As the lead singer & songwriterof the multi-platinum rock band REO Speedwagon, Kevin Cronin has been the bands guiding force since joining the group in the mid-1970s. The band's lineup remained stable thereafter for more than ten years until Gratzer decided to retire in 1988, withGraham Learbrought in as his replacement. It was really my songs that got me the gig. Maybe it was just the timing of when it was released. Gary Richrath, songwriter and lead guitarist for REO Speedwagon for decades, has died, the band announced on its Facebook page Sunday. I never really took any piano lessonsI just messed around with it and figured it out for myself. REO remains a popular live band which tours steadily throughout the U.S. and worldwide. Gregg Philbin would become the bassist, and in 1970, the band added a legitimate guitar hero in Gary Richrath. University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Thanks for visiting and for supporting a small business! On the very first night, he met who would be his lifetime friend and bandmate, Alan Gratzer, and the two held an impromptu jam session in the basement of their Illinois Street Residence Hall dorm. Richrath had wanted to join the band and knew that he could take them to a new level with his artistry and songwriting. Were going in, says Cronin, in a totally different way. Id just started to write a couple little silly songs. I remember that I sat down on the floor of my bedroom, and I was literally almost in tears. [1] Cronin came back for 1976s R.E.O. But from all appearances, REOs next studio LP really will be different and largely because of a change in the bands attitude toward making records. Discover the benefits that come with your membership. We recorded it in Nashville, and the song of mine that [probably] got me the gig was called Music Man. It was never a huge hit, but its still in the REO setlist and it was basically my fantasy of how my life would turn out. Today, Doughty, Cronin, and Hall remain with the band; guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt have been in since 1989. So the songs come in all different shapes and forms. REO Speedwagon Biography, Songs, & Albums | AllMusic For tax reasons a group of shareholders successfully challenged the liquidation in a proxy fight in September 1955, and forced REO to take over a tiny nuclear services company called Nuclear Consultants, Inc. in a reverse takeover. Olds had 52% of the stock and the titles of president and general manager. The album spawned four hit singles that were written by Cronin and Richwrath, including Keep On Loving you (Cronin), Take It on the Run(Richrath), In Your Letter (Richrath) and Dont Let Him Go (Cronin). Find REO Speedwagon Loveland tickets, appearing at Budweiser Events Center in Colorado on Nov 17, 2023 at 7:30 pm. What Happened During the Video Game Crash of 1983? Tools Ridin' the Storm Out is the third studio album by REO Speedwagon, released in 1973. The truck was, of course, the REO Speed Wagon, though the band closed Speedwagon to one word. The title line is, Cant you see, Ill always be a music man. It basically talked about my story in a song. In 1971, REO Speedwagon signed a contract with Epic Records. The Hi Infidelity album was the one that broke things loose. DK: Thats a great story about how you wrote Cant Fight This Feeling. Thank you. We usually play as the opening act or as special guests, but this time were headlining.. Im thankful for that and proud of that as well. amzn_assoc_title = "REO Speedwagon"; The bandwe were all kind of going through some chaos in our personal lives. [6] The vocalist was replaced by Kevin Cronin, who performed on the group's second album R.E.O./T.W.O. L.A. One album I know I "bought" from the Columbia House Record and Tape Club was REO Speedwagon's 1978 classic,You Can Tune a Piano But You Can't Tuna Fish.There are . This site uses cookies but never sells your personal information. [5] During 1925, however, Scott, like many of his contemporaries/competitors, began an ambitious expansion program designed to make the company more competitive with other automobile manufacturers by offering cars in different price ranges. Note: ClickAmericana.com features authentic historical information, and is not intended to represent current best practices on any topic, particularly with regard to health and safety, but also in terms of outdated cultural depictions and social values. I had the verses already written. Bass Guitar / Lead & Harmony Vocals 1978-present. Because of all the traveling wed done, and the work wed been doing over the years, we all just arrived at this place where we really needed each other as brothers for mutual support. REO Speedwagon (originally styled as R.E.O. So until their last LP, a long-overdue live set called You Get What