Progressive rock group formed by
Kerry Livgren (
guitar),
Dave Hope (
bass guitar), and
Phil Ehart (
drums) in 1970 in
Topeka, Kansas. Subsequently
Robby Steinhardt (
violin),
Steve Walsh (vocals/
keyboard), and
Richard Williams (guitar) would all join the band.
Kansas' early efforts sold modestly until 1977 when Leftoverture was released. This album contained, arguably, one of the band's most famous songs, "Carry on Wayward Son". This song pushed Leftoverture into the Top Five. Kansas then released Point of Know Return and another hit song, "Dust in the Wind", came with it.
The band continued into the 80's and had one more hit song: "Play the Game Tonight" off of the Vinyl Confessions album. Shortly thereafter the band broke up until several years later when a few founding members reformed Kansas. This reincarnation of the band continued into the late 1990's.