Kerry Livgren/Dave Hope: 700 Club Interview (Kansas) Part 1

[Ozmariot]

Dave Hope is my pastor where i live in Florida!

[WingThaiJ]

BEST ROCK BAND IN HISTORY

[slowmofo357]

This was recorded around 1982, I saw this at work at a nursing home.

[eennymo]

Wow! I knew Kerry became a Christian, but didn't know about Dave. Thanks for sharing this!

[HelloChello33]

how old is this video

[ArizonaBasement]

@HelloChello33

[HelloChello33]

@ArizonaBasement

lol... _____________

[5muftak]

@HelloChello33, the video attached to the 700 Club program shows Elefante as front man. he came in officially in 1982, so I'm guessing '82-'84. 

[HenryWinehard]

@HelloChello33 1979 I believe :) God bless you Kerry and Dave!!

[pianomano1]

I met the Kansas band once. They were all great, except for Dave Hope. He was the most patronising, condescending and arrogant musician I've come across. Maybe he's changed now he's "seen the light" , but first impressions, etc.

[marquezmargaret0]

@pianomano1 dave was severely addicted to drugs before he came to christ--and drug addicts are not nice people

[Ozmariot]

@pianomano1 He is a nice guy he is my pastor in florida

[amylh322]

Does anyone know what year this interview is from? Thanks in advance :)

[Bromoe99]

What do the kids get when they pay $12-14 a ticket?...those were the days.

[HelloChello33]

@Bromoe99 hahahaha... lol...

yeah... not that id know :P

[CHRISTSmusiciansSEA]

Good old video. Thanks Jeff W !

[tullskull]

Why would you care if they are in the RRHOF? Aren't the Black Eyed Peas in there?

Did you know that neither Jethro Tull who had probably the greatest front man in all of classic rock and Humble Pie who had one of the greatest voices in all of rock, yes as good or even better that Steve are not in there?

THE RRHOF is a joke!

[sumstuff46]

THE RRHOF is a joke!

AGREED, it's a fuking joke, rock and roll mall of flame

[Joseph88keyz]

I like them all.Every band changes.Every great one.Kansas is one of them.CLASSIC music.

[whitedress01]

Thank you for posting this!

[blahmeandu]

FIRST 4 ALBUMS!!

[prog4evr]

Yeah, I am an evangelical Christian, and I have to agree with you (I am also a prog nut, as my monicker testifies). When Livgren & Hope left Kansas, AD just fit into the 80s power-rock mode, that's all. Wasn't prog, and wasn't meant to be...

[cybercab]

Thanks for posting this.

[Mel0132]

Anyone know what year this interview was done?

[ArizonaBasement]

I don't know the exact date, but it was either the latter half of 1982 or the 1st half of 1983. The live video featured in the interview was recorded in July of 1982.

[Mel0132]

Thanks. I remember watching that 700 Club interview, but i just couldn't pin point the time. Despite Kerry and Co's critics, Christian and non-Christian alike, their testimony was greatly encouraging to me being a huge music fan and only four years in Christ at the time.

[homestar92]

Words can not describe how much of a role model Kerry Livgren has been to me in recent years, both musically and spiritually. Ever since some events that I don't like to think about, he replace Brett Favre as my life hero.

[Quantanthead]

Good post...keep up the good work. May God open the eyes of all of those atheists commenting that are always so sure of themselves.

[Arglactable]

And may reality close the eyes of those who see nothing through them.

[ke2323]

why are we atheists, if we disagree on the direction a band took? I believe in god,I go to church, however I do not walk around with a bible in my hand sing'in take me to the promise land (john cougar)I know where i'm going. it's people like you who feel so compelled to try and tell everyone else that they sin and are not walking with god.

you my friend are the one who thinks you are so sure of yourself!

[ArizonaBasement]

ke2323,

I never called you an Atheist, and I don't have an opinion on the direction the band took. I didn't tell anyone they were sinning or not walking with God. All I said was that they didn't "sell out" or weren't being dishonest when Kerry started bringing Christian lyrics into the fold. Blame the band for the Christian lyrics, not just Kerry or John - Kansas was always a "majority rule" band - if they didn't want to perform songs with Christian lyrics, they could have rejected them.

[vineyardedge]

***It's the last place anyone ever needs to look because there's no where to look after that.***

Well said!!

[bruce9011151]

im 57 and i loved kansas and tried to sing like steve when i was young cause they inspired me with how truly gifted they ALL are.songwriters write whats in there heart.if jesus is in kerry heart he must write that way no matter what the others want to sing about.its not a matter of leaving the band its whats in his soul.cant change it.i went on to become a singer because of kansas and a few other bands.a great song is a great song no matter if its christian or not.

