Kansas Power Lines

Kansas Power and Light, known as KPL, was the name of the electric service provider here in northeast Kansas. The accompanying photo, Kansas Power Lines, reminded me of subtle, yet powerful lines and images from songs by the band, Kansas. Words that have stayed "current" over the decades since I first heard them.

The most shameless name dropping in my life has been the many times I’ve mentioned a certain afternoon when Kansas performed “in concert” at my high school! They were definitely way ahead of my time, but in the years ahead I did my best to catch up - by telling folks how cool it was to be a sophomore at Seaman High School in Topeka in 1971.

I was pleasantly surprised to catch them performing one night on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert. I started hearing “Carry On Wayward Son” on the radio while I was stationed in Iceland in 1976. There is so much about the music of Kansas that I have admired, but there is one opinion I have to share before I get into this list. I don’t know that there was ever a vocalist better suited to a band, and the songs of that band, than Steve Walsh was to Kansas. It was a perfect fit. Now on to the list of Kansas Power Lines:

“Now and then we’ve all been given/A glimpse of bygone days/I’d give all to see it clearly/Not shrouded in the haze”

Apercu - Kerry Livgren/Steve Walsh - Kansas (1974)

“We only catch a glimpse of all the life that is around/The man is not alive who knows the value of his soul”

Incomudro-Hymn to the Atman— Kerry Livgren - Song for America-(1975)

“This world was meant to share, let them know you care/By making someone’s life worth living”

All the World - Steve Walsh/Robbie Steinhardt - Masque (1975)

“The moment is a masterpiece . . .”

The Wall - Kerry Livgren/Steve Walsh - Leftoverture - (1976)

“I close my eyes/Only for a moment and the moment’s gone”

Dust in the Wind -Kerry Livgren - Point of Know Return - (1977)

“As I stand in your presence/I can feel the quiet patience of your gaze”

A Glimpse of Home - Kerry Livgren- Monolith-(1979)

“In a single timeless moment/When the old was cast away”

Relentless - Kerry Livgren - Audio Visions - (1980)

“And deep within the hardest heart/There’s something there that knows/There’s a hunger life can never fill/’Til you face the one who rose”

Crossfire- Kerry Livgren - Vinyl Confessions- (1982)

“Through the narrows there are few who pass/Only the chosen enter in/Seek your calling while it may be found/For the sand in the hourglass is falling”

End of the Age--Kerry Livgren - Drastic Measures (1983)