You Play For, REO Speedwagon has carried the image of a second-rate boogie band whose most devoted fans would forget them shortly after the third-encore cheers had died away. [12][13] Also in 1989, Bryan Hitt replaced Lear on drums,[14] while Jesse Harms joined as a second keyboardist, performing on the band's 1990 album The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken. 2 REO Speedwagon VIP Packages for 2023 Performance Back in the day of the album, that was very important. The Model 8-31 was priced at $2,145. For You Can Tune a Piano in 1978, Cronin said, We had a bunch of songs: Roll with the Changes, Time for Me To Fly, Blazing Your Own Trail Again, Sing To Me, and we were cocky about it. After the Good Trouble tour, we needed a break, Cronin said. amzn_assoc_linkid = "d272d907009b8147dd9ad76c24c6f0b5"; Then of course, you refine it from there. But what about you? So when the Hi Infidelity album came out and Keep On Loving You went to number one, then suddenly people started looking back and realized, Wait a minute, that was REOs 11th album, maybe I should check out their earlier albums because there might be some good songs on it after all (laughs). We know weve got to prove ourselves, says lead singer Kevin Cronin, and I cant wait to get that next album out. Finally in 2020, the band appeared in an episode in the third season of Ozark, which was released on March 27, 2020. It took a long time, and I wrote that song before I finally got the guts to tell her. It was just that I needed to really identify where the heart and soul of this piece that I was working on was. Although it still managed to make the top-20 hits with the songs That Aint Love and In My Dreams. Roll with the Changes. I was an unknown, unproven commodity as far as performingGary never really saw me play anywherehe just came up to my apartment and we got out a couple acoustic guitars, and I played some of my songs. And sure enough, it ended up working out. Formed in 1967, the group originally included guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Blair, keyboardist Neal Doughty and drummer Alan Gratzer. Speedwagon was released in October of 1971 and credited all five members (Doughty, Gratzer, Richrath, Philbin, and Luttrell) as the writers of all eight songs.While single "Sophisticated Lady" just missed the Hot 100, the album's second track, "157 Riverside Avenue," has remained the most popular song from . Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vinyl Album, REO Speedwagon/"Life As We Know It", Original 1987 Release at the best online prices at eBay! REO Speedwagon discography - Wikipedia REO Speedwagon discography This article lists the discography of the American rock band, REO Speedwagon. Today, Doughty, Cronin, and Hall remain with the band; guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt have been in since 1989. In 1923, the company sold an early recreational vehicle, called the "Motor Pullman Car". The songs for that album had a certain cohesive nature to them. I couldnt figure it out, and as a result, I had a really hard time finishing that song. Its funnyeven though it was 35 years ago, it still feels like it was just yesterday to me, because I remember writing it so vividly. We did have a feeling that there was something special going on. Mike Blair also left the band later that year as Gregg Philbin filled his spot. R.E.O. Formed in 1967, the group originally included guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Blair, keyboardistNeal Doughtyand drummer Alan Gratzer. You need a gold record to get a job.. The first album the group produced itself was a live album, in 1977, You Get What You Play For. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; before leaving during sessions for the 1973 follow-up. Bruce Hall joined REO Speedwagon after the You Get What You Play For tour. List of REO Speedwagon members - Wikiwand [2] The pronunciation, however, was as a single word. Notably, these five band members have been together since 1989. Who died from REO Speedwagon? REO Speedwagon performing live in 2010 (top) and 2016 (bottom). Starting bid: US $6.99 [ 0 bids] Shipping: $6.45 Economy . One might say that as long they keep on rollin, fans will keep on loving them. DK: I think Keep Pushin' is one of the great songs from REOs early years, and maybe if it was released later in the mid-80s when the band was so hot, it could have been another big hit. REO Motor Car Company - Wikipedia REO Speedwagon - Wikipedia Richrath also left early the next year, with Miles Joseph filling in for a show beforeDave Amatotook over in May. Its a blessing because Ive always got myself (laughs). REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Who are the original members of REO Speedwagon? I wrote Time For Me To Fly on the