The Champaign Park District has announced the return of the classic progressive rock band KANSAS to the historic Virginia Theatre in downtown Champaign on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 7:30 P.M. Reserved seating tickets are $59.50 to $124.50 plus an additional per-ticket processing fee of $6.00 to $10.00. VIP packages also available. Tickets go on sale Friday, September 15, 2023, at 10:00 A.M. at the Virginia Theatre Box Office, online at thevirginia.org, or charge by phone at 217-356-9063. Presented by Exceptional Artists.
Following a recent run of sold-out shows, KANSAS has extended their 50th Anniversary Tour to include Champaign, among other cities. The “Another Fork in The Road” Tour celebrates 50 years of the band’s illustrious music history with concerts featuring two full hours of memorable hits, fan favorites, and deep cuts rarely performed live.
“The way audiences have received the 50th Anniversary Tour has been spectacular,” offers KANSAS drummer and original member Phil Ehart. “It only made sense to extend the tour into 2024. We look forward to being able for fans in more locations to see the tour – and for people who loved it the first time to see it again!”
In a recent tribute to the band’s five decades of success, Billboard Magazine describes the basis for their longstanding appeal: “Blending blues-based hard rock and intricate progressive constructions, KANSAS staked out its own musical territory, at once original and accessible.” Billboard.com – KANSAS Hits 50
“Our entire career has been a winding journey,” comments KANSAS guitarist and original member Richard Williams. “Whether it’s been the ‘original’ lineup signing with Don Kirshner, spending years on the bus, touring with Queen, and finally worldwide success peaking with Leftoverture and Point of Know Return.” Williams goes on to remember, “That was followed by various lineup changes, the valleys of the 90’s and the ‘dinosaur bands’ losing steam, to our most recent ‘rebirth’ and success of our latest new music over the last eight years.” He concludes, “There have been several forks in the road…This 50th Anniversary Tour and release represent that journey.”
To further celebrate the band’s 50th Anniversary, InsideOutMusic has released Another Fork in the Road – 50 Years of KANSAS. The 3-CD career-spanning collection features carefully selected tracks from across KANSAS’s sizable discography. It also includes a new version of the song “Can I Tell You.” Originally released on their 1974 debut album, the song is updated by the current lineup.
With a legendary career spanning five decades, KANSAS has firmly established itself as one of America’s iconic classic rock bands. KANSAS boasts a current lineup including original drummer Phil Ehart, bassist & vocalist Billy Greer, lead vocalist & keyboardist Ronnie Platt, keyboardist & vocalist Tom Brislin, violinist & guitarist Joe Deninzon, and original guitarist Richard Williams. Additionally, Eric Holmquist fills in on drums for the first part of each concert while Phil Ehart continues to recover from an arm injury. With no signs of slowing down, KANSAS continues to perform in front of large and enthusiastic audiences.
For more information on KANSAS and the Another Fork in the Road – 50th Anniversary Tour, please visit:
https://thevirginia.org
www.kansasband.com
www.facebook.com/kansasband
www.twitter.com/kansasband
www.instagram.com/kansasband
www.threads.net/kansasband
www.youtube.com/kansas
