‘70s Classic Rockers Reunite With Original Members for ‘Special Night’

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Four original members joined the touring version of Kansas at a recent show in Kansas.

Kansas, the 1970s classic rock band known for such hits as “Carry on Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind,” is on tour with a lineup that features none of the group’s original members, but the current lineup gave fans a surprise at a recent show by bringing some familiar faces to the stage.

At the group’s Sept. 26 show in Bonner Springs, Kan., original Kansas members Phil Ehart, Richard Williams, Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope joined the band’s current touring lineup during the encore to play the classic hits “Hold On” and “Carry on Wayward Son.”

The band shared the moment on their official Instagram account with a carousel of photos that showed the ensemble gathered on the stage along with the caption, “Bonner Springs, KS – it was a special night at Azura Amphitheater that was full of surprises. Thank you and goodnight from KANSAS!”

Fans approved of the reunion, with one writing in the comments, “🔥looks like Kansas does it right again, nice seeing original members, with the newer ones. ❤️”

How Kansas has changed over the years

Although they’re still considered official members of the band original drummer Ehart, 74, and guitarist Williams, 75, no longer regularly tour with the group. Ehart retired from touring after the band’s 50th anniversary tour in 2024 while Williams had a heart attack that same year and has since been replaced by Scott Bernard.

When the band announced Bernard was joining the band in August, Williams was quoted saying he wasn’t necessarily retiring.

Richard Williams says he hasn’t retired

“I am not stepping down nor retiring. But I am slowing down. Macular degeneration has made travel increasingly difficult to the point where it impedes my ability to get to as many shows as I want. I will still be at, and perform at, as many concerts as I can.” Williams said in a statement posted on the band’s official website. “Adding Scott as a member of KANSAS, alongside Zak Rizvi on guitar, allows the shows that I’m not at, and KANSAS, to go on well into the future. When we all three are there, we will all perform. In 1974 we made a statement that ‘KANSAS is a Band!’ It was true then and continues to be true now.” Williams and Ehart co-founded the band in 1973.

Livgren, who plays guitar and keyboards, and bassist Hope were both members of the band from1973 through 1983, when the band was experiencing their greatest success with 1976’s Leftoverture and 1977’s Point of Know Return selling more than 5 million and 4 million copies, respectively, according to the RIAA. The band’s 1984 greatest hits set, The Best of Kansas, also sold more than 4 million copies.

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