For Kansas vocalist Ronnie Platt, it was a moment where his entire life flashed before his eyes after he heard the news he had cancer.

“You know, I’m a singer that sings a couple high notes and not knowing anything about what I had, it was pretty scary,” he said during a conversation for the UCR Podcast. “The first thing that entered my mind was, okay, how much time do I have?” Thankfully, a little more than a month and a half after revealing his diagnosis of thyroid cancer, Platt is walking with a clean bill of health and preparing to return to the road with Kansas on April 4 in Ivins, Utah. But as he shared, it’s been an emotional journey.

After his initial diagnosis, he went to seek a second opinion and found out the doctor wouldn’t be able to see him until mid-April. Thanks to lucky circumstance, it turned out that guitarist Frank Sintich, his former bandmate in the ’80s Chicago-area band Chaser, had a direct connection. His girlfriend worked for the very doctor that he was trying to get in and see. Before he knew it, he was set for an appointment with Dr. Peter Angelos at the University of Chicago. By late February, he was scheduled for surgery on March 4.

Read More: Kansas’ Ronnie Platt on Recent Cancer Fight: ‘I Feel Very Lucky’ | https://ultimateclassicrock.com/kansas-ronnie-platt-interview-2025/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

The band KANSAS is excited to welcome Dan McGowan as bassist and vocalist

Dan succeeds longtime bassist and vocalist Billy Greer.

Dan has been serving as Billy’s substitute on stage for numerous shows during 2024.

Dan McGowan is the singer and guitarist for the progressive rock band The Tea Club. Alongside his musical partner and brother Patrick McGowan, The Tea Club have independently released 5 albums since 2008 and are set to release their 6th album in late 2024. They have toured the country extensively with bands such as Thank You Scientist, Bent Knee, and Moon Tooth. A graphic art enthusiast, Dan has done much of the band’s artwork, including a multi-issue comic book accompaniment to The Tea Club’s fourth album “Grappling”. Dan also played bass with

KANSAS keyboardist Tom Brislin in his band Gold Rotation.

Hailing from southern New Jersey, Dan is a self-taught singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He has a passion for 70’s progressive rock, passed on to him by his parents Pat and Jean, who would blast “Red”, “Close To the Edge”, and “Leftoverture” into the wee hours of the morning. For years he has worked at Inglis House, a wheelchair community in Philadelphia, where he gives music lessons, helps residents achieve their musical goals, and performs alongside them in the resident rock band “Wheelz”. Dan is also a martial arts instructor at All Star Kids Karate, where he goes by the name “Mr. Dan”.

“I am thrilled and honored to be joining KANSAS,” comments McGowan. “I am also deeply aware of the gigantic shoes that I will be filling. Dave Hope and Billy Greer are among the best musicians in rock history. I want the fans to know that I love the music of KANSAS, and I hold it in highest reverence. I am committed to doing justice to the band’s incredible legacy, and I am so grateful for this unbelievable opportunity!”

Dan McGowan, welcome to KANSAS!

Photo Credit – Sébastien Dion

September 6, 2024 – After nearly 40 years, Billy Greer has concluded his journey as bassist and co-lead vocalist for the band KANSAS.

The band KANSAS and its entire organization extend heartfelt gratitude to Billy for his decades of exceptional musicianship.

Billy joined KANSAS in 1985 and has been an unwavering presence with the band since.

“For 39 years, Billy has been a loyal, dedicated, and immensely talented bandmate. He’s travelled around the world with us including USO tours,” comments KANSAS original member Phil Ehart.

Original guitarist Richard Williams adds, “He stood shoulder to shoulder with us through both the ups and the downs. His voice, both singing and emceeing, has been a constant with us on stage. The entire KANSAS family will miss him.”

Billy has appeared on stage with KANSAS for more than 2,300 live performances. He has appeared on the studio albums “Power,” “In The Spirit Of Things,” “Freaks Of Nature,” “Always Never The Same,” “Somewhere To Elsewhere,” “The Prelude Implicit,” and “The Absence of Presence.” Billy is also featured on the live releases “Live at the Whisky,” “King Biscuit Flower Hour,” “Device Voice Drum,” “There’s Know Place Like Home,” “Leftoverture Live & Beyond,” and “Point of Know Return Live & Beyond.” Billy was also lead vocalist and bassist for the side project Native Window.

In the last 18 years, Billy has taken charge of the emcee role on stage enhancing the connection between the band on stage and the audience.

Billy’s departure will not impact any KANSAS performance scheduling. A new KANSAS bassist will be announced soon.

