Phil Ehart is the drummer and co-founder of KANSAS. He is one of only two members to have appeared on every KANSAS album and tour over the band’s illustrious run of 50+ years … and counting. Despite never having taken a formal drum lesson, Phil nevertheless finds himself in the pantheon of great rock drummers. Over the past five decades, Phil has been the North Star for the band, acting not only as drummer and producer, but also as manager of the band’s day-to-day affairs. Growing up overseas as a “military brat,” Phil fell in love with the drums and helped form the band White Clover when he moved to the States. The band would eventually morph into KANSAS and take the musical world by storm, selling tens of millions of records worldwide and creating some of the most enduring rock songs of all time. Phil also assembled the USO’s “1st Airborne Rock and Roll Division,” which provided entertainment to U.S. troops stationed throughout the world.

Phil uses: Yamaha, Zildjian Cymbals, Evans, Promark, and Woodshed Stage Art

Eric Holmquist was born in Chicago, IL, and began playing the drums at age 4. His father, also a drummer, introduced him to KANSAS’ music, and at a very early age, he had already mastered many of their songs. By the time Eric was 18, he had become friends with the band and crew and had seen Kansas live more than 300 times! In 2005, Eric got the call to be Phil Ehart’s drum tech and soon embarked on a European tour. Eric began playing double drums alongside Phil Ehart in 2006, along with congas and percussion, as needed. In 2023, Phil suffered an elbow injury, and because he had enough confidence in Eric’s abilities and knowledge of the music, he asked Eric to take over drumming duties until his return. In early 2024, Phil suffered a heart attack, and Eric once again assumed drumming responsibilities for the 50th Anniversary Tour. 

Eric uses: Yamaha, Sabian Cymbals, Evans, Promark, Orthopedic Drum Thrones, Humes and Berg Cases, Kelly Shu System, Groove Juice Cymbal Cleaner, Woodshed Stage Art

Dubbed “the man with the golden résumé” by his bandmates, Tom’s career spans more than three decades. It began in his native New Jersey music scene and led to performances with many of rock’s most respected artists. He has toured and recorded with Yes, Meat Loaf, Debbie Harry of Blondie, Renaissance, Camel, Dennis DeYoung (Styx), Glen Burtnik, and others. Voted one of the top ten keyboardists by Prog magazine readers, Tom joined Kansas in December 2018 during the Point of Know Return 40th Anniversary Tour. He was named the band’s Music Director in 2023, ahead of the KANSAS 50^th Anniversary Tour. His contributions are featured on the 2020 album The Absence of Presence, which quickly established him as one of the current lineup’s principal songwriters. He also appears on Point of Know Return – Live and Beyond and the retrospective Another Fork in the Road – 50 Years of KANSAS, on which he co-produced the 2022 version of the Kansas classic “Can I Tell You.”

Tom Uses: Hammond, Moog, Nord, Gibraltar, IK Multimedia, Audio Modeling, Arturia, Cherry Audio, Lounsberry Pedals

Hailing from the south side of Chicago, Ronnie Platt began singing at a very young age. His sister gave him an acoustic guitar when he turned 12, and his musical journey began. Singing in local bands all throughout his school years, Ronnie honed his voice by listening to his influences, Steve Walsh, Steve Perry, and Jon Anderson (just to name a few), and also developed guitar and keyboard skills. Ronnie became the lead singer of the band Shooting Star from 2007 to 2011. In 2014, he replaced retiring lead singer Steve Walsh in KANSAS, where he assumed vocal and keyboard duties and contributed to the studio albums The Prelude Implicit and The Absence of Presence. After more than a decade and countless shows under his belt as frontman for KANSAS, Ronnie prefers to call the band’s music not “classic rock” but “timeless rock.”

Ronnie Uses: Hammond, Yamaha, Wornstar Clothing

Zak Rizvi is a New Jersey-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, recording engineer, and producer. He began playing guitar at age 9, later studying trombone in high school, which sparked a lasting passion for composition and arranging. Deeply influenced by progressive rock, he began writing original material while developing strong studio and recording skills, eventually founding The Den Recording Studio, which later evolved into a full digital facility. In 1996, Zak co-founded the band 4Front, releasing three albums and opening for Kansas in the early 2000s. After working as Chief Engineer and Chief of Production at Star City Recording with longtime Kansas producer Jeff Glixman, Zak launched his own production company in 2012. In 2015, he co-wrote, produced, and mixed KANSAS’ The Prelude Implicit, leading to his becoming a full-time band member. He has since toured with KANSAS and contributed extensively to The Absence of Presence album.

