subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Wed, Nov 25 2009 

Published: June 26, 2008 11:32 pm    print this story  

Kansas makes way to Ashland

Group’s popularity is increasing with help of video game

By LEE WARD
The Independent

ASHLAND Classic rock will make an appearance at Summer Motion in the form of a concert by Kansas on Wednesday.

Known for such hits as “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Point of No Return” during the mid- to late ’70s, the Topeka, Kan.-based group has been enjoying a revival of popularity recently, although it could be argued their popularity has never waned.

Just one day before their Ashland show, the band, which has sold more than 20 million albums in the United States, will release its 30th anniversary edition of “Two for the Show,” a double CD package with a 24-page full-color booklet expanding the 1978 concert double album to two CDs with 10 previously unreleased live cuts.

Leading up to the band’s show in Ashland, Kansas toured Europe, including shows in Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Sweden, Denmark and Bulgaria.

Lead guitarist and original member Rich Williams said he has high hopes for the European tour and the band’s current status in the tour countries.

“Touring here has always gone well in the past,” he said.

However, Williams said it’s not a surprise Kansas has maintained popularity and found a new audience in a generation of listeners not even born when the band first made its mark.

In part, that phenomenon may be attributed to Guitar Hero. Williams said at first, he didn’t know any Kansas music was being used in the PlayStation game.

“I was informed that (‘Carry On Wayward Son’) was being used but didn’t really become aware until the game was sent to me to demo,” he said. “Since Guitar Hero II’s release, we have had an army of preteen to college kids in the front row. It’s very inspiring.”

In the Ashland show, all but one is an original band member, but the lineup has changed over the years. Williams said making the decision about how to replace a member is tough.

“There is no formula for that,” he said. “It’s been a case-by-case basis — panic, followed by scrambling and worry. Eventually, common sense and simple deduction prevail.”

Meanwhile, the status of Kansas as a classic rock supergroup keeps a firm hold, building its audience from an ever-growing crop of youth.

“I’m grateful, but not surprised that a younger audience is still listening to ‘classic rock,’” Williams said. “There is an endless wealth of great music for young ears to discover. We’re just fortunate to be a small part of that discovery.”

LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.

print this story  



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

MECHANIC
Waterloo Coal Company is looking for a Heavy Equipment Diesel Mechanic. We offer competitive wages, excellent benefits, ...>MORE

LESTER, INC.
4-5 DAY WORK WEEK
Extra money for the holiday!! Weekly pay. Call today, 606-833-0102 or 800-260-8485 or apply at 2
...>MORE

FINANCIAL SERVICE OFFICER
Financial Service
Officer
Job #10303
(AG-Consumer)

Farm Credit Services is seeking a Financi
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Cars, RVs and Boats

FORD ESCAPE
FORD ESCAPE- ‘05 Limited, leather, runs and looks like new, $10,000 obo; ‘00 Ford Focus, red, 5 spd, runs great, $2100. ...>MORE

FORD PICKUP FOR SALE
2005 2WD, auto., air, 80,000 mi., exc. cond., $8,880. 923-9203....>MORE

OLDS INTRIGUE GLS
1999, loaded, 44k miles, one owner, silver mist, leather interior, chrome wheels, Bose stereo. Asking $4,995. 325-2797...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Real Estate

RACELAND HOME FOR SALE
3 BR, 2.5 BA, 2 kitchens, 2 living rooms, newly remodeled brick house. 1118 Green Acres Dr. $124,000. Call (606)836-8808...>MORE

FLATWOODS HOME FOR SALE
1519 Jonathan St. 3BR, 1BA, totally remodeled, on deadend street. $73,650. Motivated seller! Call (606)571-4258....>MORE

PROPERTY FOR SALE
GRANDVIEW LAKE ROAD- 13.8 acres, 2 pd. water taps, 700’ of white PVC fencing. (606)739-0400....>MORE

See all ads

Premium Deal of the Day

FITNESS CYCLE
LIFE FITNESS- Life Cycle 5500, new gym quality bike, $1700 new. Great Gift! $600 obo. 836-4889...>MORE

USED TIRES FOR SALE
Different Sizes. Call for Pricing, 325-8745....>MORE

FIREWOOD FOR SALE
1 Full Rick
Call 606-923-0717
...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index