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Kerry Livgren (born September 18 , 1949 ) is an American Musician and Songwriter , best known as one of the founding members and primary writers for the 1970s Progressive Rock band, Kansas . BIOGRAPHY Kerry was drawn to music at a young age, his first musical interests developed with classical and jazz influences. His musical odyssey started with an electric guitar he built himself using a cheap Stella guitar, a Sears amplifier, and a low quality astatic microphone. Alongside learning guitar, Kerry also focused on learning to write songs due to his desire for more creative expression and originality. Early Years 1960's - 1973 Kerry was a member of numerous bands in the late 1960s and early 1970s and quickly developed a reputation for complex compositions and poetic lyrics that explored spiritual themes. His investigations into various religions are reflected in the lyrics of his songs on Kansas' first six albums. He explored themes such as reincarnation, astral travel, apparitions, nihilism, and human frailty, among others. Kerry formed his first band the Gimlets with several close friends in high school including future early Kansas member Dan Wright . They soon found themselves booked throughout Kansas and neighboring Missouri after school and on weekends where they played their original compositions which were a blend of pop, English, and psychedelic rock. After graduating from Topeka West High School in 1967, Kerry continued to perform with the Gimlets through college before joining a predominately black mainstream rhythm and blues band named the Mellotones where he met keyboard player Don Montre in 1969. Forming a deep friendship, Livgren and Montre decided to leave the Mellotones and join the more commercially viable band The Reasons Why which included Lynn Meredith , Don Montre , Dan Wright and Kerry Livgren. Though this band was financially doing well, Kerry became frustrated due to his desire for more creative expression and along with Don Montre decided to start their own band. They briefly reformed the Gimlets with former members Scott Kessler and Dan Wright along with several new members. A short time later they renamed the band Saratoga after the name on the pencil Kerry was using to write his songs for the band. Saratoga included Lynn Meredith , Don Montre , Dan Wright Kerry Livgren, Phil Ehart and Dave Hope . In 1970 Kerry and Phil Ehart decided to form a new group by combining the best members from Kerry's band Saratoga and Phil's band White Clover (which included Steve Walsh, Rich Williams, Dave Hope and Jeff Glixman). While discussing what to call the new band Dave Hope walked in on Kerry and Phil's conversation and suggested they call themselves "Kansas". This version of Kansas (referred to as ''Kansas I'' by fans) was known for their bizarre musical arrangements and originality. This version of Kansas would only last for one year. In 1971 Phil Ehart and Dave Hope left Kansas, Kerry reworked the band and it continued under the name Kansas (known by fans as ''Kansas II'' - see also Proto-Kaw ). Kansas II continued to perform Kerry's original works fusing experimental rock with psychedelic and jazz. During this time Kansas II recorded a demo cassette which would be released commercially 30 years later. ''Kansas II'' generated their own loyal fan following which led to bookings due to their built-in audience. However, financial problems plagued the band and after a record deal with Jefferson Airplane's label failed to materialize and their old school bus broke down while on the road touring, the band dissolved in 1973 . Shortly after the dissolution of the second Kansas band in 1973 Kerry was invited by Phil Ehart to join the reformed White Clover band that also included vocalist Steve Walsh , violinist Robby Steinhardt , bassist Dave Hope , guitarist Rich Williams , and drummer Phil Ehart . Prior to Kerry joining, White Clover had sent out a 5 song demo tape which had generated interest with Don Kirshner for his new label. As part of the effort to sign with Kirshner, they soon renamed themselves Kansas , becoming the third band incarnation to use this name - and the ones who would make it famous. Kansas and international fame, 1974 - 1983 After 3 albums in 2 years failed to provide them with a hit single, Kansas was under pressure from Kirshner and CBS records to write a hit. Kerry and the band realized it was their last chance. Due to Steve Walsh experiencing writer's block, all writing duties fell to Kerry and he rose to the challenge to write all the songs for their fourth album, '' Leftoverture ''. On the last day of rehearsal for the new album, Kerry brought the band one last song which they performed once before heading to the studio. The song, '' Carry On Wayward Son '' (#11) became Kansas' first hit. Riding the success of '' Leftoverture '', Kerry wrote '' Dust In The Wind '' (#6) for the '' Point Of Know Return '' album. Like '' Carry On Wayward Son '', '' Dust In The Wind '' was added to the album at the last minute. Kerry stated the song was an acoustic guitar warm up song. While playing it one day at home when his wife was doing laundry, she told him he should put it on the album. Since the album had some extra time available, he presented the song to the band and it was included, becoming their highest charting single. In late 1979, Kerry became involved with The