Rich Williams
Rich Williams | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Richard John Williams |
Born | Topeka, Kansas | February 1, 1950
Genres | Rock, progressive rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Guitar |
Associated acts | Kansas |
Richard John Williams (born February 1, 1950) is the guitarist for the American rock band Kansas and has been with them since their 1974 self-titled debut album.[1]
Career[]
In the beginning with Kansas, Williams shared guitar duties with keyboardist/guitarist Kerry Livgren. In the late 1980s, he shared guitar-playing with Steve Morse. After various personnel changes in Kansas, Williams became the band's only dedicated guitarist until Zak Rizvi joined the band in 2016, although David Ragsdale would play some guitar parts when the band would play songs with little or no violin, such as "Portrait (He Knew)", "Fight Fire With Fire", and "Carry On Wayward Son". Rizvi left the band in 2021 and Williams is once again the band's only dedicated guitarist. Williams and Phil Ehart are the only two founding members of Kansas who have never left the band and have played on all Kansas albums. Among the songs he co-wrote with the band are "Can I Tell You", "No Room for a Stranger", and the hit "Play the Game Tonight".
Discography[]
- Kansas (1974)
- Song for America (1975)
- Masque (1975)
- Leftoverture (1976)
- Point of Know Return (1977)
- Two for the Show (1978)
- Monolith (1979)
- Audio-Visions (1980)
- Vinyl Confessions (1982)
- Drastic Measures (1983)
- The Best of Kansas (1984)
- Power (1986)
- In the Spirit of Things (1988)
- Live at the Whisky (1992)
- Freaks of Nature (1995)
- Always Never the Same (1998)
- King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Kansas (1998)
- Somewhere to Elsewhere (2000)
- Device, Voice, Drum (2002)
- There's Know Place Like Home (2009)
- The Prelude Implicit (2016)
- The Absence of Presence (2020)
Personal life[]
Williams lost his right eye in a childhood fireworks accident. He wore a prosthetic eye for many years but now wears an eye patch instead.[2][3] As a child, Williams began playing on a ukulele but quickly transitioned to guitar. His early influences included the Beatles and the overall British Invasion.[4] In 2020, Williams and his wife, Debbie, relocated to Linville, North Carolina.[citation needed]
External links[]
References[]
- ^ Discogs - Rich Williams discography
- ^ DuBray, James (March 3, 2009). "Rich Williams speaks to Scene". The Observer. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Lalaina, Joe (April 20, 2015). "Dear Guitar Hero: Richard Williams Discusses Kansas' History, Versatility and Lasting Influence". Guitar World. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ "An Interview with Richard Williams of Kansas, Appearing at Atlantic City's Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on May 31 and June 1". Medium. May 18, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- 1951 births
- Living people
- Musicians from Topeka, Kansas
- American rock guitarists
- American male guitarists
- American people with disabilities
- Kansas (band) members
- Guitarists from Kansas
- 20th-century American guitarists
- American rock guitarist stubs