STEEL CITY SELECTED TO HOST THE EVENT WITH SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY RETIRED ORIGINAL MEMBERS DAVE HOPE, KERRY LIVGREN, AND ROBBY STEINHARDT.  TICKETS GO ON SALE STARTNG MARCH 8.

Celebrating 40 years as a band, legendary American Progressive Rock Band KANSAS is taking a break from their regular touring schedule to say “thank you” to their legions of loyal “Wheatheads” with a once-in-a-lifetime fan appreciation concert scheduled for August 17, 2013 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

When asked about the special evening, guitarist Richard Williams explains, “Our fans are the best in the world and have hung in there with us forever! We want to thank them with this very special event.”

To start the concert KANSAS will perform a set backed by a 35-piece symphony orchestra.  Following an intermission, KANSAS will then rock out a traditional band set of classics from their repertoire.  The night will be highlighted by special guest appearances throughout the concert by original members Dave Hope, Kerry Livgren, and Robby Steinhardt – marking the first time all original members of the band will be on the same stage together in more than 30 years.

Phil Ehart, KANSAS’s drummer further describes the event, “We do a symphony set, then we do a regular set. And in the meantime we have Dave, Kerry, and Robby playing on different songs with the current band through the whole show!!

And we’ve got some great stuff planned for the intermission, too! It’s gonna rock!”

The event will take place at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Stanley Theatre) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This venue was selected because of the special meaning to the band due to their history of concerts and loyal fan base in the Steel City.

“People need to know that Pittsburgh, and the whole state of Pennsylvania, discovered the band KANSAS first! We came here in the early days and Pittsburgh was like our home away from home!” says Ehart. “Heck, we are even using Rich Engler to promote this show at what used to be the Stanley Theater.  Rich Engler and the incredible Stanley Theater….just like the old days! How cool is that?”

Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday, March 8, 2013 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. In addition to regularly priced tickets, which range from $65.25 to $80.25, a limited number of VIP and Premium ticket packages will be available for this once-in-a-lifetime event. VIP packages will include premier seating, merchandise, and a meet and greet photo opportunity with all original and current members of KANSAS.   Links to purchase ticket packages or tickets online can be found at KansasBand.com.   Fans can also purchase tickets by calling 412-456-4800, or in person at the Theater Square Box Office located at 655 Penn Ave in Pittsburgh.  VIP and Premium ticket packages are only available at KansasBand.com.

The band KANSAS was formed in 1973 in Topeka, Kansas, by drummer Phil Ehart, bassist Dave Hope, guitarist/keyboardist Kerry Livgren, violinist/vocalist Robby Steinhardt, vocalist/keyboardist Steve Walsh, and guitarist Richard Williams; and is currently comprised of drummer Phil Ehart, bassist Billy Greer, violinist David Ragsdale, singer/keyboardist Steve Walsh, and guitarist Richard Williams.

Along with touring, KANSAS continues to remain a fixture of Classic Rock radio and has reached a whole new audience through their unmistakable presence on the popular video games Rock Band and Guitar Hero, and through their songs inclusion in various television shows such as ‘Supernatural,’ and ‘South Park,’ and with films ‘Old School,’ and ‘Anchorman.’

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

Official Website: www.kansasband.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kansasband

Twitter: @kansasband

Media – To schedule an interview, please contact:

J.R. Rees/KANSAS Management Office

[email protected]

On November 10, 2012, KANSAS will be playing with Chicago as part of the American Freedom Festival at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia.  The event will raise money for various organizations that serve and support veterans, active duty military, wounded warriors, and their families throughout the country.

Due to a prior family commitment, the marriage of his stepson, bassist Billy Greer will be unable to appear with the band that night.  When faced with this dilemma, the band asked a familiar face for a favor, and, on this night, original bassist Dave Hope will come out of musical retirement to fill in for Greer. Another KANSAS touring alumnus from the 80’s, Terry Brock, will cover Greer’s vocals for the evening.

“We are really going to miss Billy that night, believe me!  We really appreciate Dave and Terry stepping up and filling in for the night.  They sound great and rehearsals were really rocking,” commented KANSAS drummer, and original member, Phil Ehart.

When asked about filling in for Greer, Hope stated, “It’s a thrill to be filling in for the night.  After 28 years of not playing with the band, it feels like I’m stepping right back into high school.  It’s especially an honor because of the purpose of the concert; we really appreciate all that the members of the United States military do for us.”

Tickets are on sale now and available at www.Ticketmaster.com.  A very limited number of VIP packages, which include a meet and greet photo opportunity with the band KANSAS, are also available.

More information on the American Freedom Festival and American Freedom Foundation can be found at www.AmericanFreedomFoundation.org.

With their self-titled first album released in 1974, KANSAS went on to become one of the decade’s most popular rock acts – issuing classic rock albums such as 1976’s ‘Leftoverture’ and 1977’s ‘Point of Know Return,’ along with the hit singles “Carry on Wayward Son” and “Dust In the Wind,” and “Point of Know Return.”  The band – which in addition to Ehart and Greer, is comprised of, singer/keyboardist Steve Walsh, violinist David Ragsdale, and guitarist Richard Williams – continue to tour in front of large and enthusiastic audiences and to this day remain a fixture on classic rock radio.

www.kansasband.com

www.facebook.com/kansasband

Twitter: @kansasband

For More Information Contact:

Jen Farhood/ChipsterPR

Email: [email protected]