JUST ANNOUNCED. Kansas has spent more than four decades as a part of the soundtrack of the lives of multiple generations of music lovers. The band's first public statement appeared on its self-titled album in 1974. "From the beginning, we considered ourselves and our music different and we hope we will always remain so." Little did this legendary rock group realize that back in the early '70s, what seemed to be "different" was actually ahead of its time. This "garage band" from Topeka released its debut album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner. The band has produced eight gold albums, three sextuple-platinum albums ("Leftoverture," "Point of Know Return," "Best of Kansas"), one platinum live album ("Two for the Show") and a million-selling gold single, "Dust in the Wind." Kansas appeared on the Billboard charts for more than 200 weeks throughout the '70s and '80s and played to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout North America, Europe and Japan. "Carry On Wayward Son" was the No. 2 most-played track on classic rock radio in 1995 and went to No. 1 in 1997. In 1998, Kansas released an orchestral album, "Always Never the Same," recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios in London. They followed with an orchestral tour accompanied by top-caliber symphony orchestras. In 2000 Kansas went back into the studio with original band member and songwriter Kerry Livgren to produce "Somewhere to Elsewhere," the first album featuring all six of the original players in 20 years. The 10 new songs were written by Livgren and recorded in his studio in Topeka, Kan. Players included Phil Ehart, Billy Greer, Dave Hope, Livgren, Robby Steinhardt, Steve Walsh and Richard Williams. In 2009, Kansas celebrated its 35th anniversary with a symphonic concert, accompanied by the Washburn University Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Larry Baird. The DVD release "There's Know Place Like Home" captured this unique live performance and featured special guests Livgren and Steve Morse with spectacular lighting and high-resolution clarity. Available on both DVD and Blu-Ray, "There's Know Place Like Home" includes favorites such as "Dust In The Wind," "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Point of Know Return," as well as a sampling from each album in their discography with a special symphonic touch. Inspired by its 35th anniversary DVD "There's Know Place Like Home," Kansas conducted its "Collegiate Symphony Tour" from 2010-2012, performing its hits accompanied by various college and university symphonies throughout the United States to help raise funds and awareness for collegiate music programs. In 2011, this tour led to a special collaboration with the U.S. Army Orchestra culminating in the "Carry On Concert" honoring America's veterans on Veteran's Day at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. Coinciding with the celebration of its 40th anniversary, the band Kansas, was inducted into both the Kansas Hall of Fame and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame as recognition for its achievements from both their native state and adopted home state. The band, which is currently comprised of original drummer Phil Ehart, bassist/vocalist Billy Greer, keyboardist David Manion, vocalist/keyboardist Ronnie Platt, violinist/guitarist David Ragsdale and original guitarist Richard Williams, continues to perform in front of large and enthusiastic audiences around the world. Along with touring, Kansas continues to remain a fixture of classic rock radio and has reached a whole new audience through their unmistakable presence on the popular video games "Rock Band" and "Guitar Hero" and through songs included in various television shows, such as "Supernatural" and "South Park" and with films "Old School" and "Anchorman."