I was one of the fans at the small bars/clubs. I’ve seen Kansas more times than I can count. I remember they would still bring a hefty PA system and they would blast it in the small places. I love Kansas.
I saw Steve Walsh at the GTR concert in San Francisco and he told us that they were working on getting the OK from Livgren to restart. That was huge, because at that point, bands weren't reuniting after breaking up, so we were shocked.
It is interesting hearing Rich talk about the Streets days. I remember awaiting that first Streets album (1st) and finally seeing it in the shops in November 1983. Kansas even had it played before the Drastic Measures shows on that tour. I remember Halloween of 86 when I spotted the Power album in Record World, seeing them on that tour and the next for "Spirit." Of course, then that infamous bus tour era. I had seen them in clubs and at outdoor shows that decade. It is good to see them properly respected again and playing venues they deserve to play.
I was in one of those little bars watching Kansas in Guelph, ON in the early 90’s. They cud barely fit all their gear on the stage. In those days Steve Walsh wud do handstands on his keyboard rack. Good times!
Ive been to many shows, and Kansas was by far the most incredible concert that I ever attended. And that was in 2001. It was the music midtown festival in Atlanta Ga. So many people had written them off by that point, I didn't know what to expect. They blew us all away that night. I mean the crowd wanted more and more. They didnt want to let those guys leave the stage. And it was mostly young people in the audience. True fans of music know. They dont have the prejudices that a lot of listeners have.
I first saw Kansas in '96 open for Styx. Great turnout with a very enthusiastic audience. Seems to me that the best remedy for a group to keep relevant is to latch on to another group from the same era and do a tour together. Only downside is that if you're the opener, your set list won't be that long.
Was fortunate to see Kansas in the 70s, in Duluth Minnesota- marvelous performance. Then again, in 1997 when they opened for Alan Parsons at the Oceanside California Amphitheater. Still enjoy their Music after all these years.
The reformation with Steve Morse was incredible, "Power" is a great album and so is "In the Spirit of Things"...I saw the "Power" tour in the spring of 1987, at THE FOX Atlanta and they also played greatest hits Morsified ...and several from "Spirit of Things" although not released yet...it was amazing and Walsh was as good as when I saw the Masque tour... Afterwards Steve remained until 2012 or so..when he retired
Much love from a Kansas fan since "Leftoverture" was released. I love that album so much, I was just listening to a few tracks from that while I was taking a hot bath just now!! I listened to "The Wall," "Miracles Out of Nowhere," and "What's on my Mind?"Probably my favorite songs from that album. Thank you Mr. Beaudin!! You ROCK!!!!
I used to ADORE them and sit my teenage behind down hard to figure out the chords and exquisite solos and interconnecting lines that Livgren and Steinhart would play around Walsh's lead vocals. Epic band and another big formative influence on me in younger years. Sad to hear how things went south for them after a series of excellent albums, but sadly, so not uncommon either in this brutal business. Good to see them keeping it up as best as they can and could while they did. Thanks, John, really appreciate your channel!
I remember when Kansas got Robby back and they came out with the symphonic album - late 90s I think. I went to go see them in concert because I figured it would be a small concert (I don't like crowds). It was packed. Large concert venue. Guys wearing their old Leftoverture shirts, old bikers. I was stunned. I started collecting their albums again.
Rich Williams is a trooper! Very unique rhythymic and lead guitar style. Saw them last week in Waukegan and they rocked even while missing Ehart & Greer! I saw them in 2018 and they were fantastic with Greer & Ehart. That concert made me a die-hard Kansas fan this late in the game. I had friends of mine that owned 2 or 3 of the 70s albums and I liked them, and I also had different friends that had the 80's albums first with Elefante and then with Morse. I really liked those albums also....but it never REALLY kicked in until 2018. If I see ANYTHING Kansas related now, I just buy it. Whether it's an album or a c.d. or a shirt or a poster, mug anything. Probably the most unique, talented & intelligent band to ever come from America.
I absolutely love the Power album they made with Steve back. I find it sad when Steve wouldn’t sing Kerry’s songs after Audio Visions album and tour because Vinyl Confessions would have been a better album with him. Just saying.
Ha! I remember "Kansas and Jello Slide" in Harrisburg PA. Kansas played downstairs (5 bucks cover) and upstairs was a jello slide (I assume girls sliding in jello, but I did not venture upstairs). The sign outside literally said "Kansas and Jellos Slide" lol.
