Deep Purple and Kansas

Over the course of a career that’s lasted almost forty years - and that’s not allowing for an eight-year break after an initial split in 1976 - Deep Purple have cemented their position as one of the most influential rock and roll bands in the history of the genre. Furthermore, they’re considered genuine pioneers of both hard rock and heavy metal after having moved away from initial roots in progressive rock, and have the commercial clout to back up their towering status within the rock community; they’ve sold in excess of one hundred million albums internationally. The current lineup features just one original member, Ian Paice on drums, although frontman Ian Gillan and bassist Roger Glover both joined the band shortly after they began, in 1969. Steve Morse, on guitar, and Don Airey on keys round out the five-piece as they stand today, and they continue to tour and record; their latest album, “Now What?!”, was released in April of 2013, and flirted with progressive metal.

That album might not have been as successful as the records that defined them back in their seventies heyday - March 1972’s “Machine Head”, which features their signature song “Smoke on the Water”, frequently features on countdowns of the greatest rock records ever - but they still pack out arenas the world over; their status as bona fide rock legends has long since been secure.

KANSAS has spent more than four decades as a part of the soundtrack of the lives of

multiple generations of music lovers. The band’s first public statement appeared on their

self-titled album in 1974. "From the beginning, we considered ourselves and our music

different and we hope we will always remain so." Little did this legendary rock group

realize that back in the early ‘70's, what seemed to be “different," was actually ahead of

its time.

This "garage band" from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 after being

discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner.

The band has produced eight gold albums, three sextuple-Platinum albums (Leftoverture,

Point of Know Return, Best of KANSAS), one platinum live album (Two for the Show),

and two one million-selling gold singles, ‘Carry On Wayward Son’ and ‘Dust in the

Wind.’ KANSAS appeared on the Billboard charts for over 200 weeks throughout the

‘70's and ‘80's and played to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout North America,

Europe and Japan. ‘Carry On Wayward Son’ was the #2 most played track on classic

rock radio in 1995 and went to #1 in 1997.

In 1998, KANSAS released an orchestral album; "Always Never the Same," recorded

with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios in London. They followed

with an orchestral tour accompanied by top-caliber symphony orchestras.

In 2000 KANSAS went back into the studio with original band member and songwriter

Kerry Livgren to produce "Somewhere to Elsewhere," the first album featuring all 6 of

the original players in 20 years! The ten new songs were written by Kerry Livgren and

recorded in his studio in Topeka, KS. Players included: Phil Ehart, Billy Greer, Dave

Hope, Kerry Livgren, Robby Steinhardt, Steve Walsh and Richard Williams.

KANSAS in 2002, released a state-of-the-art DVD using the latest technology in film,

audio and visual design, entitled “Device-Voice-Drum.” The DVD was the driving force

behind the 2002/2003 tour.

Sony Music released a boxed set in 2004 titled "Sail On" which featured unique

KANSAS cuts as well as vintage video footage on the included DVD disc.

In 2006, Kansas, released the two-disc (one CD/one DVD) anthology “Works In

Progress.” Material was taken from a decade's worth of studio and live albums and home

videos -- 1992's 'Live At The Whisky,' 1995's 'Freaks Of Nature,' 1998's 'Always Never

The Same' and 2002's 'Device Voice Drum.

In 2009, in their hometown of Topeka, KANSAS celebrated their 35th Anniversary with

a symphonic concert, accompanied by the Washburn University Symphony Orchestra,

conducted by Larry Baird. The DVD release “There's Know Place Like Home” captured

this unique live performance and featured special guests Kerry Livgren & Steve Morse

with spectacular lighting and high-resolution clarity. Available on both DVD and BluRay,

“There’s Know Place Like Home” includes favorites such as ‘Dust In The Wind,’

‘Carry On Wayward Son’ and ‘Point of Know Return’ as well as a sampling from each

album in their discography, with a special symphonic touch.

Inspired by their 35th Anniversary DVD “There’s Know Place Like Home,” KANSAS

conducted their ‘Collegiate Symphony Tour’ from 2010-2012 performing their hits

accompanied by various college and university symphonies throughout the United States

to help raise funds and awareness for collegiate music programs. In 2011, this tour lead

to a special collaboration with the US Army Orchestra culminating in the ‘Carry On

Concert’ honoring America’s veterans on Veteran’s Day 11/11/11 at DAR Constitution

Hall in Washington, DC.

Coinciding with the celebration of their 40th anniversary, the band KANSAS, was

inducted into both the Kansas Hall of Fame and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame as

recognition for their achievements from both their native state and adopted home state.

The band, which is currently comprised of original drummer Phil Ehart, bassist/vocalist

Billy Greer, keyboardist David Manion, vocalist/keyboardist Ronnie Platt,

violinist/guitarist David Ragsdale, and original guitarist Richard Williams, continues to

perform in front of large and enthusiastic audiences around the world.

Along with touring, KANSAS continues to remain a fixture of Classic Rock radio and

has reached a whole new audience through their unmistakable presence on the popular

video games Rock Band and Guitar Hero, and through their songs inclusion in various

television shows such as ‘Supernatural,’ and ‘South Park,’ and with films ‘Old School,’ and ‘Anchorman.’