Urantia Book , a series of papers that claim to be a revelation authored by supernatural beings; its influence can be felt in the lyrics of Kansas' 1979 '' Monolith '' album (#10). Kerry subsequently rejected Urantia doctrine--while on tour with the band in support of '' Monolith '', Kerry converted to Christianity . This was a result of a series of debates in the back of the tour bus with Jeff Pollard of Louisiana's Le Roux , the opening act for Kansas during the tour. The discussions between Kerry and Jeff Pollard concerned whether the Bible or the Urantia Book was the accurate record of the life of Jesus Christ. Because of the debates, Kerry became convinced that the Bible was the genuine record of Christ and that he had been mistaken in following the teachings of the Urantia Book. After a private hotel room conversion experience, Kerry became an evangelical Christian. In 1980 , Kerry released his first solo album, '' Seeds Of Change ''. The album features several members of Kansas, along with Ambrosia singer David Pack and noted heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio , who sang on the tracks "To Live For The King" and "Mask Of The Great Deceiver." Dio, who was between stints as singer for Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow and Black Sabbath , later proved somewhat controversial among Kerry's evangelical Christian fans, as Sabbath and Dio were erroneously perceived as "satanic." Dio said in an interview that he did not consider the album to be a "Christian" album, and performed as a favor to Kerry. After Dio left Black Sabbath in 1983, he said in a summer 1983 interview in '' Hit Parader '' magazine that he had considered working with Kerry again. Kerry recorded three more albums with Kansas, but internal tensions due to the evolving Christianity of his lyrics, coupled with increased dissatisfaction with the band's musical direction (at least in part due to his newfound faith) as well as Robby Steinhart leaving the band, led to Livgren's exit from Kansas in 1983 and the formation of a new band called AD with Dave Hope , Warren Ham , Michael Gleason , and drummer Dennis Holt . Kerry has continued to appear occasionally with Kansas on various tours in the 1990s to the present, and contributed new songs to Kansas's 1990 '' Box Set '' ("Wheels"), and 1995 release '' Freaks Of Nature '' ("Cold Grey Morning"). In 2000 , the original and current members of Kansas reunited at Kerry's studio to record a new album written entirely by Kerry, entitled '' Somewhere To Elsewhere ''. Though the album received very favorable reviews sales were not comparable to past successes, which were notable. AD (Band), 1983 - 1988 In 1983, Kerry recorded his second self-produced album for CBS, '' Timeline '', following his departure from Kansas. At the end of the recording sessions he formed the band, AD . Due to legal entanglements caused by his contractual obligations with Kansas, Kerry was unable to market his new band in the mainstream secular market. After negotiating with the record label, he received a waiver to perform with his new band in the Christian Rock market. Unfortunatetly, this would become a hindrance to commercial viability for the band. AD toured extensively between 1983 and 1986, sometimes playing bars and clubs one night and then churches the next. Kerry has stated on several occasions that he experienced some of the highest and lowest points in his career during his time with AD. AD released '' Art Of The State '' in 1985. Due to financial difficulties, AD faded away in 1986 after releasing the album '' Reconstructions '' with no official breakup announced. In 1988 , Kerry released a collection of previously unreleased AD songs entitled '' Prime Mover ''. It was recorded with Kerry playing all instruments with all vocals performed by Warren Ham . Michael Gleason and Dennis Holt did not perform on this album. In 1997 Kerry rediscovered two rare live performances of AD recorded by the soundboard engineer in 1984 and 1985. Though never meant for public consumption, Kerry took them into his studio, remastered them and then released these songs as a "thank you" to fans entitled '' AD Live ''. The performance includes mistakes and technical issues left intact and is meant as an archival release. Kerry mentions in his book ''Seeds of Change'' that his time playing live with AD were his best as a guitarist. Solo Years, 1989 - 2000 In 1989 Kerry decided to explore a new musical direction by releasing his first all instrumental album, '' One Of Several Possible Musiks ''. He played all instruments on the album combining orchestral, jazz and rock styles. This effort won Kerry his first Dove Award for Instrumental Album of the Year. Kerry then released a double CD retrospective celebrating ten years since his first solo recording entitled '' Decade ''. It included Kerry's first two solo albums, '' Seeds Of Change '' and '' Timeline '' in their entirety plus excerpts from other albums and previously unreleased songs. Enthusiasts of Kerry's music continue to hold this album in high regard, making it very hard to find. In 1994 , after moving back to Topeka, KS, Kerry created his GrandyZine production company and '''Numavox Records'''. To facilitate the success of these endeavors, he converted a restored barn on his farm into a state-of-the-art recording and production facility. In 1995 , Kerry released his next solo