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Kerry Livgren

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Kerry Livgren

Kerry Livgren (born September 18, 1949) is an American musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band, Kansas.

Biography

Livgren 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, Livgren also focused on learning to write songs due to his desire for more creative expression and originality.

Early Years 1960's - 1973

Livgren 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.

Livgren 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, Livgren 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 also included Lynn Meredith and Dan Wright. Though this band was financially doing well, Livgren 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 Livgren 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 Livgren 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 Livgren and Ehart were discussing what to call the new band, Dave Hope walked in on the 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, Livgren 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 Livgren'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 Livgren 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 Livgren 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. Livgren and the band realized it was their last chance. Due to Steve Walsh experiencing writer's block, all writing duties fell to Livgren 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, Livgren 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, Livgren 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. Livgren 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 early 1979, Livgren 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). Livgren 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 Livgren 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, Livgren 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, he became an evangelical Christian.

In 1980, Livgren 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 Livgren's evangelical Christian fans, as Sabbath and Dio were then perceived as "satanic" by many Christians. Dio said in an interview that he did not consider the album to be a "Christian" album, and performed as a favor to Livgren. After Dio left Black Sabbath in 1983, he said in a summer 1983 interview in Hit Parader magazine that he had considered working with Livgren again.

Livgren recorded three more albums with Kansas. However, 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.

Livgren 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 Livgren's studio to record a new album written entirely by Livgren, 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, Livgren 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, Livgren 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. Unfortunately, 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. Livgren 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, Livgren released a collection of previously unreleased AD songs entitled Prime Mover. It was recorded with Livgren playing all instruments with all vocals performed by Warren Ham. Michael Gleason and Dennis Holt did not perform on this album.

In 1997 Livgren rediscovered two rare live performances of AD recorded by the soundboard engineer in 1984 and 1985. Though never meant for public consumption, Livgren 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. Livgren 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 Livgren 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 Livgren his first Dove Award for Instrumental Album of the Year.

Livgren then released a double CD retrospective celebrating ten years since his first solo recording entitled Decade. It included Livgren's first two solo albums, Seeds of Change and Timeline in their entirety plus excerpts from other albums and previously unreleased songs. Enthusiasts of Livgren's music continue to hold this album in high regard, making it very hard to find.

In 1994, after moving back to Topeka, KS, Livgren 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, Livgren 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 Livgren 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, Livgren released Collector's Sedition Volume One featuring several vocalists including his nephew, Jake Livgren (see also Proto-Kaw). At this time Kerry Livgren 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 Livgren and Dave Hope, the original bassist. The album was recorded at Livgren'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 Livgren had written all the songs for a Kansas album.

Shortly after the release of Somewhere to Elsewhere, Livgren 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 Livgren as well as a live DVD of Proto-Kaw’s appearance at the 2005 Nearfest.

In 2006 he wrote the song Dust in the Wind in Gabriel & Dresden's self-titled Gabriel & Dresden (album).

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 Livgren's solo works. The untitled album's release date has not been announced.

Other Projects

Livgren 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, Livgren published his autobiography co-written with Kenneth Boa, Seeds of Change: The Spiritual Quest of Kerry Livgren. A revised and expanded edition was released in 1991 that updated the book to cover his time with AD.

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, Livgren 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 video game Guitar Hero II.

Dust in the Wind has been covered by Sarah Brightman, Christian artists Billy Smiley and Acappella and by New York Yankees center fielder and aspiring jazz guitarist Bernie Williams on his 2004 debut album The Journey Within. It has also been referenced in "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure". The song was featured in a Subaru commercial in 2006, and in the film Old School. It was also prominently featured in several episodes of the television series "Highlander". 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.

Livgren'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).

Livgren 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.

Livgren also currently teaches an adult Sunday School class at Topeka Bible Church [1], as well as having a theological study on his home website.

Though Livgren 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

with AD

with Proto-Kaw

Book Publications

  • 1980 Seeds of Change, with Kenneth Boa. revised and expanded edition was released in 1991.

See also

References

  1. ^ Topeka Bible Church - Topeka, Kansas
  2. ^ Van Pelt, Doug (1999). "Indie Album Reviews: KERRY LIVGREN". HM Magazine (75). ISSN 1066-6923. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ^ Van Pelt, Doug (2000). "Indie Album Reviews: KERRY LIVGREN". HM Magazine (84). ISSN 1066-6923. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ Van Pelt, Doug (2000). "Indie Album Reviews: AD". HM Magazine (84). ISSN 1066-6923. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
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