List of Kansas band members

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Two lineups of Kansas performing live in 2008 (top) and 2017 (bottom).

Kansas is an American progressive rock band from Topeka, Kansas. Formed in early 1973, the group originally featured lead vocalist and keyboardist Steve Walsh, violinist and co-lead vocalist Robby Steinhardt, lead guitarist and keyboardist Kerry Livgren, rhythm guitarist Rich Williams, bassist Dave Hope and drummer Phil Ehart. The band's current lineup features constant members Williams and Ehart, alongside bassist and vocalist Billy Greer (since 1985, co-lead vocalist since 2006), violinist and guitarist David Ragsdale (from 1991 to 1997, and since 2006), vocalist and keyboardist Ronnie Platt (since 2014), and keyboardist Tom Brislin (since 2018).

History[]

1973–1984[]

Kansas was formed in early 1973, with the original lineup comprising Steve Walsh, Robby Steinhardt, Kerry Livgren, Rich Williams, Dave Hope and Phil Ehart.[1] Throughout the 1970s, the band issued a series of critically and commercially successful releases, including US Billboard 200 top ten albums Leftoverture and Point of Know Return.[2] The group's first lineup change came in October 1981, when frontman Walsh left the band during the early stages of writing for their eighth studio album Vinyl Confessions.[3] Speaking in a 2015 interview, Ehart recalled that "Things were hurtling so fast that there was no way to avoid hitting a breaking point," agreeing that Livgren's lyrical content influenced Walsh's departure, but adding that "that was one of many things going on that was making it difficult to be a band."[4]

Both lead vocalists, Steve Walsh (top) and Robby Steinhardt (bottom), left Kansas within a year of one another in the early 1980s.

Before the end of the year, Walsh was replaced by John Elefante, who performed on Vinyl Confessions and wrote several songs for the album.[5] After the subsequent concert tour later in 1982, however, Steinhardt followed Walsh in leaving Kansas.[6] Citing Steinhardt's ongoing problems with substance abuse, Ehart has since recalled that "We'd been trying for ages to persuade Robby to clean up. In the end, we told him that he needed to go away for a while."[7] His role was not replaced – the band was reduced to a five-piece for Drastic Measures.[8] Livgren, the band's main songwriter to that point, contributed only three compositions to the 1983 release.[9]

Six months after the release of Drastic Measures, both Livgren and Hope left Kansas to form AD, a Christian rock outfit.[10] In 1984, the remaining trio of Elefante, Williams and Ehart recorded one song, "Perfect Lover", for the compilation album The Best of Kansas issued that year.[11] During a tour of military bases organized by the United Service Organizations (USO) in March 1984, Elefante decided that he would leave Kansas to focus on his own Christian music. The singer claimed that the band's management threatened to take legal action against him if he left, recalling that "I remember having lunch ... with Kansas' management and attorney. They were working me over, giving me a real brow beating, and threatening to sue if I left the band. I finally said, 'Guys, I'm gone. This isn't the place for me anymore.' And that was it."[5]

1985–1999[]

After around a year later, it was announced in July 1985 that Kansas had reformed with original vocalist Steve Walsh, who was then touring with Cheap Trick as their live keyboardist.[12] Alongside returning members Rich Williams and Phil Ehart, the group replaced lead guitarist Kerry Livgren with Steve Morse of Dixie Dregs and his own eponymous band, and bassist Dave Hope with Billy Greer, a former bandmate of Walsh's from his post-Kansas group Streets.[13][14] Morse recorded two albums with the group – Power and In the Spirit of Things – before leaving in 1989 to promote his third solo effort (the first under just his name) High Tension Wires.[15]

