Proto-Kaw
Encyclopedia
Proto-Kaw is an American progressive rock
band. Featuring Kansas
guitarist Kerry Livgren, the group is a reformation of a band formed in the early seventies which served as the direct precursor to Kansas
.
and guitarist
Kerry Livgren
. The sound of the band changed along with the group members. Proto-Kaw is a modern name given to the second version of Kansas, whose arrangements prominently featured guitar, keyboards, and saxophone (an instrument not found in the following line-up.) The famous Kansas
was actually the third edition of the band, and before a name change it was the third incarnation of Topeka band White Clover.
Formed in 1971 and disbanding in 1973, "Kansas II" played mostly original material written by Livgren.
After Kansas II broke up, the group went their separate ways with Livgren reaching fame with the more-popular Kansas and the others assuming normal lives. Then in 2002, the band's demos saw release as Early Recordings from Kansas 1971-1973
, which gave the band the new moniker Proto-Kaw. Most members had not had any contact with each other for the intervening 30 years and many did not play music during this time. However, when they came together to celebrate the album's release, they rediscovered their old chemistry. Proto-Kaw reformed and at last got to record its first proper album, "Before Became After
" (2004).
The band released their second new CD in February, 2006, titled The Wait of Glory
which features 12 new original songs from writer Kerry Livgren. Coinciding with the album release the band embarked on a European tour, bringing them to four countries in seven days.
The new album entitled "Forth" was released on Livgren's Numavox website on 8/4/2011 and a CD release party was held in Kansas City on 8/6/2011.
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band. Featuring Kansas
Kansas (band)
Kansas is an American rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on Album-Oriented Rock charts, and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind"...
guitarist Kerry Livgren, the group is a reformation of a band formed in the early seventies which served as the direct precursor to Kansas
Kansas (band)
Kansas is an American rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on Album-Oriented Rock charts, and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind"...
.
History
In the early '70s, the band Kansas went through three incarnations, the common member in all three being composerComposer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Kerry Livgren
Kerry Livgren
Kerry Allen Livgren is an American musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band, Kansas.-Biography:...
. The sound of the band changed along with the group members. Proto-Kaw is a modern name given to the second version of Kansas, whose arrangements prominently featured guitar, keyboards, and saxophone (an instrument not found in the following line-up.) The famous Kansas
Kansas (band)
Kansas is an American rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on Album-Oriented Rock charts, and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind"...
was actually the third edition of the band, and before a name change it was the third incarnation of Topeka band White Clover.
Formed in 1971 and disbanding in 1973, "Kansas II" played mostly original material written by Livgren.
After Kansas II broke up, the group went their separate ways with Livgren reaching fame with the more-popular Kansas and the others assuming normal lives. Then in 2002, the band's demos saw release as Early Recordings from Kansas 1971-1973
Early Recordings from Kansas 1971-1973
Early Recordings from Kansas 1971-1973 is a collection of recordings made by the second edition of Kansas released in 2002 on Cuneiform Records. The songs contain numerous nods to the then-burgeoning scene of experimental progressive rock, often echoing the early work of luminaries King Crimson...
, which gave the band the new moniker Proto-Kaw. Most members had not had any contact with each other for the intervening 30 years and many did not play music during this time. However, when they came together to celebrate the album's release, they rediscovered their old chemistry. Proto-Kaw reformed and at last got to record its first proper album, "Before Became After
Before Became After
Before Became After is a reunion album from the original Kansas II lineup, under their new name of Proto-Kaw. The Special Edition contains three bonus tracks - one new original song, a live version of "Belexes", plus a “single” version of “Words of Honor”. It also includes an informative interview...
" (2004).
The band released their second new CD in February, 2006, titled The Wait of Glory
The Wait of Glory
The Wait of Glory is the third album from Proto-Kaw after their retrospective initial release and Debut new recording Before Became After....
which features 12 new original songs from writer Kerry Livgren. Coinciding with the album release the band embarked on a European tour, bringing them to four countries in seven days.
