Kansas
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Kansas is popular Progressive Rock band who rose to fame when they released hit album, Leftoverture.
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Members
Phil Ehart
Billy Greer
Rich Williams
Steve Walsh
David Ragsdale
Former Members
Robby Steinhardt
Dave Hope
Kerry Livgren
John Elefante
Steve Morse
Greg Robert
About
Kansas was formed in 1972 in Topeka, Kansas, USA by "David Hope" on bass, "Phil Ehart" on drums and "Kerry Livgren". Three of them played together in high school. They changed their name into, "White Clover" in 1971 and added a new member named "Robbie Steinhardt". They reverted their named to Kansas in 1972. Joining the group in that same year are, "Steve Walsh" on keyboards and "Richard Williams" on guitar.
Phil and David left the band and was replaced by "Zeke Lowe" and "Rod Mikinski". In 1974, the band released their self-titled debut album. Their next album, Masque sold a million copies worldwide. Their next album, Leftoverture was issued in 1976. It features the single, "Carry On Wayward Son" which chartered at #11 on the U.S. Hot 100. The albUm sold over three million copies and a Certified 5x Platinum.
Their next album, Monolith was released in May 1979 and features the singles, "People Of The South Wind" which landed at #23 on The U.S. Hot 100 and "Reason To Be" which chartered at #52 on The U.S Hot 100. The album is A Certified Platinum. In 1980, their next album, Audio-Visions was released.
Their next album, Vinyl Confessions was released in 1982. The album also features the single, "Play The Game Tonight" which landed at #17 on The U.S. Hot 100 and #4 on The U.S. Mainstream Rock. In 1983, Drastic Measures was released and features the single, "Fight Fire With Fire" which landed at #57 on The U.S. Hot 100 and #3 on The U.S. Mainstream Rock.
In 1983, the band was disbanded. In 1986, Phil, Steve and Richard reformed the band with "Steve Morse" and "Billy Greer". They issued their album, Power in that same year and features the single, "All I Wanted" which landed at #19 on the U.S. Hot 100 and #10 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock. Other albums issued are, In The Spirit of Things in 1999, "Freaks of Nature in 1995 and Always Be The Same in 1998.
Awards & Certifications
Certifications
| Year | Album | RIAA Certification |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Leftoverture | Certified 5x Platinum |
| 1979 | Monolith | Cerfified Platinum |
| 1984 | The Best of Kansas | Certified 4x Platinum |
Chart Toppers
| Year | Title | US Hot 100 | US Mainstream Rock | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Carry On Wayward Son | 11 | - | Leftoverture |
| 1979 | People Of The South Wind | 23 | - | Monolith |
| 1979 | Reason To Be | 52 | - | Monolith |
| 1982 | Play The Game Tonight | 17 | 4 | Vinyl Confessions |
| 1983 | Fight Fire With Fire | 58 | 3 | Drastic Measures |
| 1986 | All I Wanted | 19 | 10 | Power |
News
Tours & Concerts
Jun 15, 2008 Arrow Rock Festival, Nijmegen, Netherlands
Announcements
There are no announcements as of this time
Discography
Albums
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 Mosque
September 1975,br>Kirshner |
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Singles
| Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Can I Tell You | Epic |
| 1975 | Bringing It Back | Epic |
| 1975 | Song For America | Kirshner |
| 1976 | It Takes A Woman's Love (To Make A Man) | Kirshner |
| 1976 | Carry On Wayward Son | Kirshner |
| 1977 | What's on My Mind | Kirshner |
| 1978 | Dust in The Wind | Kirshner |
| 1978 | Portrait (He Knew) | Kirshner |
| 1979 | People of The South Wind | Kirshner |
| 1979 | Reason To Be | Kirshner |
| 1980 | Got To Rock On | Kirshner |
| 1982 | Play The Game Tonight | Kirshner |
| 1983 | Fight Fire With Fire | CBS |
| 1983 | Everybody's My Friend | CBS |
| 1986 | All I Wanted | MCA |
| 1987 | Power | MCA |
| 1988 | Stand Beside Me | MCA |
Compilations & Live Releases
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Other artists
Similar artists
Contemporaries
Influences
Trivia
- On July 28 1996, Kansas was inducted into the RockWalk of Fame in Hollywood.
