OT: Kerry Livgren of Kansas

by **conversationpc** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 3:20 am

For you Kansas fans out there, I just received word that Kerry Livgren, founding member and principal songwriter in Kansas, had a stroke early this morning and was undergoing brain surgery. Please remember him in your prayers.

by **Blueskies** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 3:22 am

I hope he pulls through.

by **Starrider** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 3:55 am

conversationpc wrote:For you Kansas fans out there, I just received word that Kerry Livgren, founding member and principal songwriter in Kansas, had a stroke early this morning and was undergoing brain surgery. Please remember him in your prayers.

Wow. Best wishes to him.

by **verslibre** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:03 am

Oh, no...A stroke?

Brain surgery? Dear Lord. I hope he pulls through.

by **JeremyP** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:25 am

He's definitely in my thoughts and prayers.

by **conversationpc** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 5:21 am

Fact Finder wrote:WOW! That sucks bigtime Dave. Prayers up for Kerry.

Where did you hear this?

I subscribe to the PotSW (People of the South Wind) mailing list. It came across shortly after noon.

by **CatEyes** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 5:34 am

Thoughts, prayers and hopes for the best.

Cat

by **conversationpc** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:30 am

This was sent out by Jake Livgren, Kerry's son, on the Yahoo groups page...

Hi everybody,

I am so sorry to have to bring you this news, but Kerry needs your prayers RIGHT NOW. I wish I could get through to someone for more details or an update, but Im letting you all know what I know so you can let everyone you know who is a friend or fan of Kerrys to start praying.

Last night at around 4 am, Kerry had a stroke. Vicci found him on the bathroom floor and got him to the hospital. As of about half an hour ago, he was in surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain. My dad told me he was conscious at at least one point and recognized people, but could not speak. Im sorry I don’t have more details, but Ill let you all know when I do. Please don’t try and contact Kerry or Vicci right no, for obvious reasons, but PRAY!!!!!!! Ill try to communicate as much as I can.

-Jake

by **Starrider** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:19 am

conversationpc wrote:This was sent out by Jake Livgren, Kerry's son, on the Yahoo groups page...

Hi everybody,

I am so sorry to have to bring you this news, but Kerry needs your prayers RIGHT NOW. I wish I could get through to someone for more details or an update, but Im letting you all know what I know so you can let everyone you know who is a friend or fan of Kerrys to start praying.

Last night at around 4 am, Kerry had a stroke. Vicci found him on the bathroom floor and got him to the hospital. As of about half an hour ago, he was in surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain. My dad told me he was conscious at at least one point and recognized people, but could not speak. Im sorry I don’t have more details, but Ill let you all know when I do. Please don’t try and contact Kerry or Vicci right no, for obvious reasons, but PRAY!!!!!!! Ill try to communicate as much as I can.

-Jake

Thanks for the update. Isn't Jake Kerry's nephew and not his son?

by **Starrider** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:13 am

Kerry is supposedly in serious but stable condition:
http://www.examiner.com/x-16867-Oakland-Evangelical-Examiner~y2009m9d1-Kerry-Livgren-in-serious-condition-after-stroke
http://cjonline.com/news/local/2009-09-01/kerry_livgren_falls_ill

by **Rick** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:16 am

Oh man, this is scary. Praying hard for a full recovery.

by **weatherman90** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:35 am

Starrider wrote:
conversationpc wrote:This was sent out by Jake Livgren, Kerry's son, on the Yahoo groups page...

Hi everybody,

I am so sorry to have to bring you this news, but Kerry needs your prayers RIGHT NOW. I wish I could get through to someone for more details or an update, but Im letting you all know what I know so you can let everyone you know who is a friend or fan of Kerrys to start praying.

Last night at around 4 am, Kerry had a stroke. Vicci found him on the bathroom floor and got him to the hospital. As of about half an hour ago, he was in surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain. My dad told me he was conscious at at least one point and recognized people, but could not speak. Im sorry I don’t have more details, but Ill let you all know when I do. Please don’t try and contact Kerry or Vicci right no, for obvious reasons, but PRAY!!!!!!! Ill try to communicate as much as I can.

-Jake

Thanks for the update. Isn't Jake Kerry's nephew and not his son?

He must be. It would only make sense given the way he worded his message.

