KANSAS, THE MIDWESTERN BAR BAND TURNED DARLINGS OF PROGRESSIVE AND ALBUM-ORIENTED ROCK, is celebrating an anniversary. Its Point of Know Return album — from which this tour draws its name — was released 40 years ago. To mark the occasion, Kansas is playing the entire quadruple-platinum-selling album live for the first time on this tour. Kansas was born in Topeka in 1973. Within five years, all seven members lived in Atlanta. So it’s fitting that the band that “couldn’t draw flies” while gigging in its home state (according to guitarist Rich Williams), begins this tour in Georgia. “Topeka was a nice place to grow up and a nice place to be,” Williams says, “but we came to Atlanta, and there were all these beautiful girls and a very alive music scene.” Kansas spent many a night playing in legendary Atlanta promoter Alex Cooley’s clubs. “It made sense to move here.” Williams and drummer Phil Ehart are the only band members that played on every Kansas recording (a catalog, to date, of 20 studio and live releases). They’re the last remaining original members still in the group. “Most of my friends have retired,” says Williams, 68. “I get to do what I want to do. I always just wanted to play in a band, be part of a team.” He doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon. Kansas played 98 dates in 2016 and has 60 concerts booked for 2019. Williams credits the band’s fan base for giving Kansas some of its - longevity. ENCORE ATLANTA | ATLANTA’S PERFORMING ARTS PUBLICATION | ENCORE ATLANTA.COM
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