[atheistonly4u]

ok arizona basement without getting too personal,the heat in the desert is altering your state of being as a carbon based lifeform...my path??whatever i choose!!..ok lyrics what about "dust in the wind"?..i dont spite them!!i enjoy the irony of it all.you see i know my place in the universe..anyway most of kansas music was instramental.."the spider""magum opous".you know i will just end this now...theres really no "point of know retun" for you your over the edge..

[ArizonaBasement]

Thanks for posting - we can agree to disagree. My last comment would be to take a serious look at the path you've chosen and ask these questions: 1) Where would I end up if I died tomorrow? 2) How do I know I'm right? Take care...

[atheistonly4u]

cool..if i die at this moment i would end up in a hole or burned,back to where i came from.

'we are stardust we are golden"..i know im right from facts,what facts do you have?please do yourself a favor,go to a place like the labrea tar pits in la..and make your own judgment...

[ArizonaBasement]

Oh, just a guy who specifically told mankind what happens after we die, and the only way to get to heaven. Incidentally, it was the same guy who turned water into wine, walked on water, cast demons into pigs, calmed thunderstorms, raised the dead, caused the lame to walk and blind to see, read people's minds, lived a perfect life, was dead for 3 days and came back to life, and ascended into heaven. Also, I've been to the La Brea tar pit many times.

[Arglactable]

Wow, sounds like it came straight out of a fairy-tale. You act as though these are accepted facts: they are not, they never will be, and once people realize that the books upon which their entire faith is based were written by a group of Romans attempting to unite their nation religiously, hopefully they'll stop believing in such ridiculous assertions. I can see believing this when you're a toddler, but once your brain has fully developed, it's completely stupid. Christianity fucked up Kansas...

[ke2323]

amen my friend!!! thought I was the only one to think that.

[Arglactable]

Ah yes, unfortunately people can't handle the harsh truths of reality. I admit it must be a comfort to know everything, but as for me, I'd rather be ignorant and aware of it than be ignorant and all-knowing.

[montypythonfan3]

seriously?? Thanks for your input from another front. It seems like you have not moved beyond the toddler stage in your life by eating the "Romans invented Christianity" story fed to you by people who obviously have not done their research. Thank you my friend, thank you,

[atheistonly4u]

too bad,there hoplessly human ...still kerry and dave found there own path..the lost one!!!kansas always had some very christan type lyrics,going way back..still think there a great band..

[ArizonaBasement]

Let me correct you: 1) We're ALL hopelessly human - not one person on earth is without sin (perfect), myself included. 2) Kerry & Dave's path will lead them to heaven. Where will your path lead you? 3) Kansas is a great band largely because of the Christian lyrics, not in spite of them.

[homestar92]

Kansas is a great band in every facet imaginable, the Christianity is just a really cool added bonus :)

[waybent335]

truly, one of the most significant" music " generators of all time...i dont think this "outer-view" would have happened, if not the case...This IS a special band...

[AmbientMusic]

Hey, Ben is on there! He is so cool!

[imikewillrockyou]

God bless Livgren & Walsh. Great secular musicians with real integrity and faith, what a concept.

[imikewillrockyou]

Excuse me God bless God bless Livgren, Hope & Walsh.

[hoty1957]

"Great secular musicians with real integrity and faith, what a concept. "

"Secular" musicians? I disagree. God works in mysterious ways and His presence goes beyond "Christian music".....

[imikewillrockyou]

Oh sure, I agree God is not bound to Christian music. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that all music really belong to God and ultimately all music will bring glory to God even if the author didn't intend to.

[RGS59]

i agree,,,I thought I was the only one who believed this way!!

[imikewillrockyou]

It's true, it's all His and all attempts at stealing His glory won't work. It will all come back and glorify our Lord.

[JonWRowe]

Heh. I've been waiting for this for a long time.

Love Kansas. Love Livgren. Love Walsh. Don't think too highly of Robertson et al.

[dgcmusi]

The most important video on utube .

[ke2323]

why? just curious. as for me, i think it spells out how two of the six band members sold out on the other four.

[ArizonaBasement]

It's the most important video on Youtube because Kerry and Dave are proclaiming that the answers to life's most basic questions (who am I and why am I here?) can only be truly understood by understanding who God is through His son, Jesus Christ.

Also, your comment about "selling out" makes no sense - selling out to whom? Selling out means you purposely compromise your art to give the music industry and fans what they want to hear. Do you think Christian lyrics fits that definition? I don't.

