1970's Legendary Band Kansas Takes Over Detroit This Friday!

OK all you rockers out there -- we're getting down to the wire! Only three more concerts left in the 2008 General Motors Rockin' on the Riverfront concert series, so if you haven't made it down to the Riverfront yet this summer, you better get shakin'!

The highly-successful mid-to-late '70s American band Kansas takes center stage this Friday.

PLEASE NOTE: Michigan native Anisa Hayes will open the concert from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Kansas will take stage at approximately 9 p.m.

Kansas' music features British-style progressive rock combined with elements of heavy metal and classical music topped off with a hard rock edge. The bands more popular hits include “Carry on Wayward Son,” “All I Wanted” and “Dust in the Wind.” The video may be a bit cheesy (especially the ruffled, collared shirts!) but man that song produces some goose bumps! I can't wait to see it performed live on the Riverfront.

Aside from producing the above hits, Kansas appeared on the Billboard charts for more than 200 weeks throughout the ’70s and ’80s and played to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout North America, Europe and Japan.

The current members who make up Kansas are: Phil Ehart (drummer), Billy Greer (bass guitar, vocals), Robby Steinhardt (violin, vocals), Steve Walsh (lead vocals, keyboards) and Richard Williams (lead and acoustic guitar).

Here are some quirky and interesting facts about the band and some of their songs:

• Kansas is indeed named for the state. Kansas is a Sioux word meaning "People of the South Wind" (which happens to be the name of one of the band's songs!)


• "Carry on Wayward Son" was written by previous guitarist Kerry Livgren. According to Livgren, the song was not written to express anything specifically religious, though it certainly expresses spiritual searching and other ideas.


• Livgren also wrote "Dust in the Wind." He was inspired by a line in a book of Native American poetry - "For All We Are is Dust in the Wind." The song is about the true value of material things and success.

If you can't make it to Kansas, you've got two more chances before the ROR train departs the station for the year! Up next is Blue Oyster Cult on August 15, followed by the much-anticipated finale concert on August 22 -- FOREIGNER!

Questions, comments? E-mail us at rockinontheriverfront@gmail.com. Thanks to all of you so far who have utilized this e-mail address to contact us with questions or to share your ROR experience. We appreciate the love!

- Motor City Mama