guitarmost of my songs I write on the acoustic guitar. The original members of REO Speedwagon are: Kevin Cronin on lead vocals, rhythm guitar, and occasionally piano Neal Doughty on keyboard Alan Gratzer on drums, percussion, and backing vocals Gregg Philbin on bass and backing vocals How did REO Speedwagon get its name? The band would continue to juxtapose rock numbers and power ballads to great success, much like contemporaries Styx and Journey. They started over. He also owned the The REO Motor Truck Company, which made a model in 1915 called the Speedwagon, a forerunner to the pickup truck. Success changed a lot of things for this group, said Kevin Cronin in a phone interview last week from Tulsa, Okla. Cronin is REOs lead vocalist, chief songwriter, song arranger and co-producer. Ridin' the Storm Out - Wikipedia If we were going to make it, a live album might be the way to do it. Two years later, Olds claimed that he had built the best car he could, a tourer able to seat two, four, or five, with a 3035hp (2226kW) engine, 112 inches (2,845mm) wheelbase, and 32 inches (81cm) wheels, for $1,055 (not including top, windshield, or gas tank, which were US$100 extra); self-starter was $25 on top of that. REO Speedwagon (originally styled as R.E.O. Its amazing when I walk out on stage and start playing one of the songs I wrote and 10,000 people stand up and start singing along, says lead singer Cronin, 62, who wrote their No. Its friggin awesome! [4], In 1915, Olds relinquished the title of general manager to his protg Richard H. Scott, and eight years later he ended his tenure as the company's presidency as well, retaining the position of chairman of the board. He was taking a class, History of Transportation, and found "R.E.O. Cronin: That song, coincidentally, was number one 35 years ago from right now. and has remained the lead vocalist ever since. Hi Infidelity (1980) contained four US Top 40 hits and is the group's best-selling album, with over ten . Your support helps us preserve a great American legacy. The original members of this band are as follows. I try to keep it that way, because I think theres a certain purityI try to keep the craftsmanship to a minimum. REO Speedwagon has recorded 16 studio albums which have sold a total of more than 40 million units. Notably, these five band members have been together since 1989. By 1907, REO had gross sales of $4.5 million, and the company was one of the four wealthiest automobile manufacturers in the U.S. After 1908, however, despite the introduction of improved cars designed by Olds, REO's share of the automobile market decreased due in part to competition from emerging companies like Ford and General Motors. REO Speedwagon has recorded 16 studio albums which have sold a total of more than 40 million units. Fortunately, I stumbled into my home studio, which was a very humble little studio back in those days. He formed the band in the fall of 1967, with original drummer Alan Gratzer. Although truck orders during World War II enabled it to revive somewhat, the company remained unstable in the postwar era, resulting in a bankruptcy reorganization. Your email address will not be published. "There are actually quite a few people who can say they were members of REO," according to Gratzer. before leaving during sessions for the 1973 follow-up. Although the members of REO Speedwagon long considered themselves a high-energy rock band, they will be remembered forevermore as masters of the power ballad. Neal Allan Doughty (born July 29, 1946) is an American keyboardist, best known as a founding member of the rock band REO Speedwagon and the only member to have played on every album. They started jamming and formed a group almost immediately. And there were some radio stations in the Midwest that were playing those songs. [8], The 1931 Reo Royale was a trendsetting design, introducing design elements that were a precedent for true automotive streamlining in the American market. As for that name periods included or not that, too, is rooted in a college education. The Syracuse Herald, June8, 1919, REO advertisement in 1953 (back cover of the October 1953 issue of Popular Mechanics), 1929 REO advertisement sold at Yanase dealerships in Japan, Learn how and when to remove this template message, List of defunct United States automobile manufacturers, "Reo Motor Car Company Plant (Designation Withdrawn)", "Gallery of vintage magazine advertisements", "Rolling Cottage Latest Luxury in Automobiles", "What's In A Name: Diamond Rio Discovers That Its New Moniker Is A Real Gem", "My Life and Hard Times: The Car We Had To Push", REO (and Diamond T) Trucks (Hank's Truck Pictures), A REO Speed Delivery (State Library, Victoria, Australia images), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=REO_Motor_Car_Company&oldid=1132628423, Vehicle manufacturing division merged with, A REO is mentioned in a humorous 1933 short story. Rarely has a musician uttered a truer statement and for REO fans and those who would like to be REO fans, its going to mean some held breath and crossed fingers over the next few months. Youre with another person, youre bouncing ideas around and I enjoy that. [7] Mike Murphy took over and recorded Ridin' the Storm Out, Lost in a Dream and This Time We Mean It, but was replaced by a returning Cronin in 1976. He will still appear at select shows in the future. