The Cronin-led lineup appeared to be headed in the right direction though, judging from 1972's R.E.O. Hannon, who reached Billboard magazine's Top 10 with Tesla singles "Love Song" and "Signs," said he grew up as a fan of REO Speedwagon and Gary Richrath the band's guitarist-songwriter from 1970 to 1989. All rights reserved. [10] 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. Whats up with the band REO Speedwagon these days? "No one should underestimate the Philbin Factor in the evolution of REO Speedwagon . Doughty retired from touring in 2023. The 1990 release The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken, with Bryan Hitt (formerly of Wang Chung) on drums, was a commercial disappointment. Legal Statement. 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 post by REO lead singer Kevin Cronin.Kevin Cronin wrote this note the band's official Facebook page. Legal Statement. [15] Since the end of Harms's brief tenure with the group, REO Speedwagon has retained a consistent lineup of Neal Doughty, Kevin Cronin, Dave Amato, Bruce Hall, and Bryan Hitt[16] until 2023 when Doughty was replaced by former Iron Butterfly and Whitesnake member Derek Hilland.[17]. before leaving during sessions for the 1973 follow-up. It was a night for the ages.Read More: Gary Richrath, Former REO Speedwagon Guitarist, Dies at 65 | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/gary-richrath-dies/?trackback=tsmclipTribute tweets for Richrath started posting almost immediately. Gary Richrath, the REO Speedwagon guitarist who wrote some of the bands biggest hits, including Take It on the Run and In Your Letter, died Sunday, according to a post by REO lead singer Kevin Cronin. REO opted to soldier on, however, with replacement members Dave Amato (ex-Ted Nugent, guitar) and Bryan Hitt (ex-Wang Chung, drums) in tow, as their 14-track 1988 compilation The Hits proved to be a steady seller over the years. Epic agreed to let them produce the band's first live album, Live: You Get What You Play For, which was eventually certified platinum. [1] In early 2014, it was announced that REO Speedwagon and Chicago would be teaming up for 15 dates throughout 2014. Another live album, Live Again, was also issued in 1978, followed up a year later by another gold-certified hit, Nine Lives. He recorded 12 albums with the band and also wrote another song, Take It On The Run. REO Speedwagon was first formed in 1968 by a pair of University of Illinois students, keyboardist Neal Doughty and drummer Alan Gratzer. If interested in music and guitars, then you are in the right place and will learn a lot. Formed in 1967, the group originally included drummer and backing vocalist Alan Gratzer, guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and lead vocalist Mike Blair, and keyboardist Neal Doughty. Market data provided by Factset. The lineup on the first album consisted of Richrath, Gratzer, Doughty, Philbin, and Luttrell.[3]. [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". Richrath was originally from the town of East Peoria which was damaged during the storm. - October 25, 2022 08:01 pm EDT. 65. Luttrell left the band in early 1972, eventually becoming the vocalist for Starcastle. Doughty eventually began sitting in on few songs. Richrath died in September 2015 at the age of 65. Philbin was the group's second bassist and appeared on their first six studio albums. Formed in 1966, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. In a 2001 episode of VH1's Behind the Music series that focused on REO Speedwagon, Cronin and Richrath cleared up any misconceptions of ill will existing between either camp and voiced approval of a possible reunion in the future. or redistributed. 66 located in Joliet, Illinois. Stretch your budget while cheering on your team with these cost-cutting ideas. New Buffalo, MI. Vannelli also performed additional piano, Hammond organ, and synthesizer on the 2007 album. Hi Infidelity would eventually go on to sell more than nine million copies -- catapulting REO to arena-headlining status. But with the cultural impact of some of the following bands, it's impossible not to give credit where credit is due. We hugged one another, I told him how happy I was that he came, and he expressed his gratitude for the invitation, wrote Cronin at the time. Who gives the best guitar lessons on YouTube? Richrath co-wrote some of the band's songs, including "Take It on the Run," which became a Top 5 pop hit on the Billboard charts. Accident and Injury Attorneys. Gratzer continued to perform with his band (which had a keyboard-playing lead singer), and Doughty began turning up at gigs. [2] Philbin left when Cronin and the late Gary Richarath began writing songs with a more "compact" sound. Kevin and Lisa share the story of their storybook romance and secret to their successful 24-year marriage. The REO Speedwagon member joined the group as a bassist in 1968, replacing Mike Blair. He was replaced by Kevin Cronin. 