KANSAS would like to welcome guitarist Zak Rizvi back to the band!

Zak will re-join the band on tour starting on April 26 in Morristown, NJ.

Zak was a member of KANSAS from 2016-2020. He performed on, co-produced, and wrote many of the songs for the albums “The Prelude Implicit” and “The Absence of Presence.” Zak has also appeared on the live albums “Leftoverture Live & Beyond” and “Point of Know Return Live & Beyond.”

Zak Rizvi, welcome (back) to KANSAS!

Two of America’s preeminent classic rock bands KANSAS, and 38 Special are teaming up this summer for an incredible night of live classic rock. 

Rock fans will hear KANSAS classics such as “Carry On Wayward Son,” “Dust in the Wind,” “Point of Know Return,” “Play the Game Tonight,” “The Wall,” 38 Special classics such as “Hold On Loosely,” “Rockin’ Into the Night,” “Caught Up in You,” “Fantasy Girl,” and more. 

In select markets, KANSAS & 38 Special will be joined by special guests The Outlaws, Jefferson Starship, and Dave Mason.

Tickets are on sale now and ticket information can be found here! 

KANSAS & 38 Special Tour Dates Include:

KANSAS original drummer and band manager, Phil Ehart, is taking time away from touring as drummer for KANSAS while he recovers after recently surviving a major heart attack. There is no timetable for his return to the road.

While not on the road, Phil is remaining in a prominent role with KANSAS during his recovery, serving as band manager, as he has done for 40 years.

Eric Holmquist will be on drums for KANSAS starting with the March 1, 2024, concert in Richmond, VA. Holmquist has filled in for Ehart on drums when Phil was ill in 2016, during Phil’s arm rehabilitation in 2022-2023, and has been performing the first half of shows during the KANSAS 50th Anniversary Tour. Previously, Eric was Phil’s drum tech and protegé for more than 20 years.

KANSAS 50th Anniversary Tour – Another Fork in The Road continues March 1, 2024, in Richmond, VA. A complete list of tour dates can be found at kansasband.com. The band KANSAS carries on, adding more tour dates in 2024 and beyond.

100% of profits from limited edition apparel support The Toy Foundation in bringing the gift of play to children in need.

This holiday season, America’s legendary rock band KANSAS hopes to spread some joy to underprivileged children through limited time, special edition “Dust in the Wind” and “Carry On, Wayward Son” t-shirts and hoodies. Available online only at ShopStands.com, the apparel is available now until November 10th. The band will be donating all profits to The Toy Foundation, the uniting force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry for the benefit of all children in need.

“We believe in a world where every child has the opportunity to experience comfort, joy, and the extraordinary physical, emotional, and educational benefits of play,” says Pamela Mastrota, Executive Director at The Toy Foundation. “Year-round and especially during the holiday gifting and giving season, our Toy Bank spreads joy and creates smiles with the gift of new toys to deserving families throughout the United States and around the world. Your support of The Toy Foundation gives the gift of play to a child in need.”

KANSAS is currently touring across North America to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary, with an astounding 20 new dates recently added. “Another Fork in the Road” concerts dates, tickets and VIP packages can be found at kansasband.com/

tour-dates/.

The charity t-shirts will be on sale for a limited time only and will ship in mid-November, arriving in time for the holidays.

Stands: https://shopstands.com/
KANSAS: https://www.kansasband.com/
The Toy Foundation: https://toyfoundation.org/

A message from KANSAS the band:

Due to circumstances beyond our control, tonight’s KANSAS: 50th Anniversary Tour scheduled for this evening at the Tilles Center is postponed. The show will now take place on May 16, 2024.

Please keep your ticket! Tickets for the original performance will be honored for the new date.

KANSAS’s next performance will be Friday, October 20 in San Antonio, TX.

We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to performing for our fans on Long Island on May 16, 2024. Carry On.

Due to a family emergency within the KANSAS band, the originally scheduled performances at the Fox Tucson Theatre in Tucson, AZ; Kiva Auditorium in Albuquerque, NM; and The Plaza Theatre in El Paso, TX are rescheduled.

The new dates are as follows:

• Thursday, March 14, 2024 – Tucson, AZ: Fox Tucson Theatre
• Saturday, March 16, 2024 – Albuquerque, NM: Kiva Auditorium
• Sunday, March 17, 2024 – El Paso, TX: Plaza Theatre

Keep your tickets! Tickets for the original date will be honored for the new concert date.

For those needing a refund, please contact your original point of purchase.

We appreciate your understanding.