Billy Greer, the bassist for Kansas since 1985, has left the band during its 50th anniversary tour and been replaced by Dan McGowan of The Tea Club.

Kansas announced over the weekend that bassist and co-lead vocalist Billy Greer “has concluded his journey” after nearly 40 years with the band. He joined Kansas in 1985 and had been “an unwavering presence,” appearing on seven studio albums and playing more than 2,300 live concerts with the group.

You don’t often see a band lose a key member mid-tour, but Kansas has been together a long time, and Billy Greer has apparently done all he can. So, the bassist and co-lead vocalist, has retired, according to multiple reports. Greer played with Kansas for nearly 40 years before deciding to step away.

The Canadian rock band’s lead singer was all over the radio airwaves in the late 1960s and into the 1970s. The Guess Who played concerts in all 50 states as well as in Europe, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. Cummings has toured as a solo act since leaving the group in 1975.

Kansas announced Monday that Dan McGowan will replace longtime bassist and co-lead vocalist Billy Greer on the rest of the group’s tour dates. Greer retired last week after nearly 40 years with Kansas, appearing on seven studio albums and serving as emcee during concerts for the past 18 years.

“The band Kansas is excited to welcome Dan McGowan as bassist and vocalist,” a statement posted to the social media site read. “Dan succeeds longtime bassist and vocalist Billy Greer. Dan has been serving as Billy’s substitute on stage for numerous shows during 2024.

Legendary rock band Heart is going back on tour after postponing shows earlier this year so one of the band’s lead singers could undergo chemotherapy. Heart said on Instagram Monday, Sept. 9 that the “Royal Flush Tour” will return in 2025.