The group's best-selling album, Hi Infidelity (1980), contained four US Top 40 hits and sold more than 10 million copies. [15] Gary Richrath died on September 13, 2015, due to complications from surgery. Steve Scorfina (who would go on to found progressive rock/album-oriented rock band Pavlov's Dog) came aboard for over a year, composing with the band and performing live, before being replaced by Gary Richrath in late 1970. He sang a sampling of REO's hits with the show's singing finalists. By the late 1980s, the band's popularity was starting to decline. The title refers to the Westport, Connecticut address, where the band stayed while recording in Leka's studio in Bridgeport and remains an in-concert favorite. Adorable duet with Holly, Kevin Cronin's daughter at Kaaboo Music Festival in Del Mar, CA (Sept 13 2019) [11], In November 2009, REO Speedwagon released a Christmas album, Not So Silent Night...Christmas with REO Speedwagon. [3] Paul Leka, an East Coast record producer, brought the band to his recording studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut where it recorded original material for its first album. [3] The album produced only one, and - to date - the band's last Billboard Hot 100 single, "Love Is a Rock," which peaked at #65. Lear had already been invited to join REO in September 1988 as Gratzer's successor and Joseph was brought in as a temporary stand-in for Richrath. This lineup did only one show, on January 7, 1989, in Viña del Mar, Chile, where it won the award for best group at the city's annual International Song Festival. They held an impromptu jam session in the basement of their Illinois Street Residence Hall dormitory and soon started a rock band. REO Speedwagon's 1971 debut album was with their original lead singer, Terry Luttrell. He reached $350,000 before forgetting the lyrics to "Last Dance" by Donna Summer. [3] The most popular track on this record was "157 Riverside Avenue". [3] Although it was not as successful as its predecessor, the album performed moderately well commercially, featuring the hit singles "Keep the Fire Burnin'" (U.S. #7), "Sweet Time" (U.S. #26) and the Album Rock chart hit "The Key. The Midwestern United States was the original REO Speedwagon fan stronghold and is pivotal in this period of the band's history. He then joined REO once again in Los Angeles in May 2000 for the same encore but no serious plans for a reunion ever materialized. The band performed with Pitbull the song "Messin' Around" live on the ABC TV show Greatest Hits in 2016; that version of the song was also released as a single on iTunes. The rock band, REO Speedwagon gained immense popularity in the early 1980s. The episode was entitled "Kevin Cronin Was Here," and they performed "Time for Me to Fly." The band's debut album, R.E.O. Well, … [3] The album was released in 1978 and has received FM radio airplay over the years, thanks to songs like "Roll with the Changes" and "Time for Me to Fly". [10] They teamed up with Styx to record a new single entitled "Can't Stop Rockin'", released in March 2009, as well as for a full tour that included special guest .38 Special. Rather than pronouncing REO as a single word as the motor company did ("REE-oh"), they chose to spell the word out, pronouncing each letter individually ("R-E-O"). As Patricia Read Full Biography. In early 1968, Terry Luttrell became lead singer, and Bob Crownover joined as the guitar player, replacing Matt. Luttrell had played guitar with a local Champaign band, Terry Cook and the Majestics, in the early to mid-1960s. REO Speedwagon continued to score further hit albums (1982's Good Trouble, 1984's Wheels Are Turnin') and singles ("Keep the Fire Burnin'," the number one hit power ballad "Can't Fight This Feeling," etc. Cronin joined REO Speedwagon shortly after the group recorded its debut album in 1971. [9] Cronin had been playing in The Strolling Dudes, a jazz ensemble that included jazz trumpet player Rick Braun (who had co-written the abovementioned "Here With Me" with Cronin), Miles Joseph on lead guitar and Graham Lear on drums. He recorded one album with the band, 1972's R.E.O./T.W.O., but left the band soon after because of missed rehearsals and creative disagreements. ", The band came storming back two years later with Wheels Are Turnin', an album that included the #1 hit single "Can't Fight This Feeling" plus three more hits: "I Do' Wanna Know" (U.S. #29), "One Lonely Night" (U.S. #19), and "Live Every Moment" (U.S. He was then replaced by Mike Murphy as the lead singer who recorded their third album named Ridin’ the Storm Out and two more albums with the band. It also reached number 19 in the UK Singles Chart. Cronin's return came after Greg X. Volz turned down the position for lead vocals due to his conversion to Christianity. He attended St. Linus Catholic Elementary School. "Take It on the Run" is the fifth track on the REO Speedwagon album Hi Infidelity. Back up singers Carla Day and Melanie Jackson were also added. Harms, disenchanted by the album's failure, left the group in early 1991. The lineup on the first album consisted of Richrath, Gratzer, Doughty, Philbin, and Luttrell.