Fusing the complexity of British prog rock with an American heartland sound representative of their name, Kansas were formed in Topeka in 1970.The founding members of the group were guitarist Kerry Livgren, bassist Dave Hope, and drummer Phil Ehart , with the 1971 addition of classically trained violinist Robbie Steinhardt and the 1972 arrivals of vocalist/keyboardist Steve Walsh and guitarist Richard Williams.
Steinhardt's violin was a distinctive element of the group's sound and set them apart from other progressive rock groups of the era. The band slowly developed a cult following, due to extensive touring for the debut album and its two follow-ups, Song for America and Masque.
Their most successful allbums are Leftoverture, 1976, which produced a hit single, "Carry On Wayward Son", and Point of Know Return, 1977, featured the title track and "Dust in the Wind," both hit singles. Leftoverture and Point each sold over four million copies in the U.S. Both "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind" were certified gold singles, selling over one million units each.
During this period, Kansas became a major headlining act and sold out the largest venues available to rock bands at the time, including New York's Madison Square Garden. The band documented this era in 1978 with Two for the Show, a double live album of recordings from various performances from its 1977 and 1978 tours. The band gained a solid reputation for faithful live reproduction of their studio recordings. In 1978 the band was named UNICEF Deputy Ambassadors of Goodwill.
"Dust in the Wind" was released in 1977. Its slow melody and melancholy lyrics differ from their other hits. The guitar part is played by two guitarists on six-string guitars, one in standard tuning and the other in Nashville tuning, in unison to create a chimy sound similar to a twelve-string guitar.The song's instrumental bridge contains a distinctive and highly memorable melodic line and harmony for violin and viola played by Robby Steinhardt.
It peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the week of April 22, 1978, making it Kansas' only top ten Billboard Hot 100 charting single.
"Dust in the Wind," has been covered by by Sarah Brightman, Scorpions (Acoustica, 2001), , former New York Yankees center fielder and jazz guitarist Bernie Williams (The Journey Within, 2004), and ex-Kansas lead singer John Elefante (2006). "Dust in the Wind" was certified gold as a digital download by the RIAA in 2005, almost 30 years after selling one million copies as a single.
"The above text is a mushup from AllMusic.com & Wikipedia."
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