Kansas - Live - 1976 - The Pinnacle(Chicago)

Recorded live at The Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, Illinois on January 16, 1976. This was taken from an FM radio broadcast which was on a disc entitled "Kansas--Tour Digest 1976". The song is from the MASQUE album and tour. This is another Kerry Livgren masterpiece.
Steve Walsh - Vocals, Keyboards
Kerry Livgren - Guitars, Keyboards
Robby Steinhardt - Vocals, Violin
Rich Williams - Guitars
Dave Hope - Bass
Phil Ehart - Drums

[@thomascallahan7216]

Kansas was way ahead of their time....This song is a true masterpiece in rock and roll history

[@kenm.3512]

A stunning live performance of one of Kansas's greatest songs. The Pinnacle is such a well-composed piece of music. As close to orchestral perfection that any band ever produced without a real orchestra. A brilliantly arranged gem. Majestic, searching, Powerful, beautiful, lyrical.......I could keep going.....!

[@csunday95]

Sadly Kansas was before my time, but immediately upon hearing one of their more popular songs, Dust in the Wind, I wanted to hear more and was surprised by the fact that all their other songs not only met my expectations garnered by Dust in the Wind, but far exceeded them. Kansas is truly a timeless band and this song has grown to be my favorite with its amazing lyrics and awe inspiring soundscape. I never cease to discover new Kansas Songs I love.

[@gospeltruthtv]

I am so glad Dave Hope found five guys to back him up so perfectly!

[@DaKidd62]

Dale Schaefer Haha 😆 Right?

[@rossb.4773]

Dave Hope was a fantastic bassist. .

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

Another reminder of the potential of the human voice. Excellent!

[@DropAnchor1978]

I love Steve's alteration of the melody in the last verse, how he soars effortlessly. spine chilling!

[@slapjohnson2808]

Agree. Always loved the way he would change the vocals a little during live performances. His voice was amazing back in the day!

[@jacquetrosper7780]

@@slapjohnson2808 heard him a few days ago. The man looks fit and his voice is coming back. Not as in his earliest years but is really good,

[@ZachSershon]

an excellent version....what really stands out to me in this vid is phil's drumming. having learned this song by ear and knowing how strange the rhythms can be, and how perfect and creative phil's ideas are, really made me appreciate him in the past....however, hearing this live i can hear him add such nice little touches. one of the few drummers i've gotten into....it's almost like his drums become another harmonic instrument despite their lack of pitch. that's pure mastery.

[@linneasaoirse]

Almost too awesome to be real. love kansas always

[@wilddrum78]

Linnea Skoglund one of my favorite bands of all times. always so innovated it is always such a learning experience with this band

[@kimolesen]

The pinnacle of my musical treasure...greetings from Denmark

[@linneasaoirse]

Perfect version......

[@billstout6159]

Epic.

[@YEAHSpongebob]

True!

[@TRUMP-2024-MAGA]

I was there.... seen them 8 times....awesome

[@rushisgod]

A great THANK YOU from me and thousands of KANSAS eternal fans! All the best to U all!

[@JimReem]

I saw Kansas 3 times, once right after their first album, they were first on for Mott the Hoople. Worked at a record store at the time and went to after concert party with them, the classical music guy from the store talked with Kerry, Steve and Robbie about music for quite a while, talking about how Robbies violin was like Bartok, then saw them at the concert that became two for the show album and once more after Monolith came out. They were awesome every time.

[@pjb029]

There was a version from 1975 i believe from the Don Kirchner show that was posted for years & removed that i thought was the best however this is very close & is a reminder of just how much heart & passion these musicians gave to their music & that today's music just does not match up when compared

[@TheVoltrom]

+pjb029 I recorded this video when was available. I can re-post for you.

[@pjb029]

+TheVoltrom .. If you could it would add to the enjoyment of everyone who listen and remember back to the middle 1970's and the true greatness of Kansas, i know i remember this music like it was yesterday

[@rickyon]

+TheVoltrom Be careful. The video was removed due to copyright infringement. If You-Tube gets around to it they will remove yours and it will count as a strike against your account. 3 strikes and you lose your account. It may not make it past the upload approval stage.

