Richard Williams- (Kansas, Native Window)

[@stevesmith3990]

Thanks to Rich for a lifetime of music!

[@crusheverything4449]

Rich is always a great interview and so down-to-earth and forthcoming. 50 years in and it’s totally obvious he still loves playing guitar for Kansas. He doesn’t get talked about enough, but I’ve witnessed him play some of the rippingest solos I’ve ever heard and I’m a guitar junkie! He’s one of the greatest in my book and, as a fan since ‘75, it makes me really happy to see him so fulfilled, humble and grateful. If success has changed him, it’s only been for the better. There’s a lot of wisdom between the lines when he speaks. Nice job on this to both of you!

[@katesjanice]

Kansas has been my favorite band since the release of their eponymous 1st album in 1974. Every one of the 6 original members are incredible musicians, but what really makes them great is the humility of every member and their willingness to share the spotlight. Although both Rich & Kerry are great guitarists, neither hogged the time nor the solos. And that was true of all the members. I consider myself the world’s biggest Wheathead!

[@billwhitmire3159]

Kansas at the Fox. I was singing in my Pastor's son's band and has bought "Leftoverture." to learn COWS and was aghast at how great the rest of the album was. I saw thy were coming to the Fox and decided to go. Point of Know Return tour. Hooked me for life. Maybe the best concert of my life. When I left, instead of the customary ringing I had music in my head.

[@TomHolliday9]

Great interview.. Fortunate to see Kansas in the mid 70's on their tour supporting Point of No Return album.

[@SOALNightLive]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@markspooner1224]

What a great bloke, lovely interview.

[@SOALNightLive]

Glad you dug it, Mark!

[@arnaudb.7669]

Great interview and excellent review of the Kansas catalogue.

[@merlin5729]

Outstanding interview!!!

[@billgibson8101]

Fantastic interview, and so great to hear new & fresh perspectives I’d never heard Rich share before…Thank you!

[@SOALNightLive]

Glad you enjoyed it! I really enjoyed having the chance to chat with Rich!

[@SOALNightLive]

0:15 Introductions & Kansas in 2023 10:00 Kansas in the 90s VS the 2000s 16:15 New violinst Joe Deninzon 20:20 Thoughts on keyboardist Tom Brislin 26:25 Relearning epics from the 70s 31:20 Moving to Atlanta in the late 70s 47:20 Talk about the various guitars Rich has used over the years 1:01:56 For the next hour we discuss favorite songs from each of the Kansas albums, up to Somewhere To Elsewhere 1:02:07 Favorites from the debut album 1:07:17 Thoughts on Song For America 1:12:15 The Masque album 1:13:15 Leftoverture faves and memories 1:15:40 The prog tunes VS the midwestern rock ones- thoughts on the blues and British influences on it 1:19:12 Faves from Point of Know Return 1:24:05 Robby's return to the band. Opening for ELP and touring with Yes 1:27:40 Thoughts and faves from Monolith 1:33:06 Thoughts on Audio-Visons and No One Together 1:36:50 Confessions about Vinyl Confessions 1:39:00 Thoughts on Drastic Measures 1:40:57 Talk of the Power album and era with Steve Morse 1:44:25 The In The Spirit of Things album 1:46:40 Freaks Of Nature memories 1:51:33 Somewhere To Elsewhere (after this Rich's phone battery died. We hoped to discuss faves from The Prelude Implicit and The Absence of Presence and thank him for his time!!)

[@crusheverything4449]

Hats off to Rich for insisting on The Bells of St. James’ inclusion on ITSOT. Why that was necessary is a mystery to me. It’s by far the best song on the album and it’s my favorite solo Steve Morse played in his career. What a phenomenal song! Steve Walsh proved yet again that he’s easily one of the best rock singers in history. I mean, try singing that chorus without passing out and busting your head open! It’s super-human! The song also carries the most emotional impact on the record and never fails to move me. I doubt they’d even attempt it with Ronnie Platt because it takes serious power to belt that shit out and that’s not Platt’s strength. I saw Steve sing it in ‘93, I believe and he nailed it. It’s a shame not many seemed to know the song. It’s one of Kansas’ diamonds in the rough.

[@SOALNightLive]

Would you believe "Bells" is part of their setlist this year? True! And yeah, nobody sings it as nicely as Steve. But it's still good.... Thanks for the kind words about this chat, it's one of my faves of late!!

[@crusheverything4449]

@@SOALNightLive - That’s surprising, but it is a great song, so I can see why they want to do it. Incidentally, I can tell you’re a dyed-in-the-wool Wheatehead. I think we’re of a similar vintage (I’ll be turning 60 this month) and you asked about a lot of the same things I would’ve. I used to write for some music sites and have interviewed Steve, Phil, Rich and Billy and have hung out with the band backstage at many a show. They’re always so welcoming and cool to fans which is not always the case with famous musicians, as I’m sure you know. They’ve been my favorite band since Masque came out when I was eleven and this interview is one of the best I’ve ever encountered. Instant sub - keep up the great work, man!

[@crusheverything4449]

“30 people in and out…” Was that a reference to Jethro Tull? 🤔