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; By late 1970, REO Speedwagon had finalised its first recording lineup with the addition of guitaristGary Richrathin place of Scorfina. I wrote Keep On Loving You, Cant Fight This Feeling and Roll With The Changes on the piano. The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox! I sat there on the floor of my bedroom, and I thought, Alright, what is this song all about? Why cant I name this songwhy cant I write the chorus for this song? The response has been ridiculous, Cronin said with a smile. And now all the doors that seemed to be closing in REOs face are wide open again if their eighth album has any guts to it at all. In 2018, REO Speedwagon and Chicago toured again. DK: Keep On Loving You from Hi Infidelity is a great song. A lot can go on between the band members after working together for so long, so they have to make some difficult decisions before coming and going. Fast forward to November 21, 1980, Epic Records released Hi Infidelity, which represented a change in sound that went from hard rock to pop-oriented music. It was actually Doughty who first followed Gratzers band, listening to them play songs. Wed always been known as a strong live band. The band formed when drummer Alan Gratzer and keyboardist Neal Doughty, a couple of students at University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, got together to jam after class. I can always pick up a guitar or sit down at the piano. Were producing ourselves for the first time and the live album really made us confident in what were doing. I appreciate the well-researched background story on REO Speedwagon here, and the links. Neal Doughty - Wikipedia Notably, these five band members have been together since 1989. And these easy tips kept us grooving, See inside the home of vintage actor James Coburn (1970), Check out these 20 glamorous 50s housewives who REALLY loved their toilet paper, The Black Dahlia murder: Find out all about this mysterious and brutal unsolved crime from 1947, 21 bad vintage product names you wouldnt see today, 100 vintage 1960s supermarkets & old-fashioned grocery stores, The history of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress planes from WWII, Rediscover vintage Village Lip Lickers flavored lip glosses from the 1970s & 1980s. What was it that inspired you to write it? , Your email address will not be published. I had a little red Wurlitzer electric piano that Id had since I was in high school. Meanwhile, after selling Reo's vehicle manufacturing operation to Bohn in 1954, management began liquidating the remainder of the company. . ALSO SEE: Rock out with these 30 old Star Hits music magazines from the 80s. This happens in any artistic endeavor. He and Cronin had gone through collaborative ups and downs over the years, but 1989 was the breaking point. Neal Doughty Kevin Cronin Bruce Hall Dave Amato Bryan Hitt Many people think the current lead singer of REO Speedwagon is dead! Three years later, in 1957, Reo's vehicle manufacturing operation became a subsidiary of the White Motor Company. [1] Currently, he is using synths made by Korg and Yamaha and tours with a Hammond B3 organ routed through Leslie speaker cabinets. So the earlier songs were given a second chance as a result of the Hi Infidelity album. For some reason they didnt do that many concerts out here or I likely would have gone to see them more. Volvo later took over White and thus currently owns the rights to the REO brand name. So I sat there and looked at my lyric notebook and if you think about it, the opening line of the song is I cant fight this feeling any longer. That was likeBingo! Theres so much to do.. 2. The rest of the band went with it as their first advertisement went out in their school newspaper at a frat party, which later turned into a food fight. However, Cronin admitted, after two months the self-production they were permitted to do didnt sound right. With the tour titled Storming the U.S., tickets for the opening night show in Milwaukee sold out in two days. The band began when college freshman and keyboard player Neal Doughty met drummer Alan Gratzer on his first day at the University of Illinois in the fall