<P> Their self - titled debut album, produced by Gold, was released in March 1974, nearly a year after it was recorded in New York . It defined the band's signature sound, a mix of American - style boogie rock and complex, symphonic arrangements with changing time signatures . Steinhardt's violin was a distinctive element of the group's sound, being defined more by heartland rock than the jazz and classical influences which most progressive rock violinists followed . </P> <P> The band slowly developed a cult following due to promotion by Kirshner and extensive touring for the debut album and its two follow - ups, Song for America (February 1975) and Masque (October 1975). Song for America was co-produced by Wally Gold and their former White Clover bandmate Jeff Glixman, who would go on to produce all of their albums from Masque to Two for the Show (October 1978) on his own, returning to the helm for 1995's Freaks of Nature . Both Masque and their next release, Leftoverture, were recorded at a studio in the middle of the Louisiana Bayou named Studio in the Country . </P> <P> Kansas released its fourth album, Leftoverture, in October 1976, which produced a hit single, "Carry On Wayward Son", in 1977 . The follow - up, Point of Know Return, recorded at Studio in the Country and Woodland Sound in Nashville and released in October 1977, featured the title track and "Dust in the Wind", both hit singles . Leftoverture was a breakthrough for the band, hitting No. 5 on Billboard's pop album chart . Point of Know Return peaked even higher, at No. 4 . Leftoverture and Point each sold over four million copies in the U.S. Both "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind" were certified gold singles, selling over one million units each . "Dust in the Wind" was certified gold as a digital download by the RIAA in 2005, almost 30 years after selling one million copies as a single . Leftoverture was eventually certified five - times platinum by the RIAA in 2001 . </P> <P> During this period, Kansas became a major headlining act and sold out the largest venues available to rock bands at the time, including New York's Madison Square Garden . The band documented this era in 1978 with Two for the Show, a double live album of recordings from various performances from its 1977 and 1978 tours . The band gained a solid reputation for faithful live reproduction of their studio recordings . </P>

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