<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0REO Speedwagon came charging out of Southern Illinois and made a national name for themselves in the 1970s and 1980s.\u00a0 With the band\u2019s name pretty much retired as of December of 2024, it seems a fitting time to chart the ups and downs of the band.\u00a0 The REO story, from its inception in 1967 up to the more recent demise, had more twists and turns than a Formula 1 racetrack.\u00a0 Not to worry, their music will hang around as former lead singer Kevin Cronin is still touring the REO catalog under his own name, but let\u2019s not get ahead of ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Keyboard player Neal Doughty was just starting an electrical engineering program during his junior year at the University of Illinois in Champaign in 1966.\u00a0 At his first night class he met fellow student Alan Gratzer who happened to be a drummer.\u00a0 Soon after this chance meeting, the two held an impromptu keyboard \/ drum jam in the basement of their resident hall.\u00a0 The seeds of a new band were planted and from the various branches, roots, and prunings, R.E.O. Speedwagon would eventually emerge.\u00a0 R.E.O. has made the internet news sites recently because disagreements\u00a0 between lead singer \/ songwriter Kevin Cronin and bassist Bruce Hall caused the band to split.\u00a0 Articles keep calling Hall \u2018a founding member of the band\u2019 but that isn\u2019t quite the case.\u00a0 Once again, let us not get to the end of the band until we get their first chapter in the books.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Gratzer was already in a band and Doughty started sitting in with them on occasion even though they had a keyboard player who was also their lead singer.\u00a0 When the semester ended, the guitar player informed the lead singer that he, Gratzer, and bassist Mike Blair would be leaving to form a band with Doughty.\u00a0 They planned a new band where all the members shared the vocals.\u00a0 As they parted for the summer break, each had a list of songs to learn.\u00a0 When they returned to school, Doughty spotted the name of a classic 1915 Ransom Eli Olds truck written on the blackboard in a History of Transportation class.\u00a0 The name REO Speed Wagon was adopted by the band, as R.E.O. Speedwagon (separating the letters instead of saying them as \u2018RE-ohh\u2019 as the truck manufacturer had).\u00a0 Their first frat gig devolved into a food fight but they were off.\u00a0 As with most bands formed in a college atmosphere, they performed cover songs at parties, bars, and university events.\u00a0 In these early days, the band was managed by fellow U of I student Irving Azoff who would later rise to rarified heights in the music biz managing the Eagles, Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, and Jimmy Buffet..<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The early classic line up of the band included guitarist Gary Richrath and bassist Gregg \u2018Regis\u2019 Philbin along with Doughty, Gratzer, and a rotating cast of lead singers.\u00a0 Like any new band, they went through a revolving door of musicians.\u00a0 The changes began with Terry Luttrell joining as lead vocalist and Philbin replacing Blair on bass.\u00a0 Horns were added to the line-up but dropped by the summer of 1969.\u00a0 Richrath travelled 100 miles south from Peoria, Illinois in late 1970 intent to join the band, \u201cWhether they like it or not.\u201d\u00a0 Richrath was the band\u2019s fourth guitar player and when he brought his original songs to the band, their popularity began to grow in the midwest.\u00a0 Luttrell would leave the band in early 1972 (he would eventually re-emerge in the band Starcastle) and Kevin Cronin replaced him.\u00a0 After recording one album (<\/span>R.E.O.\/T.W.O.<\/span><\/i> in 1972), Cronion split from the band during sessions for 1973\u2019s <\/span>Ridin\u2019 the Storm Out<\/span><\/i> due to interband conflicts.\u00a0 His replacement for the rest of that album and the next two was Michael Bryan Murphy whose tenure lasted until the end of 1975.\u00a0 With his mane of red hair and sideburns, Murphy cut quite a presence on stage.\u00a0 The first time I saw R.E.O. at Lakeview Arena in Marquette, he made quite an impression fronting the band.\u00a0 The entire band was rock solid and by the encore of <\/span>Ridin\u2019 the Storm Out<\/span><\/i>, the whole arena was rocking.