Reconstructions Reconstructed
Kerry Livgren was born in Topeka, Kansas the first son in a family of six. Drawn to music at a young age, his first musical interests developed with classical and jazz influences while his peers were embracing Elvis Presley. Starting with an electric guitar he built himself, Kerry focused on writing songs as he learned to play -- seeking to create songs that if nothing else, were original.Kerry's first band was the Gimlets, which he formed with several close friends in high school. After school and on weekends, they soon found themselves booked throughout Kansas and neighboring Missouri. Kerry's involvement with the band continued through college, before joining the Mellotones, a mainstream rhythm and blues band. Driven by a desire for more creative expression, Kerry formed Saratoga, who played for audience members around the area, including a young drummer named Phil Ehart and a bass player, Dave Hope.In 1970, they formed the group, Kansas, combining the best members from their respective bands. Known for their sometimes bizarre originality, the band went through several iterations before becoming the six-member group signed by Don Kirshner in 1973. Kerry remained with the band for 13 years as the band's primary song writer, lead guitarist and keyboard player. Penning such hits as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind," Kerry propelled the band to worldwide success and critical acclaim, with numerous gold and multi-platinum albums, and over 14 million recordings sold to date.In 1980, after becoming an evangelical Christian, Kerry Livgren released his first solo work, Seeds of Change, featuring vocalists Ronnie James Dio and David Pack of Ambrosia, Jethro Tull’s drummer Barriemore Barlow, and guest spots by friends from Kansas. Also accompanying the album was Kerry's autobiographical book of the same name. Together, they expressed the passage and resolution of Kerry's years-long spiritual journey, often the subject of his songs with Kansas.Following his departure from Kansas in 1983, Kerry recorded his second self-produced album for CBS, Timeline, in the same year. With the musicians involved in that project, he formed the band, AD. Between 1983 and 1986, the band released two albums and toured extensively.Kerry next signed with Sparrow records and released Prime Mover in 1988, followed by his first instrumental work, One of Several Possible Musiks in 1989. Exploring a new musical direction, this confluence of orchestral and rock styles received the Dove Award for Instrumental Album of the Year.Livgren concluded this period with his final album for Sparrow. Decade was a double CD retrospective marking ten years since his first solo recording. Featuring two complete albums, excerpts from others and previously unreleased songs, the set continues to be highly regarded among enthusiasts of his music.In 1994, Kerry moved from Atlanta back to his home town of Topeka Kansas. Once there, he initiated his production companies, Grandyzine, and record company, Numavox Records. As part of this work, he constructed a state-of-the-art recording and production facility on his farm, in the frame of a restored barn. This studio would serve as the nexus of his and many other musician's work through the present day."Though I dearly love Georgia, it was great to be back in Kansas (the state) again. I immediately felt at home. There's something about returning to your roots that's inspiring." Composed over the period of two years, Kerry's next album clearly expressed this sentiment as one his most celebrated. Entitled "When Things Get Electric," this 1995 release was also the debut album for Kerry's new label.Over the next several years, Mr. Livgren worked on recording projects with other artists, before returning to solo work in 1997. That year saw the release of his first soundtrack, for the third SONY's Mind's Eye computer animation feature, comprising the work of more than 100 computer artists. Numavox released Prime