Kansas fans received unexpected news this week when lead singer Ronnie Platt revealed he has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The 63-year-old vocalist shared the update on social media, reassuring fans that his prognosis is positive.
Platt wrote:
“Before everyone gets all excited, it has a 99% survival rate [and] it has not spread.
“It’s contained to my thyroid [and] I just have to have my thyroid removed. [I’ll] go through some rehab time and be right back in the saddle. I sincerely appreciate everyone’s positive thoughts and prayers. I have some absolutely amazing people going to bat for me. As it has been put to me, this is just a bump in the road and will be behind me very soon! So everyone, please CARRY ON!”
Due to Platt’s health situation, Kansas has canceled two upcoming concerts—one in New Orleans on February 21 and another in Lake Charles on March 1. Ticket holders will receive refunds at the original point of purchase. The band also rescheduled two earlier shows in Oklahoma to November.
“Our goal is to be back on the road as soon as possible,” said assistant band manager J.R. Rees. “Right now, we’re all focused on supporting Ronnie through this.”
Platt’s Journey with Kansas
Ronnie Platt has been the voice of Kansas for over a decade, stepping in as lead singer in July 2014 after longtime frontman Steve Walsh retired. He’s since recorded two albums with the band—The Prelude Implicit (2016) and The Absence of Presence (2020)—helping carry on the group’s signature sound.
Platt’s road to joining Kansas was anything but ordinary. In a 2016 interview, he recalled how he got the job in just four whirlwind days. The band flew him from Chicago to Atlanta, not for an audition, but simply to see if he was the right fit for the group.
“We know you can sing your ass off,” they told him. “We just want to know if you’re a good guy who fits in with the band.”
By the next morning, he had an email from drummer Phil Ehart officially welcoming him aboard.
His first show with Kansas was a surreal moment.
“[It was] complete numbness,” Platt laughed, looking back.
“You know, when I think about it, it’s still surreal. Just being a huge prog rocker from the late ‘70s, I mean, I grew up just listening to everything Kansas put out. So as a huge prog rocker and just having a similar tonality to Steve’s voice, you know, I always felt a close affection to singing Kansas stuff.”
Kansas’ Recent Milestones and Future Plans
Kansas closed out its 50th-anniversary tour last year with a memorable show in Pittsburgh, which featured a special guest appearance by original bassist Dave Hope. The band had big plans for 2024, including a series of co-headlining dates with 38 Special this summer.
For now, though, the focus is on Platt’s recovery. Fans can rest assured that once he’s back in top form, Kansas will be ready to hit the stage again. Until then, the message from the band and its fans remains the same: “Carry on!”