Phil Ehart, the original and longstanding drummer of classic rockers Kansas, recently suffered a major heart attack. While he’s stepping away from performing for the time being, he will continue his role as the band’s manager.
Eric Holmquist, who has filled in for Ehart previously, will man the drum kit when Kansas’ ongoing 50th anniversary tour resumes March 1st in Richmond, Virginia. The North American leg is scheduled through a May 18th show in New Haven, Connecticut, with tickets available here.
Kansas issued the following statement on Friday morning (February 23rd):
“Kansas original drummer and band manager, Phil Ehart, is taking time away from touring as drummer for Kansas while he recovers after recently surviving a major heart attack. There is no timetable for his return to the road. While not on the road, Phil is remaining in a prominent role with Kansas during his recovery, serving as band manager,...
Eric Holmquist, who has filled in for Ehart previously, will man the drum kit when Kansas’ ongoing 50th anniversary tour resumes March 1st in Richmond, Virginia. The North American leg is scheduled through a May 18th show in New Haven, Connecticut, with tickets available here.
Kansas issued the following statement on Friday morning (February 23rd):
“Kansas original drummer and band manager, Phil Ehart, is taking time away from touring as drummer for Kansas while he recovers after recently surviving a major heart attack. There is no timetable for his return to the road. While not on the road, Phil is remaining in a prominent role with Kansas during his recovery, serving as band manager,...
- 2/23/2024
- by Spencer Kaufman
- Consequence - Music
Kansas founding member Kerry Livgren hesitated to bring “Dust In The Wind” to his bandmates, thinking they wouldn’t like it. In a surprising twist, the song was a huge success and helped launch the band’s music career. Even though the song wound up being Kansas’s only top-10 hit, it almost didn’t happen.
Phil Ehart recalled hearing ‘Dust In The Wind’ for the first time
What started out as a chord pattern Livgren used as a fingerpicking exercise turned into Kansas’ most popular song. However, for several reasons, the “Dust In The Wind” almost didn’t exist.
In a recent interview with Ucr, Kansas drummer Phil Ehart recalled the day Livgren showed them the song.
“When Kerry played ‘Dust In The Wind’ for us. We had never really done an entire acoustic song,” Ehart explained. “I think we had some acoustic interludes and stuff in some of our music.
Phil Ehart recalled hearing ‘Dust In The Wind’ for the first time
What started out as a chord pattern Livgren used as a fingerpicking exercise turned into Kansas’ most popular song. However, for several reasons, the “Dust In The Wind” almost didn’t exist.
In a recent interview with Ucr, Kansas drummer Phil Ehart recalled the day Livgren showed them the song.
“When Kerry played ‘Dust In The Wind’ for us. We had never really done an entire acoustic song,” Ehart explained. “I think we had some acoustic interludes and stuff in some of our music.
- 4/16/2023
- by Rose Burke
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In the mid-’70s, Kansas rose to fame with the hit “Carry On Wayward Son,” featured on the classic rock band’s fourth studio album, Leftoverture. The group followed that with two big songs off its fifth album, Point of Know Return, making Kansas a household name. However, drummer Phil Ehart says releasing three back-to-back hits was unintentional.
‘Point of Know Return’ featured 2 hit songs
Kansas released Point of Know Return in 1977. The studio album featured the band’s biggest hit, “Dust in the Wind,” and other fan favorites, including “Sparks of the Tempest” and “Closet Chronicles.” In a January 2023 conversation with Ultimate Classic Rock, Ehart explained how the title track became an unexpected hit.
“[Point of Know Return] was a title I came up with. I had no idea that Steve [Walsh] was going to base the song around the title. He said, ‘You mind if I use that title?’ I said, ‘We’re...
‘Point of Know Return’ featured 2 hit songs
Kansas released Point of Know Return in 1977. The studio album featured the band’s biggest hit, “Dust in the Wind,” and other fan favorites, including “Sparks of the Tempest” and “Closet Chronicles.” In a January 2023 conversation with Ultimate Classic Rock, Ehart explained how the title track became an unexpected hit.
“[Point of Know Return] was a title I came up with. I had no idea that Steve [Walsh] was going to base the song around the title. He said, ‘You mind if I use that title?’ I said, ‘We’re...
- 4/15/2023
- by Rose Burke
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Before the members of Kansas found their sound, they had a very different approach to rock music. Guitarist Rich Williams went so far as to describe their playing as “aggressive” and untrained. However, that changed when outside influences inspired the band to take a more orchestral approach.
