There was a version from 1975 i believe from the Don Kirchner show that was posted for years & removed that i thought was the best however this is very close & is a reminder of just how much heart & passion these musicians gave to their music & that today's music just does not match up when compared
+TheVoltrom .. If you could it would add to the enjoyment of everyone who listen and remember back to the middle 1970's and the true greatness of Kansas, i know i remember this music like it was yesterday
+TheVoltrom Be careful. The video was removed due to copyright infringement. If You-Tube gets around to it they will remove yours and it will count as a strike against your account. 3 strikes and you lose your account. It may not make it past the upload approval stage.
A stunning live performance of one of Kansas's greatest songs. The Pinnacle is such a well-composed piece of music. As close to orchestral perfection that any band ever produced without a real orchestra. A brilliantly arranged gem. Majestic, searching, Powerful, beautiful, lyrical.......I could keep going.....!
an excellent version....what really stands out to me in this vid is phil's drumming. having learned this song by ear and knowing how strange the rhythms can be, and how perfect and creative phil's ideas are, really made me appreciate him in the past....however, hearing this live i can hear him add such nice little touches. one of the few drummers i've gotten into....it's almost like his drums become another harmonic instrument despite their lack of pitch. that's pure mastery.
Sadly Kansas was before my time, but immediately upon hearing one of their more popular songs, Dust in the Wind, I wanted to hear more and was surprised by the fact that all their other songs not only met my expectations garnered by Dust in the Wind, but far exceeded them. Kansas is truly a timeless band and this song has grown to be my favorite with its amazing lyrics and awe inspiring soundscape. I never cease to discover new Kansas Songs I love.
They are at their best in concert! Thanks again rickyon! I shall now predict that you will work on Steves song for his Grandparents,' Just How it Feels'
@Bearses What you "hear" during the first verse is a combination of Steve's organ and Rich picking arpeggios on his electric guitar, which kind of sounds a bit like a piano. That being said, you can hear Kerry playing his bell-like Rhodes electric piano for a few seconds prior to the organ (2:29 - 2:32), but at 2:33 Walsh takes over on organ followed by the previously mentioned combination of organ and guitar that kicks off the first verse at 2:42. FWIW, Kansas never used "electronic pianos" in the 70's or early 80's. Instead, they used "electric pianos". Unlike an electronic piano whose sound is generated solely by electronics, an electric piano is an electro-mechanical instrument. Like an electric guitar, it is a mechanical instrument that is capable of producing a weak sound when its keys are struck, However, it also contains electromagnetic pickups which convert this weak sound into an electric signal which can be amplified and heard through speakers. In the early days ('73 - '77), Kerry had a Rhodes electric piano which was used in many of their songs, while Walsh had a Wurlitzer piano which was seldom used. By the late 70's, both of them were touring with Yamaha CP-70 electric grand pianos. In the studio, they used both electric and acoustic pianos. However, they elected to use the smaller electric pianos when they toured since they were significantly lighter and since they conserved stage space.
Seeing those photos (some of which I've never seen before) along with listening to one of my favorite songs from their catalog really made me feel like I was born about 10 years too late... I do love the band as it is now and I eagerly look forward to hearing their new album. However (and this is not meant as any disrespect towards those "newer" members in the band), there was something really magical that happened when these original 6 musicians got together. They were able to craft and create something that will unquestionably stand the test of time. I'm luck in that I got to see them during their A/V tour in 1980. I only wish I could have seen them right when they were breaking big in 76 and 77.
ausome guitar work , orchestral atmospheric sound !! steves vocales roaring , this band is special !! they knew what they were doing . pinnacle song had everything in it . all the instruments are heard clear.
I saw Kansas 3 times, once right after their first album, they were first on for Mott the Hoople. Worked at a record store at the time and went to after concert party with them, the classical music guy from the store talked with Kerry, Steve and Robbie about music for quite a while, talking about how Robbies violin was like Bartok, then saw them at the concert that became two for the show album and once more after Monolith came out. They were awesome every time.
This is truly a masterpiece…stunning composition, dynamically arresting, superbly executed, true artistry at work here. Thanks so much for posting this Rick. This song remains my Kansas favorite…probably my all time favorite song altogether really. I love the current iteration of Kansas too but there will always be something extra magical about the original six. This is Kansas hitting on all cylinders right here!
ausome guitar work , orchestral atmospheric sound !! steves vocales roaring , this band is special !! they knew what they were doing . pinnacle song had everything in it . all the instruments are heard clear.
I think I'm hyperventalating... Does it give info on the groups history and journey. I was reading that Steve was talking about going solo as early as Point of no Return, in fact he left the group for a few days during the recording!
Modern day keyboards and synthesizers are 100% more advanced then what was available in the 70s, yet the sound of the stuff they had then just has a certain magical sound to them that you can’t get today
You sound like a nice enough person and intelligent and thoughtful but that name is screaming something else! No problem, I don't judge by labels but by content. One thing that gives you high marks in my book is your love of the best band ever in my opinion, Kansas!
Wondrous, not just genius, but ingenious. Stupendous, slightly tweaked arrangement is as good( better?)than studio version. But, it is Kansas, no surprise there.
Rickyon, have you ever stumbled upon Pinnacle from Villanova field house? I think most people's copy is from the King bisquit flower hour and the pinnacle was not included in that broadcast.
+Kelsey Helm I have not seen it. Have you tried any of the bootleg sites and checked the setlist available from that show. I would try Houseofbootlegs.com or guitars101.com
If this was from Chicago, I was there, they opened for Bad Company, I had never heard of Kansas, a friend of my brothers came in and said these guys were awesome, he seen them before, he was from Nebraska, and they played alot in those areas, well they opened and by the 3rd song, i was hooked, and have stayed true, thru the years, yes these early songs were really put together and performed exceptionally well, And today , with the group now, things still are rolling along quite well, people say , that Ronnie doesn't sound like Steve. Well he does and remember these guys were in their 20's then
The audio is live. No video exists. It is called a slideshow video. If it doesn't appeal to you then close your eyes and listen or don't watch. Your choice.
Thomas Becker My wife has a photo of me and her from when we met back in 77 and I was wearing my adidas shirt and shorts as was a huge Kansas fan. Saw them live many times and loved Steves handstands on his keyboard.
