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Kansas<\/a>, the 1970s classic rock band known for such hits as \u201cCarry on Wayward Son\u201d and \u201cDust in the Wind,\u201d is on tour with a lineup that features none of the group\u2019s original members, but the current lineup gave fans a surprise at a recent show by bringing some familiar faces to the stage.<\/p>\n At the group\u2019s Sept. 26 show in Bonner Springs, Kan., original Kansas members Phil Ehart<\/strong>, Richard Williams<\/strong>, Kerry Livgren<\/strong> and Dave Hope<\/strong> joined the band\u2019s current touring lineup during the encore to play the classic hits \u201cHold On\u201d and \u201cCarry on Wayward Son.\u201d<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfac <\/strong>SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox<\/strong><\/a> \ud83c\udfac<\/strong><\/p>\n The band shared the moment on their official Instagram account<\/a> with a carousel of photos that showed the ensemble gathered on the stage along with the caption, \u201cBonner Springs, KS – it was a special night at Azura Amphitheater that was full of surprises. Thank you and goodnight from KANSAS!\u201d<\/p>\n Fans approved of the reunion, with one writing in the comments, \u201c\ud83d\udd25looks like Kansas does it right again, nice seeing original members, with the newer ones. \u2764\ufe0f\u201d<\/p>\n Although they\u2019re still considered official members of the band original drummer Ehart, 74, and guitarist Williams, 75, no longer regularly tour with the group. Ehart retired from touring after the band\u2019s 50th anniversary tour in 2024 while Williams had a heart attack that same year and has since been replaced by Scott Bernard<\/strong>.<\/p>\n When the band announced Bernard was joining the band in August, Williams was quoted saying he wasn\u2019t necessarily retiring.<\/p>\n \u201cI am not stepping down nor retiring. But I am slowing down. Macular degeneration has made travel increasingly difficult to the point where it impedes my ability to get to as many shows as I want. I will still be at, and perform at, as many concerts as I can.\u201d Williams said in a statement posted on the band\u2019s official website<\/a>. \u201cAdding Scott as a member of KANSAS, alongside Zak Rizvi on guitar, allows the shows that I\u2019m not at, and KANSAS, to go on well into the future. When we all three are there, we will all perform. In 1974 we made a statement that \u2018KANSAS is a Band!\u2019 It was true then and continues to be true now.\u201d\u00a0 Williams and Ehart co-founded the band in 1973.<\/p>\n Livgren, who plays guitar and keyboards, and bassist Hope were both members of the band from1973 through 1983, when the band was experiencing their greatest success with 1976\u2019s Leftoverture and 1977\u2019s Point of Know Return selling more than 5 million and 4 million copies, respectively, according to the RIAA. The band\u2019s 1984 greatest hits set, The Best of Kansas, also sold more than 4 million copies.<\/p>\n This story was originally reported by Parade<\/a> on Oct 1, 2025, where it first appeared in the News<\/a> section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\nHow Kansas has changed over the years<\/h2>\n
Richard Williams says he hasn’t retired<\/h2>\n