Rich is such a fantastic guitarist. I love his tone and style. He had to keep the band's guitar sound going for a long time by himself. I remember seeing the band on Long Island in the 90's at their low point. It broke my heart to see them playing in a small, crappy venue when I knew they deserved soooo much more. Freaks was very good but it was lacking. I remember hearing Somewhere to Elsewhere for the first time. I was blown away! I thought- "yup... the kings are back on their throne." Prelude and Absence of Presence are fabulous records!! I do worry though about Rizvi leaving. He contributed so much to the new songs, but importantly too the addition of second guitar. The second guitar is really important to the Kansas sound because it helps create a richer deeper "fabric" of sound. Kerry always traded back and forth with Rich, and I've always appreciated this with KANSAS music. I've got The Absence of Presence album on my phone and toggle between that and some Snarky Puppy and Steely Dan music too. I only carry the BEST.
I saw Rich & Kansas in 2017?? I think it was at Foxwoods in Ct. Super tight, technical and powerful band! And I guess the drum tech was sitting in that night due to illness or injury… I just recall how tight and rocking they were.
They meant so much to so many people and then the record company says no one cares... F them.... They never cared about us..., but we never stopped and now we can pout out all the music we want without their help or demands... you guys can do the same..
A true case of a great group of musicians that had great success, but couldn’t keep all the parts together! Still performing the elegant songs they made famous!
Boy was this helpful for me today I just lost my job. But I will find a way to grind it out just like Kansas. I remember meeting Rich at one of the places he talked about of which was Parker's in Seattle. A large oval facility with a huge dance floor. It's no longer there, it's now a sports bar how boring. I remember buying him a drink before the show.
Mid to late 80s was a REALLY hard time to be a "prog rock" band! Even bands with a cult following like Rush were struggling. Styx also had an identity crisis. They really couldn't compete with the burgeoning heavy metal scene--you either had to do like Yes or Genesis and play half hearted techno pop and dress like you want to be on MTV or die. Kansas was a band with a great face for radio, and so the 70s were the perfect time for them--when no one cared what you looked like, they only wanted to see you play in concert.
What I like about Kansas and its fans is that every member past and present is still part of the family. And we know as of today there's one original member (Rich), with Phil Ehart no longer drumming (probably Dr's orders and common sense need to stay alive due to his heart). But we don't complain because we love the music. Bands get older.
I agree with what you say. BUT, can you imagine wanting to be a rock star in the 70s & 80s, with all that That means; and one of the other guys is ultra religious and is trying to convert everyone around him??? 😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫. Kerry IS a genius. One of the best composers to have ever lived. No doubt. But to be on a bus, long long hours, touring with him, and no place to escape his relentless preaching. I couldn’t handle that….. 😬😬😬
The Steve Morse years (two albums) were some of Kansas' finest. I love all Kansas stuff except the last two albums and the horrible (IMHO) way they were produced with the blurry "wall of sound" style. Ruins their work and for whatever reason, the ability of Kansas to write catchy melodies and songs seem to have disappeared as well. They mostly sound too much the same, and that is nto the case with all the other Kansas albums.
Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope saw the futility of the rock and roll lifestyle. Only Jesus can fill that God shaped hole in each of our hearts. It amazes me that more of the remaining members didn't choose Kerry and Daves path but as the word says in 2Cor 4:4 'In whom the God of this blinded the minds of them who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. All these remaining guys are long in the tooth 🦷. Robby steinhardt is already gone and many of the rest of them will soon follow cuz no one outruns Father Time.
Streets was a decent band, but kinda generic. Not sure what Walsh thought was superior to Kansas, but both bands suffered.I scratched my head when Steve Morse joined, never quite got that. I asked Morse why he left and he told me he stopped getting phone calls to show up, so he went back to his solo csreer until Purple called him. Not quite the same story Rich tells here.
Sounds like Streets is still in Rich's craw, and for good reason. Steve had a great new collection of tunes, Kansas didn't. Streets rocked harder than Kansas ever did. Walsh sang higher and harder than ever before with Slamer's guitar edge like Kansas never produced a) it wasn't Kerry's writing style and b) because Slamer smokes Kery and Rich combined. I get to say this because I have played a ton of Kansas in bands and Slamer's parts in Streets were a huge leap above them skill-wise to learn/perform. Their 1st album was beyond vocally killer, going all the way up to D5 in places. Love me some Rich Williams, but not when he's knocking a band he wasn't capable of writing and playing the guitar parts from. If Love Should Go made the top 10. Kansas was collecting dust at the time.
