Kansas - Lightnings Hand

Written by Steve Walsh and Kerry Livgren.
From the 1977 album POINT OF KNOW RETURN.
Some of the best guitar work from Kansas.

Robbie Steinhardt - Lead Vocals, Violin
Steve Walsh - Keys, Backing Vocals
Kerry Livgren - Guitars, Keys
Dave Hope - Bass
Phil Ehart - Drums
Rich Williams - Guitars

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Kansas
• Steve
• Walsh
• Kerry
• Livgren
• Robbie
• Steinhardt
• Rich
• Williams
• Dave
• Hope
• Phil
• Ehart
• Progressive
• Rock
• Point
• Of
• Know
• Return

[jpendarvis001]

The images and "stories" that Livgren and Walsh put into "Point of Know Return" goes far beyond even today's musical genious. These guys wrote stories every time they put together a song. How many of you have really sat down and listened to "The Spider" and the instrumentation that Walsh put into that? If you close your eyes, you can see a spider going up and down the keyboard. Kansas was SO far ahead of thier time. What a shame they still don't get the accolades they deserve. Live on Kansas.

[rickyon]

You are a rare individual that really gets the excellent talent of Steve Walsh and the true compositional genius of Kerry Livgren. These guys crafted stories that shaped and molded your feelings and thoughts like not many songwriters can. Most of their songs aren't just great sounding but they paint pictures in your mind.

[GRILLBUOY101]

i remember playing the crap out of this and kept rewinding the little red radio shack portable cassette player i had when i was 10 in 77 oops now u all know anyway i saw them in 77 in md. it was my first show and my mom bought me a tour t- shirt and the cassette point of no return. shirt said 76-77 tour. we had front row seats center it was great..that must have been like hitting the lottery or something.

[rickyon]

You've got that right! Front row center to any concert is like hitting the lottery. Where in Md. did you see them and who was the opening act?

[TrejosEd]

I think this song is about THOR.. is not it?

They wrote about mythology , history and deep subjects!

True artists ... their work as a jewel for generations to come to see!

THANKS FOR POSTING THIS

[rickyon]

You're welcome and I don't know! I suppose it could be but I've never heard Livgren or Walsh who wrote the song ever say anything one way or another! Livgren did say that he likes to write songs that make people use their brain cells!

[kansasfan12345]

Trust me buddy, I have tried to tell my friends how great this band is. But there normal response is, "hey, aren't they those guys who did Dust in the Wind?" It makes me sad that more people my age don't know how amazing Kansas is.

[luvtotruck]

This is like Styx, Deep Purple, and Yes all mixed together. Cool as hell. It also sounds like Iron Maiden cut there teeth on old Kansas developing there sound. Without vocals almost sounds like could have been a early Maiden tune.

[Claymore234]

My dad is really good friends with Kerry Livgren's bro.

[johnnyg71667]

some of us do listen to it. and they named it spider for a reason. his left hand is going one way and his right is going the other. anyone who plays knows both our brains are working at the same time. dont think, just do it. like most musicians i guess.

[johnnyg71667]

i had all that sheet music there over my life. weird ass time signatures, fought my way through it.

[guitarcatt]

this is insanely well written music/ on the level of the classics

[sidetrackedireland]

I can remember these bois live 1354 great show!! They changed the lyrics to thunder hand best thing I saw.

Justin Bieber ftw zomg!!!!11!!!111!!!ONE!!!!!

[skynyrdjeepamn]

great song. first time i heard it was in my grama's basement (who passed) drinking and listening to this on vinyl was one of the greatest experiences of my life

[bbunters]

Ahhh, sweet guitars! Kansas really has THE guitar tone I'm still hunting for. Love this!

[sallysbaby]

Youre right. This song for example puts a storm in your head...just like its supposed to do. They make you feel exactly what the song is about. Livgren IS a genius, and they never got the credit they deserved. But neither did Mozart

[astrozombie9703]

I agree, jpendarvis001. It's disappointing to the point of disgust that Kansas is not more prevalent. Look at the views on this video. Their musical brilliance far surpasses modern bands, and I won't name the ones foremost in my thoughts for various reasons. Occasionally one may encounter a variation on the repetition of norm, but nothing like older bands. Being thirteen, I can't much attest to the true spirit of bands like this, but from what I've heard, the music of now is far inferior.