Kerry Livgren

Kerry Allen Livgren (born September 18, 1949) is an American musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band, Kansas.

Biography

Livgren was raised in Topeka, Kansas by his father, Allen Leroy, an industrial engineer, and his mother, Betty (nee McElhiney). He was drawn to music at a young age, his first musical interests developed with classical and jazz influences. His musical odyssey started with an electric guitar he built using a cheap Stella guitar, a Sears amplifier and a low-quality Astatic microphone. Along with learning guitar, Livgren also focused on learning to write songs due to his desire for more creative expression and originality. He attended Washburn University for some time.

Early years, 1960s–1973

Livgren was a member of numerous bands in the late 1960s and early 1970s and quickly developed a reputation for complex compositions and poetic lyrics that explored spiritual themes. His investigations into various religions are reflected in the lyrics of his songs on Kansas' first six albums. He explored themes such as reincarnation, astral travel, apparitions, nihilism and human frailty, among others.

Out of Step

Out of Step may refer to:

Out of Step (album)

Out of Step is the sole studio album by American hardcore punk band Minor Threat. It was released on 45 RPM vinyl in April 1983 through Dischord Records. Although Out of Step has only been released on CD in limited quantities, all tracks from the album are available on Minor Threat's 1989 compilation album Complete Discography.

Background

After a temporary break-up in 1982, Minor Threat entered Inner Ear Studios in January 1983 to record Out of Step. Recording duties were handled by Don Zientara. While the lyrics on their early EPs were an outlet for MacKaye's message, the lyrics on Out of Step deal mainly with friendships and problems associated with them. The first vinyl pressing of the album (with plain black cover) is contained on the Complete Discography compilation. After the second pressing, the band remixed the album, which remained in print on vinyl into the 2000s. The most notable differences are that the guitar on the bridge and MacKaye's scream at the end of "Out of Step" are added to the remix, and an almost completely different mix of the lead guitars on the final track named "Cashing In" on the Complete Discography, though unnamed on the first two vinyl pressings. The remixed vinyl is distinguishable by a colored stripe with suggested retail price across the front, and "Dischord 10 UK" and "Utopia" in the dead wax. In the mid-2000s, the album was remastered on vinyl by Chicago Mastering Service, with no stripe.

Out of Step (film)

Out of Step is a 2002 film about an LDS young woman from Utah who moves to New York, New York to pursue an education in dance at New York University. There, she receives the affections of two young men and must eventually chose between them.

Plot

The film begins with a narration by Jenny Thomas (Alison Akin Clark) over scenes of a blonde girl dancing as she grows up. She explains that the two most important things in her life are her dancing and her faith (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Her mother (Tayva Patch) was always pushing her to do well while her father (Rick Macy) would stand at the finish line and urge her on. The person to whom she is closest is her father, and this comes up several times during the film. Her mother continues to push her to excel in dance, until Jenny decides to pursue her dance education at NYU, then her mother begins pulling her back.

Jenny was expecting to have a scholarship to pay for her education. Despite the help and lobbying from her dance instructor, Mr. Rigg (Peter Asle Holden), the scholarship selection committee picks another dancer. Jenny makes a goal to get the scholarship for the spring semester, so she is going to work hard during this semester. In the meantime, Jenny is wondering how she is going to pay for her education and apartment (apparently in the NYU dormatories). Her roommate, Desiree Porter (TL Forsberg), suggests that Jenny get a job at the nearby cafe where Desiree works.