Rich Williams

For other people named Richard Williams, see Richard Williams (disambiguation).

Rich Williams
Rich Williams performing with Kansas in 2012 (photo by Wayne Camlin)
Background information
Birth name	Richard Allen Williams
Born	(1950-02-01) February 1, 1950 Topeka, Kansas
Genres	Rock, progressive rock
Occupation	Musician
Instrument	Guitar

Richard Allen "Rich" Williams (born February 1, 1950) is the guitarist for the rock band Kansas, and has been with them since their 1974 self-titled debut album. 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.

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 is now the band's only guitarist, although David Ragsdale might play the extra guitar parts when the band plays Portrait (He Knew), Hold On, Fight Fire With Fire, and Carry On Wayward Son. Williams and Phil Ehart are the only two members of Kansas who have never left the band, and have played on all Kansas' albums.

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".

Rich Williams playing "Dust in the Wind" at Washington State University 2012.

Discography

• Kansas (1974)
• Song for America (1975)
• Masque (1975)
• Leftoverture (1976)
• Point of Know Return (1977)
• Two for the Show (1978)
• Monolith (1979)
• Audio-Visions (1980)
• Vinyl Confessions (1982)
• Drastic Measures (1983)
• The Best of Kansas (1984)
• Power (1986)
• In the Spirit of Things (1988)
• Live at the Whisky (1992)
• Freaks of Nature (1995)
• 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)

External links

• Richard Williams fan site