by Jerry Watson
— Guest Photographer —
Kansas State University’s McCain Auditorium in Manhattan, KS, 5/18/2022
Long gone are the Aggieville bars and pubs that the progressive rock band Kansas used to play in when first starting out. Fifty years later, they are still touring and rocking stages as they did Wednesday night at Kansas State University’s McCain Auditorium in Manhattan, KS.
Fans of the band were treated to the “Point Of Know Return” Anniversary show which featured the 1977 album in its entirety along with some new songs and the usual hits.
A sign held up by a fan in the front row stating they were at the March, 1973 show, in which Kansas was signed to a record, got a chuckle from bassist Billy Greer early on. Another fan yelled “You still got it Rich!” which got a smile from original guitarist Richard Williams.
On Wednesday night, founding members William and drummer Phil Ehart were joined by newest member Tom Brislin on keyboards, Ronnie Platt on lead vocals and keyboards, Billy Greer on bass and vocals, and David Ragsdale on violin, guitar, and vocals.
After cancelling three shows prior to this one, Seated on a dark set with 5 spotlights, Kansas eased into the show with an acoustic set featuring “People Of The South Wind”, 2 songs from their latest albums “Memories Down The Line” and “Refugee” which was dedicated to the people of Ukraine. The last song, “Lonely Wind”, written by original vocalist/keyboardist Steve Walsh, started acoustically and ended with original drummer and founding member Phil Ehart taking the stage behind his drum kit to finish the song with its traditional huge ending.
The next five songs featured fan favorites including “The Wall”, “Icarus – Borne on Wings of Steel”, “Song For America”, “Miracles Out Of Nowhere” and a song from the new ‘The Absence Of Presence’ album “Throwing Mountains, which was written by new keyboardist Tom Brislin and Ehart.
The band didn’t waste any time launching into the album “Point Of Know Return”, straight through track for track. It was great to hear songs that are rarely played live and the their biggest hit “Dust In The Wind”.
After a quick encore, Kansas came back on stage to play their most well-known song “Carry On Wayward Son” as the crowd got to their feet, clapping and singing along.
Kansas may not have all their original members, but as they say, “Kansas Is A Band,” and their songs are in good hands with these musicians and this version of the group.
Acoustic Set:
People of the South Wind
Memories Down the Line
Refugee
Lonely Wind
—
The Wall
Icarus – Borne on Wings of Steel
Throwing Mountains
Song for America
Miracles Out of Nowhere
Point of Know Return
Paradox
The Spider
Portrait (He Knew)
Closet Chronicles
Lightning’s Hand
Dust in the Wind
Sparks of the Tempest
Nobody’s Home
Hopelessly Human
Encore:
Carry On Wayward Son
Kansas Photo Gallery
Jerry your review the Kansas concert took me back in time,back to the Audiovisions tour. I was lucky enough to have attended the Kansas City Mo show. It was an excellent show then,and your review it still is is. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to music and musicians. To the whole group of Kansas I look forward to seeing your show again soon. Thank you!