Zak Rizvi Leaving Kansas

**SteveSly** · 04-06-2021

Have not seen anyone post this here yet, but Kansas made this announcement this morning:

The band KANSAS announces that guitarist Zak Rizvi has resigned and that he looks forward to pursuing new projects.
We thank Zak for his many contributions throughout the years and we wish him well in his future endeavors.
KANSAS carries on with original member Phil Ehart on drums, original member Richard Williams on guitar, Billy Greer on bass and vocals, David Ragsdale on violin, guitar and vocals, Ronnie Platt on lead vocals and keyboards, and Tom Brislin on keyboards and vocals.

**the winter tree** · 04-06-2021

A less crowded stage now ;-) Brislin is the main writer now, not a bad thing.

**Scott Bails** · 04-06-2021

Total bummer.

**Rajaz** · 04-06-2021

The revolving door keeps spinning for Kansas. Too bad since Zak did contribute some writing on their newest album but live I would say he did not have a huge impact.
The way things are still on hold for now, they have time to search for a replacement like so many times before.

**Dan Roth** · 04-06-2021

Originally Posted by Rajaz

The revolving door keeps spinning for Kansas. Too bad since Zak did contribute some writing on their newest album but live I would say he did not have a huge impact.

Zak wrote six of the nine songs on their latest album, as well as producing it. He also was the engineer for the Native Window and The Prelude Implicit albums. He was sorta the "Billy Sherwood" of Kansas. Even though he was a newer member, he was super involved in most aspects of the band's recordings.

**Sean** · 04-06-2021

This is an interesting turn of events considering he was so invested in the revitalization of Kansas. I wonder what's up. I don't see them getting a replacement. Rich was the only guitarist for many years and even during the classic era a lot of songs had just one guitar. Song For America is a great example. Personally I think Zak added an extra layer of heft to the proceedings, but it was at times redundant. He was good when there was a need for a more shreddy solo than Rich offers up. Thing is, that didn't arise that often unless they were covering some Morse era tune and few of those get played these days. It's like they liked Zak so much they worked him into the live band, which seemed more "nice" than "necessary". Having two guitars always playing was a bit much for the KS sound. Methinks... HUGE and all, but....

**moecurlythanu** · 04-06-2021

Damn. Just when they were about to break it big, too.

**JKL2000** · 04-06-2021

Carry on, my wayward son...

**zeprogmeister** · 04-07-2021

Yeah I think they added him since he was a big contributor to the songwriting and producing lately, but he wasn't really needed on stage imo. Probably with all the time off he probably found another path and didn't want to get back on the road.

**Steve983** · 04-07-2021

That's a big shame, he has been key in the rejuvenation of the band.

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**dregsfan** · 04-07-2021

He was obviously important in the band's revitalization, but to my ears, the sound was a tad too guitar heavy. Assuming they stay in the classic 6-piece configuration, my hope is any new material will be more keyboard-focused like the glory days. Ronnie can play keys, so more double keyboard moments, please.

**SteveSly** · 04-07-2021

Originally Posted by dregsfan

He was obviously important in the band's revitalization, but to my ears, the sound was a tad too guitar heavy. Assuming they stay in the classic 6-piece configuration, my hope is any new material will be more keyboard-focused like the glory days. Ronnie can play keys, so more double keyboard moments, please.

Add to that, although he does not play very often, Rags is a decent guitarist as well and might be able to do some of the double up parts.

**arturs** · 04-07-2021

Originally Posted by zeprogmeister

Yeah I think they added him since he was a big contributor to the songwriting and producing lately, but he wasn't really needed on stage imo.

I agree... My own speculation was that because Rich has not been in the best of health, they wanted a second guitarist up there who could fill in if Rich had to miss some shows.

**progmatist** · 04-07-2021

^^ Not to mention for a while there, all the guitar duties fell on Rich's shoulders.

**Top Cat** · 04-07-2021

Originally Posted by Sean

This is an interesting turn of events considering he was so invested in the revitalization of Kansas. I wonder what's up. I don't see them getting a replacement. Rich was the only guitarist for many years and even during the classic era a lot of songs had just one guitar. Song For America is a great example. Personally I think Zak added an extra layer of heft to the proceedings, but it was at times redundant. He was good when there was a need for a more shreddy solo than Rich offers up. Thing is, that didn't arise that often unless they were covering some Morse era tune and few of those get played these days. It's like they liked Zak so much they worked him into the live band, which seemed more "nice" than "necessary". Having two guitars always playing was a bit much for the KS sound. Methinks... HUGE and all, but....

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ THIS!
Right on point Sean, I agree.
I get the impression when Tom joined, and from the songs he's written on the album, they would be going a bit in a different direction, perhaps a bit less shreddy as you say.
And to me that's a good thing.

But Zak was there for Kansas at a time, especially after the loss of Steve being vocalist and front man, kept the band driven and a float.
His love for Kansas and their music is there for all to see, and I think that passion carried over to the band and gave them drive to keep going.

**Rajaz** · 04-12-2021

Originally Posted by arturs

I agree... My own speculation was that because Rich has not been in the best of health, they wanted a second guitarist up there who could fill in if Rich had to miss some shows.

Besides, Rich is not getting any younger, so this could mean Kansas will be searching for Zak's touring replacement.
Something similar to what Chester & Daryl did with with Genesis but they had no song writing credits like Zak in Kansas. I hope something is worked out by the band.

**miamiscot** · 04-12-2021

Eric Gillette (from the Neal Morse Band) would be an excellent replacement. He sings. He writes. He plays guitar, keyboards and drums. He's Christian. Could be their new Kerry Livgren.

**SteveSly** · 04-12-2021

Originally Posted by miamiscot

Eric Gillette (from the Neal Morse Band) would be an excellent replacement. He sings. He writes. He plays guitar, keyboards and drums. He's Christian. Could be their new Kerry Livgren.

Agree, he would be an excellent choice.

**Scott Bails** · 04-12-2021

That would be fantastic.

**Sean** · 04-12-2021

They aren't looking for a replacement. BTW

**SteveSly** · 04-12-2021

Originally Posted by Sean

They aren't looking for a replacement. BTW

Interesting. Rich handled most of the live guitar for years (with a little help here and there from Ragsdale), but I kind of liked that they had the twin guitar thing back in a live setting. Oh well, I am sure things will still be great.

**ThomasKDye** · 04-12-2021

Yeah, this is a bummer for sure. I really hope there's at least one more album in these guys, as the last two have been marvelous. The Rizvi/Brislin combination seemed perfect for future winning albums, but either Brislin will be handling the songwriting alone or Ehart and Greer will have to squeeze what they can out of everyone else.

**BravadoNJ** · 04-16-2021

whether he is replaced or not is really not going to make a difference.

**BravadoNJ** · 04-16-2021

Originally Posted by miamiscot

Eric Gillette (from the Neal Morse Band) would be an excellent replacement. He sings. He writes. He plays guitar, keyboards and drums. He's Christian. Could be their new Kerry Livgren.

with Eric in the band they won't need Ronnie Pratt. Eric & Tom would write some great songs together.