All the best to Kerry and his family during this scary situation

by **conversationpc** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:47 am

weatherman90 wrote:
Starrider wrote:
conversationpc wrote:This was sent out by Jake Livgren, Kerry's son, on the Yahoo groups page...

Hi everybody,

I am so sorry to have to bring you this news, but Kerry needs your prayers RIGHT NOW. I wish I could get through to someone for more details or an update, but Im letting you all know what I know so you can let everyone you know who is a friend or fan of Kerrys to start praying.

Last night at around 4 am, Kerry had a stroke. Vicci found him on the bathroom floor and got him to the hospital. As of about half an hour ago, he was in surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain. My dad told me he was conscious at at least one point and recognized people, but could not speak. Im sorry I don’t have more details, but Ill let you all know when I do. Please don’t try and contact Kerry or Vicci right no, for obvious reasons, but PRAY!!!!!!! Ill try to communicate as much as I can.

-Jake

Thanks for the update. Isn't Jake Kerry's nephew and not his son?

He must be. It would only make sense given the way he worded his message.

All the best to Kerry and his family during this scary situation

I assumed he was his son but I think you're right.

by **hoagiepete** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 1:54 pm

Local news reports here say he is in serious, but stable condition. Bad deal. I am bummed.

http://www.cjonline.com/news/local/2009 ... _falls_ill

I encourage all of you to listen to his solo album Seeds of Change, if you can still find it. Great piece of work.

Sorry for the repeat...just read the entire thread a little closer...anyway...he is in our prayers.

by **Blueskies** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:33 pm

hoagiepete wrote:Local news reports here say he is in serious, but stable condition. Bad deal. I am bummed.

http://www.cjonline.com/news/local/2009 ... _falls_ill

I encourage all of you to listen to his solo album Seeds of Change, if you can still find it. Great piece of work.

Sorry for the repeat...just read the entire thread a little closer...anyway...he is in our prayers.

Hopefully there will be news that he's recovering well, soon.

by **conversationpc** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 5:06 am

Update on Kerry...

Greetings,

Talked with Vicci this morning, they are encouraged that Kerry does not appear
to have any "sagging of the face"....the area of the brain which had the clot
deals with the language/high-end skills...they are praying there is little
damage to the area. A CAT-scan is scheduled for later today.

In closing, Vicci herself mentioned she has a major toothache which needs dental
attention and asked for prayer for reduction of pain and strength as she deals
with the many decisions and issues surrounding Kerry's situation. She expressed
immense gratitude to everyone for lifting Kerry up in prayer.
John

by **lights1961** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 12:01 pm

any new news here?? SAD indeed, hope he recovers.
BTW... back in 1977 Kansas was my very first live show.

by **conversationpc** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:45 pm

lights1961 wrote:any new news here?? SAD indeed, hope he recovers.
BTW... back in 1977 Kansas was my very first live show.

This is the latest info I heard on Wednesday...

"I got this message about an hour ago from Cheri Johnson Livgren:

"Keep praying! It is working! He is moving around and is trying to speak. When I told him to keep fighting through the fog back to the light, he nodded at me. He is strong and will not give up. We all need to pray even harder now!! Thank you to all who have sent their prayers so far."... Read More

His son Kyle a few minutes ago wrote:

"More news on my dad -- he had a massive stroke. We don't know how long he was on the floor before my mom found him, but we are thinking he wasn't there for long because of the severity of the stroke. Today he kind of mumbled some broken sentences that were hard to understand, but there were strung sentences kind of in there. His movement and him being awake more for longer periods of time are seeming to be good signs........"

by **lights1961** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 2:47 am

conversationpc wrote:
lights1961 wrote:any new news here?? SAD indeed, hope he recovers.
BTW... back in 1977 Kansas was my very first live show.

This is the latest info I heard on Wednesday...