[@rickyon]

+rickyon I just tried to open the link of your post of the DKRC vids. Blocked. That's what I thought would happen.

[@yesfandavidb]

+TheVoltrom Please do!

[@YEAHSpongebob]

Perfect version!!!!

[@btom22259]

a very difficult song to play with all this different harmonies, but one of my favorites, soooooo great!

[@BenRagunton]

Seeing those photos (some of which I've never seen before) along with listening to one of my favorite songs from their catalog really made me feel like I was born about 10 years too late... I do love the band as it is now and I eagerly look forward to hearing their new album. However (and this is not meant as any disrespect towards those "newer" members in the band), there was something really magical that happened when these original 6 musicians got together. They were able to craft and create something that will unquestionably stand the test of time. I'm luck in that I got to see them during their A/V tour in 1980. I only wish I could have seen them right when they were breaking big in 76 and 77.

[@joer3481]

I saw them before Leftoverture was released in Detroit.....I was speechless after the concert.

[@kenRowe-p4x]

Best live band, ever!

[@mdanderson1114]

Thanks for posting this. Amazing music and great pictures. Kansas is awesome. Walsh is amazing and Kerry Livgren is a genius.

[@donnylimbert4925]

This is truly a masterpiece…stunning composition, dynamically arresting, superbly executed, true artistry at work here. Thanks so much for posting this Rick. This song remains my Kansas favorite…probably my all time favorite song altogether really. I love the current iteration of Kansas too but there will always be something extra magical about the original six. This is Kansas hitting on all cylinders right here!

[@sk992085]

masterpiece!

[@briano.1503]

This was 10 days before my 12th birthday. I was listening to these guys hardcore and lived in Grand Rapids Michigan. I should've been at this show! 😔

[@JoeyOMusic]

Absolutely incredible!

[@petergosselin9756]

Musical masters

[@curmudgeonextraordinaire1884]

Modern day keyboards and synthesizers are 100% more advanced then what was available in the 70s, yet the sound of the stuff they had then just has a certain magical sound to them that you can’t get today

[@MrCamelneck]

@Bearses What you "hear" during the first verse is a combination of Steve's organ and Rich picking arpeggios on his electric guitar, which kind of sounds a bit like a piano. That being said, you can hear Kerry playing his bell-like Rhodes electric piano for a few seconds prior to the organ (2:29 - 2:32), but at 2:33 Walsh takes over on organ followed by the previously mentioned combination of organ and guitar that kicks off the first verse at 2:42. FWIW, Kansas never used "electronic pianos" in the 70's or early 80's. Instead, they used "electric pianos". Unlike an electronic piano whose sound is generated solely by electronics, an electric piano is an electro-mechanical instrument. Like an electric guitar, it is a mechanical instrument that is capable of producing a weak sound when its keys are struck, However, it also contains electromagnetic pickups which convert this weak sound into an electric signal which can be amplified and heard through speakers. In the early days ('73 - '77), Kerry had a Rhodes electric piano which was used in many of their songs, while Walsh had a Wurlitzer piano which was seldom used. By the late 70's, both of them were touring with Yamaha CP-70 electric grand pianos. In the studio, they used both electric and acoustic pianos. However, they elected to use the smaller electric pianos when they toured since they were significantly lighter and since they conserved stage space.

[@crusheverything4449]

MrCamelneck Thank you for your very informative post. It’s always nice to read comments from those with something insightful to add.

[@Jefrsn1]

Most incredible!

[@kartikokusumo8046]

RIP Robbie .

[@billbarry4179]

If this was from Chicago, I was there, they opened for Bad Company, I had never heard of Kansas, a friend of my brothers came in and said these guys were awesome, he seen them before, he was from Nebraska, and they played alot in those areas, well they opened and by the 3rd song, i was hooked, and have stayed true, thru the years, yes these early songs were really put together and performed exceptionally well, And today , with the group now, things still are rolling along quite well, people say , that Ronnie doesn't sound like Steve. Well he does and remember these guys were in their 20's then

[@dankoftinoff8119]

Masterpiece!

