 Kerry
Livgren contributed much of what made their music so unique --
specifically, its complexity and lyrics that spoke of a restless
search for truth. In 1976, while Walsh was suffering from a bout
with writer's block, Livgren penned nearly all the songs on their
Leftoverture album, including their smash hit "Carry on Wayward
Son." The following year saw an even greater commercial success on
the strength of their Point of Know Return album, which featured the
existential Livgren-penned "Dust in the Wind."
Kerry
Livgren
was born in Topeka, Kansas the first son in a family of six. Drawn
to music at a young age, his first musical interests developed with
classical and jazz influences while his peers were embracing Elvis
Presley. Starting with an electric guitar he built himself, Kerry
focused on writing songs as he learned to play -- seeking to create
songs that if nothing else, were original.
Kerry's
first band was the Gimlets, which he formed with several close
friends in high school. After school and on weekends, they soon
found themselves booked throughout Kansas and neighboring Missouri.
Kerry's involvement with the band continued through college, before
joining the Mellotones, a mainstream rhythm and blues band. Driven
by a desire for more creative expression, Kerry formed Saratoga, who
played for audience members around the area, including a young
drummer named Phil Ehart and a bass player, Dave Hope.
In 1970,
they formed the group, Kansas, combining the best members from their
respective bands. Known for their sometimes bizarre originality, the
band went through several iterations before becoming the six-member
group signed by Don Kirshner in 1973.
Kerry
remained with the band for 13 years as the band's primary song
writer, lead guitarist and keyboard player. Penning such hits as
"Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind," Kerry propelled the
band to worldwide success and critical acclaim, with numerous gold
and multi-platinum albums.
Kerry Livgren & his Ed Roman Pearlcaster
In 1980
Kerry Livgren released his first solo work, Seeds of Change,
featuring vocalists Ronnie James Dio and David Pack of Ambrosia,
drummer Barriemore Barlow, and guest spots by friends from Kansas.
Also accompanying the album was Kerry's book of the same name.
Together, they expressed the passage and resolution of Kerry's
spiritual journey, often the subject of his songs with Kansas.
Following
his departure from Kansas in 1983, Kerry recorded his second
self-produced album for CBS, Timeline, in the same year. With the
musicians involved in that project, he formed the band, AD. Between
1983 and 1986, the band released two albums and toured extensively.
Kerry next
signed with Sparrow records and released Prime Mover in 1988,
followed by his first instrumental work, One of Several Possible
Musiks in 1989. Exploring a new musical direction, this confluence
of orchestral and rock styles received the Dove Award for
Instrumental Album of the Year.
 Kerry
concluded this period with his final album for Sparrow. Decade was a
double CD retrospective marking ten years since his first solo
recording. Featuring two complete albums, excerpts from others and
previously unreleased songs, the set continues to be highly regarded
among enthusiasts of his music.
In 1994,
Kerry moved from Atlanta back to his home town of Topeka Kansas.
Once there, he initiated his production companies, Grandyzine, and
record company, Numavox Records. As part of this work, he
constructed a state-of-the-art recording and production facility on
his farm, in the frame of a restored barn. This studio would serve
as the nexus of his and many other musician's work through the
present day.
"Though I
dearly love Georgia, it was great to be back in Kansas (the state)
again. I immediately felt at home. There's something about returning
to your roots that's inspiring." Composed over the period of two
years, Kerry's next album clearly expressed this sentiment as one
his most celebrated. Entitled "When Things Get Electric," this 1995
release was also the debut album for Kerry's new label.
Over the
next several years, Kerry worked on recording projects with other
artists, before returning to solo work in 1997. That year saw the
release of his first soundtrack, for the third SONY's Mind's Eye
computer animation feature, comprising the work of more than 100
computer artists.
Numavox
released Prime Mover II in the spring of 1998, a complete
re-recording of Livgren's original 1988 album (Sparrow), plus five
new tracks featuring the single "Incantos", which he described as
another completely new direction, and one of his most inspired
lyrics. The CD also features his first re-recording of a Kansas
song. ("Fair Exchange" from Vinyl Confessions.)
His next CD
was the solo effort, Collector's Sedition Volume One, on Numavox. It
featured the talents of several vocalists, including Kerry's nephew,
Jake Livgren. "Jake began singing with me on a family trip to
Georgia in 1992," Kerry says. "We were just goofing around in the
studio but I quickly realized he had serious potential and lacked
only experience. Over time my instincts have proven to be correct."
The new
millennium saw the reunion of Kansas for the much anticipated
release, Somewhere to Elsewhere. For this album, Kerry Livgren
returned to his traditional role as the group's songwriter, lead
guitarist and keyboardist. Recorded at the Numavox Studio, Kerry
also produced the album. Many longtime fans feel it to be among the
band's very best.
Hot on the heels of the Kansas release, Kerry began work on The Best
of Kerry Livgren, an album celebrating 20 years since his first solo
album. Both retrospective and forward-looking, it contains tracks
from all his solo releases and those with the band, AD. There are
also 2 brand new songs and new recordings of 4 others. Each of these
new versions features the original vocalists, including Warren Ham,
Michael Gleason and Ronnie James Dio.
Kerry is
now working on the most ambitious work of his career, entitled
"Cantata: The Resurrection Lazarus." An epic, orchestral and vocal
composition, it has been under development for almost 20 years. The
piece features a large ensemble cast, including Matthew Ward, Phil
Keaggy, David Pack and Kansas drummer Phil Ehart.
Though
Kerry Livgren is known for his music, he will quickly point out that
it is only one of his many pursuits. "I'm a family man, I have a
role in my church, I'm running a record label, a studio, a
production company, a farm, and I have more hobbies and interests
than there are hours in the day."
And while
Kerry may have just completed his best-of, the greatest is yet to
come.
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