A Wayward Look at Wayward Son Quiz

Answer: confusion

"Once I rose above the noise and confusion"

The original "Kansas" lineup, aka "Kansas I" was:
Lynn Meredith (vocals)
Kerry Livgren (guitar, later also keyboards)
Dave Hope (bass)
Phil Ehart (drums)
Don Montre (keyboards)
Dan Wright (keyboards) and
Larry Baker (saxophone)

Answer: flew too high

"Just to get a glimpse beyond the illusion
I was soaring ever higher, but I flew too high"

In 1971 the lineup changed to what is popularly known as "Kansas II". Zeke Lowe took over the drums, but was soon replaced by Brad Schulz. Dave Hope was replaced with Rod Mikinski. Joh Bolton took over on saxophone and flute.

Answer: mad man

"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 dreamin',
I can hear them say"

The band called Kansas which we learned to love came about when Hope and Ehart, along with Robby Steinhardt (violin, vocals), Steve Walsh (keyboards, vocals) and Rich Williams (guitar), recruited Livgren and called themselves Kansas. Kansas II disbanded after Livgren left.

Answer: peace

"Carry on my wayward son,
For there'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Now don't you cry no more"

Their debut album, "Kansas", was released in 1974. "Song for America" was also released in 1974, followed by "Masque" in 1975. By this time the band had become a major live act.

Answer: reason

"Masquerading as a man with a reason"

"Carry On Wayward Son" was recorded on their fourth album, "Leftoverture", in 1976. It was the band's first Top 40 hit.

Answer: charade

"My charade is the event of the season"

In 1977 the band released the album "Point of Know Return". This included the track "Dust in the Wind", another major hit for the group.

Answer: wise

"And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely
means that I don't know"

In the early 1980s the members of the band started going in different directions. Livgren and Hope started moving into Christian rock; Walsh left and was replaced by John Elefante. They released the album "Vinyl Confessions" in 1982. It was their only album which did not "go gold".

Answer: stormy

"On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean"

Soon after the release of "Vinyl Confessions", the band started having problems and at the end of 1983, the group disbanded.

Answer: winds of fortune

"I set a course for winds of fortune, but
I hear the voices say"

Walsh resurrected the band in 1986 with new members. This incarnation lasted about two years before falling apart.

Answer: heaven

"Carry on, you will always remember
Carry on, nothing equals the splendor
Now your life's no longer empty
Surely heaven waits for you"

Various attempts have been made since to bring Kansas back to performing life but so far none have lasted long. I guess they really were "Dust in the Wind". Pity....