"I got this message about an hour ago from Cheri Johnson Livgren:

"Keep praying! It is working! He is moving around and is trying to speak. When I told him to keep fighting through the fog back to the light, he nodded at me. He is strong and will not give up. We all need to pray even harder now!! Thank you to all who have sent their prayers so far."... Read More

His son Kyle a few minutes ago wrote:

"More news on my dad -- he had a massive stroke. We don't know how long he was on the floor before my mom found him, but we are thinking he wasn't there for long because of the severity of the stroke. Today he kind of mumbled some broken sentences that were hard to understand, but there were strung sentences kind of in there. His movement and him being awake more for longer periods of time are seeming to be good signs........"

thanks PC... DAMN SAD.
hope he can make a full recovery..

by **hoagiepete** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 6:32 am

Here is the promo of the new Kansas DVD with Kerry up front and center.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRCh8yh5Oys

This is a sad time in Topeka, but we are hoping for the best. It's amazing. Kerry was clean and living a good life and then you have the Keith Richards of the world going on and on like nothin (other than falling out of trees). Sometimes I just don't get it.

by **Starrider** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:35 am

Fact Finder wrote:
hoagiepete wrote:Here is the promo of the new Kansas DVD with Kerry up front and center.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRCh8yh5Oys

This is a sad time in Topeka, but we are hoping for the best. It's amazing. Kerry was clean and living a good life and then you have the Keith Richards of the world going on and on like nothin (other than falling out of trees). Sometimes I just don't get it.

Looks pretty good to me, I shall own a copy just for Kerry.

on a bit lighter note, check out this version of the same song with Kerry circa 1982 and tell me Steve Walsh isn't a damned near dead ringer for Neil Schon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS3zLUTw ... re=related

That's not Steve Walsh on vocals in your clip, Fact Finder. He had left Kansas by then. John Elefante was his replacement and is on lead vocals in your clip. Elefante was around for two studio albums followed by a greatest hits collection and a breakup. Walsh came back to a re-formed Kansas in 1986. The only holdovers from your clip in the new Kansas were Richard Williams and Phil Ehart. Billy Greer and Steve Morse joined Walsh, Williams, and Ehart for the "Power" album, whose biggest hit was "All I Wanted." Elefante continued with a career in contemporary Christian music.

by **conversationpc** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 12:32 pm

Starrider wrote:That's not Steve Walsh on vocals in your clip, Fact Finder. He had left Kansas by then. John Elefante was his replacement and is on lead vocals in your clip. Elefante was around for two studio albums followed by a greatest hits collection and a breakup. Walsh came back to a re-formed Kansas in 1986. The only holdovers from your clip in the new Kansas were Richard Williams and Phil Ehart. Billy Greer and Steve Morse joined Walsh, Williams, and Ehart for the "Power" album, whose biggest hit was "All I Wanted." Elefante continued with a career in contemporary Christian music.

I commend you on your Kansas knowledge, my good man. Saves me having to type it all out. :lol:

by **Don** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 1:10 pm

Starrider wrote:
Fact Finder wrote:
hoagiepete wrote:Here is the promo of the new Kansas DVD with Kerry up front and center.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRCh8yh5Oys

This is a sad time in Topeka, but we are hoping for the best. It's amazing. Kerry was clean and living a good life and then you have the Keith Richards of the world going on and on like nothin (other than falling out of trees). Sometimes I just don't get it.

Looks pretty good to me, I shall own a copy just for Kerry.

on a bit lighter note, check out this version of the same song with Kerry circa 1982 and tell me Steve Walsh isn't a damned near dead ringer for Neil Schon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS3zLUTw ... re=related

That's not Steve Walsh on vocals in your clip, Fact Finder. He had left Kansas by then. John Elefante was his replacement and is on lead vocals in your clip. Elefante was around for two studio albums followed by a greatest hits collection and a breakup. Walsh came back to a re-formed Kansas in 1986. The only holdovers from your clip in the new Kansas were Richard Williams and Phil Ehart. Billy Greer and Steve Morse joined Walsh, Williams, and Ehart for the "Power" album, whose biggest hit was "All I Wanted." Elefante continued with a career in contemporary Christian music.

I saw them on this tour with Survivor, and in 83 with Heart. Never saw them with Walsh.

by **Starrider** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:58 pm

conversationpc wrote:
Starrider wrote:That's not Steve Walsh on vocals in your clip, Fact Finder. He had left Kansas by then. John Elefante was his replacement and is on lead vocals in your clip. Elefante was around for two studio albums followed by a greatest hits collection and a breakup. Walsh came back to a re-formed Kansas in 1986. The only holdovers from your clip in the new Kansas were Richard Williams and Phil Ehart. Billy Greer and Steve Morse joined Walsh, Williams, and Ehart for the "Power" album, whose biggest hit was "All I Wanted." Elefante continued with a career in contemporary Christian music.