Zak Uses: Fender Guitars, Martic & Co., Fractal Audio

If Joe Denizon’s violin wizardry sounds remotely familiar, it’s because he’s been featured on more than 100 albums and jingles as a violinist and string arranger. Hailed by critics as “The Jimi Hendrix of the Violin” because of his innovative style on the “Viper” seven-string electric violin, Joe has been blazing trails across the musical spectrum for many years. He’s performed and/or recorded with The Who, Bruce Springsteen, 50 Cent, Sheryl Crow, Ritchie Blackmore, Alex Skolnick, Smokey Robinson, Les Paul, Peter Criss (KISS), Michael Sadler (Saga), Renaissance, Kurt Elling, and as a soloist with Jazz at Lincoln Center and the New York City Ballet. Joe’s band, Stratospheerius, has released six albums to critical acclaim. He’s also been a faculty member at the New Jersey City University Multi-Style Strings Program. Joe’s presence in Kansas as violinist, rhythm guitarist, and backup vocalist has resonated passionately with KANSAS fans throughout the world.

Joe Uses: Wood Violins, Glasser Violins, Coda Bows, Line 6 Processors, Crybaby Wah Pedals

When former KANSAS bass player Billy Greer retired in 2024, one name rose straight to the top for the vacancy: Dan McGowan. Hailing from southern New Jersey, Dan is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter whose passion for 70s progressive rock was passed onto him by his parents, who would blast Red, Close To the Edge, and Leftoverture into the wee hours of the morning. Dan serves as the singer and guitarist for the progressive rock band The Tea Club, which he founded with his brother and musical partner Patrick McGowan, and released six albums to critical acclaim. When he’s not on the road with KANSAS, Dan’s passion is working at Inglis House, a wheelchair community in Philadelphia, where he gives music lessons, helps residents achieve their musical goals, and performs alongside them in the resident rock band “Wheelz.”

Dan Uses: Fender Bass, Darkglass preamps

Scott Bernard, the newest addition to Kansas, was born into a musical family in the small town of New Iberia, La., where he was heavily influenced by his older siblings’ record collections, which included albums by The Beatles, Kansas, Queen, Paul McCartney and Wings, and Electric Light Orchestra, among others. He started playing guitar and joined his first band at age 9. In high school, he delved into jazz artists such as Al DiMeola and Chick Corea. Scott began playing in top-40 club bands at the young age of 16, which helped broaden his playing style. He has performed alongside Kenny Loggins for 18 years, serving as guitarist, background vocalist, and musical director. Scott has also worked with Michael McDonald, Whiteheart, John Schlitt, Richard Marx, Al Stewart, Joe Bonamassa, Alan Parsons, Mark Schultz, and many others. Having grown up as a huge KANSAS fan himself, Scott describes playing in KANSAS as a “surreal experience.”

Scott uses: REVV Amps, Analysis Plus Pro Audio Cables, James Tyler Guitars, Vega Trem, DR Strings, Furious, Slides, Presonus, Teegarden Audio, Truetone Pedals and Power Supplies, Seymour Duncan Pickups

Richard Williams is the guitar player and one of the founding members of Kansas. Born in Topeka, Kansas, he has been a key figure in shaping the band’s signature sound for more than five decades, where his solid and melodic guitar work provides the backbone to Kansas’ complex arrangements night after night. Despite losing his right eye in a childhood accident, he pursued guitar with passion and skill. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he became part of the local music scene, eventually joining drummer Phil Ehart in White Clover, the band that would evolve into KANSAS. Rich remained a consistent member throughout the many lineup changes KANSAS has experienced over the decades, and continues to tour and record with the band. He holds the distinction of being one of only two members who have played on every single KANSAS album and participated on every KANSAS tour.

Richard Uses: Gibson Guitars, PRS Guitars, Martin & Co., Kemper, Moody Guitar Straps, Planet Waves, Matrix, LR Baggs Pre-amps, Uncle Albert’s