Craig Allen’s Fun Facts: “Carry On Wayward Son”

The band "Kansas" formed in Topeka, Kansas in 1975...and our "Fun Facts" song saved the band from pop music obscurity!

Steve Walsh handled lead vocals and guitar, with Kerry Livgren on guitar and keyboards, Phil Ehart on drums, Robby Steinhardt on violin, Rich Williams on guitar, and Dave Hope on bass.

Walsh would leave in 1981, with John Elefante stepping in to replace him....and Kansas would reform later in the 1980's....

Members would come and go...and return...and leave again over the years...as the band continues to tour to this day...but that is in the future timeline, from a "Carry On" standpoint.

"Carry On Wayward Son" was written by guitarist Kerry Livgren.

Livgren, who became an evangelical Christian in 1980, says that his hit record was not meant to take on any religious meaning....although It contains "searching" and other ideas.

Livgren is quoted: "I felt a profound urge to 'Carry On,' to continue the  search." Further, "I saw myself as the 'Wayward Son' alienated from the ultimate reality, and yet striving to know it."

Landing at #11 on the Hot 100 charts in early 1977, "Carry On Wayward Son" was the band's first pop chart hit, and first hit on top-40 radio!

And, it was a last-minute addition to the "Leftoverture" album!

Kerry Livgren wrote this hit-record-to-be...a mere two days before the band started recording the album!

As the studio sessions were coming to a close, and Kansas was polishing the songs that had been recorded for the new album...not adding new ones..Livgren said "I've got one more song that you might want to hear."

The guys knew a hit record when they heard it, and "Carry On Wayward Son" was not only a last-minute add to the album, it was made the lead song.

The acapella start to the song (or as we say in radio: "a zero-zero intro") worked well for radio, particularly rock-based radio airplay, where the personalities didn't always talk up the intros to records.

Back to the band being "saved."

With its hit single, the "Leftoverture" album SAVED Kansas. Literally.

The previous album "Masque" was a commercial failure. The "progressive" style of the band was said to be a stumbling block to their "commercial" (read: mainstream radio/album sales) success.

Since record producer Don Kirshner personally liked Kansas, and enjoyed working with them, he gave them one more chance...produce a hit record, or be dropped by the label.

Overwhelmed and distressed, Kansas returned to their home base, Topeka, to start working on what might be their last album. Lead singer Steve Walsh was suffering from writer's block....so Kerry Livgren sat down at the organ at his parent's place, and began working on the music that would become "Carry On Wayward Son."

This last minute song...would ensure the future of "Kansas."

It gave them...staying power!

The album  was a commercial success, going platinum 5 times.

"Carry On Wayward Son" often makes lists of the greatest rock songs of all time....and it has earned Kerry Livgren a reputation as one of the most respected musicians and lyricists in rock 'n' roll!

On September 30th, the current Kansas lineup kicked off a multi-city tour in Pittsburgh, celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the release of "Leftoverture."

Check out everything-Kansas on their official site, by clicking HERE!

Its one of "Jersey's Favorite Hits"...enjoy Kansas' first hit on New Jersey 101.5 and nj1015.com!

Carry On, Kansas!