of 1966. American guitarist and lead singer for the rock band REO Speedwagon who wrote "Keep on Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling." Before Fame. REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. [3] Blair left a few months after Matt, with Gregg Philbin taking his place. He called John Boylan, a producer he liked, and asked whether, in that case, hed start over. I can tell when a song is too much craftsmanship and not enough inspiration. At one point, the company also manufactured buses on its truck platforms. [REO band member] Gary Richraththe late, great Gary Richrath who unfortunately passed away this past yearwas my partner in crime, so to speak. The Top 40 album was produced by Cronin and Richrath who also, together and individually, wrote the whole of the album (with one exception, Runnin Blind, co-written by Richrath and Debbie Mackron). The famous Barnum & Bailey Circus exhibited sideshow performers, Tiny Tim and Tom Thumb, driving a scaled-down version of the 1906 Reo Model-A Light Touring Car known as the "Baby Reo". Can Kevin Cronin still sing? Traveling 4,176 miles (6,720km) from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Vancouver, British Columbia, in a 1912 REO special touring car, mechanic/driver Fonce V. (Jack) Haney and journalist Thomas W. Wilby made the first trip by automobile across Canada (including one short jaunt into northeastern Washington State when the Canadian roads were virtually impassable). Cronin: Well for me, songwriting has been kind of a solitary journey. He was an early adopter of the Moog synthesizer, which can be heard on the opening swoop of "Ridin' the Storm Out". Creedence Clearwater Revival was the richest, most successful pop-rock group in the world in 1971, Even back in 75, people knew Bruce Springsteen was something special, The original REO Speedwagon vehicles & other classic REO cars and trucks, Peter Frampton tells how he finally found success with Frampton Comes Alive! (1976), Rock out with these 30 old Star Hits music magazines from the 80s, Hall & Oates: Looking back at the best-selling musical duo in history, Peppermint marble angel cake retro recipe (1990), Make sensational sesame-herb chicken with this homemade shake and bake recipe from the 70s, Audio cassette tapes first rocked our socks in the 1970s! Material on this site is provided for education, criticism, commentary, cultural reporting, entertainment, historical reference, and news reporting/analysis. The subjects that we were writing about were what was going on in our lives, since we were all in the same boat in a lot of ways. Songwriting and music has always been my savior in that way. After he joined, their popularity began to explode throughout the Midwest. I couldnt do it the real way that human beings communicate (laughs). Each of our first six albums sold more than 150,000 copies, but only about three in Los Angeles, Cronin said during an interview at his recently-acquired Woodland Hills mountain retreat. Was there any personal experience you had with them? By Bruce Meyer - Rushville Republican (Indiana) Nov 16, 1977 . Now that you know, have fun looking around! Your email address will not be published. Boylan said yes. So I think that really helped for the album, that it felt like all the songs belonged together. I remember seeing REO in the stadium days. The sound of the band keeps a rock steady tone that you cannot deny. Each of us thought there was just one way to go his own.. Richrath was 65. Cronin: I cant say that we felt that. REO Speedwagon (originally stylized as R.E.O. Whats up with the band REO Speedwagon these days? The Royale rode upon factory wheelbases of 131 inches (3,300mm) (Model 8-31) and 135 inches (3,400mm) (Model 8-35); a 1932 custom version rode upon a 152-inch (3,900mm) wheelbase (Model 8-52). amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Your email address will not be published. https://www.songwriteruniverse.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kevin_Cronin_interview_excerpt2.mp3. I felt like I had a fever and my stomach hurt. See original listing. He was 65. REO Speedwagon: How the '80s power ballad band hit the road to success We were just doing our best to stay normal as everything for the band was changing.. Subscribe now. Your ego gets pumped up a lot at first, but were used to it now. Instead, were lumped in with heavy metal groups, and were not like Angel Oh yeh, another Kiss band., Its our own fault, I guess, he continued, because we lost perspective of our strong points., ALSO SEE: Even back in 75, people knew Bruce Springsteen was something special, Those strengths, according to Cronin, center around the energy REO generates during a live performance. And wallah! Over the past nine years, ever since coming out of the