Kansas's John Elefante, Along with Syntax, Unveils New Album

... still blows my mind that we went from a tiny local label to being one of the largest independent distributors specializing in everything from bluegrass to hip hop." John Elefante is a celebrated singer, songwriter, producer and performer. He sang lead vocals and wrote music with Kansas for three multi-platinum albums. As a record producer, his albums earned numerous Dove Awards, four Grammy Awards (most recently in 2000) and ten Grammy nominations. Learn more about John Elefante at www.johnelefante.com. Syntax Distribution, based in San Diego, California, is one of the top independent digital distributors representing more than 100 record labels. Syntax handles many top independent artists such as Tamela Mann, Propaganda, Marvin Winans, Sho Baraka, John P. Kee, Flame, and Braille among others. Their record label clientele includes Central South, CLG Distribution, Pinecastle Records, Crossroads Music, Humble Beast, among others. To learn more, visit www.syntaxdistribution.com. # # # Kansas's John Elefante, Along with Syntax, Unveils New Album ... [ read more ]

Original Kansas Lineup Reuniting

... (Classic Rock) The original lineup of Kansas will reunite for the first time in over 30 years at a 40th anniversary concert later in 2013. Kerry Livgren, Dave Hope and Robby Steinhardt will make guest appearances with Phil Ehart, Steve Walsh and Rich Williams during the celebratory event on August 17 in the Benedum Centre, Pittsburgh, PA. Kansas are planning a two-set show. They'll be accompanied by a 35-piece symphony orchestra for the first part, then after an intermission they'll deliver a selection of classics. Drummer Ehart says: "We do a symphony set then we do a regular set. And in the meantime we have Dave, Kerry and Robby playing on different songs with the current band throughout the whole show. We've got some great stuff planned for the intermission too - it's gonna rock." more on this story Classic Rock Magazine is an official news provider for antiMusic.com. Copyright Classic Rock Magazine- Excerpted here with permission. Original Kansas Lineup Reuniting ... [ read more ]

GWAR Covers Kansas' "Carry On My Wayward Son"

... Goto commentsLeave a commentShare AV Club invited GWAR to cover Kansas's class "Carry On My Wayward Son." GWAR is a satirical heavy metal band from Virginia that got started in 1984. The band is known for its lively graphic stage performances and politically taboo themes and lyrics. 2012 was a huge year for GWAR. The band recently changed revealed a new lead guitarist and announced a set of dates for their Fall or Chaos Tour. Kansas is an American rock band from the 1970s and they are best known for their hit, "Dust in the Wind." Check out the cover below: GWAR Covers Kansas' "Carry On My Wayward Son" ... [ read more ]

Kansas

(1970-1983, 1986-)

Kerry Livgren (guitar, keyboards) 1970-1986
Steve Walsh (vocals, keyboards) 1971-1981, 1986-
Robby Steinhardt (violin, vocals) 1970-1986
Richard Williams (guitar) 1970-
Phil Ehart (drums) 1970-
Dave Hope (bass) 1970-1986
John Elfante (vocals) 1981-1986
Steve Morse (guitar) 1986-
Billy Greer (bass) 1986-

Artistfacts®: You can leave comments about the artist/band at the bottom of the page.

They were interviewed for a VH1 Behind The Music, but the show was never produced because their off-stage lives were too dull.

They started out playing bars in the Midwest. They hated playing cover songs, but had to because the bar owners would not let them play originals. They got around it by playing their own songs and saying they were new songs from The Allman Brothers.

Topeka is the capital of Kansas. That's where they formed.

While they formed in Kansas, they've done the majority of their recording in Nashville, Tennessee, the capital of country music.

Morse, before joining Kansas, had been a commercial airline pilot. He had also played with Dixie Dregs and the Steve Morse Band.

Livgren is a born-again Christian. He recorded a solo album called Seeds Of Change that stayed on the Gospel charts for a year and a half.

The band began as Kansas, then changed their name to White Clover with the addition of Steinhardt. They changed it back before the release of their first album.

Steinhardt's father was the chairman of the music history department at the University of Kansas. When the family traveled to Europe, Robby played violin with several orchestras there.

Where Livgren found success as a performer of Christian music, Elefante became a producer of contemporary Christian music.

John Elefante produced at least one album for the band Scarecrow and Tinmen.

Robbie Steinhardt had a band in Tampa called Steinhardt/Moon for years. (thanks, chas - tampa, FL, for above 2)

Steinhardt is the only original member not from Topeka. He was the concertmaster of the Lawrence, KS High School orchestra. (thanks, Mark - Fort Worth, TX)

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Comments:

Actually there are two(2) original members of Kansas that were not from Topeka, Kansas. Yes, Robby Steinhardt was from Lawrence, Kansas, but Steve Walsh was from St. Joseph, Missouri.

- Greg Hoppe, Cameron, MO

Weather channel Local on the 8s uses an instrumental portion of Song for America, probably my favorite Kansas song.

- John, Coloma, MI

There's an instrumental song played during "Weather on the 8s" on the Weather Channel that is definitely Kansas. Does anyone know what it is called?

- Sarah, Quincy, IL

I saw the last show of the Audio Visions tour, in 1983(?). Kansas at Kansas(University, Allen Field House). What a concert. Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh would never be in the band simultaneously again. It was never the same. I saw them again in 1996, Walsh in, Livgren out. The music was great but Walsh's stage hijinx were hampered by bad knees(no keyboard handstands) and his vocals suffered due to loss of control.

