The history of this Kansas band, which presents a unique style of combining the beautiful sounds of folk and classical music, is very interesting.
Her motives were reproduced by various musical resources, using such trends as art rock and hard rock.
Today it is a fairly well-known and original group from the USA, founded by school friends from the city of Topeka (the capital of Kansas) in the 1970s of the last century.
The main characters of the Kansas group
Kerry Livgren (guitar, keyboards) came to music early, his first hobbies were classical and jazz. The musician's first electric guitar is his own creation.
He began to compose lyrics, played with school friends in the ensemble. Subsequently, he became a member of the famous band Kansas.
Drummer Phil Ehart spent his childhood in different countries, as his father was in the military, and the family constantly moved to their destination.
Very early, the boy acquired the skills of playing the drum kit. Once in the city of Topeka, he founded a group that later received a name known throughout the world.
Dave Hope (bass) In high school, the boy was fond of football, he successfully played central defense in the school football team. The ingenious bassist was one of the three organizers of the Kansas band.
Violinist Robbie Steinhardt was born in Kansas. He began attending violin lessons at the age of 8, received a classical education. After the family moved to Europe, Robbie often played in professional orchestras.
In the group, he became a kind of highlight, forcing to be touched by the peculiar technique of playing a classical instrument.
Vocalist Steve Walsh (keyboards) was born in Missouri. When the boy was 15 years old, his family moved to Kansas. At this age, he was interested in rock and roll. Young Steve sang well, but he was more interested in keyboard instruments.
Following an advertisement in the newspaper, he came to the group, in which he later acted as a vocalist and played keyboards.
Guitarist Rich Williams was born in Topeka, Kansas. The real name of the musician is Richard John Williams. As a child, the boy had an accident - during the fireworks, his eye was damaged.
For some time he used a prosthesis, which he later changed to a bandage. At first, he played keyboards and guitar.
The beginning of the creative path of the Kansas group
The creation of the group underwent numerous changes, and only in 1972, the united ensemble of six members, the Kansas group thoroughly began to form their own unique style.
The guys combined elements of various musical styles (art rock, heavy blues, young hard rock). It worked out great for them.
The characteristic handwriting of the performance of compositions is individual, which was almost impossible to confuse with any other performer.
The band's albums, released in the 1970s, were hugely popular with art rock fans and hard rock "fans".
The most significant and strong in terms of sound and performance were considered such discs as: "Forgotten Overture", "Probability of Return", as well as a serious and thoughtful composition "Song of America".
Then the group was at the top of recognition due to their virtuosity in presenting musical characteristic symbols to the viewer. However, the recording studio, with which the guys signed a contract, did not suit everything.
According to the concluded agreement, a gold album or a single in the top 40 was expected. It was not possible to write to order, and did not want to, so the musicians were going to arrange a vacation for themselves in their native Kansas.
Almost before the flight, Kerry Livgren brought a new song that inspired the guys so much that they returned their tickets and started recording the long-awaited hit.
It was the composition Carry On My Wayward Son, which took 11th position in the charts, the album Leftoverture was at 5th position.
This song literally saved the band, bringing commercial success when it was no longer thought of. Albums, chart tops, fans, gold and platinum discs followed.
Ironically, 1979 with the release of the Monolith album was the beginning of the destruction of solidity in the group itself.
The creative crisis of the Kansas team
Changes have taken place in the fate of a wonderful group. It all started with a significant simplification of the musical flavor that Kansas was so famous for.
Steve Walsh left the band. The loss of a strong vocalist played a significant role in the release of extremely weak programs.
Four years later, a wonderful well-known team ceased to exist. Each went his own way. Kerry Livgren went into religion, while releasing his first solo album. Then Dave Hope left.
The revival of the group Kansas to the delight of the fans
In the late 1980s, the composition of the group, having undergone some reorganization, resumed its musical activity. They started recording, touring, restored their former popularity, unique performances with symphony orchestras appeared.
In 2018, the Kansas group celebrated the 40th anniversary of their album "Point of Knowledge Return" by making an anniversary tour, during which all the songs included in the album were performed and new hits of the group were presented.