Rich Williams credited the introduction of prog rock for Kansas’ sound
Fans may have a hard time imagining the band best known for hits like “Carry on Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind” having a heavy sound. But according to Williams, that was common for the founding members who played together as teens. In a recent interview with Guitar World, he recalled their playing style, saying:
“Prior to Kansas, Dave Hope [bass], and I had played together previously in a band. And we were playing the rock hits of the days, and because none of us were trained, we didn’t understand a delicate approach to anything.
Rich Williams credited the introduction of prog rock for Kansas’ sound
Fans may have a hard time imagining the band best known for hits like “Carry on Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind” having a heavy sound. But according to Williams, that was common for the founding members who played together as teens. In a recent interview with Guitar World, he recalled their playing style, saying:
“Prior to Kansas, Dave Hope [bass], and I had played together previously in a band. And we were playing the rock hits of the days, and because none of us were trained, we didn’t understand a delicate approach to anything.
- 4/14/2023
- by Rose Burke
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The band responsible for the hit songs “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind” has announced their anniversary tour scheduled to kick off in June. Fifty years after Kansas brought progressive rock to the United States, the band is hitting the road with a special musical rendition of their most popular songs for their fans.
(L-r) Kansas: Miracles Out of Nowhere director Charles Randazzo with guitarist Richard Williams, violinist Robby Steinhardt, drummer Phil Ehart, and producer Budd Carr in 2015 | Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Santa Barbara International Film Festival Kansas will debut ‘Another Fork in the Road’ in Pittsburg
Almost immediately after wrapping up the “Kansas Classics” tour in May, Kansas kicks off its next tour, “Another Fork in the Road,” in Pittsburg on June 2. The tour will showcase five decades of the band’s music for fans nationwide, hitting major cities along both coasts.
According to a press release on KanasasBand.
(L-r) Kansas: Miracles Out of Nowhere director Charles Randazzo with guitarist Richard Williams, violinist Robby Steinhardt, drummer Phil Ehart, and producer Budd Carr in 2015 | Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Santa Barbara International Film Festival Kansas will debut ‘Another Fork in the Road’ in Pittsburg
Almost immediately after wrapping up the “Kansas Classics” tour in May, Kansas kicks off its next tour, “Another Fork in the Road,” in Pittsburg on June 2. The tour will showcase five decades of the band’s music for fans nationwide, hitting major cities along both coasts.
According to a press release on KanasasBand.
- 4/12/2023
- by Rose Burke
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Since its release in 1977, Kansas’s most notable song has inspired dozens of covers and adaptations. Musicians have transformed the hit “Dust in the Wind” into nearly every genre imaginable, including rap and electronica. While some bands wouldn’t find the constant rewriting of their music flattering, Kansas drummer Phil Ehart has a different opinion.
Phil Ehart shared his opinion on the covers of the Kansas song ‘Dust in the Wind’ Musician Phil Ehart (Drums) of Kansas performs as part of Kansas In Concert at Centro de Bellas Artes on February 21, 2016 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. | Gv Cruz/WireImage
Every kind of musician has covered “Dust in the Wind” at some point, from established artists to beginners and everyone in between. According to SecondHandSongs, over 100 bands and musicians have covered the song, starting with Irish singer Mary O’Hara in 1978. Other notable musicians to cover the Kansas hit include German opera singer Peter Hofmann,...
Phil Ehart shared his opinion on the covers of the Kansas song ‘Dust in the Wind’ Musician Phil Ehart (Drums) of Kansas performs as part of Kansas In Concert at Centro de Bellas Artes on February 21, 2016 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. | Gv Cruz/WireImage
Every kind of musician has covered “Dust in the Wind” at some point, from established artists to beginners and everyone in between. According to SecondHandSongs, over 100 bands and musicians have covered the song, starting with Irish singer Mary O’Hara in 1978. Other notable musicians to cover the Kansas hit include German opera singer Peter Hofmann,...
- 4/12/2023
- by Rose Burke
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Kansas guitarist Rich Williams joined the band known for its rotating roster in 1972. He’s one of the few among his bandmates to stick around since the early days, ensuring he crossed paths with dozens of incredible musicians over the decades. As it turns out, a particular music legend stuck out more than others.
Rich Williams called working with Steve Morse ‘terrifying’ Rich Williams | Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
Renowned guitarist Steve Morse joined Kansas in the mid-’80s, which Williams recently admitted intimidated him. In an interview with Guitar World, he recalled what it was like working with the Morse on Power, the band’s first album to feature them both.
