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{{Short description|American guitarist}}
{{BLP sources|date=February 2011}}
{{other people||Richard Williams (disambiguation){{!}}Richard Williams}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
|name = Rich Williams
| name = Rich Williams
|image = Richard Williams - Kansas.jpg
| image = Rich Williams (36113095311) (cropped).jpg
| landscape =
|caption = Rich Williams performing with Kansas in 2012 (photo by Wayne Camlin)
| caption = Williams performing with Kansas in 2017
|background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
|birth_name = Richard John Williams
| birth_name = Richard John Williams
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1950|2|1}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1950|2|1}}
|birth_place =[[Topeka, Kansas]]
| birth_place = [[Topeka, Kansas]], U.S.
|instrument = [[Guitar]]
| instrument = Guitar
|genre = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[progressive rock]]
| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[progressive rock]]
|occupation = [[Musician]]
| occupation = Musician
|years_active =
| years_active =
|label =
| label =
|associated_acts = [[Kansas (band)|Kansas]]
| associated_acts = [[Kansas (band)|Kansas]], [[Native Window]], [[Seventh Key]]
}}
}}


'''Richard John "Rich" Williams''' (born February 1, 1950) is the [[guitar]]ist for the [[United States|American]] [[rock band]] [[Kansas (band)|Kansas]], and has been with them since their 1974 self-titled debut album.<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/artist/472657-Rich-Williams Discogs - ''Rich Williams'' discography]</ref> Williams lost his right eye in a childhood fireworks accident. He wore a [[Ocular prosthesis|prosthetic eye]] for many years, but now wears an [[eye patch]] instead.
'''Richard John Williams''' (born February 1, 1950) is an American guitarist, primarily known for being one of the only consistent original members of the [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Kansas (band)|Kansas]] alongside drummer [[Phil Ehart]]. Both have appeared on every Kansas album to date.<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/artist/472657-Rich-Williams Discogs – ''Rich Williams'' discography]</ref>


== Career ==
In the beginning, Williams shared guitar duties with keyboardist/guitarist [[Kerry Livgren]]. In the late 1980s, he shared guitar-playing with [[Steve Morse]]. After various personnel changes in Kansas, Williams became the band's only dedicated guitarist until Zak Rizvi joined the band in 2016, although [[David Ragsdale]] would play some guitar parts when the band plays songs with little or no violin, such as "Portrait (He Knew)", "Fight Fire With Fire", and "Carry On Wayward Son". Williams and [[Phil Ehart]] are the only two founding members of Kansas who have never left the band, and have played on all Kansas' albums.
Williams shared guitar duties with keyboardist/guitarist [[Kerry Livgren]] until 1984 when Kansas first broke up, and later from 1990 to 1991 and 1999 to 2000. From 1985 to 1991, he shared guitar-playing with [[Steve Morse]], and later with Zak Rizvi from 2016 to 2021. Since April 2021, Williams has served as the band's only dedicated guitarist, as he also did from 1991 to 1999, and 2000 to 2016. In live performances, violinist Joe Deninzon serves as a second guitarist when the song being played contains little or no violin, as did his predecessor, [[David Ragsdale]]. Williams and [[Phil Ehart]] are the only two founding members of Kansas who have never left the band and have played on all Kansas albums. Among the songs Williams co-wrote with the band are "Can I Tell You", "No Room for a Stranger", and the hit "[[Play the Game Tonight]]".

In 2009, Williams, along with fellow Kansas members Ehart, [[Billy Greer]], and [[David Ragsdale]], formed a group called [[Native Window]] that released one album.


Among the songs he co-wrote with the band are "Can I Tell You", "No Room for a Stranger", and the hit "[[Play the Game Tonight]]".
== Discography ==
== Discography ==
*''[[Kansas (Kansas album)|Kansas]]'' (1974)
*''[[Song for America]]'' (1975)
*''[[Masque (Kansas album)|Masque]]'' (1975)
*''[[Leftoverture]]'' (1976)
*''[[Point of Know Return]]'' (1977)
*''[[Two for the Show (Kansas album)|Two for the Show]]'' (1978)
*''[[Monolith (Kansas album)|Monolith]]'' (1979)
*''[[Audio-Visions]]'' (1980)
*''[[Vinyl Confessions]]'' (1982)
*''[[Drastic Measures]]'' (1983)
*''[[The Best of Kansas]]'' (1984)
*''[[Power (Kansas album)|Power]]'' (1986)
*''[[In the Spirit of Things]]'' (1988)
*''[[Live at the Whisky]]'' (1992)
*''[[Freaks of Nature (Kansas album)|Freaks of Nature]]'' (1995)
*''[[Always Never the Same (Kansas album)|Always Never the Same]]'' (1998)
*''[[King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Kansas]]'' (1998)
*''[[Somewhere to Elsewhere]]'' (2000)
*''[[Device, Voice, Drum]]'' (2002)
*''[[There's Know Place Like Home]]'' (2009)
*''[[The Prelude Implicit]]'' (2016)


==External links==
=== Kansas ===
{{Main|Kansas discography}}
⚫
* [http://rich-williams.tripod.com/ Richard Williams fan site]


