Billy retired!

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peter drysdale

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Sep 7, 2024, 8:48:44 PM9/7/24
to 'Angelo Coiro' via People of the South Wind
Just saw this. Apparently back during covid they had all the guys come up with someone who could be their backup, so I guess whoever his backup was could be the new bassist. 

kcumm...@juno.com

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Sep 7, 2024, 10:19:17 PM9/7/24
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He's been through a lot in the past year, and I wish him the best. I assume Dan McGowan will stay on, but perhaps he has other commitments. We'll know soon enough. I've occasionally wondered who the backups are. We know Phil's was Eric, but does Eric have one? Billy's was Kyle Henderson and now Dan. Rich's was Zak. What about Tom, Joe and Ronnie?

---------- Original Message ----------
From: peter drysdale <epe...@gmail.com>
To: "'Angelo Coiro' via People of the South Wind" <po...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [PotSW] Billy retired!
Date: Sat, 7 Sep 2024 20:48:29 -0400

Just saw this. Apparently back during covid they had all the guys come up with someone who could be their backup, so I guess whoever his backup was could be the new bassist. 

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Ryan Waldron

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Sep 8, 2024, 12:02:43 AM9/8/24
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I wonder how far down the list I am. Pretty far, I assume. What’s the largest number?

Tapped out on my shiny iPhone from my secret hideout

On Sep 7, 2024, at 9:19 PM, kcumm...@juno.com wrote:

He's been through a lot in the past year, and I wish him the best. I assume Dan McGowan will stay on, but perhaps he has other commitments. We'll know soon enough. I've occasionally wondered who the backups are. We know Phil's was Eric, but does Eric have one? Billy's was Kyle Henderson and now Dan. Rich's was Zak. What about Tom, Joe and Ronnie?

peter drysdale

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Sep 8, 2024, 9:46:47 PM9/8/24
to 'Angelo Coiro' via People of the South Wind
Great question. I assume their backups are all very skilled. One would assume that Ronnie's backup would also have to be able to sing all the songs. Not sure that Tom could sing lead on all the songs. 

Hans-Juergen Klein

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Sep 9, 2024, 9:44:06 AM9/9/24
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Billy retired inmidst a running US tour, while the band has no replacement yet?

Sounds strange to me. 

What happened? What's the reason for his sudden departure?

Billy served as emcee? Wasn't this to be Ronnie Platt's job?

HJ 




Von: po...@googlegroups.com <po...@googlegroups.com> im Auftrag von peter drysdale <epe...@gmail.com>
Gesendet: Montag, 9. September 2024 03:46
An: 'Angelo Coiro' via People of the South Wind <po...@googlegroups.com>
Betreff: Re: [PotSW] Billy retired!
 

Angelo Coiro

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Sep 9, 2024, 10:13:20 AM9/9/24
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There are a lot of reasons why he retired.
I talked to Billy a bunch of times I knew this was eventually coming, but I didn’t think this soon.

Fran DeRosier

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Sep 9, 2024, 10:56:38 AM9/9/24
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The official announcement from the band didn’t mention retirement. Just an observation. 

Here is the announcement copied from Facebook:

September 6, 2024 – After nearly 40 years, Billy Greer has concluded his journey as bassist and co-lead vocalist for the band KANSAS.

The band KANSAS and its entire organization extend heartfelt gratitude to Billy for his decades of exceptional musicianship.

Billy joined KANSAS in 1985 and has been an unwavering presence with the band since.

“For 39 years, Billy has been a loyal, dedicated, and immensely talented bandmate. He’s travelled around the world with us including USO tours,” comments KANSAS original member Phil Ehart.

Original guitarist Richard Williams adds, “He stood shoulder to shoulder with us through both the ups and the downs. His voice, both singing and emceeing, has been a constant with us on stage. The entire KANSAS family will miss him.”

