Neil is the only original member from the Champaign/Urbana days. I was a student there then and used to see them quite a bit. Eventually, after doing a couple of other bands, I helped form a group that included Bruce Hall on bass (who was still in High School at the time). I retired form the band after a year to concentrate on my pre law studies and Gary Ritchrath was my replacement. I first met at a gig in Peoria where we had him try to play for us unamplified backstage on his Les Paul (we couldn't hear anything but his fingers were a blur). He later tried out with the group along with a previous REO lead player, Bill Fiorio and Gary was picked. After about a year REO called Gary after their lead player, Steve Scorfina, left and he brought Bruce in several years after that when the original REO bass player, Greg Philbin, left. The original singer, Terry Luttrell, was dumped off in a cornfield on the way back from a gig after a fight with Gary. Kevin and Gary got together and the group went with Kevin . He blew his voice out trying to record the Ridin the Storm Out album and was replaced by one of the later singers with my former band, Mike Murphy, who was a journeyman singer in the Champagn/Urbana scene. Kevin later returned and the rest is history. I am sorry to hear about Bruce's health problems. We get old..
I met REO when they were just trying to get their feet off the ground in small clubs. As far as I’m concerned. the band ended when they showed Gary the door. That was on Cronin. He literally stole Gary’s band! And now he did the same to Bruce. Unconscionable!! Cronin has to live with his own conscience every time he looks in the mirror for the rest of his life.
Greg, you spoke the truth! As far as I'm concerned, Gary Richrath was the driving force for the band. I'm pretty sure that Gregg leaving the band was also partly because of the friction between Gary and Kevin. However, MTV came out at the same time that High Infidelity came out, and then the whole world got to witness what we had known for years, and that was that R.E.O. Speedwagon was a fantastic band that had a fantastic lead guitarists that the fans all loved. Then everyone thought that Kevin was a big integral reason for their success. Myself, I think it had more to do with M.T.V. than anything else. Actually, with Gary's voice I really don't know why they even hired Kevin's back, unless Gary just wanted to concentrate more on his signature style that he already had perfected. The voice of Kevin and Gary sounded so much alike that if you wasn't watching it was hard to tell them apart. Yes, Gary did sing on a few songs as lead vocals, but after Kevin came back in that was over. Greg, this is Ed!!!
Gary brought Bruce into the band officially in 1977/78 right after the Live You Get What you Play for album. Bruce was affiliated with the band before that time but joined when they tossed Greg to the curb. I have nothing but adoration for Bruce Hall, but Greg Philbin was a great bass player. I just wonder how much different this band could have been with Gary, Neal, Alan, Greg and lets just throw a name out there...Jeff Scott Soto as a frontman. Well now that Gary and Greg have passed on, it's still fun to think about Neal, Alan, Bruce finding a Gary Richrath type guitarist and hey why not Jeff Scott Soto. This band could have a rebirth and do what they should have done before it got watered down by Kevin's ballads. And for what it's worth, I don't hate Kevin Cronin. I really appreciate what he brought to the band, but his handling of things went way too far. I am disappointed in the way he did Gary, probably Neal and Alan too but I'm just speculating. Certainly Bruce's situation could have been done better. Kevin's voice is gone and it's time for him to realize that. Legendary bands do play for the money but they also don't give it up because they just really love it. So if it's meant to be, I'd love to see them keep going.
It was a great run! Many times classic rock bands keep touring way too long anyway just for the cash and the sake of the “brand.” All things must pass…
The music has changed since there hey day- maybe it’s time for the whole band including Kevin to count their blessings they lasted as long as they did and enjoy their golden years and be thankful!!
I'm quite sure their fans care , some fans take news like that personally and it devastates them , it takes awhile to come to terms they will never go to another REO concert . Just my opinion
Kevin cronin went solo years ago. A farewell tour would have been nice. Bruce is a good guy. Money and or health. Its none of our business. Hope they all stay in the music business
REO SPEEDWAGON was great "back in the day", but let's be honest... They're a HAS-BEEN band, and should have stopped touring YEARS ago.....And to the poster of this "video", who are you trying to be with the mic and instruments in the background ????... You don't even know what you're talking about..... 😂😂😂😂😂
Going solo in your 70s! REO is my favorite band of all-time and I wouldn't even purchase anything with Kevin Cronin solo. Come on dude, you are not 25 anymore. If I was the band I would say hit the road Kevin and get a new lead singer and maybe even make some new music!!! I have been a loyal fan for years and would see them every summer, to include a few months ago in St. Louis despite the fact it's the same set almost for 30 years now. Sucks. It's a shame when Kevin was pumping everyone up and keep on rocking and basically shit on everybody. Bye Kevin and for REO, keep rockin!
