Classic rock band Kansas to bring 50th anniversary tour to Topeka Performing Arts Center
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There's no place like home, and the classic rock band Kansas — which was formed in Topeka — will return here to perform as part of its 50th anniversary tour at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4, at the Topeka Performing Arts Center.
Tickets, ranging in price from $49 to $129, will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday and can be purchased through Ticketmaster, on the TPAC website or in person at the box office at TPAC, 214 S.E. 8th, TPAC said in a news release.
The concert will feature "two full hours of memorable hits, fan favorites and deep cuts rarely performed live," the release said.
Who plays in Kansas?
The Topeka concert was added at a time when the band's current 50th anniversary tour, titled "Another Fork in the Road," is being extended as a result of "brisk ticket sales and numerous sellouts," the news release said.
“Heck, the first 50 dates didn’t even include the state of Kansas," the release quoted band manager and drummer Phil Ehart as saying. "You know we must perform there!”
The ongoing tour includes performances scheduled for Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23, both in Salina.
Ehart announced last month he had suffered a major heart attack and was temporarily taking time away from the tour. Eric Holmquist is filling in as drummer in Ehart's absence. The news release didn't say whether Ehart might be back for the Topeka concert.
In addition to Ehart, members of Kansas are its only other original member, guitarist Rich Williams; bassist and vocalist Billy Greer; lead vocalist and keyboardist Ronnie Platt; keyboardist and vocalist Tom Brislin; and violinist and guitarist Joe Deninzon.
What's the band's history?
The band in its original form included 1967 Topeka West High School graduate Kerry Livgren and 1968 Topeka West grads Ehart, Williams and Dave Hope.
The four teamed up to form Kansas in 1973 with Robby Steinhardt, who grew up in Lawrence, and Steve Walsh, who grew up in St. Joseph, Mo.
The members of Kansas went on to become rock stars, selling more than 15 million records.
Their songs made the Billboard Magazine American Top 40 seven times, including reaching No. 6 in 1978 with "Dust in the Wind" and No. 11 in 1977 with "Carry on Wayward Son."
The band has seen various lineup changes over the years. Kansas now makes its home in Atlanta.
Steinhardt died in 2021.
Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Rock band Kansas to appear Oct. 4 at Topeka Performing Arts Center
