Rocker Kerry Livgren of Kansas Suffers Massive Stroke

One of the classiest rock stars on the planet, Kerry Livgren, founding member, keyboardist and chief songwriter of the super group Kansas, suffered a massive stroke yesterday but has recovered somewhat today, according to various press reports.

Like many Kansas fans I admired the band from afar, and was in particular fan of what I still think is one of the greatest rock records of all time, the band's 1982 album Vinyl Confessions.

In an era when the very notion of an album is slowly fading, records like Vinyl Confessions, a cohesive collection of songs that are difficult to imagine apart from one another, are the best argument for the enduring value of an album of some sort.

But I digress. Kerry is a philosopher, and my life has been greatly enriched not only by his work with Kansas, but also by his solo albums, which featured the likes of Ronnie James Dio on vocals and a thought-provoking book he wrote some years back, Seeds of Change.

I've had the good fortune to call Kerry a friend over the years, and in 1995 we collaborated on an essay on the history of rock and religion, together with the classical music scholar Patrick Kavanaugh. Tonight, he seems to be making some progress and he and his family are in my thoughts and prayers, and I'm sure in the thoughts and prayers of many rock fans around the world. If you'd like to drop him a get-well snail mail send to:

P.O. Box 44, Berryton, Kan., 66409.

Be strong, Kerry.

Follow Mark Joseph on Twitter: www.twitter.com/markmjm

Comments

[Absolon]

He had a thousand ideas
You might have heard his name?
He lived alone with his vision
Not looking for fortune or fame.
Never said too much to speak of...
He was off on another plane.
The words that he said were a mystery...
No one was sure he was sane-
But he knew.

[MAVIII]

(Part3)
Years later he then to joined up with former "White Clover" members (Kansas Mk I) to
create "Proto~Kaw", a different side to Kansas but still Prog Rock.

Tears welled up in my eyes to hear of his Stroke, seems that he is going to recover from
the latest news, but there is still a question of his "Communication", so that leaves Music
up in the air and in the hands of God I guess, which brings me to the point of the news and
why I explain my love for Kansas and Kerry's contributions to the World . . .

Kerry and Kansas influenced my "life" with their words and music, and opened the door to
the World of Progressive Rock, yes Kansas went into obscurity, but like MANY Prog Bands,
as well as the Genre, because "Hit Singles" were not important anymore, especially how the
Industry has changed over the last few decades. Prog Rock/Metal has evolved into a
underground "Sea of Possibilities", either going back to its roots or finding new ground, or
getting more Avant Garde or Heavier, but they all do it for the love of Art, Creativity and to be
at their most highest caliber of musicianship.
(continued...)

[MAVIII]

Sorry folks, this went out of order with the other parts of commentary.
HUGE Apologies :( (see Part4 also, I promise that's it ;)

[JaneaneTheAcerbicGoblin]

Kansas was one of the few American bands that were as intense and as good as the British prog rock bands were in the 1970's. From their 1st album through Monolith, they could do no wrong.

Not a big fan of Vinyl Confessions, but the band went through a myriad of personnel changes in the 80's and 90's, and became a shell of their former selves, which is a shame, as they were an awesome band.

Hope Kerry is fine. He was the brains behind Kansas.

[webweaver]

When I was in eighth grade in Las Vegas, I was a bit of a science geek.

In Earth Science class, the cutie football player who sat next to me would copy off of me (the entire row copied off me and the grades progressively declined on down the line...). I didn't mind. He knew who I was, and what my name was.

Well, toward the end of the year, he asked me if I wanted to go to Kansas with him. He wanted to say thanks for helping him pass the science class.

And I, unaware, said, "Why would I want to go to Kansas with you? It's really far from here."

He just stared dumbly at me and said, "Nevermind."

Later when I realized I had been asked to go see Kansas in concert with the -- < squeal > -- cutest boy in school... Well, let's say, I still wonder what life would have been like if I had gone....

Good luck in your recovery, Kerry Livgren. Your music is beautiful.

[martinchill]

i just put Leftoverture and Point of Know Return on my player today and was listening to them shuffled in with other stuff - new Mars Volta...

i won tickets to a show during the Monolith tour... went alone (i was fourteen) and sat fourth row-center.

laser lights... steve walsh had a cast on his arm and was doing handstands on his keyboards.

kansas is awesome.

~~

I'm on fire
Burning with the question in my mind
Strange desire
Seems there's nothing else for me to find
'Cause I've been here, and I've been there,
Seems like I've been everywhere before
I've seen it all a hundred times
Still I think there surely must be more

[Jelperman]

Sorry to hear this. I love this man's music.

[epotruchyeahright]

Kerry Livgren was the lead guitarist, not the keyboardist, for Kansas. Keyboards were primarily played the singer, Steve Walsh.

Kansas had a great first album, then declined rapidly after that. They rode the prog rock tidal wave just as it was crashing to shore. They had a minor hit in the eighties when Steve Morse of the Dregs joined the band, but after that, oblivion and obscurity.

Sorry to hear that Livgren had a stroke. Speedy recovery wishes to him and thoughts and prayers with his family.

[Realitystalls]

Kerry Livgren was the lead guitarist, not the keyboardist, for Kansas. Keyboards were primarily played the singer, Steve Walsh

This is incorrect, Livgren played mostly rhythm guitar for Kansas, a lot of keyboards, and was the principal songwriter for the group.

[OttoMann]

Livgren played a lot of lead guitar -- look at the videos. He played keyboards AND guitar, of course, but was more likely to take a lead on guitar.

[stevefromkelso]

Godspeed to ya Terry. Been a huge fan since the mid seventies and still have my Kansas on vinyl. Glad ya didn't make it to the Point of no return.

[stevefromkelso]

Sorry, it's Kerry not Terry. My typo

[RobinSeattle]

I disagree on Vinyl Confessions. But then again, aside from a few songs here and there, I was never really a fan of Kansas. Nevertheless, I am sad to hear that Livgren, who I respect greatly as a musician, had the stroke. I hope he has a full recovery.