Following Morse's departure, Kansas parted ways with MCA Records and went on a temporary hiatus, as the remaining members focused on other projects.[1] The following fall, the group embarked on a European tour which featured the return of Livgren and Hope to the lineup.[16] The tour also featured keyboardist Greg Robert, who had joined three years earlier and performed on In the Spirit of Things.[17] A second leg in North America was scheduled for the following year, with Hope bowing out after the first, before Livgren left again and Morse returned to complete the dates.[18] The 1991 touring cycle also saw the Kansas debut of David Ragsdale, the band's first violinist since Robby Steinhardt left in 1982, who joined in April.[19]

Kansas settled in the early 1990s with the lineup of Walsh, Williams, Greer, Ehart, Robert and Ragsdale, releasing Live at the Whisky in 1992 and Freaks of Nature, their first studio album in seven years, in 1995.[20] In 1997, Steinhardt returned as both Ragsdale and Robert departed.[21][22] Walsh returned later in the year for an orchestral tour, which led to the recording and release of Always Never the Same with the London Symphony Orchestra.[1][23]

From 1999[]

Kansas briefly reunited with original lead guitarist and songwriter Kerry Livgren in 1999 to record the album Somewhere to Elsewhere.

In 1999, Kansas reunited with original lead guitarist Kerry Livgren, who had written and produced demos for several new songs described by drummer Phil Ehart as sounding "like classic Kansas".[24] Recording started in early 2000 for a new album, Somewhere to Elsewhere, at the guitarist's own Grandyzine Studios in Topeka, where the group had originally formed.[25] The album was released in July and also featured original bassist Dave Hope on two tracks, marking the first time the band's original lineup had featured together on a recording since 1980.[26] Livgren remained only for the recording, with the previous lineup of the group returning to tour later in the year.[27]

After several more years touring, Kansas parted ways with violinist and vocalist Robby Steinhardt for a second time in March 2006, which Steve Walsh described as "one of the most difficult things we've ever had to do".[7] He was replaced the following month by his previous replacement David Ragsdale.[28] Speaking about the lineup change, Ehart explained that "Robby just got to the end of the road. He was very honest when he talked to me. He said that he had just lost the desire to do this anymore."[29]

On June 30, 2014 it was announced that Walsh would be leaving Kansas, with his final performance scheduled for August 16.[30] After Walsh initially only stated that "it's time for me to go", it was later revealed that the singer was experiencing vocal problems and had lost interest in the band, with guitarist Rich Williams explaining later that "Steve was really struggling ... [he] had been struggling for years with his voice, but besides that, he just wasn't enjoying it any more."[31] In July, Walsh's impending replacement on lead vocals was announced to be Ronnie Platt,[32] while David Manion – a bandmate of Billy Greer's in Seventh Key – was added as the group's new main keyboardist.[33]

Kansas released The Prelude Implicit, its first studio album in 16 years, in September 2016.[34] The album marked the debut of new guitarist Zak Rizvi, who had originally been brought in as a co-producer but was later made a full member of the group.[35] After another live album recorded on a tour to mark the 40th anniversary of Leftoverture,[36] Manion left Kansas "to pursue other musical endeavors" in December 2018, with Tom Brislin taking his place.[37]

In April 2021, Kansas announced Zak Rizvi has resigned from the band and that he "looks forward to pursuing new projects". As of now, Kansas will continue as a 6 person band.

Members[]

Current[]

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Phil Ehart in 2012.jpg
Phil Ehart
  • 1970–1971
  • 1973–1984
  • 1985–present
  • drums
  • percussion
Richard Williams - Kansas.jpg
Rich Williams
  • 1973–1984
  • 1985–present
  • guitars (lead 1984, 1989–90, 1991–99, 2000-2016, 2021-present, rhythm otherwise)
  • backing vocals
David Manion & Billy Greer (35442390983).jpg
Billy Greer 1985–present
  • bass
  • acoustic guitar
  • lead and backing vocals (backing until 2006, co-lead since)
all Kansas releases from Power (1986) onwards
David Ragsdale (36247951675).jpg
David Ragsdale
  • 1991–1997
  • 2006–present
  • violin
  • backing vocals (rhythm guitar from 1992-1997, 2006-2016, 2021-present)
Ronnie Platt (35854809740).jpg
Ronnie Platt 2014–present
  • lead and backing vocals
  • keyboards
Tb2021.jpg
Tom Brislin 2018–present
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals

