← Back

Leftoverture

by Kansas

Released: October 21, 1976

Progressive rock

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Reissue.

The Album

"Leftoverture" is the fourth studio album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1976. Steve Walsh faced writer's block before recording, contributing only to three songs, which led Kerry Livgren to take on more songwriting. Kansas recorded Leftoverture at Studio in the Country in Bogalusa, Louisiana, which Livgren described as being in the middle of a swamp, often encountering alligators and large mosquitoes.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The new compositions maintained much of the classical…

The new compositions maintained much of the classical complexity found in Livgren's earlier work.

It was reissued in remastered format on CD…

It was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2001.

The album opens with "Carry On Wayward Son,"…

The album opens with "Carry On Wayward Son," written by Livgren as a sequel to "The Pinnacle," the final song from their previous album, Masque.

The title, Leftoverture, is a combination of "leftover"…

The title, Leftoverture, is a combination of "leftover" and "overture.".

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

Kansas - Leftoverture

Open in Albums Gallery

Then

Reception

This album was the band's first to be certified by the RIAA and remains their highest selling album, certified five times platinum in the United States.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Leftoverture" is the fourth studio album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1976. It was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2001. This album was the band's first to be certified by the RIAA and remains their highest selling album, certified five times platinum in the United States.

Steve Walsh faced writer's block before recording, contributing only to three songs, which led Kerry Livgren to take on more songwriting. The new compositions maintained much of the classical complexity found in Livgren's earlier work. Kansas recorded Leftoverture at Studio in the Country in Bogalusa, Louisiana, which Livgren described as being in the middle of a swamp, often encountering alligators and large mosquitoes.

The album opens with "Carry On Wayward Son," written by Livgren as a sequel to "The Pinnacle," the final song from their previous album, Masque. The title, Leftoverture, is a combination of "leftover" and "overture."