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The second time R.E.O. appeared in Marquette, I happened to be driving by the Ramada Inn on Washington Street and saw Richrath and Cronin standing on the front steps.\u00a0 Until the show that night, I did not know Cronin had replaced Murphy but as he was standing with Richrath, I assumed he was in the band even though I did not know his name.\u00a0 I made it a point to pick up their 1977 album <\/span>Live:\u00a0 You Get What You Play For<\/span><\/i> before I left town that weekend.\u00a0 The album notes caught me up to how the lineup had evolved to this point and is an accurate representation of the live show I saw then.\u00a0 With their popularity on the rise, Philin left the band after the <\/span>Live<\/span><\/i> album and it was at this point Bruce Hall joined the band.\u00a0 Some accounts say Philbin left because he was unhappy with the corporate structure of the band that saw Cronin and Richrath getting a bigger slice of the pie (probably due to their songwriting copyrights).\u00a0 In the earliest days, everyone was getting an equal share.\u00a0 Other sources mention his lifestyle issues were affecting his performance.\u00a0 Pick the story that suits you, but revisionist history seems to have scrubbed Philbin from the record by now calling Hall a \u2018founding member\u2019 of the band.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hall joined in time to record the strangely named <\/span>You Can Tune A Piano but You Can\u2019t Tune a Fish <\/span><\/i>album (released in March 1978).\u00a0 Strange name aside, it produced two hit songs, <\/span>Roll With The Changes <\/span><\/i>and <\/span>Time For Me To Fly<\/span><\/i>, the latter being their first song to break into the <\/span>Top 40 Charts<\/span><\/i> (it climbed to No. 29).\u00a0 This double platinum record (over two million copies sold) was followed by the July 1979 release of <\/span>Nine Lives.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 The hard rocking <\/span>Nine Lives<\/span><\/i> period would give way to their most successful album, <\/span>Hi Infidelity<\/span><\/i> which Epic Records released in November of 1980.\u00a0 Tailored to a more pop-sound, it became a darling of FM radio and remained on the charts for 65 weeks (35 weeks in the top ten and 15 weeks atop the <\/span>Billboard 200)<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cronin and Richrath had found their groove with <\/span>Hi Infidelity<\/span><\/i> and the four hits from the album dominated the charts in the early 1980s.\u00a0 Included in this run was the chart topping <\/span>Keep On Lovin\u2019 You, <\/span><\/i>and<\/span> Take It On The Run <\/span><\/i>(#5), <\/span>In Your Letter <\/span><\/i>(#20), and <\/span>Don\u2019t Let Him Go<\/span><\/i> (#24).\u00a0 The ten million units moved gave REO Speedwagon (no more separating periods in the name) the national attention they had worked so hard to earn.\u00a0 The follow up album, <\/span>Good Trouble <\/span><\/i>(June 1982) was a more moderate commercial success but still placed <\/span>Keep The Fire Burning<\/span><\/i> at #7 on the U.S. singles chart.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i>November 1984 found REO with another hit spawning album, <\/span>Wheels Are Turning<\/span><\/i>:\u00a0 <\/span>Can\u2019t Fight This Feeling <\/span><\/i>again found them topping the charts with three other tracks reaching #19, #29 and #34.\u00a0 Their profile was up in mid-decade when they sold out Madison Square Garden in May while on their 1985 tour.\u00a0 July found them on stage in front of a record breaking TV audience at <\/span>Live Aid<\/span><\/i> in Philadelphia<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span><\/i>The Beach Boys and Paul Shaffer joined them on stage in Philly to sing background vocals for <\/span>Can\u2019t Fight This Feeling <\/span><\/i>and <\/span>Roll With The Changes.\u00a0 <\/span><\/i>The <\/span>Life As We Know It<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>The Hits<\/span><\/i> records closed out the 1980s as the band\u2019s album sales numbers showed a decline.\u00a0 The two new tracks on <\/span>The Hits<\/span><\/i> would be the last two with Richrath and Gratzer participating.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Gratzer decided to leave the band in September of 1988 to open a restaurant and spend more time with his family. \u00a0 Richrath departed a few months later when tensions with Cronin caused an irreparable rift with the singer.