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| KANSAS |
| Written by Magnus Florin |
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Steve Walsh - Lead Vocals & Keyboards
Richard Williams - Guitars
Billy Greer - Bass & Vocals
Robby Steinhardt - Violin, Guitar & Vocals
Drums - Phil Ehart
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Formed back in 1972 but was really the result of two bands joining teaming up, Kansas and White Clover.
This first line-up was Steve Walsh, Richard Williams, Robby Steinhardt, Phil Ehart, Dave Hope (bass) and
Kerry Livgren (guitar). Kerry and Steve both played keyboards. Kansas signed a record deal with Don Kirscher
in 1974 after inviting him too their gig at a local bar, where they played for free and gave free beer to the audience.
The queue was blocks long.
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The band created some kind of mega hit with the title "Song For America", and toured endlessly
through The States.
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Kansas was from the beginning just an ordinary rock band, but was quickly compared to other
progressive bands in the 70's like Genesis, Yes and King Crimson. With their unique sound and style combining rock
music with complex rhytms, but mainly the violin, Kansas is loved all over the world. In 1976 Leftoverture was released
with the hit song "Carry On Wayward Son", and with the follow up Point Of Know Return they brought another, "Dust
in The Wind".
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During the recordings of Vinyl Confessions Steve Walsh left the band to form Streets, and new singer was
the 20-year old John Elefante. According to Kerry the lyrics now got a true meaning as John was a christian,
and those kind of topics had increased a lot, since both Kerry and Dave Hope had become christians themselves.
After the release of Drastic Measures Robby left the band (reason unknown). Kerry left with Dave to form AD and the band split.
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In 1986 parts of the band reformed but this time with Billy Greer (bass, ex-Streets) and Steve Morse (guitar).
After the release of In The Spirit of Things the band temporarly split to reform later on with the line-up of today.
With one exception though, David Ragsdale played the violin instead of Robby. Just in ahead of
the recordings of Always Never The Same, he came back though. The song writing of today is mainly done by Steve Walsh,
and the band is really happy with what they're doing.
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