By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@thecitizennews.com

“All we are is dust in the wind”

— Kansas, “Dust In The Wind.”

The Frederick Brown Amphitheater opens this Friday with an explosive show from one of the biggest classic rock bands of the '70s and '80s, Kansas.

Kansas was formed in 1972 by David Hope and Phil Ehart. The duo recruited Kerry Livgren, Robert Steinhardt, Steve Walsh and Richard Williams and played under the name of White Clover. The band's sound was heavily influenced by Britsh progressive rock bands like Yes and Genesis. Walsh was the primary songwriter for the group and its debut album, “Kansas“, was released in 1974.

The album featured the songs “Can ITell You” and “The Pilgrimage” and the band's next two albums, “Leftoverture” and “Two for the Show” went Gold. “Leftoverure” features the classic “Carry On, Wayward Son”, while “Two for the Show” has their hit power ballad, “Dust In The Wind.”

By 1977 the band decided to shed some of the progressive, jazzy rock sounds and play more of their commerical material. It worked. Kansas was named Deputy Ambassadors of Goodwill by UNICEF June 27, 1978 at a ceremony at Madison Square Garden. By that point, the band had toured around the world several times, recorded several hit albums and had legions of fans from all walks of life.

Like many bands, the magic was not there forever and conflicts arose. Walsh left the band in the early 1980s because he was growing tired of the commercial sound. He was replaced by John Elefante, but by 1983 the band was completely broken up. Livgren and Hope became born again Christians and recorded what became the roots of the modern Christian rock movement. Livgren recorded prolifically with the band A.D.

As for Kansas, all the group needed was a short break. By 1986 Walsh, Ehart and Williams reformed Kansas. They added Steve Morse of the Dixie Dregs and Billy Greer to their lineup and started recording and touring again. Their first album after reforming was Power, a jazzy album that reflected a lot of the band's early material, while still being influenced by the sound that made Kansas popular.

Its most recent album is 1998's “Always Never The Same.” Near constant touring and recording has kept the band going as one of the most influential and popular classic rock acts.

Kansas will play at the Frederick Brown Amphitheater Friday and Saturday, April 21 and 22 at 8 p.m.

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