"I have a guitar army in front of me every night," said Rich Williams, one of the founders of Kansas. "They've researched the band and studied our music. They are an entirely new generation of fans."
The "army" he's referring to is generated by the video game "Guitar Hero II," which has the band's 1976 single "Carry On Wayward Son" on its track list.
"If it weren't for the fans, we wouldn't still be here," said Williams by phone on the band's current tour, which brings the group to the Atlantis on Friday and Saturday.
"When we began 34 years ago, of course, I had no idea we would still be at it, but I'm glad we stuck it out.
"I enjoy it now more than I ever did. The touring is fun now. We stay in comfortable hotels. We spread the shows out over the year. We break it up."
"Carry On Wayward Son" is one of the signature tracks on "Two for the Show: 30th Anniversary Edition," which restores the full-length original 1978 concert double album and expands it to two CDs, including 10 previously unreleased live cuts from that year. It arrived in stores July 1.
It also retains the familiar cover graphic of two cleaning ladies seated in empty orchestra seats reading the playbill for the Kansas concert, an homage to Norman Rockwell's "The Charwomen."
Kansas produced eight gold albums and four multi-platinum albums, including such classic songs as "Point of No Return" and "Dust in the Wind."
They have been looked upon as one of the country's more progressive rock bands. The original lead singer and keyboardist Steve Walsh, also still with the band, wrote much of their material and determines what will be performed.
"Our play list is pretty set, actually," Williams said. "Of course, we adjust to different settings. We've been playing with a lot of symphonies lately and that requires different material from, say, a bike rally. But there is such a thing as a typical Kansas concert."
Around the Silver Circle
Another rock band of no humble history, Kiss, debuts at Harveys Outdoor Arena at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. They may not "Rock and Roll All Nite" but they are known to give the audience their money's worth. With a $155 top ticket price this time around, they'd better. You can also get seats at $59.50, $89.50, and $125 at ticketmaster.com or apeconcerts.com.
Now that the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival has ended its season, the stage at Sand Harbor State Park can be used for the "Midsummer Nights" series with the Sierra Nevada Ballet and "Best of Broadway" at 7:30 p.m. Friday; five-time Grammy nominee David Benoit and contemporary jazz at 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and Jamie Davis and Friends from the Count Basie Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $27 and go to $125 and are available at laketahoeshakespeare.com or (888) 327-4697.
There are two distinctly different styles of music available at the Silver Legacy this Labor Day weekend. Country reigns at 8 p.m. Saturday when Jason Aldean performs. The video for his "Hicktown," hillbilly girls gone wild, may give a hint of what to expect from the audience. His tickets are $45, $55 and $65. Then Chicago arrives at 8 p.m. Sunday with a show celebrating their 40th anniversary, dating back to when they were the Big Thing, then the Chicago Transit Authority. Their numbered albums have been consistently well done. Chicago XXX was released two years ago. Tickets are $66, $71 and $81. Information: (800) 687-8733 or silverlegacyresort.com.
Finally, fireworks are not just for July 4. South Lake Tahoe puts on a pretty impressive display for Labor Day as well, fired over the lake on Sunday once the sun goes down.
KANSAS
WHERE: Atlantis Casino Resort, Reno
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
TICKETS: $35 in advance, $38 day of show; (888) 551-7007.
DINING: The Atlantis has several dining choices, including two new restaurants: Bistro Napa, specializing in fresh and organic menu choices; and Manhattan Deli, the closest thing in Reno to the real thing, even offering matzo ball soup and gefilte fish; along with Toucan Charlie's Buffet, Purple Parrot Coffee Shop, Sky Terrace Oyster Bar and Café Alfresco.
INFORMATION: (888) 551-7007
