REO Speedwagon
Rating: 2 Stars 
REO Speedwagon…… Many people consider this band to be a “cover band”. The current line up only has one original member, The keyboard player – Neil Doughty. The current singer, Kevin Cronin, was the third singer to be employed by REO Speedwagon, and they tour endlessly pretending to be the REO Speedwagon of the eighties. Gary Richrath provided much of the creative and driving force in the early days of the band, writing much of the material for REO Speedwagon’s first twelve albums. In 1977, he and other members of the band took over their own production, which resulted in the band’s first platinum album. Richrath wrote many of the band’s most memorable songs including “Golden Country” from 1972, “Ridin’ the Storm Out” 1973, “Only the Strong Survive” 1979 and “Take It On the Run” from 1981. In addition, Richrath sang several REO Speedwagon songs including “Find My Fortune” 1973 and “(Only A) Summer Love” 1976. He was asked to leave REO Speedwagon in 1989, and released a solo album titled Only the Strong Survive in 1992, under the name “Richrath”. When Richrath left REO, it was rumored that the band was breaking up because of extreme personality conflicts among REO’s members. It was also rumored that Kevin Cronin was so jealous of the attention Gary would receive on stage that he convinced the band to fire Gary. Keven Cronin claimed he can’t work with Gary anymore because of Garys drinking. Gary Richrath did have some drinking issues, but solved those issues years ago. Keven has yet asked Gary to rejoin the band. REO Speedwagon has not had a hit since Gary Richrath left the band. Gary Richrath did admit to crossing swords a few times with lead singer Kevin Cronin. “We had songwriting conflicts about whose songs would go on the albums,” Gary Richrath said. Gary Richrath saw the band move away from the “rockier” style. Kevin Cronin prefers a slower, more sentimental ballads, and Richrath was not ready to slow down. Gary Richrath moved on and formed a band that was more in touch with his own tastes. The band played over 1,000 concerts, mostly in small clubs and halls, and Richrath said audiences were eating up the two hour shows, half REO classics and half new Richrath tunes, and the new songs were getting noticed. The band continued to tour throughout the 1990’s until Richrath headed back into the studio in 1998 to create a new CD that remains unfinished. Richrath says “I wasn’t trying to create a new REO, just carrying on with what I do.” There has been a lot of rumours about Gary Richrath rejoining the band, for years, but it is apparent Kevin Cronin will have no part of it. Cronin doesn’t seem to understand how important Garys input was, when they were recording the REO Speedwagon hit songs. Anyone remember what happen when Joe Perry rejoined Aerosmith? People all over the world want Gary to rejoin “His” band, do a search on the internet and read the outrage that is voiced all over the world….. REO Fans are saying: “Bring back Gary Richrath!”
Links
REO SPEEDWAGON – Music Videos – Pictures All about REO Speedwagon: music videos, pictures, albums, ringtones, daily news, and more
Bring back Richrath, for the love of god!
Gary Richrath MADE REO what it was. Kevin Cronin just doesn’t seem to understand that and never will.
They are a shadow of their former self. If Gary did come back, Kevin’s voice is so bad now that they wouldn’t sound good anyway.
Gary Richrath is one of the Greatest Guitarist to ever play a Gibson Les Paul. He was THE sound that was REO Speedwagon! Kevin Cronin needs to understand he didn’t make REO, Gary did!!! “All Hail” to Gary Richrath!!!
I second Barry’s comments!! Bring back Gary asap!! The public wants Gary back and afterall we are your customers, well if Gary comes back atleast. When Gary comes back I will definately go see REO again, but until then.
I saw Gary play The Flying Turkey Trot on the Live Infidelity VHS when I was a kid, and have had a lifetime of inspiration to master my Gibson (I’m still far from it though), I have never seen anybody “carry” a song, audience, and time itself the way he does!
Why did REO have to be another “band ruined by a self-richeous/arrogant lead singer”? Gary Richrath IS REO Speedwagon, Kevin Cronin was “just a singer”, of a no-name band without Gary.
Live “You Get What You Play For” The BEST thing they ever did!
I still have the album (not the cd)It is GREAT!! And they can’t do it without GARY!!!!!
I ALSO GREW UP IN PEORIA ILLINOIS, BORN IN 1950 AND WAS CLASS OF “68 PEORIA HIGH SCHOOL. IT WAS IN THE EARLY 70′S THAT I TRAVELED FRIDAY/SATURDAY NITES TO BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS TO A NIGHT CLUB WHICH NAME I CANNOT REMEMBER. IT WAS IN THAT CLUB THAT I FIRST MET REO SPEEDWAGON AND THE OTHER CENTRAL ILLINOIS BAND ‘HEAD EAST.” THOSE WERE THE GOOD OLD DAYS TO ME. I WAS IN MY EARLY 20′S DRIVING 40 MILES OVER AND 40 MILES BACK TO PEORIA. I NOW RESIDE IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, SWIM EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR, HAVE A FULL TIME GARDNER AND A FULL TIME MAID ON MY NEARLY 4ACRES HACIENDA AS THEY CALL IT HERE. AT MY POOL I PLAY ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS OF REO SPEEDWAGON, “ROLL WITH THE CHANGES” AND “GOING DOWN FOR THE LAST TIME” WHICH IS A SONGS THAT WILL GET YOU DANCING. BOTH OF THESE BANDS ORIGINATED WITH CLASSMATES FROM UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS WHICH IS JUST 40 MILES FURTHER EAST OF BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS. IT IS TOO BAD PERSONALITIES GET IN THE WAY OF EARNING SUPER MONEY AND PERFORMING. BOTH THESE BANDS HAD MEMBERS THAT AFTER SUPER NOTORIETY THEY COULD NOT BE IN THE SAME ROOM. MY OPINION IS THIS IS WHY THE “ROLLING STONES” IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST ALL TIME ROCK AND ROLL BAND EVER. PLUS THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE HAD MANY GREAT SONGS OVER THE YEARS. GOOD LUCK TO ALL IN THEIR LATTER YEARS, IT WAS A GOOD RUN FOR ALL OF US.
REO with richrath wheels are turnin vhs up for bid on litia websight. 2 days left