Kansas singer Ronnie Platt was a truck driver when classic rock band called

Dave Osborn
Naples Daily News
Kansas performs Feb. 6, 2020, at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers. Lead singer Ronnie Platt, far right, joined the band in 2014 after working as a truck driver in Chicago.

He was working as a truck driver in Chicago, hauling cardboard boxes around the Windy City when he heard the news.

It was 2014, and Ronnie Platt's friend told him Kansas lead singer Steve Walsh was retiring from the rock band known for hits including "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind." 

The friend was the niece of Dennis DeYoung, also a Chicago native and former lead singer of Styx. 

More:Dennis DeYoung navigated Styx into classic rock history

"She said, 'Did you see this?' " recalled Platt, who performs with Kansas on Thursday night in Fort Myers. "I'd always been a huge Kansas fan, and the the first thing that comes to mind is, do they have a singer?"

Platt — lead singer for the rock band Shooting Star from 2007 to 2011 — reached out to Kansas guitarist Richard Williams on his Facebook page. 

Billy Greer, left, Ronnie Platt, center and David Ragsdale perform with Kansas.
Billy Greer, left, Ronnie Platt, center and David Ragsdale perform with Kansas Saturday night, July 27, 2019, during the grand finale for the Lancaster Festival at the Ohio University Lancaster Wendel Concert Stage in Lancaster.

"I wrote, 'Rich, Ronnie Platt with Shooting Star. Give me some consideration."

The next day, Williams emailed him: “He said we’re about to go on stage in Houston. If you get this in the next 90 minutes, give me a call."

"What am I going to say, 'No,' " Platt said, laughing. He did call, and flew to Atlanta to meet with Williams and fellow Kansas co-founder and drummer Phil Ehart. The trio ended up talking for three hours, "five minutes of which was business," Platt said. 

"It instantly felt like I was hanging out with a couple of buddies," Platt added.

He never auditioned, as Williams had told him they watched his YouTube videos with Shooting Star. Platt returned to Chicago and was back to work the next day.  

“I’m back at my 18-wheeler at one of my customers. I check my email from Phil Ehart that says, ‘Congrats, you got the job. The band is pumped.’"

The cliché of something being a dream come true was just that for Platt, who said Kansas was among his favorite bands, along with Rush and Yes. 

"I never gravitated to a Bon Jovi or Poison," he said. 

“My voice and Steve’s have been similar," he said of Walsh. "I’m fortunate that through my singing career I’ve picked guys to model my voice after that are within my capabilities. There’s no way I could ever be in an AC/DC band. That’s not my type of vocal.”

Skeptics who question whether Platt "sounds like Kansas" will become believers after listening to him sing a few Kansas standards mentioned earlier, and others such as "Point of Know Return."

That's also the album the band is celebrating in its "Carry On" anniversary tour. The other band member are Billy Greer on bass; Tom Brislin, keyboards; David Ragsdale, violin and guitar; and guitarist Zak Rizvi.

Platt — also a keyboardist — said he's savored the past six years with Kansas, and enjoys entertaining those who loved the music as much as he did growing up and attracting new fans.

“When I see younger people appreciating this music, it warms my heart," he said. "Kansas is very involved, thought-provoking music."

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, Fort Myers

Cost: About 200 tickets left, from $42 (excluding fees) 

Information: bbmannpah.com or 239-481-4849