[@JoeyArmstrong2800]

This song just moves me in such a visceral way. I wish there were more live versions out there.

[@btom22259]

My favorite song nr. 1 of kansas

[@shucksful]

The photos are outstanding, and I love how you edited the video. The music, everything about this is greatness.

[@rickyon]

Thanks

[@btom22259]

miss this and lamplight sympony live this days.

[@manuelgandara2031]

Can't seem to find the words to describe their musical talent

[@YamersLexx]

They are at their best in concert! Thanks again rickyon! I shall now predict that you will work on Steves song for his Grandparents,' Just How it Feels'

[@danielkatzel895]

for one brief shining moment, i saw beyond the tomb........

[@Bearses]

love the electronic piano on the first stanza of the song - it's short, but shows the composition mastery

[@crusheverything4449]

My favorite song by my favorite band. Thank you, yet again, Rick!

[@rickyon]

You're welcome Crush!

[@YamersLexx]

The pictures you post are so clear.The best! Keep posting! Hey, are these pictures from the 'cut up' concert program? YIKES!

[@littlebuddyd]

Robbie!

[@rickyon]

Nope! It's Robby!

[@YamersLexx]

COOL! So you got a booklet with the Sail On set? WOOHOO! Happy dance!

[@rickyon]

This coming from someone with the screen name that you have? Not a good start but I won't hold it against you. I'm a hardcore fan as well!

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Wondrous, not just genius, but ingenious. Stupendous, slightly tweaked arrangement is as good( better?)than studio version. But, it is Kansas, no surprise there.

[@rickyon]

You sound like a nice enough person and intelligent and thoughtful but that name is screaming something else! No problem, I don't judge by labels but by content. One thing that gives you high marks in my book is your love of the best band ever in my opinion, Kansas!

[@YamersLexx]

I think I'm hyperventalating... Does it give info on the groups history and journey. I was reading that Steve was talking about going solo as early as Point of no Return, in fact he left the group for a few days during the recording!

[@mariposagoldenboy1]

trapped in Life's Parade....

[@jaxmiler36]

Rickyon, have you ever stumbled upon Pinnacle from Villanova field house? I think most people's copy is from the King bisquit flower hour and the pinnacle was not included in that broadcast.

[@rickyon]

+Kelsey Helm I have not seen it. Have you tried any of the bootleg sites and checked the setlist available from that show. I would try Houseofbootlegs.com or guitars101.com

[@heartchitect1960]

Hey, Rick Yon, I know you, I'm in your fb group!

[@rickyon]

I’m glad that you found the You-Tube channel. Enjoy!

[@YamersLexx]

POO! I didn't know that was the rules!

[@peu239]

There was a video of them performing this song live, I can't find it... Does anyone have the link?

[@peu239]

Awesome performance, by the way!

[@lygoldblum]

This isn’t live, it’s cut and post, where is the “ live “ version “.... would love to see it, saw Kirshner’s year’s ago, see it has been pulled

[@rickyon]

The audio is live. No video exists. It is called a slideshow video. If it doesn't appeal to you then close your eyes and listen or don't watch. Your choice.

[@btom22259]

only this adidas shorts of steve i must laugh about today

[@DaKidd62]

Thomas Becker My wife has a photo of me and her from when we met back in 77 and I was wearing my adidas shirt and shorts as was a huge Kansas fan. Saw them live many times and loved Steves handstands on his keyboard.

[@rotemv12345]

How can I find the whole broadcast?

[@garyberuck5636]

ausome guitar work , orchestral atmospheric sound !! steves vocales roaring , this band is special !! they knew what they were doing . pinnacle song had everything in it . all the instruments are heard clear.

[@garyberuck5636]

ausome guitar work , orchestral atmospheric sound !! steves vocales roaring , this band is special !! they knew what they were doing . pinnacle song had everything in it . all the instruments are heard clear.