Kansas (band)

Kansas is a 1970s American rock and roll band, specializing in prog rock with a distinctly American flavor. In spite of a harsh critical reception then and now, Kansas has remained a soft rock staple. Kerry Livgren, Dave Hope[?], Phil Ehart[?] and Robby Steinhardt[?] formed a group called White Clover until the arrival of Steve Walsh[?] and Richard Williams. The band's name was changed to Kansas and the group soon won a record deal with Kirshner[?].

A somewhat successful debut album, Kansas[?], was released in 1974. Relentless touring brought Kansas' name to households across America, slowly. By the time Leftoverture[?] (1976) was released, Kansas was popular enough for the album to be a smash hit, as was Point of Know Return (1977). After a few more albums, Kansas began to fall apart in the early 1980s. Hope and Livgren became born-again Christians and Walsh formed a new band, replaced by John Elefante[?]. In spite of a successful 1982 album called Vinyl Confessions[?], the group split in 1983, only to reform in 1986 with the album Power. The 1990s saw a string of barely noticed releases, but the band has never been able to regain any mass popularity or critical notice.