MOVING
FORWARD: AN INTERVIEW WITH PROTO-KAW’S KERRY LIVGREN
By
Jeb Wright
Kerry Livgren was the creative
mastermind behind the band Kansas.He
wrote the songs that took six young Topekan’s from biker bars,
and high school gymnasiums, to platinum selling albums and world
tours.
The Livgren penned “Dust in the Wind”
and “Carry On Wayward Son” are two of the 1970’s most classic
songs.The Kansas faithful, however, know
that these popular tunes only scratch the surface of the
importance of Kansas’ music.
Before Kansas, there was Kansas.Sound confusing?Well, it is.The original Kansas was a band that Livgren played in.The famous Kansas was called White Clover.One could fill volumes about the early manifestation of
the band, but in order to save time, suffice it to say that
Livgren was recruited to White Clover because of his songwriting
prowess.The band he left, Kansas, folded
and his band mates became regular members of society.White Clover adopted the name Kansas and the rest is
history.
There were demos of the early band
Kansas, with Livgren, and the others left behind when he joined
White Clover, floating around for years.
Kerry eventually remastered and released these demos and called
the band “Proto-Kaw,” which, literally means, pre-Kansas.Kansas fans, as well as other progressive rock fans, snapped up the
album and Livgren, who has always thought, and lived, outside
the box, did the unthinkable: He reunited the band that he had
left behind.
Proto-Kaw went on to play many gigs, and
release new music.They officially broke up
in 2008 but any chance of reuniting seemed dashed in September
of 2009, when Livgren suffered a massive stoke.
Now, once again, against the odds,
Livgren has returned to write, and record, a new Proto-Kaw
album.
What follows is a rare interview with
the blond, mustachioed maestro in which Livgren describes his
stroke, his rehabilitation and the new music, in detail.He also discusses how Proto-Kaw came to be, in both the first, and
second, incarnations.
Lastly, Kerry eloquently answers the
question of why he is not writing music for Kansas anymore.The answer, you will have to read on to discover.
Jeb: Let’s
start with your health, as both Proto-Kaw and Kansas fans will
want an update.Are you back to 100%?
Kerry: I
suffered a massive stroke in September of ‘09. Recovering from a
stroke is a long
and painful process, something I never thought I would ever have
to go through. I suppose I am at around 80%, and on some days I
feel even better, some worse.One hundred percent recovery from a massive stroke is rare.
Jeb: How about musically?Did it all come
back?
Kerry: At
first, I couldn't play a guitar, or a keyboard. In fact, I
couldn't even give music any serious thought. I was much more
concerned with things like walking and talking.
As soon as
there was some improvement in those areas, I tried playing a
piano, with no real success. When I got home, I tried playing a
guitar, and it was, in fact, worse. I honestly thought I would
never play music again. It was disappointing but the thought
occurred to me that I had been given such a great gift – a
gratifying career of playing music, that if I never played
another note, it was enough. Thank the Lord I am still
improving. At this point, I have resumed playing both guitar and
keyboard, although I have to be choosy about what I attempt.
Jeb:When did your songwriting ability and
musical creativity return?
Kerry: I
never felt like those abilities ever left me. I began writing
music shortly after I returned home, although my playing ability
was limited.
Jeb:Do you view the stroke as just a freak
thing that happened, or was it part of a larger calling, such as
a wakeup call or a test?
Kerry: It was
a bit of a freak thing – medically speaking. There was nothing
to account for it. As to whether or not it was a “test” I can't
say, but it was definitely a wakeup call, especially
spiritually.
Jeb: Let’s
talk the upcoming album titled Forth.I understand you have several of the songs already mixed.Are these all-new compositions or was some of the
material previously written before your stroke?
Kerry: There
are 12 songs; most of it is new. There is one song previously
recorded with Proto-Kaw, one that we used to play, but never
recorded, and two vastly different songs that I have recorded.
The rest of them are new.
Jeb: Why
write new material for Proto-Kaw but not for Kansas?
Kerry: Well,
the simple answer is that I am in Proto-Kaw at the moment, and I
am not currently in Kansas.
Jeb: If you
had to describe the new music, would you say it is more 1970’s
progressive rock in nature, more hard rock, or would you
describe it some other way?
