touring and regained popularity

2014–2020: retirement of Steve Walsh, The Prelude Implicit

2020–present: The Absence of Presence, 50th anniversary and beyond

Musical style and influences

Appearances in other media

Members

Discography

Where does Kansas rank?