Rock band Kansas to carry on after its drummer, Phil Ehart, suffers a major heart attack

Topeka native Phil Ehart, the drummer and manager for the progressive rock band Kansas, recently survived a major heart attack, the group announced Friday on its Facebook page.

Ehart, 73, is taking time away from the band's 50th anniversary tour, titled "Another Fork in the Road," as he recovers, that page said.

"There is no timetable for his return to the road," it said.

"While not on the road, Phil is remaining in a prominent role with Kansas during his recovery, serving as band manager, as he has done for 40 years," the band's Facebook page added.

The ongoing tour includes performances scheduled for March 9 in St. Joseph, Mo., and March 22 and March 23 in Salina.

"The band KANSAS carries on, adding more tour dates in 2024 and beyond," its Facebook page says.

Who will fill in?

Eric Holmquist will serve as the band's drummer starting with its March 1 concert in Richmond, Virginia, the band's Facebook page said.

It said Holmquist filled in for Ehart when he was ill in 2016 and during his rehabilitation from an arm injury in 2022-23, and has been performing during the first half of concerts on the current tour.

"Previously, Eric was Phil's drum tech and protegé for more than 20 years," the site said.

Ehart graduated from Topeka West High School

The band in its original form included 1967 Topeka West High School graduate Kerry Livgren and 1968 Topeka West grads Ehart, Rich Williams and Dave Hope.

The four teamed up to form Kansas in 1973 with Robby Steinhardt, who grew up in Lawrence, and Steve Walsh, who grew up in St. Joseph, Mo.

The members of Kansas went on to become rock stars, selling more than 15 million records.

The band reached the Billboard Magazine American Top 40 seven times, reaching No. 6 in 1978 with "Dust in the Wind," No. 11 in 1977 with "Carry on Wayward Son," No. 17 in 1982 with "Play the Game Tonight," No. 19 in 1987 with "All I Wanted," No. 23 in 1979 with "People of the South Wind," No. 28 in 1977 with "Point of Know Return" and No. 40 in 1980 with "Hold On."

The band has seen various lineup changes over the years. Williams and Ehart are the only original members who remain. Kansas now makes its home in Atlanta.

Steinhardt died in 2021.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Heart attack prompts Kansas band member Phil Ehart to cease touring