[ke2323]

if your going to play christian music then play it from the start. don't all of the sudden switch gears and say, hey i found jesus last night......... and boys we are playing gods music in the morning.

and kerry and dave) purposely comprimised the art to give in to the music industry and their own selfish belief's. not considering for a minute the other 4 guys in the band.

as for the fan's, we had to take it or leave it i choose to leave it and did not start listening to, again until "power"

[ArizonaBasement]

A couple of comments: 1) Kerry didn't "find" Jesus, God opened Kerry's eyes to the truth. So you're beef is with God, not Kerry. 2) Writing Christian lyrics is "giving in" to the music industry? Are you kidding me? Kerry didn't "compromise" his art - he did the exact opposite - he wrote lyrics based on what he believed was true in his heart. And by the way - he ALWAYS did this even before he became a Christian. So it appears that your problem is really with Christianity itself, not Kerry.

[ke2323]

ok, i will agree that kerrys lyrics have, to a point had some religious tones to them. and i was all for that on those first 5 records. and your totally missing my point. my point is, even in the most perceived non religious bands out there does not mean they don't believe in god, its just that they don't want to sing about it. music is an escape for most people and many thought provoking songs were put out by kansas. to tell everyone this is how its going to be "christian music" its plain wrong

[ArizonaBasement]

You may think it's wrong and you're entitled to your opinion. But look at it from Kerry's point of view - he wrote spiritually searching lyrics before he became a Christian. Fans were also searching as well, and Kerry was aware of this. When God changed Kerry's heart, Kerry felt compelled to share his Christian faith (the "answer" to all his questions) to those who were listening. If you had found the cure to cancer, wouldn't you want to tell others about it? Kerry remained honest to his fans.

[ke2323]

sure i would, but this is music this is an escape for most people. it should not be sundays church service.

if it was, it should have been from the beginning and as i have said, yes kerrys music has always had the religious overtones to it. he went too far though. if mick jagger,steven tyler or paul mcartney twisted there band mates into religion do you think they would be as popular as they are today? its great that kerry and dave found what they were looking for. as far as honest no way!!!

[ArizonaBasement]

We can agree to disagree on this one. :^) And I do agree with you that when band members go "Christian" (like Kerry and Neal Morse from Spock's Beard) they definitely lose their popularity and a portion of their audience. But I still (and will always) think that if you've had a genuine heart change but continue to write the same lyrics as before, you're not being honest with yourself. You're compromising your beliefs in the interest of keeping your paycheck. :^)

[Arglactable]

I've finally decided that it was not Christianity as much as Elefante's songwriting. Closer examination would seem to reveal that most of the worst songs from VC that I completely despise were either written by him, or contributed to by him. And Audio Visions is still an excellent album (though where near as good as the previous ones). I don't even consider Drastic Measures Kansas... But I still think his songs has much more thought put into them before, instead of reading his answers in a book.

[ArizonaBasement]

I agree with your assessment - the band wanted to go in a different direction with DM, and it didn't work (IMO). VC is actually one of my favorite Kansas albums, largely in part to Livgren's contributions (Crossfire is a masterpiece musically, even if you don't agree with the lyrics). AV is weaker compared to earlier albums, mostly because of Steve's material, IMO.

[Arglactable]

I wouldn't really say the band so much as the Elephante brothers (as I'm pretty sure they wrote every song on the album). I'll admit Crossfire's not bad, but I really don't like Elephante's vocal style (especially compared to Walsh's :P). Also, is it just me, or did they tend toward more chorus sections in later albums? As opposed to one or two vocal parts sung by a single or two vocalists.

[ke2323]

thats b.s, if you don't believe that livgren changed the direction of this band in 1979/1980 your blind.

monolith was a horrible album, and audio visions was slightly better because steve got more involved. the first 5 kansas albums are golden, nobody can touch that in todays music world.

kansas could have been in the rock hall if it wasn't for the change in the direction in1979. btw I agree crossfire was a good song musically.

[ArizonaBasement]

I agree that lyrically Kansas did go in a different direction when God found Kerry, but I also think that the rest of the band could have vetoed his songs if they wanted to. I also agree that musically, the 1st 5 albums were less radio friendly & more progressive than later albums - explaining why Kansas fans tend to like them more. Regarding the RRHOF, I disagree, it is purely a popularity contest, not based on how much talent a band/artist has. I consider Kansas' exclusion a compliment. :^)

[ke2323]

I somehow agree with you on the rock hall of fame thing. it is a compliment to kansas, they could never be that type of band, nor do I believe they wanted to be.