Kerry Livgren - Influence/recognition

Influence/recognition

As primary songwriter, lead guitarist and keyboard player for Kansas, having penned such hits as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind", Livgren propelled the band to worldwide success and critical acclaim, with numerous gold and multi-platinum albums and more than 14 million recordings sold to date. Kansas produced eight gold albums, one platinum album, two quadruple-platinum albums, one platinum live album, and a 1 million-selling gold single, "Dust in the Wind", according to the Kansas State Historical Society.

"Carry On Wayward Son" has been covered by bands including Dream Theater, Rachel Rachel, Critical Mass, Shryne, Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Stryper, and country superstars The Oak Ridge Boys as well as continuing appearances on album soundtracks such as the movies Heroes and Anchorman. It is also featured in the video games Guitar Hero II, Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero Smash Hits. The song also was used prominently in the TV series Supernatural.

"Dust in the Wind" has been covered by Sarah Brightman, Gabriel & Dresden, Christian artists Billy Smiley and Acappella and by New York Yankees center fielder and aspiring jazz guitarist Bernie Williams on his 2004 debut album The Journey Within. It has also been referenced in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. The song was featured in a Subaru commercial in 2006 and in the film Old School. It was also prominently featured in several episodes of the television series Highlander: The Series. It could also be heard at the end of a 2010 Honda commercial as rendered by a marching band. In a small twist of irony, "Dust in the Wind" was also covered in 2006 by John Elefante, Kansas' lead singer following the departure of Steve Walsh, who sang lead on the original version in 1977. The single was certified gold as a digital download by the RIAA in 2005, almost 30 years after it sold 1 million copies as a single.

Livgren's music is used by permission for the Theophilos Bible Software. The intro music is an excerpt from "And I Saw, As It Were … Konelrad" from the album One Of Several Possible Musiks. Other portions of the software use the following songs or excerpts from songs: "All Creation Sings" from Art Of The State; "Beyond The Pale" from Time Line; "Highway To The Heart" and "No Standing" from Reconstructions; "I'll Follow You" from Prime Mover; "Just One Way" from Seeds of Change; "Racing Away" from When Things Get Electric; and "Smoke Is Rising," "Two Thousand Down" and "When Things Get Electric" from When Things Get Electric.

Kerry Livgren is listed as a "Famous Kansan" by the Kansas State Historical Society. The platinum record awarded to him for the Kansas album Monolith hangs in the Kansas Museum of History. He was also honored by the Kansas State Legislature with a commendaton on April 28, 2006.