Kansas Returns

2016 will be a big year for Kansas as it mixes old and new. The band known for such classic songs as "Carry On, Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind" will join on the bandwagon of performing a landmark album in its entirety. For Kansas, it's Leftoverture, the 1976 LP that broke the band big across the country. Richard Williams of Kansas says touring for the 40th anniversary Leftoverture is something new for them. "It's the 40th anniversary of the album. We've never done an album in its entirety before, just like it was recorded -- from beginning to end in order, and all of that. With the new lineup, we're up to do anything. We're always reinventing ourselves in a way." There's also new to go along with the old. Kansas just finished its first album of new material since 2000. Richard Williams of Kansas says the 40th anniversary Leftoverture tour will coincide with their new album of original material. "We'll going to start doing that as the new album is released, also. So we'll be doing along with the Leftoverture tour, it's going to be a long show. We're going to be doing a lot of other stuff and we're also going to be doing a lot of the new album. So it's a celebration of the old, and a celebration of the new -- and everything in between." The Prelude Implicit, expected in September, will be the first to feature the voice -- and writing -- of current lead singer Ronnie Platt. Richard Williams of Kansas says the band's upcoming album fits in with their multi-generational appeal. "We've picked up a lot of younger fans, that's very exciting. This is Ronnie Platt's first album with us. And it's going to be great for Ronnie to have his own songs to sing -- very exiciting for him. The album came out fantastic. It's been 16 years since we've done a studio album and we have a lot to say. So, it was an amazing process and we're extremely proud of it. I think our Kansas fans are really going to love it." Before the official 40th anniversary celebration gets rolling, Kansas has a trio of New York-area shows this week. The first is Thursday night at Long Island, New York's NYCB Theater, when it shares a bill with Edgar Winter.