I commend you on your Kansas knowledge, my good man. Saves me having to type it all out.

Thank you kindly. Glad to see I am not the only Kansas fan here.

Going to see them on 10/17 in Trenton, NJ with orchestral accompaniment.

by **johnroxx** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:28 pm

Starrider wrote:Thank you kindly. Glad to see I am not the only Kansas fan here.

Going to see them on 10/17 in Trenton, NJ with orchestral accompaniment.

Add me to the list...been a Kansas fan since I first saw them back in '75, and had the pleasure of writing about them many times over my twenty years as a music scribe..

I'll be seeing them a week from tonight (9/12) in an interesting pairing with Three Dog Night at my favorite local casino...

;^)

by **Starrider** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 5:30 am

Latest update I could find on Kerry's condition:

According to family members, Kerry Livgren continues to show positive signs of recovery after the stroke he suffered this past Tuesday morning.

Livgren, who as a member of the '70s American progressive rock band Kansas wrote most of the band's hits including "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust In The Wind," is beginning to work with a speech therapist and is now out of ICU.

All believers are encouraged to continue lifting Livgren up in prayer, also remembering his family members as they deal with the situation.

Link to original article:
http://www.examiner.com/x-16867-Oakland-Evangelical-Examiner~y2009m9d5-More-encouraging-news-about-Kerry-Livgrens-condition

by **conversationpc** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 10:44 am

johnroxx wrote:
Starrider wrote:Thank you kindly. Glad to see I am not the only Kansas fan here.

Going to see them on 10/17 in Trenton, NJ with orchestral accompaniment.

Add me to the list...been a Kansas fan since I first saw them back in '75, and had the pleasure of writing about them many times over my twenty years as a music scribe..

I'll be seeing them a week from tonight (9/12) in an interesting pairing with Three Dog Night at my favorite local casino...

;^)

I'm trying to remember the last time I saw them...Maybe 2003 or 2004 at the Indiana State Fair with REO Speedwagon. Before that, it was the Device Voice Drum show in Atlanta. I haven't had the good fortune to ever see them with David Ragsdale.

How's Walsh's voice sounding these days? The last few times I've heard any of their live stuff, I thought he was sounding a bit better, though certainly not like the glory days.

by **Don** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 10:47 am

This band has logged some serious miles over the years.

http://atlas.kennesaw.edu/cgi-bin/dhirs ... and=Kansas

by **G.I.Jim** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 11:16 am

Gunbot wrote:This band has logged some serious miles over the years.

http://atlas.kennesaw.edu/cgi-bin/dhirs ... and=Kansas

Journey opened for them in '77. That's AWESOME!!! :lol:

by **Starrider** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 11:28 am

conversationpc wrote:
johnroxx wrote:
Starrider wrote:Thank you kindly. Glad to see I am not the only Kansas fan here.

Going to see them on 10/17 in Trenton, NJ with orchestral accompaniment.

Add me to the list...been a Kansas fan since I first saw them back in '75, and had the pleasure of writing about them many times over my twenty years as a music scribe..

I'll be seeing them a week from tonight (9/12) in an interesting pairing with Three Dog Night at my favorite local casino...

;^)

I'm trying to remember the last time I saw them...Maybe 2003 or 2004 at the Indiana State Fair with REO Speedwagon. Before that, it was the Device Voice Drum show in Atlanta. I haven't had the good fortune to ever see them with David Ragsdale.

How's Walsh's voice sounding these days? The last few times I've heard any of their live stuff, I thought he was sounding a bit better, though certainly not like the glory days.

I saw them last summer at BergenPAC in Englewood, NJ. It was my first time seeing them live. I thought Steve sounded much better than he had been sounding on the boots and videos I had heard. They put on a great show.

Ragsdale is great. Was walking throughout the aisles playing his violin during the introduction. He adds quite a bit with his guitar-playing and background vocals as well. Thankfully, he got rid of that horrible mullet he was sporting. Seems to really enjoy himself. Steinhardt looked like it was causing him agony to be on stage towards the end of his most recent tenure. It's a bit different sound with Billy Greer handling Steinhardt's vocal parts, but he sings very well.

MR

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