Let's just say this....there isn't one original member of this band left. Kevin Cronin has broken up the band. He wants to go solo because he has said he has all this creativity stored up, etc. but he hasn't released anything new with the band (or solo other than a couple of tracks with Jim Peterik from his albums) since 2007 with their last album 'Find Your Way Home'. So, what does he really expect to sell if he goes solo? His voice isn't even that great anymore because of his age. His words in a statement "I feel excited at the prospect of creating and playing the best music I have in me, with the best artists, musicians and people who will have me". Where was this excitement then with REO??? Kevin was just out there selling the brand because at this stage that's all the band is anymore. They play the same set list tour after tour, year after year and never really venture far beyond that so they've trained their fans that come to their concerts to just hear those songs, the radio staples and nothing else. Another band that has finally come to the end and probably should have long ago. Favorite album to this day 'Nine Lives' but then again 'You Can Tune a Piano but You Can't Tuna Fish'.
@@aprilcox871 I call it their 'bridge' album between their 2 sounds. The harder rock side and then the pop side that they became. Why they chose to go in that direction is anyone's guess especially with Gary Richrath still in the band, but then again Gary wrote 'In Your Letter' from Hi-Infidelity so maybe it was everyone who decided to go in the pop direction to gain greater sales and a larger audience and it worked.
@@thestevechampagneradioshow7294 Tour is not over, seeing them on the 27th in Rancho Mirage , thats what you have wrong but after the tour yes they are done and Kevin is going solo.
Bruce was the last original member... Kevin is NOT an original founding member of the band. Everyone else are hired musicians... Now they would be a cover band without a single original member.
They did not cancel tour dates....they rescheduled the remaining ones for the rest of this year with the exception of 2 or 3 shows. They never had any scheduled in 2025. You don't really know enough to be a spokesman for this news which makes this rather terrible Steve. You need to do research before talking this out. Your opinion on some of the history is credible but its not over! There are 3 owners, Kevin, Bruce, and Neal. They are the ones that make the important decisions. The Vegas dates at the Venetian originally scheduled for early October will now happen in late December. Those will be the final shows with the 21st being the last. I will be there on the 20th.
Neil is the only original member from the Champaign/Urbana days. I was a student there then and used to see them quite a bit. Eventually, after doing a couple of other bands, I helped form a group that included Bruce Hall on bass (who was still in High School at the time). I retired form the band after a year to concentrate on my pre law studies and Gary Ritchrath was my replacement. I first met at a gig in Peoria where we had him try to play for us unamplified backstage on his Les Paul (we couldn't hear anything but his fingers were a blur). He later tried out with the group along with a previous REO lead player, Bill Fiorio and Gary was picked. After about a year REO called Gary after their lead player, Steve Scorfina, left and he brought Bruce in several years after that when the original REO bass player, Greg Philbin, left. The original singer, Terry Luttrell, was dumped off in a cornfield on the way back from a gig after a fight with Gary. Kevin and Gary got together and the group went with Kevin . He blew his voice out trying to record the Ridin the Storm Out album and was replaced by one of the later singers with my former band, Mike Murphy, who was a journeyman singer in the Champagn/Urbana scene. Kevin later returned and the rest is history. I am sorry to hear about Bruce's health problems. We get old..
Gary Richrath was the driving force of this band. Rip Gary Richrath
Gary was the heart and soul of the band. Kevin did him wrong.
@@soesterbergblue what was he supposed to do, Gary's addictions got the better of him- he couldn't do it anymore. Even Gary admitted that
I met REO when they were just trying to get their feet off the ground in small clubs. As far as I’m concerned. the band ended when they showed Gary the door. That was on Cronin. He literally stole Gary’s band! And now he did the same to Bruce. Unconscionable!! Cronin has to live with his own conscience every time he looks in the mirror for the rest of his life.
Greg, you spoke the truth! As far as I'm concerned, Gary Richrath was the driving force for the band. I'm pretty sure that Gregg leaving the band was also partly because of the friction between Gary and Kevin. However, MTV came out at the same time that High Infidelity came out, and then the whole world got to witness what we had known for years, and that was that R.E.O. Speedwagon was a fantastic band that had a fantastic lead guitarists that the fans all loved. Then everyone thought that Kevin was a big integral reason for their success. Myself, I think it had more to do with M.T.V. than anything else. Actually, with Gary's voice I really don't know why they even hired Kevin's back, unless Gary just wanted to concentrate more on his signature style that he already had perfected. The voice of Kevin and Gary sounded so much alike that if you wasn't watching it was hard to tell them apart. Yes, Gary did sing on a few songs as lead vocals, but after Kevin came back in that was over. Greg, this is Ed!!!