Former[]

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Kerry Livgren in Memphis Tennessee with Kansas Monolith tour .jpg
Kerry Livgren
  • 1970–1972
  • 1973–1983
  • 1990–1991
  • 1999–2000
  • lead and rhythm guitars
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
  • backing vocals
Kansas 1976.JPG
Dave Hope
  • 1970–1971
  • 1973–1983
  • 1990
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • all Kansas releases from Kansas (1974) to Drastic Measures (1983)
  • Live at the Whisky (1992) – guest appearance on one bonus track only
  • Somewhere to Elsewhere (2000) – two tracks only
Don Montre 1970-1972 (died 1986)
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
Lynn Meredith 1970-1972
  • lead and backing vocals
  • Early Recordings from Kansas 1971–1973
Greg Allen 1970-1971
  • lead and backing vocals
none
Dan Wright 1970-1972
  • keyboards
  • Early Recordings from Kansas 1971–1973
Larry Baker 1970-1971
  • drums
  • percussion
none
Rod Mikinski 1971-1972
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • Early Recordings from Kansas 1971–1973
Zeke Lowe 1971
  • drums
  • percussion
  • Early Recordings from Kansas 1971–1973
Brad Schulz 1971-1972
  • drums
  • percussion
  • Early Recordings from Kansas 1971–1973
Kansas 1976.JPG
Robby Steinhardt
  • 1973–1982
  • 1997–2006
  • (died 2021)
  • violin
  • viola
  • cello
  • lead and backing vocals
Steve Walsh - Kansas 2012.jpg
Steve Walsh
  • 1973–1981
  • 1985–2014
  • lead and backing vocals
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
  • vibraphone
  • percussion
all Kansas releases from Kansas (1974) to Audio-Visions (1980), and from Power (1986) to There's Know Place Like Home (2009)
John Elefante at Bam Jam.jpg
John Elefante 1981–1984
  • lead and backing vocals
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
  • Vinyl Confessions (1982)
  • Drastic Measures (1983)
  • The Best of Kansas (1984) – new song "Perfect Lover"
Deep Purple - inFinite - The Long Goodbye Tour - Barclaycard Arena Hamburg 2017 000.jpg
Steve Morse
  • 1985–1989
  • 1991
  • lead and rhythm guitars
  • backing vocals
Greg Robert 1987–1997
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
all Kansas releases from In the Spirit of Things (1988) to Freaks of Nature (1995)
David Manion & Billy Greer (35442390983).jpg
David Manion 2014–2018
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
  • The Prelude Implicit (2016)
  • Leftoverture: Live and Beyond (2017)
Zak Rizvi (36113087071).jpg
Zak Rizvi 2016–2021
  • lead and rhythm guitars
  • backing vocals

Timeline[]

Lineups[]