album, '' When Things Get Electric '' on his new independent label. In 1997 he released his first soundtrack for Sony 's third Mind's Eye computer animation feature entitled '' Odyssey Into The Mind's Eye ''. In 1998 Kerry completely re-recorded the album '' Prime Mover '' and added 5 new songs and a re-recorded version of his song '' Fair Exchange '' from the Kansas album '' Vinyl Confessions ''. In 2000, Kerry released '' Collector's Sedition Volume One '' featuring several vocalists including his nephew, Jake Livgren (see also Proto-Kaw). At this time Kerry was writing new songs prolifically and realized that some of them "sounded like Kansas." Kerry called up Phil Ehart and offered him the opportunity to hear the songs. This led to a reunion album with Kansas entitled '' Somewhere To Elsewhere '' which featured the then-touring version of Kansas along with Kerry and Dave Hope, the original bassist. The album was recorded at Kerry's Grandyzine Studio in his converted barn where he not only performed on the album as lead guitarist and keyboardist, but also produced the album. It should be noted that this was the first time since the release of the groundbreaking '' Leftoverture '' that Kerry had written all the songs for a Kansas album. Shortly after the release of '' Somewhere To Elsewhere '', Kerry began work on '' The Best Of Kerry Livgren ''. This album celebrates 20 years since his first solo album. Both retrospective and forward-looking, it contains tracks from all his solo releases, along with songs from his band AD . The album also included two brand new songs and new recordings of four older songs. Each of these new versions features the original vocalists, including Warren Ham , Michael Gleason and Ronnie James Dio . Proto-Kaw, 2003 - Present Following the 2003 album release of early material from the 1971-73 (pre-White Clover) Kansas (Kansas II) lineup (which included members Kerry Livgren, Lynn Meredith , Dan Wright , John Bolton , Don Montre , Rod Mikinski , and Brad Schulz ), the band reformed under the new name Proto-Kaw and released '' Before Became After '' in 2004 on Inside Out Records. They released their second album, '' The Wait Of Glory '', on January 31 , 2006 also on Inside Out Records. Unlike '' Before Became After '', this new work was composed of entirely new material written by Kerry as well as a live DVD of Proto-Kaw’s appearance at the 2005 Nearfest. On May 20, 2007, Proto-Kaw announced that band members were back in the studio working on a new album consisting of new material and reworking older songs from Kerry's solo works. The untitled album's release date has not been announced. Other Projects Kerry has also resumed work on one of his most ambitious works to date, entitled ''Cantata: The Resurrection of Lazarus''. It is an epic, orchestral and vocal composition based on the Biblical story of the book of John, Chapter 11, and is still in production. It has been in development for over 20 years and features a large ensemble cast. Numerous vocal talents are being considered for the roles. BOOK PUBLICATIONS In 1983, Kerry published his autobiography co-written with . INFLUENCE As primary songwriter, lead guitarist and keyboard player for Kansas, having penned such hits as '' Carry On Wayward Son '' and '' Dust In The Wind '', Kerry propelled the band to worldwide success and critical acclaim, with numerous gold and multi-platinum albums, and over 14 million recordings sold to date. Kansas produced eight gold albums, one platinum album, two triple platinum albums, one platinum live album, and a one million-selling gold single, '' Dust In The Wind '', according to the Kansas State Historical Society. '' Carry On Wayward Son '' has been covered by bands including Rachel Rachel, Critical Mass , Yngwie J. Malmsteen and country superstars The Oak Ridge Boys as well as continuing appearances on album soundtracks such as the movies Heroes and Anchorman . It is also featured in the computer game Guitar Hero II . ''". The single was certified gold as a digital download by the RIAA in 2005, almost 30 years after it sold 1 million copies as a single. Kerry's keyboard and guitar playing can also be heard on the 2nd Chapter Of Acts albums '' Rejoice '' (1981), '' Singer Sower '' (1983), and '' Night Light '' (1985). Kerry Livgren is listed as a "Famous Kansan" by the Kansas State Historical Society (http://www.kshs.org/kids/famous.htm). The platinum record awarded to him for the Kansas album '' Monolith '' hangs in the Kansas Museum of History. He was also honored by the Kansas State Legislature with a commendaton on April 28th, 2006. (http://www.kslegislature.org/journals/2006/hj0428.pdf). Kerry and his current band, Proto-Kaw , redefine progressive rock with music that incorporates epic rock themes, while emphasizing the strong groove, improvisation and jams of their live performances. Kerry also teaches an adult Sunday school class at his local church, as well as having a theological study on his home website. Though Kerry is known for his music, he is quick to point out that it is only one of his many pursuits as he states on his website with the following: "I'm a family man, I have a role in my church, I'm running a record label, a studio, a production company, a farm, and I have more hobbies and interests than there are hours in the day." DISCOGRAPHY With Kansas
Solo Albums
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