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. Singer Kevin Cronin paid tribute to his former bandmate in a statement shared by the band. REO Speedwagon performing live in 2010 (top) and 2016 (bottom). The response was arm-hair raising We all felt it. Over the course of their 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". REO Speedwagon resumes its tour on Nov. 2 and has dates planned through March. is a cover of. The members returned to school in the fall of 1967 and had their first rehearsal before classes started. Richrath died on Sept. 13, 2015. He left the band in 1989.According to UltimateClassicRock.com, Richrath released one solo album, in 1992, Only the Strong Survive, but reunited briefly with the band in 2013 when they staged a benefit concert for residents of central Illinois displaced by a series of powerful storms in the area.Gary was in great spirits when he walked into the dressing room. Alan Gratzer, REO's drummer, stares at Doughty in disbelief. REO Speedwagon's representative, Erik Stein, confirmed Gary Richrath's death on Monday. He might have died, but his legacy will live on forever through the work he did. [20] The band toured the US with Styx and Don Felder on the "United We Rock" tour, debuting June 20, 2017, at the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater. On his first night of classes, he met fellow student Alan Gratzer. By the late 1980s, the band's popularity was starting to decline. He sang a sampling of REO's hits with the show's singing finalists. "It's amazing when I walk out on stage and start playing one of the songs . Gregg Philbin, REO Speedwagon Legend, Has Died, Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl Barbecues Overnight for 450 Homeless People at LA Shelter, Singer Ben Kweller's 16-Year-Old Son Dies in Car Accident, Ozzy Osbourne 'Not Dying,' Hopes to Resume Touring, Shawn Mendes Sparks Romance Rumor With Fellow Pop Star, 'American Idol': Katy Perry Breaks Down Over School Shooting Survivor's Audition, Blake Shelton Reveals Reason Behind 'The Voice' Exit. REO Speedwagon was formed in 1967 in Champaign, Illinois. [3] Blair left a few months after Matt, with Gregg Philbin taking his place. The commercial failure of the band's newer material with its revised lineup demanded a change in marketing strategy. Back up singers Carla Day and Melanie Jackson were also added. On the last day of the university's spring semester, guitarist Joe Matt called the band's leader and told him that he and the other members (Gratzer and bassist Mike Blair) had decided to start a new band with Doughty where everyone but Doughty would sing. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. Gary Richrath, a former guitarist for the classic rock band REO Speedwagon who also co-wrote the group's hit song "Take It on the Run," died Sunday, according to a publicist for the band. [1] Matt left early the next year after graduating from school, with Terry Luttrell taking his place on lead vocals. Speedwagon), or simply REO, is an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. After the group signed with Epic Records in 1971, Philbin replaced founding bassist Joe Matt. "I loved REO Speedwagon as a teenager and still do," Hannon said. Gary was both a unique guitarist and songwriter, and the embodiment of the tough guy with a heart of gold. The best campsites in the country with incredible viewssome might be closer than you think. Harms, disenchanted by the album's failure, left the group in early 1991. In 1977, bassist Gregg Philbin left the band. [7] Hi Infidelity spawned four hit singles written by Richrath and Cronin, including the chart-topping "Keep On Loving You" (Cronin),[3] plus "Take It on the Run" (#5) (Richrath), "In Your Letter" (#20) (Richrath), and "Don't Let Him Go" (#24) (Cronin), and remained on the charts for 65 weeks, 32 of which were spent in the top ten, including 15 weeks atop the Billboard 200. [10], The band's lineup remained stable thereafter for more than ten years until Gratzer decided to retire in 1988, with Graham Lear brought in as his replacement. [8] On July 13, on the way to a show in Milwaukee, the band made a stop in Philadelphia to play at the US leg of Live Aid, which broke a record for number of viewers. [6] Philbin was replaced by another Centennial High School (in Champaign, Illinois) alumnus, Bruce Hall,[2] to record You Can Tune a Piano but You Can't Tuna Fish. Silver Creek Event Center at Four Winds New Buffalo. Neal was absent from the REO Speedwagon Unplugged Live in Washington XM Radio show in early April 2007, with producer Joe Vannelli filling in on keyboards. They named the band REO Speedwagon, from the REO Speed Wagon, a 1915 truck that was designed by Ransom Eli Olds. 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. All rights reserved. Having lost their recording contract with Epic, REO Speedwagon ended up releasing Building the Bridge (1996) on the Priority/Rhythm Safari label. They perform about 100 dates a year. REO Speedwagon continued to tour in the back half of the 2010s, often teaming up on bills featuring Styx and Chicago. Richrath died in September 2015 at the age of 65. Released in 1976, R.E.O. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. What makes the greatest rock bands ever? When I introduced the guy who this band wouldnt be here without and Richrath came up for Ridin the Storm Out, 7,000 people went crazy. The new band made a list of songs to learn over the summer break. Doughty landed a summer job and bought his first. What is the most expensive brand of guitar? [3] That same year, the band moved to Los Angeles. REO Speedwagon Orpheum Theatre Sioux City, Iowa. Also in 1989,Bryan Hittreplaced Lear on drums,whileJesse Harmsjoined as a second keyboardist, performing on the band's 1990 albumThe Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken. In 1979, the band took a turn back to hard rock with the release of Nine Lives.[3]. Frederick M. Brown/Getty. In the post on their website, the REO Speedwagon bandmates stated that Gregg Philbin played on the band's first six studio albums and the live You Get What You Play For double-live album. Up next as REO's frontman was Mike Murphy, whose debut with the band, 1974's Ridin' the Storm Out, was their first album to chart on Billboard and spawned a concert standard with the rocking title track. 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. He was 65. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Read Full Biography. Newcomer Kevin Cronin got the gig; he was a folksinger/guitarist beforehand, with little to no experience fronting a loud rock & roll outfit. 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