Billy has appeared on stage with KANSAS for more than 2,300 live performances. He has appeared on the studio albums “Power,” “In The Spirit Of Things,” “Freaks Of Nature,” “Always Never The Same,” “Somewhere To Elsewhere,” “The Prelude Implicit,” and “The Absence of Presence.” Billy is also featured on the live releases “Live at the Whisky,” “King Biscuit Flower Hour,” “Device Voice Drum,” “There’s Know Place Like Home,” “Leftoverture Live & Beyond,” and “Point of Know Return Live & Beyond.” Billy was also lead vocalist and bassist for the side project Native Window.

In the last 18 years, Billy has taken charge of the emcee role on stage enhancing the connection between the band on stage and the audience.

Billy’s departure will not impact any KANSAS performance scheduling. A new KANSAS bassist will be announced soon.

On Sep 9, 2024, at 9:13 AM, 'Angelo Coiro' via People of the South Wind <po...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



kcumm...@juno.com

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Sep 9, 2024, 2:50:06 PM9/9/24
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Concerning the role of emcee, from what I recall, Steve replaced Robby, but wasn't comfortable doing so. Billy then took on the role.

---------- Original Message ----------
From: "'Angelo Coiro' via People of the South Wind" <po...@googlegroups.com>
To: <po...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: AW: [PotSW] Billy retired!
Date: Mon, 9 Sep 2024 14:13:16 +0000 (UTC)

There are a lot of reasons why he retired.
I talked to Billy a bunch of times I knew this was eventually coming, but I didn’t think this soon.

On Monday, September 9, 2024 at 07:44:07 AM MDT, Hans-Juergen Klein <shades_...@hotmail.com> wrote:



Billy retired inmidst a running US tour, while the band has no replacement yet?

Sounds strange to me. 

What happened? What's the reason for his sudden departure?

Billy served as emcee? Wasn't this to be Ronnie Platt's job?

HJ 




Von: po...@googlegroups.com <po...@googlegroups.com> im Auftrag von peter drysdale <epe...@gmail.com>
Gesendet: Montag, 9. September 2024 03:46
An: 'Angelo Coiro' via People of the South Wind <po...@googlegroups.com>
Betreff: Re: [PotSW] Billy retired!
 
Great question. I assume their backups are all very skilled. One would assume that Ronnie's backup would also have to be able to sing all the songs. Not sure that Tom could sing lead on all the songs. 

On Sat, Sep 7, 2024, 22:19 kcumm...@juno.com <kcumm...@juno.com> wrote:
He's been through a lot in the past year, and I wish him the best. I assume Dan McGowan will stay on, but perhaps he has other commitments. We'll know soon enough. I've occasionally wondered who the backups are. We know Phil's was Eric, but does Eric have one? Billy's was Kyle Henderson and now Dan. Rich's was Zak. What about Tom, Joe and Ronnie?

---------- Original Message ----------
From: peter drysdale <epe...@gmail.com>
To: "'Angelo Coiro' via People of the South Wind" <po...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [PotSW] Billy retired!
Date: Sat, 7 Sep 2024 20:48:29 -0400

Just saw this. Apparently back during covid they had all the guys come up with someone who could be their backup, so I guess whoever his backup was could be the new bassist. 

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Bert Chancellor

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Sep 9, 2024, 4:00:40 PM9/9/24
to 'Bert Chancellor' via People of the South Wind
Billy will be surely missed.  Highly gifted musician, lead vocals quality vocalist, and kind, warm soul.  He has been such a consist, strong part of Kansas for nearly 40 years!

I’ve been thinking less about replacement lately and more about what Billy has meant to Kansas and all the great music he’s been part of.  

What’s everyone’s favorite Billy bass line?  I’m struggling with that, currently arguing about Silhouettes in Disguise or Musicato?


Bert Chancellor (he/him/his)
John 3:30
bert...@me.com
https://www.prelusionescape.com

Sent from an Apple device

peter drysdale

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Sep 10, 2024, 11:07:23 AM9/10/24
to 'Angelo Coiro' via People of the South Wind
I see that the band has announced that Dan McGowan is the new bassist. Says that he's from southern NJ, so they're turning into a New Jersey band now. 


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