\u00a0 Eventually, former Ted Nugent guitarist Dave Amato would take his spot and former Wang Chung drummer Bryan Hitt would fill Gratzer\u2019s shoes.\u00a0 Gary\u2019s new band, Richrath, recorded one album.\u00a0 The guitarist continued playing music in and around the midwest until his untimely death on September 13, 2015 at the age of 65.\u00a0 According to Cronin, the guitarist went to the hospital with \u2018some ailment\u2019 that produced fatal complications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0REO would find their albums sales continuing to decline and they were dropped by the Epic label. \u00a0 They continued to release albums on smaller labels, even self funding some of their recording sessions while continuing to be a solid draw on the concert circuit.\u00a0 When Epic began re-releasing their albums, REO found increased interest in the band which helped improved their bookings.\u00a0 Beginning in 2000, they staged the first of their dual headlining tours with Styx (the first of which is chronicled on a DVD and album called <\/span>Arch Allies:\u00a0 Live at Riverport<\/span><\/i> – the title in reference to the St Louis Arch).\u00a0 REO has toured off and on throughout the new millennium with Styx as well as with Journey and Pat Benetar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Gregg Philbin also left this mortal coil on October 24, 2022.\u00a0 The sole remaining original member, Neal Doughty, announced that he, too, was retiring from touring on January 4, 2023.\u00a0 Hall announced Doughty would always be part of the brotherhood of the band and was welcome to appear with REO on selected dates in the future.\u00a0 Former Iron Butterfly keyboardist Derek Hilland became the band\u2019s touring replacement for Doughty.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0As for the more recent drama, it all began on November 7, 2023 when Bruce Hall took a hiatus for back surgery to correct an old injury.\u00a0 He was expected to rejoin the band on tour in 2024 after Matt Bissonette (ex- David Lee Roth Band) filled in as their touring bassist.\u00a0 \u00a0 On September 16, 2024, the band announced they would cease touring on January 1, 2025.\u00a0 The reason cited was that Hall’s recovery had caused \u2018irreconcilable differences\u2019 between him and Cronin.\u00a0 Other posts prior to this announcement claimed Cronin required emergency surgery. \u00a0 On December 21, 2024, Kevin announced that the show from that night would be the last under the REO Speedwagon moniker and the name would be retired.\u00a0 Cronin went on to explain he would continue to do \u2018solo concerts\u2019 with the same band lineup and REO songs would remain in the show.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The war of words escalated from here and the word \u2018acrimonious\u2019 can certainly be applied to the parting of Hall and Cronin.\u00a0 In early 2025, Hall announced a one-off reunion show scheduled for June 14 to support the REO Charitable Foundation.\u00a0 According to the press release, the show will be, \u201cA retrospective concert experience and the last time all of these REO members take the stage together and a way to say a proper goodbye to the band\u2019s early years.\u201d\u00a0 REO members scheduled to appear include Neal Doughty, Alan Gratzer, Bruce Hall, Terry Luttrell, Mike Murphy, and Steve Scorfina.\u00a0 The release goes on to state, \u201cThere will also be special guests and an \u2018in memoriam tribute\u2019 to the late Gary Richrath and Gregg Philbin.\u201d\u00a0 Note the absence of Kevin Cronin from this hometown show.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cronin fired back in March of 2025 that the June 14 show was purposely scheduled at a time when his band has west coast engagements.\u00a0 Okay, this is awkward at best.\u00a0 The REO Speedwagon ceased touring in December of 2024 included Cronin, Dave Amato on guitar, Bryan Hitt on drums, Derek Hilland on keyboards, and Matt Bissonette on bass.\u00a0 The Kevin Cronin Band that continued under his name employs the exact same lineup.\u00a0 This means none of the last touring REO band members will be at the one-off show in Champaign on June 14, 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hearing Cronin\u2019s and Hall\u2019s comments to Q105 FM in Tampa, Florida back in the fall of 2024, one could already see what was coming.\u00a0 Hall (in September):\u00a0 \u201cNever ever thought it would end like this and I\u2019m heartbroken.