Disbanded
In May 2007, the band reported it had begun studio work on their next effort, a collection of new tracks coupled with several previously recorded Livgren tracks interpreted by Proto-Kaw. However, in early December 2008 Kerry Livgren confirmed that Proto Kaw was no longer together for a variety of external reasons. Several tracks of the pending album were worked on, but plans to include them on a Proto-Kaw album were scuttled. Livgren thought that they may appear within a solo work of Livgren's at some future, undetermined date.Reunited again
Following Kerry Livgren's massive stroke, and partial recovery, he announced in late 2010 that Proto-Kaw were back together and at work on a new album, slated for January 2011 release.The new album entitled "Forth" was released on Livgren's Numavox website on 8/4/2011 and a CD release party was held in Kansas City on 8/6/2011.
Initial band
- Lynn MeredithLynn MeredithLynn Meredith was a founding member of Kansas .Born in Manhattan, Kansas, Meredith's roots are in rhythm and blues, later branching out into progressive rock in his late teens. Meredith formed Saratoga with Kerry Livgren, Don Montre and Dan Wright after high school, and Saratoga became the...
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - John Bolton – Electric SaxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, FluteFluteThe flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening... - Don Montre – RMI PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, Flute, Alto SaxophoneAlto saxophoneThe alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions... - Kerry LivgrenKerry LivgrenKerry Allen Livgren is an American musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band, Kansas.-Biography:...
– GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Dan WrightDan Wright (musician)Dan Wright is the keyboard player for the band Proto-Kaw. A strong soloist, Dan’s creative style and use of odd effects became another trademark with the Kansas II sound. As a founding member of Kansas, versions I and II Dan had a prior history of playing with Kerry Livgren and Don Montre in bands...
– Hammond OrganHammond organThe Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard... - Rod Mikinski – BassBass (instrument)Bass describes musical instruments that produce tones in the low-pitched range. They belong to different families of instruments and can cover a wide range of musical roles...
- Zeke Low – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Brad Schulz – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Current band
- Lynn MeredithLynn MeredithLynn Meredith was a founding member of Kansas .Born in Manhattan, Kansas, Meredith's roots are in rhythm and blues, later branching out into progressive rock in his late teens. Meredith formed Saratoga with Kerry Livgren, Don Montre and Dan Wright after high school, and Saratoga became the...
– Vocals, Narration - John Bolton – Saxophones, Flute
- Kerry LivgrenKerry LivgrenKerry Allen Livgren is an American musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band, Kansas.-Biography:...
– Guitars, Piano, Keyboards, percussion, Background Vocals - Dan WrightDan Wright (musician)Dan Wright is the keyboard player for the band Proto-Kaw. A strong soloist, Dan’s creative style and use of odd effects became another trademark with the Kansas II sound. As a founding member of Kansas, versions I and II Dan had a prior history of playing with Kerry Livgren and Don Montre in bands...
– Organ, Keyboards, Percussion, Background Vocals - Craig Kew – Bass, Background Vocals
- Mike Patrum – Drums
- Jake Livgren – Lead and Backing Vocals, Saxophones,Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion,
Studio albums
- Early Recordings from Kansas 1971-1973Early Recordings from Kansas 1971-1973Early Recordings from Kansas 1971-1973 is a collection of recordings made by the second edition of Kansas released in 2002 on Cuneiform Records. The songs contain numerous nods to the then-burgeoning scene of experimental progressive rock, often echoing the early work of luminaries King Crimson...
(20022002 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2002.-Events:*February 3 – U2 perform during the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXVI...
) - Before Became AfterBefore Became AfterBefore Became After is a reunion album from the original Kansas II lineup, under their new name of Proto-Kaw. The Special Edition contains three bonus tracks - one new original song, a live version of "Belexes", plus a “single” version of “Words of Honor”. It also includes an informative interview...
(20042004 in musicSee also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
) - The Wait of GloryThe Wait of GloryThe Wait of Glory is the third album from Proto-Kaw after their retrospective initial release and Debut new recording Before Became After....
(20062006 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band....
) - ForthForthForth is a structured, imperative, reflective, concatenative, extensible, stack-based computer programming language and programming environment...
(2011)