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Kerry Livgren is born this day in Topeka, Kansas.

Kerry's early rock band included Timothy Scott Strauss on guitar, Scott Kessler on bass, John Pribble on drums and Karl Geiss.

The Gimlets add Dan Wright on organ and Carl Corona on drums. Timothy Scott Strauss will leave the group, causing the band to go into it's third lineup.

Kerry will continue to play in various bands with different musicians including Don Montre on keyboards, Scott Kessler on bass, Dan Wright on keyboards and Zeke Low on drums.

The first incarnation of Kansas is formed with Kerry on guitar, Phil Ehart on drums, Dave Hope on bass, Lynn Meredith on vocals, Dan Wright on keyboards & guitar, Larry Baker on guitar & sax, Don Montre on keyboards & flute and Greg Allen.

Kansas splits in two with some members joining or rejoining White Clover. The new Kansas is made up of Kerry on guitar, Lynn Meredith on vocals, Dan Wright on keyboards & guitar, Don Montre on keyboards/sax & flute, Zeke Low on drums, Rod Mikinski on bass and John Bolton on sax & flute.

Kansas folds and Kerry moves to White Clover whose lineup is now Phil Ehart - drums, Dave Hope - bass, Steve Walsh - keyboards/synthesizers/vocals, Rich Williams - guitar, Robby Steinhardt - violin/vocals and Kerry Livgren - guitar/keyboards/synthesizers.

Realizing that the name Kansas is better than the name White Clover, they change their name and proceed to rock the world.

After his discovery of Christianity, Kerry releases his first solo album, which centers around his new found beliefs. The album will feature guest vocalists Ronnie James Dio, Mylon Lefevre and Steve Walsh.

In the late 1970s, Kerry goes through a spiritual rebirth and starts writing songs that reflect this philosophy. As these songs were introduced to the band, Steve Walsh became increasingly uncomfortable singing about God and conservative values. He also wanted to continue to write songs about subjects that reflected the rock and roll lifestyle. At the same time, Kerry wanted the band to move away from songs about drugs, drinking and women.

Walsh eventually left the band and formed Streets while a search was done to find a replacement. But finding a singer of the same caliber of Walsh turned into a daunting task and it wasn't until a demo was passed from one agent to another, and then to the manager of Kansas, that John Elefante came to the attention of the band. After an audition, Elefante became their new lead vocalist.

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