Kerry: I have
been struggling with this answer! I think it is very different
from the previous releases. You'll just have to decide for
yourself.
Jeb: How do
you harness the energy to write such complex music?
Kerry: The
energy harnesses me.
Jeb: Explain how working with the members of Proto-Kaw is
different than working with Kansas, AD or your solo work?
Kerry:
Probably the biggest difference is the lack of any sort of
personal conflict. But then we aren't facing the same issues as
past bands did.
Jeb: Do you feel working with Proto-Kaw is penance for leaving
them behind when you joined what became the famous version of
Kansas?
Kerry:
Originally, that was true, but we have moved far beyond that
now. We are just good friends.
Jeb: Your
first band was The Gimlets.What exactly is
a Gimlet?
Kerry: We
thought it was a word we made up. Turns out, it's a tool, and a
drink – vodka and lime juice, I think.
Jeb: You also
played with a locally, and regionally successful, band with
Proto-Kaw singer Dan Meredith called The Reasons Why.
Kerry:The Reasons Why was just one of the
gigs I did to stay alive. It was an R&B band – we just did cover
songs. I was anxious to get into something more serious.
Jeb: On your
way to what is now called Proto-Kaw, you took the best of your
band called Saratoga, and teamed up with the best of Phil
Ehart’s band, White Clover.At what point did you believe that you were good enough to make it?
Kerry: It was
at that point that I began to believe that we had what it takes:
Originality, good musicianship and vocals. If we could just get
heard...
Jeb: In 1971,
you formed the version of Kansas, which is basically Proto-Kaw.Did this band only play original material?
Kerry: There
were a couple of cover songs, but it was largely original. It
was a unique sounding band. This was a very prolific time for me
as a writer.
Jeb:Did Proto-Kaw nearly sign to Jefferson Airplane’s label?
Kerry: Yes,
they had some interest in us, but it never came to a real offer.
Jeb: Did
Phil, and the rest of the what became Kansas, get a record deal
but only have one original song and contact you to join because
you had songs and no deal?
Kerry: Mostly
true. They already had sort of a deal going, based on some of
Steve Walsh's material. I had nothing going at the time and they
wanted my songwriting, and guitar playing. I saw an opportunity
and decided to go for it.
Jeb:Do you remember the day you decided to switch bands?
Kerry: Ehart
and [Dave] Hope met with me in a trailer somewhere. They sort of
“strong-armed” me, as I recall. I told the Proto-Kaw guys I was
leaving the next day. It was a hard thing to do.
Jeb: What
songs ended up on Kansas albums that you first wrote for
Proto-Kaw?
Kerry: Lots
of them, and many parts of songs, even to the present day. Most
of the first two Kansas albums.
Jeb:“Belexes” is my favorite Kansas song.What can
you tell me about the origins of that tune?
Kerry: I
really cannot remember the writing of that song, other that it
was about some fictional prophet figure that I invented.
Jeb: Tell me
about creating “Death of Mother Nature Suite.”
Kerry: I can
recall sitting in my bedroom of our band house with my guitar,
composing it. It originally had a different title and verses.
Jeb: Fast
forward to 2003.Did you have any idea the
original Proto-Kaw demos were out there?
Kerry: I had
not listened to those songs in years. I was fooling about in the
studio and realized I could “resurrect” the masters to a point
where they could be released. I figured most people would prefer
that to the junky cassettes that were floating around.
Jeb:In 2008 the band broke up.What happened?
Kerry: It was
a bit sad. Things being as they are, we simply ran out of gigs.
Jeb:Do you see yourself ever playing live again?
Kerry: Due to
having a stroke, the days of performing live are probably over.
I am very grateful to still be recording.
Jeb:Your faith inspires what you write, but as a young man it seems it
was more about searching for truth, than for God.In fact, you almost seem sad in some of your early
lyrics.
Kerry: To my
mind, searching for Truth IS
searching for God – there is no difference. If a man truly finds
one, he has found the other. I can't say that there is a sadness
to my writing, although certain songs can be a bit “moody”.
Others are downright joyful. All in the ears of the listener, I
guess.
Jeb: Last one: Are there plans to finish your epic on the life
of Lazarus?
Kerry: Yes,
if I live long enough and the Lord is willing.
