Chasing "Dust in the Wind" Trivia Quiz

Answer: eyes

"I close my eyes,"

According to the official Kansas website, www.kansasband.com, the band "considered ourselves and our music different, and we hope we will always remain so."

The original "Kansas" lineup, aka "Kansas I" was discovered in Topeka by Wally Gold, who brought them to the attention of Don Kirschner:
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: a moment

"Only for a moment and the moment's gone"

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. John Bolton took over on saxophone and flute.

Answer: dreams

"All my dreams,
Pass before my eyes, that curiosity

Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind"

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: song

"Same old song"

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

All told, the band has had 8 gold albums, 4 platinum albums (one being a live album) and one gold single - "Dust in the Wind".

Answer: drop of water

"Just a drop of water in an endless sea"

"Dust in the Wind" was recorded on their fifth album, "Point of Know Return". It was the band's first Top 10 hit.

Answer: crumbles

"All we do,
Crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see

Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind"

Other Top 40 hits from the band include "Point Of Know Return" from the 1978 album of the same name, "People Of The South Wind" from the 1979 album "Monolith", "Hold On" from 1980's "Audio-Visions", "Play The Game Tonight" from the 1982 album "Vinyl Confessions" and "All I Wanted" from the 1986 album "Power".

Answer: nothing

"Don't hang on,
Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky"

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: another minute

"It slips away,
And all your money won't another minute buy"

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

Answer: 1978

"Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind
Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind"

The single was recorded and released in 1977 and charted at Number six in the US in 1978. It is 3 minutes 28 seconds long and was produced by Jeff Glixman. (Thanks Wikipedia...)

Answer: Point of Know Return

Various attempts have been made since to bring Kansas back to performing life but so far none have lasted long. The current lineup is Phil Ehart, Billy Greer, David Ragsdale, Steve Walsh and Richard Williams.