In a new interview with Jeb Wright for Classic Rock Revisited, Kansas guitarist Rich Williams discusses the upcoming 40th anniversary of the band’s legendary album, Leftoverture, as well as a Paul Reed Smith-commissioned and donated one of a kind commemorative Leftoverture SE Custom 24 guitar, to be auctioned in conjunction with the album’s 40th anniversary. An excerpt follows:

Q: Since this is the anniversary and the PRS guitar for charity has the cover on it, let’s talk about the songs on the album. “Carry On Wayward Son”. What stands out to you when I say the title?

Rich: “The acapella opening. Sitting in the studio we knew we had a cool song. It was clever and it had these time changes. It was up and it was down and it had this great chorus. There was nothing like it. We knew we had a great song. Tagging that part on the beginning was great. We were sitting in the studio and our producer Jeff Glixman had it cranked. The acapella started out and the song kicked in and we knew that we had something big. I had no idea of the weight it would carry and propel us to this very day, like it has. I don’t say these things lightly. I don’t say it bragging either. That is an iconic timeless song that is forty years old and I am busy as I have ever been. You can love us or hate us or you can be indifferent, but the simple fact is that that is one of the songs that is part of American rock music history. The song is still played constantly on the radio.

“I speak more for the legacy than I do for the bragging rights. I’m more focused right now on getting myself healthy enough to play the next show. Looking back, I am very proud of our legacy. I am from Topeka. I don’t walk around with my chest all puffed out telling people to stand back. That doesn’t mean anything to me as an individual. As part of Kansas, I am very proud to be a part of this team and that song. Me? Just me? Not so much.”

Read the complete interview at this location.

Last September, InsideOut Music announced the worldwide signing of Kansas for the release of their forthcoming 15th studio album.

Kansas needs no introduction, having sold over 30 million records in their career, as well as achieving eight gold albums, three sextuple-platinum albums (Leftoverture, Point Of Know Return, The Best Of Kansas), a platinum live album (Two For The Show) and a million-selling gold single (“Dust In The Wind”).

Drummer and founding member Phil Ehart had this to say about the signing: “In speaking for all the members of Kansas, we could not be more enthused about signing with InsideOut. They are the greatest Prog music label on the planet and we are very proud to be a part of their stable of artists. It’s our first album of new music in 15 years and we are very happy to be working with the great team at InsideOut.”

InsideOutMusic label-head Thomas Waber added: "We are extremely excited about signing Kansas, the biggest and most important prog band to come out of the US! I grew up listening to them and their music is a part of my DNA. Everyone on the team is working hard in making the next studio album count 150% and for it to become an important part in the legacy of this great band. We are very proud to become a part of the journey!"

Kansas is currently comprised of original drummer Phil Ehart, bassist/vocalist Billy Greer, keyboardist David Manion, lead singer/keyboardist Ronnie Platt, violinist/guitarist David Ragsdale, and original guitarist Richard Williams.

Kansas continues to remain a fixture of classic rock radio and has reached a whole new audience through their unmistakable presence on popular video games Rock Band and Guitar Hero, and through their songs inclusion in various television shows such as Supernatural, South Park, and the films Old School, and Anchorman.