Billy Greer

Tue
20
Sep

KANSAS Serves Up 'Leftoverture' 40 Years Ago

Artist: 
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Categories: 
Podcasts & Radio

Dallas, TX - Sept 20, 2016.  North American syndicated Rock radio show In The Studio with Redbeard is serving Leftoverture on the 40th anniversary of the breakthrough that gave Kansas classic rock statehood. 

By 1976, it was go big or go home for this intrepid six-member band from Topeka, Kansas. Their first three albums had shown significant growth in all areas of songwriting, musicianship and production, but as you will hear from ex-guitarist, keyboardist, main songwriter Kerry Livgren, guitarist Richard Williams, original singer, keyboardist Steve Walsh, ex-violinist, singer Robbie Steinhardt and drummer Phil Ehart, they fully realized that if their fourth album Leftoverture did not spawn a hit and sell significant quantities, the party would be over, a tab that had already ballooned to over $175,000 of debt.

Thankfully Leftoverture delivered big. Really big. Over four million albums were sold off the hit “Carry On Wayward Son” and radio favorites “What’s On My Mind”, “The Wall”, and “Miracles Out of Nowhere”.  Kerry Livgren shares with In The Studio program host Redbeard just how special the recording of Leftoverture was and how, for the band, it’s never quite been duplicated.

“There was a kind of magic feeling around the recording of Leftoverture that years later, as we recorded our subsequent albums, we kept saying, ‘What was it that we did that made this come out that way?’  We went back to the same studio, we used the same place, the same people, but we weren’t able to recapture that. So I attribute it to the songs.”  - Kerry Livgren  

Kansas original guitarist Richard Williams also details how the band’s upcoming fortieth anniversary tour will feature Kansas playing the entire Leftoverture album songs in order every night, some which have never been performed in concert until now.                                         

KANSAS ‘Leftoverture’/ InTheStudio interview is available now to STREAM at: http://www.inthestudio.net/redbeards-blog/kansas-leftoverture-40th-anniversary/

Direct Link to Kansas website: http://www.kansasband.com

Direct Link to In The Studio website: http://www.inthestudio.net
 
Wed
02
Sep

KANSAS Signs On To InsideOut Music For New Album

Artist: 
Release Year: 
2016
Categories: 
News Feed
 
InsideOut Music is extremely pleased to announce the worldwide signing of legendary US rock group KANSAS for the release of their forthcoming 15th studio album.
 
KANSAS needs no introduction, having sold over 30 million records in their career, as well as achieving 8 gold albums, three sextuple-platinum albums (Leftoverture, Point Of Know Return, The Best Of Kansas), a platinum live album (Two for the Show) and a million-selling gold single ("Dust In The Wind").
 
Drummer and founding member Phil Ehart had this to say about the signing: "In speaking for all the members of KANSAS, we could not be more enthused about signing with InsideOut. They are the greatest Prog music label on the planet and we are very proud to be a part of their stable of artists. It's our first album of new music in 15 years and we are very happy to be working with the great team at InsideOut."
 
InsideOutMusic label-head Thomas Waber adds: "We are extremely excited about signing KANSAS, the biggest and most important Prog band to come out of the US! I grew up listening to them and their music is a part of my DNA. Everyone on the team is working hard in making the next studio album count 150% and for it to become an important part in the legacy of this great band. We are very proud to become a part of the journey!"
 
KANSAS is currently comprised of original drummer Phil Ehart, bassist/vocalist Billy Greer, keyboardist David Manion, lead singer/keyboardist Ronnie Platt, violinist/guitarist David Ragsdale, and original guitarist Richard Williams.
They are currently in the midst of an extensive US tour. KANSAS continues to remain a fixture of Classic Rock radio and has reached a whole new audience through their unmistakable presence on popular video games Rock Band and Guitar Hero, and through their songs inclusion in various television shows such as 'Supernatural,' 'South Park,' and the films 'Old School,' and 'Anchorman’.
 
InsideOutMusic recently became a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment, following their acquisition of The Century Family.
 
KANSAS Online: www.kansasband.com
 

 

 
Mon
28
Jul

KANSAS - Steve Walsh & Billy Greer Comment Exclusively

Artist: 
Friday, July 4, 2014
Categories: 
News Feed
Kansas has announced via their Facebook page that vocalist Steve Walsh is leaving the band. The post from yesterday reads:
 
“On June 30, 2014, Steve Walsh informed the members of KANSAS that he is resigning from the band. His last performance with KANSAS will be August 16, 2014, in Sioux City, Iowa, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
As KANSAS continues on, the band wishes Steve only the best in his future endeavors, and thanks him for the 41 years.”
 
MelodicRock contacted both Billy Greer and Steve Walsh for comment.
 
Steve was kind enough to send back this statement:
 
“I'd like to thank all the fans that have come to see me sing in Kansas over the years. Sometimes I had to pinch myself just to make sure I wasn't dreaming that at my age I was still playing in a great band in front of great fans.
I'd also like to extend my well wishes to the members. But I'd especially like to thank the crew that we've had now for a while. It's the best group of guys behind the scenes that I've ever worked with. They are most forgiving of us who stand in the bright light, and have done a lot that they really aren't required to do, just to make sure that my comfort and safety are well taken care of.
I know there's a lot of different versions out there on why I'm leaving so let me just say that it's time for me to go, and yes, it makes me sad to have to admit that.
Thanks again to all of you out there in the seats. I will never forget this. It's been a great party.” ~ Steve Walsh
 
 
Billy Greer has sent this comment in today:
 
"It really saddens me to see Steve leave the band. The face of the band will  hanged forever!  I have about a 34 year history with Steve, so, it makes it extra hard to see him go. I owe a lot my success in the music business to Steve and for that I am very grateful. To me he is still one of the greatest voices in rock 'n roll! Frankly, I wouldn't count Steve Walsh out just yet. I think we will hear more from him in very near future! I wish him all the best, love him like a brother and will be there for him if he ever needs me! So, all the best my friend!" ~ Billy Greer

 

 
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