Steve didn't want to sing evangelical Christian songs and his departure was the end of one of the greatest bands ever. Chritoper Hitches was right. Religion ruins everything.
I've lost count on the number of times I've been blessed to see Kansas. Thanks Rich for all of those great memories!
I recall the first time I heard Steve Walsh's voice live at Madison Square Garden. I was floored! The range and tone, the squillo in his vocals, OMG!
Bands like Kansas are few and far between these days, monsters of rock.
I was one of the fans at the small bars/clubs. I’ve seen Kansas more times than I can count. I remember they would still bring a hefty PA system and they would blast it in the small places. I love Kansas.
I saw Steve Walsh at the GTR concert in San Francisco and he told us that they were working on getting the OK from Livgren to restart. That was huge, because at that point, bands weren't reuniting after breaking up, so we were shocked.
Favorite band since '75 and these are GREAT interviews. Have always enjoyed Rich's artful candor as he tells the stories.
Rich is the man!
Anyone who knows-knows!
Thank you for having him 👊🏻😎
Love Kansas , what a band !
Great, under-appreciated guitarist ... thanks for sharing this interview!
Rich Williams..top 5 guitarists for me.. never gets old..intricate..bluesy..rock..can’t put a for sure tag on that band…so good always..
It is interesting hearing Rich talk about the Streets days. I remember awaiting that first Streets album (1st) and finally seeing it in the shops in November 1983. Kansas even had it played before the Drastic Measures shows on that tour. I remember Halloween of 86 when I spotted the Power album in Record World, seeing them on that tour and the next for "Spirit." Of course, then that infamous bus tour era. I had seen them in clubs and at outdoor shows that decade. It is good to see them properly respected again and playing venues they deserve to play.
I was in one of those little bars watching Kansas in Guelph, ON in the early 90’s. They cud barely fit all their gear on the stage. In those days Steve Walsh wud do handstands on his keyboard rack. Good times!
Ive been to many shows, and Kansas was by far the most incredible concert that I ever attended. And that was in 2001. It was the music midtown festival in Atlanta Ga. So many people had written them off by that point, I didn't know what to expect. They blew us all away that night. I mean the crowd wanted more and more. They didnt want to let those guys leave the stage. And it was mostly young people in the audience. True fans of music know. They dont have the prejudices that a lot of listeners have.
KANSAS ...legends of classic rock...and still making NEW music!
I saw Kansas at a casino in the early 00s. They kicked serious ass!! Great content as usual John!
Power tour was my first show ever. That’s when I was addicted to Kansas.
Saw them 3x on the Illinois fair circuit that summer and they still kicked ass!
Incredibly candid content from Rich! Love hearing the behind-the-scenes of Kansas lore!
I first saw Kansas in '96 open for Styx. Great turnout with a very enthusiastic audience. Seems to me that the best remedy for a group to keep relevant is to latch on to another group from the same era and do a tour together. Only downside is that if you're the opener, your set list won't be that long.
More KANSAS content please!
Was fortunate to see Kansas in the 70s, in Duluth Minnesota- marvelous performance. Then again, in 1997 when they opened for Alan Parsons at the Oceanside California Amphitheater. Still enjoy their Music after all these years.
Great interview, John. I'm looking forward to seeing the other parts of this.
Nicely done, Mate. Us old guys who grew up listening in the 70's held Kansas in highest regards. RIP Robbie.
I love Steve Morse, and he was awesome in Kansas.
The reformation with Steve Morse was incredible, "Power" is a great album and so is "In the Spirit of Things"...I saw the "Power" tour in the spring of 1987, at THE FOX Atlanta and they also played greatest hits Morsified ...and several from "Spirit of Things" although not released yet...it was amazing and Walsh was as good as when I saw the Masque tour...
Afterwards Steve remained until 2012 or so..when he retired
power was such a great return for them! I love that album.
Much love from a Kansas fan since "Leftoverture" was released. I love that album so much, I was just listening to a few tracks from that while I was taking a hot bath just now!! I listened to "The Wall," "Miracles Out of Nowhere," and "What's on my Mind?"Probably my favorite songs from that album. Thank you Mr. Beaudin!! You ROCK!!!!
I used to ADORE them and sit my teenage behind down hard to figure out the chords and exquisite solos and interconnecting lines that Livgren and Steinhart would play around Walsh's lead vocals. Epic band and another big formative influence on me in younger years. Sad to hear how things went south for them after a series of excellent albums, but sadly, so not uncommon either in this brutal business. Good to see them keeping it up as best as they can and could while they did. Thanks, John, really appreciate your channel!
