List of Kansas band members

In 1969, Don Montre and Kerry Livgren (guitars, keyboards, synthesizers) were performing in a band called the Reasons Why in their hometown of Topeka, Kansas.

[1] White Clover members Dave Hope (bass) and Phil Ehart (drums, percussion) joined with Livgren, vocalists Meredith and Greg Allen, keyboardists Montre and Wright and saxophonist Larry Baker.

The group's next lineup change came in October 1981, when frontman Walsh left the band during the early stages of writing for their eighth studio album Vinyl Confessions.

[10] Six months after the release of Drastic Measures, both Livgren and Hope left Kansas to form AD, a Christian rock outfit.

[11] In 1984, the remaining trio of Elefante, Williams and Ehart recorded one song, "Perfect Lover", for the compilation album The Best of Kansas issued that year.

"[6] After around a year later, it was announced in July 1985 that Kansas had reformed with original vocalist Steve Walsh, who was then touring with Cheap Trick as their live keyboardist.

[14][15] Morse recorded two albums with the group – Power and In the Spirit of Things – before leaving in 1989 to promote his third solo effort (the first under just his name) High Tension Wires.

[19] A second leg in North America was scheduled for the following year, with Hope bowing out after the first, before Livgren left again and Morse returned to complete the dates.

[21] Kansas settled in the early 1990s with the lineup of Walsh, Williams, Greer, Ehart, Robert and Ragsdale, releasing Live at the Whisky in 1992 and Freaks of Nature, their first studio album in seven years, in 1995.

[29] After several more years touring, Kansas parted ways with violinist and vocalist Robby Steinhardt for a second time in March 2006, which Steve Walsh described as "one of the most difficult things we've ever had to do".

"[33] In July, Walsh's impending replacement on lead vocals was announced to be Ronnie Platt,[34] while David Manion – a bandmate of Billy Greer's in Seventh Key – was added as the group's new main keyboardist.

[37] After another live album recorded on a tour to mark the 40th anniversary of Leftoverture,[38] Manion left Kansas "to pursue other musical endeavors" in December 2018, with Tom Brislin taking his place.