Midwest college bar circuit, REO have been one of the hardest-working bands anywhere, winning droves of hard-core fans by playing upwards of 300 shows a year and managing to find time between tours to record seven albums. So I called up and cancelled the songwriting session. Alan Gratzer - Musician - Music database - Radio Swiss Pop But for me, I usually write the song first and then I find the title in the song. In the Television series "Murdoch Mysteries", This page was last edited on 9 January 2023, at 19:43. Roll With The Changes was personally about me moving from Chicago to L.A.I was quite literally rolling with the changes. Before we start the interview, here is some information about REO Speedwagons hit discography, and about the other members of the band, both past and present. That same year, Philbin left and the band added bassist Bruce Hall, who remains at the spot today. par | Avr 28, 2023 | bobcat t650 fuse box diagram | copperhead grille happy hour | Avr 28, 2023 | bobcat t650 fuse box diagram | copperhead grille happy hour 157 Riverside Avenue sounds better than ever, doesnt it? They also gained a strong supporter in the St. Louis, MO-based radio station, KSHE, one of the United States most influential rock stations. Cant Fight This Feeling is definitely the song that when most people think of me as a songwriter, thats the first one that comes to their head. So he knew that they needed some help in the songwriting department. and New York audiences are more picky, he continued. I just couldnt get the courage up, to make that leap of vulnerability, to share with her that I had feelings for her that were more than friendship. Note: This article may feature affiliate links, and purchases made may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. [3], From 1915 to 1925, under Scott's direction, REO remained profitable. Right away, they formed a rock band. Thats my titlethats what this song is about. After reorganizing, only the successful steel-joist business remained; the company started producing recycled steel and eventually renamed itself Nucor. Free shipping for many products! Even though all of REO's hits came after current lead singer Kevin Cronin joined the band, keyboardist Neal Doughty is the only original member. This was on the first day he and the rest of the band decided to look for a name. Band member and lead singer Kevin Cronin stressed about the announcer getting the name right. Basically what we said was, Im not going to let you have these songs on a record unless we produce them ourselves. Heavy Metal Wiki is a FANDOM Music Community. REO Speedwagon's Neal Doughty Announces Retirement From Touring ALSO SEE: Peter Frampton tells how he finally found success with Frampton Comes Alive! (1976). Where Are They Now: REO Speedwagon - American Profile Their keyboard player was the leader, but the others wanted out. Its like the stars lining up. We saw this happening, so we took it (the album) into our own hands. I could have very easily followed that fear that I had about that title and thought Oh Man, I better not call it this, because of some commercial concern. As the story is told most often, Doughty is credited with coming up with the group's name. Cronin: Well, I will tell youI was thinking about this todaythis year (2016) will be the year that I get back to knucklin down. Gratzer left REO Speedwagon in 1988, leaving Doughty as the sole original member. But when Good Trouble came out a year later, the reception was considerably cooler. We started out as friends. The band also briefly added saxophonist Joe McCabe and trumpeter Marty Shepard to its lineup in 1968. They signed with Epic Records in 1970 and hit the big time in more ways than one. It was the groups first gold album. REO Speed Wagon was a 1915 truck that was designed by Ransom Eli Olds, but the company pronounced it as REE-oh like one word whereas the band pronounced each letter individually. The band toured the country again in 1985 which included a sold-out concert in Madison WI. Cronin: I actually wrote that song as I was traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles, when I rejoined the band; I left the band for a couple years. When you start second guessing yourself, thats when you get lost. REO Speedwagon hometown, lineup, biography | Last.fm And this becomes even more important in that REOs Midwest success is derived primarily from concerts, and theyve never had such exposure on either coast. All told, the band would have 12 Top 40 singles through the 1980s. The odds against a band forming while The Beatles were still together, continuing for five decades, and returning four songs to the charts via a Netflix show appearance just last year have to be nearly incalculable. But did you wonder how on earth they got their name?