“When we first started rehearsing in Phil [Ehart] ‘s basement, I was sitting down with Steve, and he had just been awarded the best guitar player ever for the third year in a row and was now in the Hall of Fame.
Rich Williams called working with Steve Morse ‘terrifying’ Rich Williams | Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
Renowned guitarist Steve Morse joined Kansas in the mid-’80s, which Williams recently admitted intimidated him. In an interview with Guitar World, he recalled what it was like working with the Morse on Power, the band’s first album to feature them both.
“When we first started rehearsing in Phil [Ehart] ‘s basement, I was sitting down with Steve, and he had just been awarded the best guitar player ever for the third year in a row and was now in the Hall of Fame.
- 4/6/2023
- by Rose Burke
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Kansas fans may find it hard to believe the band never had a number one hit song, despite releasing catchy tunes that would still play on the radio decades later. The progressive rock band is best known for their hit single “Carry On Wayward Son,” but even this classic song didn’t crack the Top 10. Instead, it was another track by Kansas that reached number six on music charts and became the band’s highest-charting song.
‘Dust in the Wind’ by Kansas landed the number six spot in 1978 Musicians Rich Williams, Tom Brislin, Billy Greer, Phil Ehart, David Ragsdale and Ronnie Platt of the classic rock band Kansas perform onstage in 2022 I Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
Released in 1978, “Dust in the Wind” peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, remaining on the list for 20 weeks. Its success stunned band members, including the song’s writer Kerry Livgren. During...
‘Dust in the Wind’ by Kansas landed the number six spot in 1978 Musicians Rich Williams, Tom Brislin, Billy Greer, Phil Ehart, David Ragsdale and Ronnie Platt of the classic rock band Kansas perform onstage in 2022 I Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
Released in 1978, “Dust in the Wind” peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, remaining on the list for 20 weeks. Its success stunned band members, including the song’s writer Kerry Livgren. During...
- 3/19/2023
- by Rose Burke
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Robby Steinhardt, violinist and co-lead vocalist of the rock outfit Kansas, died Saturday, July 17th. He was 71.
Steinhardt’s wife, Cindy Steinhardt, confirmed his death on Facebook. Cindy said Steinhardt was admitted to the hospital with acute pancreatitis in May. Not long after, he went into acute septic shock and was placed on life support, and although the outlook was “very grave” at the time, he managed to recover. However, several months later, just as he was about to be released from medical care and moved to a rehab center,...
Steinhardt’s wife, Cindy Steinhardt, confirmed his death on Facebook. Cindy said Steinhardt was admitted to the hospital with acute pancreatitis in May. Not long after, he went into acute septic shock and was placed on life support, and although the outlook was “very grave” at the time, he managed to recover. However, several months later, just as he was about to be released from medical care and moved to a rehab center,...
- 7/19/2021
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Groupon has bought rival daily-deals site LivingSocial, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. The acquisition is expected to close next month and the exact purchase value has not been released. LivingSocial Inc. was previously valued at $1 billion but has been on a downward spiral of late, and cut half its workforce in March. Also Read: Why At&T-Time Warner Deal Could Kickstart More Big Media Mergers “Deals happen when they’re available out on the market,” Groupon Chief Executive Rich Williams said of the acquisition, according to the Journal. “The holiday season is a good time to get that done.
- 10/26/2016
- by Debbie Emery
- The Wrap
Melissa McCarthy teams up with her husband, Ben Falcone, for .Tammy.. They co-wrote the movie together and Falcone directed. Is their collaboration a must see or just a hot mess? Take a look at my review of .Tammy..
For my interview with Melissa McCarthy, click here
Interview with Susan Sarandon, click here
Interview with Kathy Bates, click here
Interviews with Gary Cole and Mark Duplass, click here
Interview with director Ben Falcone, click here
Official .Tammy. Plot:
Tammy (Melissa McCarthy) is having a bad day. She's totaled her clunker car, gotten fired from her thankless job at a greasy burger joint and, instead of finding comfort at home, finds her husband getting comfortable with the neighbor in her own house. It's time to take her boom box and book it. The bad news is she's broke and without wheels. The worse news is her grandma, Pearl (Susan Sarandon), is her only option-with a car,...
For my interview with Melissa McCarthy, click here
Interview with Susan Sarandon, click here
Interview with Kathy Bates, click here
Interviews with Gary Cole and Mark Duplass, click here
Interview with director Ben Falcone, click here
Official .Tammy. Plot:
Tammy (Melissa McCarthy) is having a bad day. She's totaled her clunker car, gotten fired from her thankless job at a greasy burger joint and, instead of finding comfort at home, finds her husband getting comfortable with the neighbor in her own house. It's time to take her boom box and book it. The bad news is she's broke and without wheels. The worse news is her grandma, Pearl (Susan Sarandon), is her only option-with a car,...