They were/are survivors and contrary to what the labels say they still have a dedicate fan base.
Nice
Appreciate his straight ahead, no nonsense approach
I remember when Kansas got Robby back and they came out with the symphonic album - late 90s I think. I went to go see them in concert because I figured it would be a small concert (I don't like crowds).
It was packed. Large concert venue.
Guys wearing their old Leftoverture shirts, old bikers. I was stunned. I started collecting their albums again.
Rich Williams is a trooper! Very unique rhythymic and lead guitar style. Saw them last week in Waukegan and they rocked even while missing Ehart & Greer! I saw them in 2018 and they were fantastic with Greer & Ehart. That concert made me a die-hard Kansas fan this late in the game. I had friends of mine that owned 2 or 3 of the 70s albums and I liked them, and I also had different friends that had the 80's albums first with Elefante and then with Morse. I really liked those albums also....but it never REALLY kicked in until 2018. If I see ANYTHING Kansas related now, I just buy it. Whether it's an album or a c.d. or a shirt or a poster, mug anything. Probably the most unique, talented & intelligent band to ever come from America.
I absolutely love the Power album they made with Steve back. I find it sad when Steve wouldn’t sing Kerry’s songs after Audio Visions album and tour because Vinyl Confessions would have been a better album with him. Just saying.
Ha! I remember "Kansas and Jello Slide" in Harrisburg PA. Kansas played downstairs (5 bucks cover) and upstairs was a jello slide (I assume girls sliding in jello, but I did not venture upstairs). The sign outside literally said "Kansas and Jellos Slide" lol.
Rich is such a fantastic guitarist. I love his tone and style. He had to keep the band's guitar sound going for a long time by himself. I remember seeing the band on Long Island in the 90's at their low point. It broke my heart to see them playing in a small, crappy venue when I knew they deserved soooo much more. Freaks was very good but it was lacking. I remember hearing Somewhere to Elsewhere for the first time. I was blown away! I thought- "yup... the kings are back on their throne." Prelude and Absence of Presence are fabulous records!! I do worry though about Rizvi leaving. He contributed so much to the new songs, but importantly too the addition of second guitar. The second guitar is really important to the Kansas sound because it helps create a richer deeper "fabric" of sound. Kerry always traded back and forth with Rich, and I've always appreciated this with KANSAS music. I've got The Absence of Presence album on my phone and toggle between that and some Snarky Puppy and Steely Dan music too. I only carry the BEST.
I saw Rich & Kansas in 2017?? I think it was at Foxwoods in Ct. Super tight, technical and powerful band! And I guess the drum tech was sitting in that night due to illness or injury… I just recall how tight and rocking they were.
Great interview
They meant so much to so many people and then the record company says no one cares... F them.... They never cared about us..., but we never stopped and now we can pout out all the music we want without their help or demands... you guys can do the same..
Loved the Streets' tunes and Steve's vocals.
A true case of a great group of musicians that had great success, but couldn’t keep all the parts together! Still performing the elegant songs they made famous!
First saw Kansas in 1997 not knowing Robby had rejoined the band. Imagine my amazement as I saw him walk onto the stage!
Boy was this helpful for me today I just lost my job. But I will find a way to grind it out just like Kansas. I remember meeting Rich at one of the places he talked about of which was Parker's in Seattle. A large oval facility with a huge dance floor. It's no longer there, it's now a sports bar how boring. I remember buying him a drink before the show.
Hope things get better for you.
You will have to rock on! Spring is here and new oppurtunities abound for a new career!
Parkers was the shit. I saw Steppenwolf, BOC & Trower there. I met Al Hendrix at the Trower show.
I love the band
I saw the Steve Morse era!
They had so many great albums but maybe it’s time to call it a day
I saw that tour also.They rocked!
Mid to late 80s was a REALLY hard time to be a "prog rock" band! Even bands with a cult following like Rush were struggling. Styx also had an identity crisis. They really couldn't compete with the burgeoning heavy metal scene--you either had to do like Yes or Genesis and play half hearted techno pop and dress like you want to be on MTV or die. Kansas was a band with a great face for radio, and so the 70s were the perfect time for them--when no one cared what you looked like, they only wanted to see you play in concert.
Would love to see Kansas in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!🙏
Fascinating stories, who knew?
