Kerry Livgren (of Kansas) suffers stroke but recovering

moxham123 · Post by **moxham123** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 3:40 pm

Kerry Livgren (formerly of Kansas) suffers massive stroke but recovering

http://cjonline.com/news/local/2009-09- ... n_positive

http://www.wibw.com/localnews/headlines/57370042.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-jose ... 77126.html

f.sciarrillo · Post by **f.sciarrillo** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 4:34 pm

I hope he is o.k. I always liked Kansas. Talented musicians in that band ...

Tegamal · Post by **Tegamal** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:03 pm

I love Kansas. Fight Fire with Fire, Point of Know Return, Play the Game tonight, hell yeah!

Hope he gets better soon.

tornandfrayed · Post by **tornandfrayed** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:20 pm

Love Kansas, man, Leftoverture and Point of KNow Return are like parts of my life.

Prayers for a speedy and full recovery Kerry!

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:54 am

Too much...Kerry was the guy I modeled myself after way back when we were still doing originals.

I hope he has a full recovery and can still play.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:18 am

I believe that his greatest work (completely written by himself) is "Song For America" from 1974.

To this day, it remains my favorite song. Sadly, when I hired Kansas in 1994, he was in poor condition and could not make the show. Although he wrote the song in its entirety, he did not write a major part for himself and, like all great compositions, the composer did not need to be there. When they played it ... it brought a most rare tear to my eye...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qVWGJhn ... PL&index=6

You can see Kerry at the end...the blonde guy in the back playing guitar...

Virgin land of forest green, dark and stormy plains, here all life abounds
Sunlit valley, mountain fields, unseen in the rain, here all life abounds
No man rules this land, no human hand has soiled this paradise
Waiting patiently, so much to see, so rich in Earth's delights

Painted desert, sequined sky, stars that fill the night, here all life abounds
Rivers flowing to the sea, sunshine pure and bright, here all life abounds
No man rules this land, no human hand has soiled this paradise
Waiting patiently, so much to see, so rich in Earth's delights

So the maiden lies in waiting, for the sails to reach the shore
Land of beauty and abundance, innocent, you opened wide your door
Wanderers found the waiting treasure, full of gifts beyond their measure
Milk and honey for our pleasure.....

Across the sea there came a multitude, sailing ships upon the wave
Filled with visions of Utopia, and the freedom that they crave
Ravage, plunder, see no wonder, rape and kill and tear asunder
Chop the forest, plow it under.....

Highways scar the mountainsides, buildings to the sky, people all around
Houses stand in endless rows, sea to shining sea, people all around
So we rule this land, and here we stand upon our paradise,
Dreaming of a place, our weary race is ready to arise.

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 1:34 pm

I really love Kansas. They were one of those progressive bands that were still able to write a catchy hook while still displaying out of this world musicianship. I have a bunch of their stuff on vinyl, and the sound quality is awesome.

my7of9 · Post by **my7of9** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 1:45 pm

Well for those of you that never listened to Kerry's more recent offerings the band Proto-Kaw (members of the Pre-Kansas band) I suggest you give it a spin.
IMHO every bit as good as Kansas without the commercial attributes.

Mostly longer well thought out musical masterpieces with a heavy edge and lots of great guitar work by Kerry and crew!

Great albums and not a bad song in the bunch!

Check it out for yourself!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt4eouXaBQs

banderson · Post by **banderson** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:32 pm

Kansas is Incredible! I have a DVD called "Device Voice Drum"....Kerry Livgren unfortunately is not on it but they still RULE! Phil Ehart is an inspiration to watch play drums