- 7/4/2014
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Image Entertainment will be giving us some 'Last Kind Words' when it releases the Kevin Barker mystery horror flick onto DVD and VOD on 21 May across the Us. The movie revolves around Eli, played by Spencer Daniels, who moves to a secluded rural farm and learns that the surrounding woods have flesh-crawling stories to tell. Barker helms from his own screenplay based on a story penned by Amy Riherd Miller. 'Last Kind Words' stars Daniels along with 'The Secret Circle' and 'Jack Reacher' star Alexia Fast (below). Marianne Hagan, Sarah Steele, Clay Wilcox, Rich Williams and the awesome Brad Dourif ('Child's Play') also star. Check out the DVD art below....
- 3/22/2013
- Horror Asylum
Tagline: "Love is Haunting." Image Entertainment is set to release the coming of age thriller Last Kind Words. This title will release on DVD May 21st and the story offers a few twists. Eli, played by Spencer Daniels, is seduced by the beautiful Amanda (Alexia Fast). But, Amanda is hiding a few secrets. Amanda's property is littered with macabre sights, which Eli cannot forgive, nor forget. Last Kind Words is an indie production from writer, editor and director Kevin Barker. This title is Barker's first feature length film as director. And, fans of mystery are encouraged to take a look at the film's trailer, found below. Release Date: May 21st, 2013 (DVD). Director: Kevin Barker. Writers: Kevin Barker and Amy Riherd Miller. Cast: Brad Dourif, Spencer Daniels, Alexia Fast, Marianne Hagan, Sarah Steele, Clay Wilcox and Rich Williams. The trailer for Last Kind Words is here: *the official DVD artwork for...
- 2/8/2013
- by noreply@blogger.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Director/Writer: Dustin Rikert.
Cast: Sam McConkey, Paulino Hemmer, Mike Lawler, Shari Wiedmann, and Rich Williams.
If there is ever a movie which is reminiscent of the schlock in theatres from the late 70's to mid 80's, then Death Hunter: Werewolves vs. Vampires is it. The script's underlying silliness is too obvious. If treated as a horror comedy, then the laughs have some merit.
Watching this film is like watching some of the silliness from the television series "Freddy's Nightmare" (1988-90), when Freddy is no longer scary, or Re-Animator (1985), where Dr. Carl Hill (David Gale) goads Herbert West on. Although the actors are trying to be serious, the end result is very mixed. The blood and guts spilled are low budget, and the acting uneven. At least Sotreum (Paulino Hemmer) is interesting as a suave antagonistic vampire.
Intentional or not, this movie is more like a dark action adventure...
Cast: Sam McConkey, Paulino Hemmer, Mike Lawler, Shari Wiedmann, and Rich Williams.
If there is ever a movie which is reminiscent of the schlock in theatres from the late 70's to mid 80's, then Death Hunter: Werewolves vs. Vampires is it. The script's underlying silliness is too obvious. If treated as a horror comedy, then the laughs have some merit.
Watching this film is like watching some of the silliness from the television series "Freddy's Nightmare" (1988-90), when Freddy is no longer scary, or Re-Animator (1985), where Dr. Carl Hill (David Gale) goads Herbert West on. Although the actors are trying to be serious, the end result is very mixed. The blood and guts spilled are low budget, and the acting uneven. At least Sotreum (Paulino Hemmer) is interesting as a suave antagonistic vampire.
Intentional or not, this movie is more like a dark action adventure...
- 3/5/2012
- by noreply@blogger.com (Ed Sum)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Olly Murs has admitted that he is "shocked" by Frankie Cocozza's exit from The X Factor. Radio Aire's Rich Williams and Naomi Kent broke the news to Murs whilst he was visiting 96.3 Radio Aire in Leeds. On being told of Cocozza's departure, Murs said: "Shut up. Wow. Is that serious? Frankie's been kicked off The X Factor? "Well, let's see if I've got my phone. This is interesting. This is exclusive, right here. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. I'm just getting texts now, this is amazing. "Wow. Everyone's been saying, 'Hi all, just to let you know everyone that Frankie's left The X Factor'. Oh my God. Why has he left?" Murs immediately contacted his Xtra Factor co-host Caroline Flack, saying: "Caroline, Caroline, where are you? Oh my God. I'm going to ping (more)...
- 11/8/2011
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
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