Last month, we had 10-12 inches of snow on the ground as I wrote my post. This past week, we had temperatures that were more like spring than winter. All of the snow is completely gone. Mother Nature pulled a fast one on me, though. I thought Spring was arriving early. Well, the joke’s on me because we had a dusting of snow on Sunday! Anyway, welcome to the last Monday in February and another edition of Songful Style! Suzy and Shelbee decided to riff (see what I did there) on Style Imitating Art only with music! Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Suzy of Suzy Turner, and I make up the bloggers in this group. You can find all of us on our blogs and Instagram. Our ensembles (pun intended) may be inspired by the lyrics of a song, the artwork of the album cover, maybe the MTV video, or even a memory the song evokes. Suzy chose this month’s song. Last time, Shelbee selected “The Greatest Man I Never Knew” by Reba McIntyre. Oh, and there’s a link party, too!
The band…
In 1969, Don Montre and Kerry Livgren (guitars, keyboards, synthesizers) were playing in the band, the Reasons Why. They left to form a new band, Saratoga, with Lynn Meredith and Dan Wright. That band used Livgren’s original material along with Scott Kessler (bass) and Zeke Lowe (drums). In 1970, the band’s name was changed to Kansas, merging with one of their rivals, White Clover. The new band now included Dave Hope (bass) and Phil Ehart (drums, percussion), Meredith and Greg Allen (vocalists), and Larry Baker (saxophonist). This new iteration was sometimes called Kansas I and lasted until early 1971 when Ehart, Hope and some of the others left in order to reform White Clover. Lowe replaced Ehart who was later replaced by Brad Schulz. Hope’s replacement was Rod Mikinski, and Baker was replaced by John Bolton on saxophone and flute. The band was now sometimes called Kansas II. Thirty years later, the band would reform as Proto-Kaw.
Changes…
Let’s just say there were lots of changes in the line up of the band. In 1973, Ehart, Hope, Bobby Steinhardt (vocals, violin, viola, cello), Steve Walsh (vocals, keyboards, synthesizers, percussion) and Rich Williams (guitars), formerly known as White Clover (once again…are you following this) teamed up with Livgren from that Kansas II group. That group was done for at that point. In due time, the group signed a recording contract with Don Kirshner’s label after an assistant, Wally Gold, heard one of their demo tapes. He checked the band out at a local gig in March 1973 at Ellinwood, Kansas. It was at that point, the group officially returned to the name, Kansas. In 1974, their first album, Kansas, was released almost a year after recording it in New York. It defined the band’s sound…
”a mix of American-style boogie rock as well as complex, symphonic arrangements with changing time signatures. Steinhardt’s violin was a distinctive element of the group’s sound, being defined more by heartland rock than the jazz and classical influences most progressive rock violinists followed.”
Signing…
Kirshner heavily promoted the band, booking an extensive tour for their debut album as well as the two follow-ups, Song for America and Masque. Their fourth album, Leftoverture, released in October 1976 produced our song, “Carry on Wayward Son.” The song became a hit in 1977. Their next album, Point of Know Return, contained the band’s second big hit, “Dust in the Wind.” These last two albums sold over four million copies in the United States. And, both singles were certified gold singles, selling over 1,000,000 copies each. In 2005, “Dust in the Wind” was certified gold as a digital download by the Recording Industry Association of America, almost 30 years after selling 1,000,000 copies as a single. Eventually, Leftoverture was certified five times platinum by the RIAA in 2001.
Success…
Kansas became a major headlining act and sold out places like New York’s Madison Square Garden. In 1978, the band released Two for the Show, a double live album of recordings from its 1977 and 1978 tours. Fans knew the band’s live reproductions were faithful to their studio recordings. The band released Monolith in 1979 but wasn’t as successful as the last two albums. It would eventually go platinum.
More changes…
During the early 80s, tensions rose as these things do in most bands. Livgren and Hope became evangelical Christians with their music reflecting those beliefs. In 1980, Audio-Visions was released and would be the final album with the original line up as well as being the last studio album to be certified gold by the RIAA. Over the years, the band’s members would change over creative differences as well as the lyrical direction of albums. By December 1983, Livgren and Hope left; Livgren left because he felt his Christian worldview wasn’t being represented by the band. The band continued to put out albums through the 80s and 90s with changes in personnel, including the lead singer. Original members would drop in for occasional guest performances. John Elefante, one of the lead singers, went on to have a successful Contemporary Christian music artist and hasn’t performed with the group since leaving.
A “Reunion”…
A German promoter arranged a reunion of the original band members (except for Steinhardt) for a European tour in 1990. Hope left at the end of the tour, but Livgren remained with them into 1991. It seems like the band formed, reformed, and reformed until it really wasn’t the Kansas I knew and loved in the 80s. It seemed like a constant movement of chess pieces moving all around the board as I tried to keep up. Needless to say, I couldn’t. So, I will refer you to the sources listed below.
40th Anniversary…
On March 1, 2013, the band announced a 40th anniversary celebration. But, Steinhardt suffered a heart attack days before the concert and wasn’t able to be there. The show went on because it’s, well, show business! It was billed as the 40th Anniversary Fan Appreciation Concert and was performed in Pittsburgh on August 17, 2013 at the Benedum Center (formerly the Stanley Theater). This was the venue that gave them national recognition. Strangely, it must not have been intended to be the original members because it
“featured guest appearances by Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope and the first set featured symphonic accompaniment by the Three Rivers Orchestra, conducted by Larry Baird. Intermission featured Phil Ehart overseeing random prize drawings of autographed band merchandise, videotaped 40th anniversary well-wishes from other bands, and an exclusive first-look at the trailer for the upcoming feature-length documentary Miracles Out of Nowhere.”
