Shelby Ball

4/23/15
Music and Culture
Tia Jaynes

Final Project: Kansas

The band Kansas is considered to be one of the most

influential progressional rock bands in the 1970's. They were
different, but this difference from other music was simply
just early for it's time. The band produced 8 gold albums, 3
sextupleplatnum albums, 1 platnum live ablum, and the
million selling single "Dust in the Wind". "Kansas appeared
on the Billboard charts for over 200 weeks throughout the
1970s and 1980s and played to sold-out arenas and
stadiums throughout North America, Europe and Japan..."
(Kansasband.com)
The band originated in Topeka, Kansas in 1970. The

three original members were Kerry Livgren on guitar, Phil

Ehart on drums, and Dave Hope on the bass. They met in
High School in Topeka, and soon after they formed the band
White Clover. They were considered a "garage band"
practicing at each other's houses and then traveling to
different venues to get recognition. Their early influences
were british rock bands including Yes and Genisis.
Their music was considered melodic progressive rock
and contained a classical touch to their sound thanks to
Walsh and Steinhardt. "Pomp rock from a more intimate and
melodic angle."(KSHS.org) The two examples I chose to
include in the presentation were "Carry on my Wayward Son"
and "Mangum Opus" both of which were included in the
album Leftoverture.
In 1974 they decided to change the band name to
Kansas. Soon after, they released their debut album, Kansas,
in late 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who
worked for Don Kirshner. The album was recorded in New
York . The band gained popularity and in 1975 they released

their next two albums, Song for America and Masque.

In 1976 they had their first hit single, "Carry on my
Wayward Son" which was included in their album
Leftoverture. " 'Carry On my Wayward Son' was the secondmost-played track on classic rock radio in 1995 and No. 1 in
1997." (Kansasband.com) Shortly after they released the
album Point of Know Return which contained the hit single
"Dust in the Wind."
They continued to make many albums including
Monolith, Masque, Song for America, and many others. The
band split after two bad albums in 1983. They reformed in
1986 and began making albums again, however they never
gained as much popularity as they had before.
Kansas is still touring and playing today. However, not
all of the original members are still playing in the band. The
band members today are Ehart, Williams, and Walsh,
including a new member, Steve Morse.
"From the beginning, we considered ourselves and our
music different and we hope we will always remain so."

(Kansas the Band)

References

ttp://www.kansasband.com/history.php

https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/kansas-band/18140

http://www.scaruffi.com/vol3/kansas.html

http://www.oldies.com/artist-biography/Kansas.html