Period Members Releases
Early 1970 – Mid 1971
  • Lynn Meredith – vocals
  • Greg Allen – vocals
  • Kerry Livgren – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Dave Hope – bass, backing vocals
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Don Montre – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Dan Wright – keyboards
  • Larry Baker – saxophone
none
Late 1971 – Early 1972
  • Lynn Meredith – vocals
  • Kerry Livgren – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Don Montre – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Dan Wright – keyboards
  • Rod Mikinski – bass, backing vocals
  • Zeke Lowe − drums, percussion
  • John Bolton − saxophone
Early 1972 – Late 1972
  • Lynn Meredith – vocals
  • Kerry Livgren – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Don Montre – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Dan Wright – keyboards
  • Rod Mikinski – bass, backing vocals
  • John Bolton − saxophone
  • Brad Schulz − drums, percussion
Early 1973 − Mid 1973 none
Mid 1973 – October 1981
December 1981 – November 1982
  • Kerry Livgren – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Dave Hope – bass, backing vocals
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Robby Steinhardt – vocals, violin, viola, cello
  • John Elefante – vocals, keyboards
November 1982 – December 1983
  • Kerry Livgren – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Dave Hope – bass, backing vocals
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • John Elefante – vocals, keyboards
December 1983 – summer 1984
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • John Elefante – vocals, keyboards
  • Dino Elefante – bass (session only)
Band inactive summer 1984 – March 1985
March 1985 – early 1987
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Steve Walsh – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Steve Morse – guitar, backing vocals
  • Billy Greer – bass, guitar, backing vocals
Early 1987 – April 1989
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Steve Walsh – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Steve Morse – guitar, backing vocals
  • Billy Greer – bass, guitar, backing vocals
  • Greg Robert – keyboards, backing vocals
April 1989 – fall 1990
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Steve Walsh – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Billy Greer – bass, guitar, backing vocals
  • Greg Robert – keyboards, backing vocals
none
Fall 1990
(temporary touring lineup)
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Kerry Livgren – guitar (select shows only)
  • Dave Hope – bass (select shows only)
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Steve Walsh – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Billy Greer – bass, guitar, backing vocals
  • Greg Robert – keyboards, backing vocals
Late 1990 – April 1991
  • Kerry Livgren – guitar, backing vocals
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Steve Walsh – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Billy Greer – bass, guitar, backing vocals
  • Greg Robert – keyboards, backing vocals
April – summer 1991
  • Kerry Livgren – guitar, backing vocals
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Steve Walsh – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Billy Greer – bass, guitar, backing vocals
  • Greg Robert – keyboards, backing vocals
  • David Ragsdale – violin, backing vocals
Summer – fall 1991
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Steve Walsh – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Billy Greer – bass, guitar, backing vocals
  • Steve Morse – guitar, backing vocals
  • Greg Robert – keyboards, backing vocals
  • David Ragsdale – violin, backing vocals
Fall 1991 – early 1997
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Steve Walsh – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Billy Greer – bass, guitar, backing vocals
  • Greg Robert – keyboards, backing vocals
  • David Ragsdale – violin, backing vocals
Early 1997 – late 1999
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Steve Walsh – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Robby Steinhardt – vocals, violin, viola
  • Billy Greer – bass, guitar, backing vocals
Late 1999 – summer 2000
  • Kerry Livgren – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Steve Walsh – vocals, keyboards
  • Robby Steinhardt – vocals, violin, viola
  • Billy Greer – bass, guitar, backing vocals
Summer 2000 – March 2006
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Steve Walsh – vocals, keyboards
  • Robby Steinhardt – vocals, violin, viola
  • Billy Greer – bass, guitar, backing vocals
April 2006 – August 2014
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Steve Walsh – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Billy Greer – bass, guitar, backing vocals
  • David Ragsdale – violin, guitar, backing vocals
August 2014 – May 2016
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Billy Greer – bass, guitar, backing vocals
  • David Ragsdale – violin, guitar, backing vocals
  • Ronnie Platt – lead vocals, keyboards
  • David Manion – keyboards, backing vocals
none
May 2016 – December 2018
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Billy Greer – bass, guitar, backing vocals
  • David Ragsdale – violin, guitar, backing vocals
  • Ronnie Platt – lead vocals, keyboards
  • David Manion – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Zak Rizvi – guitar, backing vocals
December 2018 – April 2021
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Billy Greer – bass, guitar, backing vocals
  • David Ragsdale – violin, guitar, backing vocals
  • Ronnie Platt – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Zak Rizvi – guitar, backing vocals
  • Tom Brislin – keyboards, backing vocals
April 2021 – Present
  • Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
  • Rich Williams – guitar, backing vocals
  • Billy Greer – bass, guitar, backing vocals
  • David Ragsdale – violin, guitar, backing vocals
  • Ronnie Platt – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Tom Brislin – keyboards, backing vocals