- Steve, Bonner Spgs, KS

Kansas was unique. Their music was definitely rock, but it was the composition that set them apart. Not content to just write songs, they incorporate extensive development and restatement, modulating through multiple key signatures and incorporating odd and multiple meters. Blend violin and synthesizers to complete an orchestral feel and meld with rocking guitars and a great bass/drums combo and you get really intelligent rock.
In my opinion, the first 3 albums(Kansas, Song for America, Masque) were the most creative, extensive pieces, maybe too much for most people to digest. Leftoverture was the perfect blend of expression and commercialism with Point of Know Return a worthy sequel. Monolith and Audio Visions brought their golden age to a close.
While I enjoyed some of the songs of Kansas' later years, I honestly don't know the names of the albums and didn't follow them much after that.
My favorite song is Cheyenne Anthem off Leftoverture. It makes my tear up every time.

- Steve, Bonner Spgs, KS

carry on wayward son was featured on guitar hero 2

- p, z, United States

I personally don't even think "Carry On, Wayward Son" is their best song- I only recall it being their 'breakthrough' song. I think that "Point of No Return" is better than that. "Dust in the Wind" is definitely a good song, but again not their best. "Song for America" is truly a beautiful song, but I don't think that it was one of those songs that would have broken through the charts the way that "Carry On'" and "Dust'" did.

- Randy, Colerain Twp., OH

play the game tonight was definetly one of the best songs kansas ever did john elfante wrote the song but never got credit for it

- ken, highland park, NJ

saying ho to my old peeps in tampa and jax// tom lesko!! stay in touch.. someone!

- tom, philly, NJ

What about "The Wall"? I've always loved that song, but until I became a Christian myself did not realize that it is about being awakened spiritually (and, in a roundabout way, accepting Christ as a personal Savior). The album rock station in a town where I used to live played it regularly into the 1990s.

- Sarah, Quincy, IL

This is the first time I've been here, and I must admit, I'm enjoying the comments I've read so far. "Carry On, Wayward Son", although a huge hit, was, according to Kerry Livgren, the worst song he'd ever written, and look at how popular it became. If anybody is into Kansas, they will tell you that there is so much better music on their albums than what you hear on the radio.

- John, Frederick, MD

Wasn't "Dust in the Wind" used in a car commercial or something? Because I remember hearing a song that sounds like this on it.

- Mike, Germantown, MD

I've basically only heard Kansas' mid 70's music, and I appreciate their creativity...I remember when "Dust in the Wind" was the song proposed for my high school's prom (in 1978), but there was some controversy regarding the theme of the song itself (perhaps not "uplifting' enough)...I enjoy many of their songs (from the 70's), and I feel that "Song for America" is a beautiful song...thanks, Kansas

- David, Broomall, PA

The difference between Kansas and The Stones is that the Stones have some 200 songs that will still be played 50 years from now; Kansas has TWO. Kansas is definitely a great band. They've made some great songs that you rarely hear on the radio, like "People Of The Southwind", "Portrait (He Knew)", "Play The Game Tonight", "Fair Exchange", Rainmaker" and a couple more that just don't come to me right now.

There are very few bands that can even hold a candle to what the Stones have accomplished in rock 'n' roll over their 44 years in the business. "Satisfaction" is NOT the only Stones song you'll ever hear getting airplay. Listen to a real rock station and you'll hear about 100 Stones STAPLES and as many 250 GREAT Stones tunes. In fact, as a lifelong Stoneshead, I would rank "Satisfaction" as about the Stones 40th best song. And others have ranked it as the greatest song ever. That said, then the Stones must have pretty damn good songs under their belt.

- Ken, Dupont, PA

Kansas' greatest hits album... it wins the "Album Played the Most" award in my collection.

- James, Windsor, CA

how come "carry on wayward Son" and "dust In the wind" are the only kansas songs you hear on the radio? They're good songs, but c'mon!

- Stefanie magura, Rock Hill, SC

kansas is really boring . they need some pzazz to them. at least otehr bands have something original about them

- micah, huntington beach, CA

Any time someone says "oh, this is the best song" or "this is the worst song" it doesn't mean anything. People are always giving their opinions about who is the greatest band or what is the greatest song. It's just someones opinion and really, who cares? What matters is what piece of music will stand the test of time. People will still be playing "Dust In The Wind" and "Carry on Wayward Son" fifty years from now. Long after most of the artists we know today are gone and completely forgotten. The ONLY reason people remember groups like the Rolling Stones is because they aren't dead yet and they insist on touring when they should have retired 25 years ago.

"I Can't Get No Satisfaction" which was voted "The Greatest Rock Song of All Time" is musically and lyrically a piece of garbage. It is repetative, obnoxious and boring. Compare that to "Dust In The Wind" or "C.O W.S", I don't think so. That's my opinion.

- Chuck, Mtn. View, AR

Kansas kicks major ass! Although I don't entirely agree that "Carry On Wayward Son" is a bad song, when you listen to other Kansas material, you notice that it sounds nothing like the rest of their work. This is for better or worse depending on personal preference.

- Dick, Detroit, MI

"Carry on wayward son" is mediocre at best. Unless you're into commercial rock. Their best song? That's like saying Boston's best song is "More than a feeling". When you compare it to the rest of their stuff, it's terrible. Both bands."
are you serious? those songs are the more popular because they are the best. those are 2 of the most well known and most popular songs in all of classic rock

- sdfsdf, U.S., IL

Has anyone ever heard of a song called "dust in the wind", hello!

- Jacob, Pinebluff, NC

- David, Lubbock, TX

kansas is the best old group that ever played. "carry on wayward son" is the best song played by them !!!!! :-)

- brock, coalport, PA

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