[3]. [3] Doughty had seen the name written across the blackboard when he walked into his History of Transportation class on the first day they had decided to look for a name. During a phone interview, vocalist Kevin Cronin shared a story about busted lampshades in Tulsa and told Posting on the band's social media accounts, he says, "I know it has been far too long since I posted here.I miss you all. Since 1995, the label has released over a dozen compilation albums featuring greatest hits, including 1999's The Ballads which featured two new songs Just for You (Cronin and Jim Peterik) and Till The River's Run Dry (Cronin). Kevin Cronin appeared on the Netflix original series Ozark along with bandmates from REO Speedwagon in S03E03. REO Speedwagon is an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Cronin's return came after Greg X. Volz turned down the position for lead vocalist after becoming a Christian. REO Speedwagon performing on Feb. 5, 1981 in Chicago, Il. REO once again teamed with Styx in 2003 for the Classic Rock's Main Event tour which also included another band from their common rock era, Journey. REO Speedwagon headlined on the M&I Classic Rock Stage at the Milwaukee Summerfest on June 30, 2011. Kevin Cronin took over that role for their next effort, R.E.O./T.W.O. They held an impromptu jam session in the basement of their Illinois Street Residence Hall dormitory[1][2] and soon started a rock band. Richrath had driven 100 miles (160 km) to see the band and become a part of it. He was born in north suburban Evanston, Illinois and grew up (and learned guitar) in southwest suburban Oak Lawn. REO Speedwagon had several hits on the Billboard Hot 100 throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including two chart-toppers written by Cronin: "Keep on Loving You" (1981) and "Can't Fight This Feeling" (1985). He appears on an infomercial advertising TimeLife's Ultimate Rock Ballads,[1] which feature tracks by REO Speedwagon, mostly from the 1980s, when the band enjoyed their greatest success. Michael Murphy is the former keyboard player and lead singer for REO Speedwagon from 1973-76. An advertisement in the school newspaper produced their first job, a fraternity party that turned into a food fight. REO Speedwagon will perform Saturday, July 27 at the River Spirit Casino Resort. His oldest child is a son named Paris from a previous marriage. He currently lives in Thousand Oaks, California, U.S. Doughty began to follow Gratzer's band, eventually sitting in on a song or two. The REO portion of the show was released again under three separate titles: Live - Plus (2001), Live Plus 3 (2001) and Extended Versions (2001) (which was certified gold by the RIAA on April 26, 2006). Happy Thanksgiving from the REO Family Formed in 1967, … The album was REO's first to make the Top 40, peaking at #29. [3] Cronin recorded one album with the band, 1972's R.E.O./T.W.O. Music video by REO Speedwagon performing Roll with the Changes. On November 21, 1980, Epic released Hi Infidelity,[3] which represented a change in sound, going from hard rock to more pop-oriented material. After touring for several years, the Richrath band released Only the Strong Survive in 1992 on the GNP Crescendo label. (C) 1978 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainmenthttp://vevo.ly/wu653O REO Speedwagon lead singer/rhythm guitarist Kevin Cronin and drummer Bryan Hitt, background, during their Saturday night performance at the Effingham Performance Center. Gary Richrath, the REO Speedwagon guitarist who wrote some of the band’s biggest hits, including “Take It on the Run” and “In Your Letter,” died Sunday, according to a … They named the band REO Speedwagon, from the REO Speed Wagon, a 1915 truck that was designed by Ransom Eli Olds. Richrath stayed on stage to help with the encore of "With a Little Help From My Friends" along with REO, Styx, Richard Marx, and others. In early 1989, Gary Richrath was fired after tensions between him and Kevin Cronin boiled over. REO Speedwagon toured the US in 1985, including a sold-out concert in Madison, Wisconsin in May. Speedwagon, was released on Epic Records in 1971. Though it did not chart as an album, it produced two singles I Needed to Fall (Cronin) and Find Your Own Way Home (Cronin) which appeared on Billboard's Adult Contemporary radio chart. Formed in 1967, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. Cronin was a celebrity contestant on Don't Forget the Lyrics! In the fall of 1966, Neal Doughty entered the electrical engineering program at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois, as a junior. When Mike Blair left the band in the summer of 1968, Gregg Philbin replaced Blair, Marty Shepard played trumpet and Joe McCabe played sax until McCabe moved to Southern Illinois University. The band's follow-up album, Good Trouble, was released in June 1982. REO Speedwagon Even after more than 40 years of success, Kevin Cronin, lead singer of arena rock specialists REO Speedwagon, never takes the band’s status for granted. In 1977, bassist Gregg Philbin left the band. On November 22, 2013, they announced a benefit concert with Styx titled "Rock to the Rescue" to raise money for the affected families of the tornadoes in central Illinois. Gary Richrath, a former guitarist for the classic rock band REO Speedwagon who also co-wrote the group's hit song "Take It … [3] That same year, the band moved to Los Angeles, California. Luttrell left the band in early 1972, eventually becoming the vocalist for Starcastle. He graduated from Chicago's Brother Rice High School. Kevin Patrick Cronin (born October 6, 1951) is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and occasional pianist for the American rock band, REO Speedwagon. On his first night, he met fellow student Alan Gratzer. Michael Bryan Murphy, lead singer of REO Speedwagon Michael John Murphy, American folk musician Mike L. Murphy (born 1975), American film maker and animator Michael Murphy (singer) (born 1986), New Zealand Idol runner up As the lead singer & songwriter of the multi-platinum rock band REO Speedwagon, Kevin Cronin has been the band’s guiding force since joining the group in the mid-1970s. [2]. [8] The Hits (1988) is a compilation album from REO Speedwagon. In 1977, REO convinced Epic Records that their strength was in their live performances. The keyboard player was the leader, but several other band members were unhappy with the situation. The band