What I like about Kansas and its fans is that every member past and present is still part of the family. And we know as of today there's one original member (Rich), with Phil Ehart no longer drumming (probably Dr's orders and common sense need to stay alive due to his heart). But we don't complain because we love the music. Bands get older.
That was amazing.
Lowest point? "Rain maker" good song And my favorite Kansas concert was in a very large bar in Detroit, 1990.. it was a great show.
I saw Kansas in Tulsa in 1987 -- they were actually quite good in the 80s and 90s.
What a great guitar player Rich is. One of the greatest bands ever
Steve Walsh not wanting to sing Kerry's songs? Walsh owes everything to Livgren. Kerry was the genius of the band and Walsh was jealous.
He felt the songs were getting to religius
I agree with what you say. BUT, can you imagine wanting to be a rock star in the 70s & 80s, with all that That means; and one of the other guys is ultra religious and is trying to convert everyone around him??? 😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫.
Kerry IS a genius. One of the best composers to have ever lived. No doubt. But to be on a bus, long long hours, touring with him, and no place to escape his relentless preaching.
I couldn’t handle that….. 😬😬😬
Power was phenomenal. Took me a while to get into In The Spirit of Things. I like the rockers on that album.
They are both phenomenal listen again
Who was he talking about at the beginning of the interview?
Hmm, still getting those beeps in the audio John. What is happening there?
For me, the lowest point is this great musician being interviewed in a bed.
Just saw them 3 weeks ago! Still great
I will always be a KANSAS Fan til I die.
Great composers
The Steve Morse years (two albums) were some of Kansas' finest. I love all Kansas stuff except the last two albums and the horrible (IMHO) way they were produced with the blurry "wall of sound" style. Ruins their work and for whatever reason, the ability of Kansas to write catchy melodies and songs seem to have disappeared as well. They mostly sound too much the same, and that is nto the case with all the other Kansas albums.
Whoa. It's COMPLICATED!
Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope saw the futility of the rock and roll lifestyle. Only Jesus can fill that God shaped hole in each of our hearts. It amazes me that more of the remaining members didn't choose Kerry and Daves path but as the word says in 2Cor 4:4 'In whom the God of this blinded the minds of them who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. All these remaining guys are long in the tooth 🦷. Robby steinhardt is already gone and many of the rest of them will soon follow cuz no one outruns Father Time.
Oh stop it! The other members are no less Christian that Kerry and Dave.
Phil was friends with Neil peart and tried to get slingerland to endorse him, but they neglected to
Correction, the low point was "People of the South Wind"
So glad they don't play that song anymore
😂😂
Who are they talking about at the beginning? Robbie?
Steve Walsh
I thought Steve Morse was a good addition to the team, and In the Spirit of Things was a really decent album
Power and Spirit were fantastic, another case of bad luck and no money put into promotion by the label
But...now they still rock....
Love Kansas, but come on Rich, get out of bed and buy a tripod!
Streets was a decent band, but kinda generic. Not sure what Walsh thought was superior to Kansas, but both bands suffered.I scratched my head when Steve Morse joined, never quite got that. I asked Morse why he left and he told me he stopped getting phone calls to show up, so he went back to his solo csreer until Purple called him. Not quite the same story Rich tells here.
Yeah I think Streets was very mediocre as well
Sounds like Streets is still in Rich's craw, and for good reason. Steve had a great new collection of tunes, Kansas didn't. Streets rocked harder than Kansas ever did. Walsh sang higher and harder than ever before with Slamer's guitar edge like Kansas never produced a) it wasn't Kerry's writing style and b) because Slamer smokes Kery and Rich combined. I get to say this because I have played a ton of Kansas in bands and Slamer's parts in Streets were a huge leap above them skill-wise to learn/perform. Their 1st album was beyond vocally killer, going all the way up to D5 in places. Love me some Rich Williams, but not when he's knocking a band he wasn't capable of writing and playing the guitar parts from. If Love Should Go made the top 10. Kansas was collecting dust at the time.
Classic rock NEVER hit a low with me.....
I will comment. Fifteen grand a night even split up amongst seven is still a healthy plan
EDIT: Anight
who left to be a rock star…
Walsh
"Him" who? 00:10
Steve Walsh I'm sure
These guys are now all Dust in the Wind.
Steve didn't want to sing evangelical Christian songs and his departure was the end of one of the greatest bands ever. Chritoper Hitches was right. Religion ruins everything.