\u00a0 Please know Neal and I did everything in our power to try and keep the Wagon rolling.\u00a0 I am so appreciative of ALL the amazing love and support.\u201d\u00a0 Cronin (in October):\u00a0 \u201cI will always hold out hope that REO Speedwagon can be rescued.\u00a0 This band is my life\u2019s work, and I would never do anything except what I feel is in REO\u2019s best interests,\u00a0 But in any case, I am going to make the most of the rest of our 2024 tour dates.\u00a0 I love this band and I love our loyal fans, and I will be giving my 100 percent effort to the upcoming shows.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The back and forth accusations never left the door open for any kind or reconciliation.\u00a0 Cronin admits he saw Hall\u2019s x-rays and had suggested that perhaps he should take time off from the 2024 tour.\u00a0 Apparently Hall did not like the suggestion, but in the end, his health forced him to do just that.\u00a0 At some point, Hall posted that Cronin had quit the band, which Kevin denied.\u00a0 Cronin pointed a finger at Hall\u2019s circle of friends who he claimed, \u201cLeaked rumors that I had quit but I didn\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 Without saying what the conditions were, Kevin went on to say, \u201cI found the two main demands [that Hall had apparently put forth for him to return]. . . one of them would have been irresponsible for me to go along with and the other was just impossible for me to go along with.\u00a0 It just got ugly.\u201d\u00a0 Cronin ended saying he wishes Hall, \u201cNothing but the best.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0At this point in the \u2018discussion\u2019, a Steven Stills lyric comes to mind:\u00a0 \u201c<\/span>There\u2019s battle lines being drawn \/ Nobody\u2019s right if everybody\u2019s wrong \u2026. It\u2019s time we stop \/ Hey, what\u2019s that sound? \/ Everybody look, what\u2019s going down.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span><\/i>I am pretty sure we all can see what is \u2018going down\u2019.\u00a0 It is a shame that a 48 year partnership has to end in a flurry of angry posts and denials, but so it goes in the world of musical partnerships.\u00a0 It happened within the various combinations of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.\u00a0 Hall and Oates went through the same kind of acrimonious split.\u00a0 The same can be said for Richie Sambora and John Bonjovi, Simon and Garfunkel and . . .\u00a0 you get the idea.\u00a0 The fans will still get to hear REO tunes played live, but I wonder what the T-shirts for sale in the lobby will look like?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Top Piece Video:\u00a0 REO in the happier days of 1981 before the fallout – classic line up with Bruce Hall – a couple of years after I saw them at Lakeview Arena in Marquette, MI<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0REO Speedwagon came charging out of Southern Illinois and made a national name for themselves in the 1970s and 1980s.\u00a0 With the band\u2019s name pretty much retired as of December of 2024, it seems a fitting time to chart the ups and downs of the band.\u00a0 The REO story, from its inception in 1967 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,11,8,6,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bands-musicians","category-education","category-from-the-vaults","category-new-music","category-woas"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.woas-fm.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3530","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.woas-fm.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.woas-fm.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.woas-fm.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.woas-fm.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3530"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.woas-fm.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3530\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3533,"href":"https:\/\/www.woas-fm.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3530\/revisions\/3533"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.woas-fm.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3530"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.woas-fm.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3530"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.woas-fm.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3530"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}