Popular use…
“Carry On Wayward Son” is used frequently throughout the show, Supernatural and also appears in that show’s anime series. Many consider it the show’s unofficial theme song. The band has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. Strangely, it was considered a “garage band” from Topeka before its debut release in 1974. It didn’t seem that way to me, but what do I know! The band released 16 studio albums, many of which reached gold status as well as platinum. You can also read, basically, the same information on the Kansas website, found here.
Source…
The song…
Carry on, my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more
Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion
I was soaring ever higher
But I flew too high
Though my eyes could see, I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think, I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I’m dreaming
I can hear them say
Carry on, my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more
Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man, well
It surely means that I don’t know
On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about, I’m like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune
But I hear the voices say
Carry on my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more (no)
(Carry on), you will always remember
(Carry on), nothing equals the splendor
Now your life’s no longer empty
Surely heaven waits for you
Carry on, my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry (don’t you cry no more)
No more
What it means…
The song comes from guitarist and chief songwriter, Kerry Livgren…a song he’d written at the last minute.
“In keeping with the group’s strong religious beliefs, the guitarist still suspects that a helping hand from above may have played a part in the song’s meaning. ‘It’s an autobiographical song,’ he (Livgren) explains. ‘Parallel to my musical career I’ve always been on a spiritual sojourn, looking for truth and meaning. It was a song of self-encouragement. I was telling myself to keep on looking and I would find what I sought (source).’”
The video…
Interesting covers…
I really like this version with two people harmonizing quite beautifully. It’s a slower version which just seems right. I couldn’t get the video to embed, but the link appears below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKvj12YTtI4
Not my favorite but I know many people like this band.
This appears to be from a television show and is built into the scene. It’s also acapella and not too bad.
Finally, Leo comes through for me!
Oh, this one is good!
I think this is the same guy doing all the parts. It’s actually very good.
My interpretation…
Well, this wasn’t the most creative interpretation I’ve ever done. I considered wearing something I would have worn when the song came out. But, honestly, I couldn’t remember what that was. It was the year I graduated from high school and got married. I suppose I could have tried my wedding dress, but I highly doubt it fits! And, it’s a bit on the fragile side. but, since the song came out in 1976, the year I got married, I decided to wear something similar to what I would have worn then. I would have worn high waisted bell bottoms…really huge bells bottoms. Today, I’m wearing high waisted wide leg jeans from Old Navy. I obviously couldn’t recall many exact outfits, and the ones I could remember, I don’t have anything nearly close to that. So, I went with what I wore on our honeymoon. Nigel and I had brand new jobs and could only take one day off. We went to Cedar Point, an amusement park! I wore jeans, a tube top, and a gauze short sleeved top. Today, I’m wearing a pink 3/4 Halftee (gifted) which is as close as I get to a tube top these days! Just a reminder, you can use my code, MARSHA2098, for 20% off your order. Over the top, I wore my trusty April Cornell lace blouse. I knotted it at the top, and yes, that’s my stomach you see. You would have seen it in 1976 so you’re seeing it in 2026!
The Lewk!
I definitely wouldn’t have worn clogs to Cedar Point. In fact, I’m not sure what I did wear. I’m sure they were some flat sandals. But, for today’s look, I’m wearing my trusty “milk maid” clogs from Born. These are going on 16 years old and are just as much fun as the clogs I had in the 70s! I added a pair of kantha statement earrings from World Finds, but I can’t find them on their website. If you like them, just check back often. They frequently do restocks. On my honeymoon, I would have worn this ingenious pair of gold hoops my mom had bought me. They were the same size as a post all the way around. One end fit into the other, making a hoop. Over time, they warped, and they would twang when they came undone. At first, I’d always jump at the boing they’d make. But, then I got used to it. As with other things, I wonder what happened to them. I wore them almost all the time.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
There were a couple of things that really surprised me with Kansas. I didn’t know they were considered Christian music. I also didn’t know about all the changes in membership. I really only remember the two songs, “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind.” For some reason, I thought I was a big fan. I mean, I was a big fan of those two songs so may be I still am? So, can we talk? Do you consider Kansas a Christian band? Were you around in the 70s and remember the fashions? How would you have interpreted this song? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
Thank you!
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Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World. I also link up with I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop (Esme’s Salon) and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month as well as the Global Writing Challenge on the second Thursday. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, Cat, and Rena. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
And, now, it’s your turn!
Please link up your favorite posts, DIY, baking, gardening, fashion…you name it…as long as it’s family friendly! Link up with me, visit a couple of others, and leave a comment or two! No worries if you don’t have a blog, just look around! You may find a new blog just waiting for you!
To be honest, I think I just know “Dust in the Wind”, but up I’m famously bad with knowing who sang what because I often didn’t care if it wasn’t a band or singer I really wanted to hear more from.
Your outfit is a nice flashback!
OMG, Marsha, I adore this sassy 70s inspired outfit and I am loving that you exposed a little midriff! You look freaking fantastic! I really enjoyed reading about your personal style in 1976. Oh, I do wish you had some photos of 1976 Marsha. My 1976 style was dictated by my mom as I was only 2! Ha. But she dressed us well in her homemade creations. I had no idea that Kansas had Christian roots either and I was astonished at the extensive lineup changes. That doesn’t feel very “band-y” to me. To me, great bands are the ones with steady members who have a great rapport with each other. How do you get the magical chemistry if the band members are constantly changing? I suppose I would say that I like Kansas’s music but I really only know “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind” and I like both. This was a fun challenge but I am really excited for the Joan Jett one!
Shelbee