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c Jones, Tim. "We are in Kansas". Record Collector. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  2. ^ Ankeny, Jason. "Kansas: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  3. ^ Olson, Carl (June 2, 2013). "30 years after taking "Drastic Measures", John Elefante revisits Kansas". Progarchy. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  4. ^ Prasad, Anil (2015). "Kansas: River of Destiny". Innerviews. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Mansfield, Ken; Terrill, Marshall (May 1, 2015). Rock and a Heart Place: A Rock 'n' Roller-Coaster Ride from Rebellion to Sweet Salvation. Savage, Minnesota: BroadStreet Publishing. pp. 95–100. ISBN 978-1424550203. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  6. ^ Iwasaki, Scott (June 17, 1995). "Constantly Touring Kansas Performs In S.L. Thursday". Deseret News. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
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  10. ^ Blackard, Cap (February 28, 2009). "Audio Archaeology: Drastic Measures (1983)". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
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  12. ^ "The Rock Report" (PDF). The Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report. Cherry Hill, New Jersey: Kal Rudman. July 12, 1985. p. 16. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  13. ^ "The Rock Report" (PDF). The Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report. Cherry Hill, New Jersey: Kal Rudman. September 6, 1985. p. 16. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  14. ^ Beller, Jim (September 4, 2015). "Kansas to perform at Niswonger: Legendary rock band features Surgoinsville native Billy Greer". The Rogersville Review. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  15. ^ Rene, Sheila (June 16, 1989). "Hear & There" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 1761. p. 18. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  16. ^ Fletcher, Tim (February 15, 2019). "Bass Transcription: Dave Hope's Bass Line on "Carry on Wayward Son" by Kansas". No Treble. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  17. ^ "Carry On Wayward Band". Glen DiCrocco. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
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  21. ^ Capriglione, Camille (October 23, 2013). "Kansas knows return". Northwestern Press. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  22. ^ Mervis, Scott (August 9, 2012). "Preview: Arena-rock titans Boston, Kansas and Styx all hit Pittsburgh on the same weekend". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  23. ^ Jehnzen, Daevid. "Always Never the Same - Kansas: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  24. ^ Rusk, Bruce (October 23, 2008). "Somewhere To Elsewhere: Kansas". Daily Vault. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  25. ^ Blakenship, Bill (April 7, 2000). "Kansas comes back to Kansas". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Archived from the original on July 21, 2001. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  26. ^ Giles, Jeff (July 11, 2015). "15 Years Ago: Kansas Release 'Somewhere to Elsewhere'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  27. ^ Wilson, David L. (2000). "Kansas Interview". BallBuster Music. Retrieved May 19, 2020. Check |archiveurl= value (help)
  28. ^ "David Ragsdale". Yamaha Corporation. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  29. ^ Wright, Jeb (2006). "Phil Ehart of Kansas Interview 2006". Classic Rock Revisited. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  30. ^ DeRiso, Nick (July 4, 2014). "Steve Walsh On His Exit From Kansas: 'Time For Me To Go'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  31. ^ Wilson, Rich (September 26, 2016). "What really happened when Steve Walsh left Kansas". Prog. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  32. ^ "Kansas Welcomes Ronnie Platt as Its New Lead Singer". ABC NewsRadio. July 16, 2014. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  33. ^ "Kansas Welcomes New Keyboard Player, David Manion, to Band's Lineup". ABC NewsRadio. July 29, 2014. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  34. ^ Bobbitt, Melissa (June 21, 2016). "Kansas Announce First New Album in 16 Years, 'The Prelude Implicit'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  35. ^ "Rock Band Kansas Adds Zak Rizvi as 2nd Guitarist". Kansas. May 2, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  36. ^ Ainscoe, Mike (November 3, 2017). "Kansas: Leftoverture Live & Beyond – album review". Louder Than War. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  37. ^ Rheubottom, Robert (December 21, 2018). "Kansas announces new keyboard player Tom Brislin". AXS. Retrieved May 19, 2020.

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