=== Native Window ===
⚫
==References==

* ''[[Native Window (album)|Native Window]] (''2009)

=== As a guest ===

* [[Steve Walsh (musician)|Steve Walsh]] – ''[[Schemer-Dreamer]]'' (1980) (on "Schemer-Dreamer/That's All Right")
* [[Seventh Key]] – [[Seventh Key (album)|''Seventh Key'']] (2001) (on "Missy", "Every Time It Rains" and "No Man's Land")
* [[John Elefante]] – ''On My Way to The Sun'' (2013) (on "This Is How The Story Goes")

== Personal life ==
Williams lost his right eye in a childhood fireworks accident. He wore a [[Ocular prosthesis|prosthetic eye]] for many years but now wears an [[eye patch]] instead.<ref>{{cite news|last1=DuBray|first1=James|date=March 3, 2009|title=Rich Williams speaks to Scene|work=The Observer|url=https://ndsmcobserver.com/2009/03/rich-williams-speaks-to-scene/|accessdate=August 9, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Lalaina|first1=Joe|date=April 20, 2015|title=Dear Guitar Hero: Richard Williams Discusses Kansas' History, Versatility and Lasting Influence|work=Guitar World|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/magazine/dear-guitar-hero-richard-williams|accessdate=August 9, 2020}}</ref> As a child, Williams began playing a [[ukulele]] but quickly transitioned to guitar. His early influences included [[the Beatles]] and the overall [[British Invasion]].<ref>{{cite web|date=May 18, 2019|title=An Interview with Richard Williams of Kansas, Appearing at Atlantic City's Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on May 31 and June 1|url=https://medium.com/spotlight-central/an-interview-with-richard-williams-of-kansas-appearing-at-atlantic-citys-hard-rock-hotel-and-553ddad3ef41|accessdate=August 9, 2020|publisher=Medium}}</ref> In 2020, Williams and his wife, Debbie, relocated to [[Linville, North Carolina]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}} Williams is also a fan of the [[Kansas City Chiefs]].

⚫
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
⚫
* [http://rich-williams.tripod.com/ Richard Williams fan site]
* {{imdb name|2580391}}
* {{discogs artist|Rich Williams}}


{{kansasband}}
{{kansasband}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Rich}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Rich}}
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Musicians from Topeka, Kansas]]
[[Category:Musicians from Topeka, Kansas]]
[[Category:American rock guitarists]]
[[Category:American rock guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:American people with disabilities]]
[[Category:American musicians with disabilities]]
[[Category:Kansas (band) members]]
[[Category:Kansas (band) members]]
[[Category:Progressive rock guitarists]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Kansas]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Kansas]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:Eyepatch wearers]]




Latest revision as of 01:20, 7 November 2024

For other people with the same name, see Richard Williams.

Rich Williams
Williams performing with Kansas in 2017
Williams performing with Kansas in 2017
Background information
Birth nameRichard John Williams
Born (1950-02-01) February 1, 1950 (age 74)
Topeka, Kansas, U.S.
GenresRock, progressive rock
OccupationMusician
InstrumentGuitar

Richard John Williams (born February 1, 1950) is an American guitarist, primarily known for being one of the only consistent original members of the rock band Kansas alongside drummer Phil Ehart. Both have appeared on every Kansas album to date.[1]

Career

[edit]

Williams shared guitar duties with keyboardist/guitarist Kerry Livgren until 1984 when Kansas first broke up, and later from 1990 to 1991 and 1999 to 2000. From 1985 to 1991, he shared guitar-playing with Steve Morse, and later with Zak Rizvi from 2016 to 2021. Since April 2021, Williams has served as the band's only dedicated guitarist, as he also did from 1991 to 1999, and 2000 to 2016. In live performances, violinist Joe Deninzon serves as a second guitarist when the song being played contains little or no violin, as did his predecessor, David Ragsdale. Williams and Phil Ehart are the only two founding members of Kansas who have never left the band and have played on all Kansas albums. Among the songs Williams co-wrote with the band are "Can I Tell You", "No Room for a Stranger", and the hit "Play the Game Tonight".

In 2009, Williams, along with fellow Kansas members Ehart, Billy Greer, and David Ragsdale, formed a group called Native Window that released one album.

Discography

[edit]

Kansas

[edit]
Main article: Kansas discography

Native Window

[edit]

As a guest

[edit]

Personal life

[edit]

Williams lost his right eye in a childhood fireworks accident. He wore a prosthetic eye for many years but now wears an eye patch instead.[2][3] As a child, Williams began playing a ukulele but quickly transitioned to guitar. His early influences included the Beatles and the overall British Invasion.[4] In 2020, Williams and his wife, Debbie, relocated to Linville, North Carolina.[citation needed] Williams is also a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Discogs – Rich Williams discography
  2. ^ DuBray, James (March 3, 2009). "Rich Williams speaks to Scene". The Observer. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  3. ^ Lalaina, Joe (April 20, 2015). "Dear Guitar Hero: Richard Williams Discusses Kansas' History, Versatility and Lasting Influence". Guitar World. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  4. ^ "An Interview with Richard Williams of Kansas, Appearing at Atlantic City's Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on May 31 and June 1". Medium. May 18, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
[edit]


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