signed to Epic Records in 1971. With Richrath on board, the regional popularity of the band grew tremendously. REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. The song was written by lead guitarist Gary Richrath. Read more about Steve’s journey with REO Speedwagon, Pavlov’s Dog, Michael … Cronin's wife is named Lisa. Richard Marx joined REO on stage for a joint performance of two of his hit songs. The band appeared in an episode in the third season of the American TV series Ozark, which was released on Netflix on March 27, 2020. "Take It on the Run" was the follow-up single behind the group's number one hit, "Keep on Loving You". In early 2014, it was announced that REO Speedwagon and Chicago would be teaming up for 15 dates throughout 2014. The Story Behind “Ridin’ The Storm Out”… Read More. In 2017, Hear No Evil Recordings released an excellent REO Speedwagon box set entitled ‘The Early Years’. When that label went bankrupt, the album was released on Castle Records, which also experienced financial troubles. written by REO Speedwagon January 22, 2016. [6] Original drummer Alan Gratzer left in September 1988 after he decided to retire from music to open a restaurant. They performed "Can't Fight This Feeling" and "Roll With the Changes," which featured members of the Beach Boys, the band members' families, and Paul Shaffer on stage for backing vocals. Fiorio then departed in late 1969, eventually assuming the name Duke Tumatoe, and went on to form the All Star Frogs. REO Speedwagon (originally stylized as R.E.O. Steve is a Legendary Musician playing with some of the biggest names in music. REO Speedwagon continues to tour regularly, performing mostly their classic hits. With their equipment being hauled to dates in a friend's station wagon, REO played bars and clubs all over the Midwest. On March 11, 2012, Kevin Cronin appeared on the Canadian reality TV series Star Académie. REO Speedwagon had several hits on the Billboard Hot 100 throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including two chart-toppers written by Cronin: "Keep on Loving You" (1981) and "Can't Fight This Feeling" (1985). [13] In Summer 2010, the band — then touring with Pat Benatar — announced that it would release a 30th anniversary deluxe edition reissue of Hi Infidelity.[14]. Kevin Cronin is an American celebrity who became popular in the late 80’s with the American Rock band “REO Speedwagon.” He is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and also a pianist for the band. Over the course of its career, the band has sold more than 40 million records and has charted 13 Top 40 hits, including the number ones "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling". Kevin Cronin came back again in the year 1976 and replaced Murphy as the lead singer of the band. Kevin has stated in various interviews that they "play for free but get paid for the traveling". Murphy stayed on for two more albums, Lost in a Dream and This Time We Mean It, before Cronin returned to the fold in January 1976 and recorded R.E.O., which was released that same year.[3]. The game was the first "downloadable casual game" produced with a rock band and was cited by numerous publications including The New York Times as an innovative marketing product for a music act. "Here with Me" cracked the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the top ten on the Adult Contemporary chart. Hard-working and hard-rocking band from the Illinois heartland who morphed into million-selling power balladeers by the '80s. On the last day of the university's spring semester, guitarist Joe Matt called the band's leader and told him that he, drummer Gratzer, and bassist Mike Blair had decided to leave the band to start a new one with Doughty. The album went on to sell over two million copies in the US, ultimately achieving double platinum status. In the original script there was a shot of a banner that has a big REO Speedwagon logo and says "Welcome to the Missouri Dental Association Convention." Some of their more well-known songs are the 70's rock staples "Ridin' the Storm Out" and "Roll with the Changes", as well as 80's power-ballads "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling". He was first chosen as the second lead singer of REO Speedwagon at age twenty in 1971. REO Speedwagon singer Kevin Cronin is one. Speedwagon) is an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. They were the last songs recorded with Gary Richrath and Alan Gratzer. They made a list of songs to learn over the summer break, and Doughty landed a summer job to buy his first keyboard. [21] REO and Chicago once again teamed up for tour dates during the summer of 2018. In 2000, REO teamed up with Styx for an appearance at Riverport Amphitheater in St. Louis, which was released as a live concert video Arch Allies: Live at Riverport. Hi Infidelity sold over 10 million copies. Born on October 6, 1951, in Illinois, United States became a big icon in the 80’s. The title track did make R&R's AC Top 30 chart. "I had no intention of writing a book. Kevin Patrick Cronin (born October 6, 1951) is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and occasional pianist for the American rock band, REO Speedwagon. [3] It contains the new tracks "I Don't Want to Lose You" and "Here With Me." REO Speedwagon Biography by Greg Prato + Follow Artist. He was replaced by Kevin Cronin. The members returned to school in the fall of 1967, and had their first rehearsal before classes started. It was released as a single in 1981 and reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Their most famous album, Hi Infidelity, sold over 10 million copies. Families impacted by the storm and first responders sat near the stage for this special REO concert. 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