Absolutely right on!!👍
They haven’t been important since they got rid of Gary, and Bruce Hall was not the original bass player,Gregg Philbin was.
Gary brought Bruce into the band officially in 1977/78 right after the Live You Get What you Play for album. Bruce was affiliated with the band before that time but joined when they tossed Greg to the curb. I have nothing but adoration for Bruce Hall, but Greg Philbin was a great bass player. I just wonder how much different this band could have been with Gary, Neal, Alan, Greg and lets just throw a name out there...Jeff Scott Soto as a frontman. Well now that Gary and Greg have passed on, it's still fun to think about Neal, Alan, Bruce finding a Gary Richrath type guitarist and hey why not Jeff Scott Soto. This band could have a rebirth and do what they should have done before it got watered down by Kevin's ballads. And for what it's worth, I don't hate Kevin Cronin. I really appreciate what he brought to the band, but his handling of things went way too far. I am disappointed in the way he did Gary, probably Neal and Alan too but I'm just speculating. Certainly Bruce's situation could have been done better. Kevin's voice is gone and it's time for him to realize that. Legendary bands do play for the money but they also don't give it up because they just really love it. So if it's meant to be, I'd love to see them keep going.
It was a great run! Many times classic rock bands keep touring way too long anyway just for the cash and the sake of the “brand.” All things must pass…
The music has changed since there hey day- maybe it’s time for the whole band including Kevin to count their blessings they lasted as long as they did and enjoy their golden years and be thankful!!
Most agree that REO 2 was their best album- believe it or not that was 40 years ago.
Kevin wants to go solo so he doesn’t have to split money with Bruce and Neil
Exactly
This is the first I heard about it so I don’t know well we hope they get back together, but who knows
I'm quite sure their fans care , some fans take news like that personally and it devastates them , it takes awhile to come to terms they will never go to another REO concert . Just my opinion
This guy knows nothing
He doesn’t even know the names or history of the current lineup
I do But Is It Relevant ?
@richardsirianni3973
Kevin cronin went solo years ago. A farewell tour would have been nice. Bruce is a good guy. Money and or health. Its none of our business. Hope they all stay in the music business
REO SPEEDWAGON was great "back in the day", but let's be honest... They're a HAS-BEEN band, and should have stopped touring YEARS ago.....And to the poster of this "video", who are you trying to be with the mic and instruments in the background ????... You don't even know what you're talking about..... 😂😂😂😂😂
Best of luck to all of them who doesn’t want to persue a solo career after many years of performing together? It gets old after awhile
Going solo in your 70s! REO is my favorite band of all-time and I wouldn't even purchase anything with Kevin Cronin solo. Come on dude, you are not 25 anymore. If I was the band I would say hit the road Kevin and get a new lead singer and maybe even make some new music!!! I have been a loyal fan for years and would see them every summer, to include a few months ago in St. Louis despite the fact it's the same set almost for 30 years now. Sucks. It's a shame when Kevin was pumping everyone up and keep on rocking and basically shit on everybody. Bye Kevin and for REO, keep rockin!
kevin going solo, is that something we really wanted, how many people are gonna listen to it
Let's just say this....there isn't one original member of this band left. Kevin Cronin has broken up the band. He wants to go solo because he has said he has all this creativity stored up, etc. but he hasn't released anything new with the band (or solo other than a couple of tracks with Jim Peterik from his albums) since 2007 with their last album 'Find Your Way Home'. So, what does he really expect to sell if he goes solo? His voice isn't even that great anymore because of his age. His words in a statement "I feel excited at the prospect of creating and playing the best music I have in me, with the best artists, musicians and people who will have me". Where was this excitement then with REO??? Kevin was just out there selling the brand because at this stage that's all the band is anymore. They play the same set list tour after tour, year after year and never really venture far beyond that so they've trained their fans that come to their concerts to just hear those songs, the radio staples and nothing else. Another band that has finally come to the end and probably should have long ago. Favorite album to this day 'Nine Lives' but then again 'You Can Tune a Piano but You Can't Tuna Fish'.
Nine Lives is such an interesting album, it's nothing like the albums either side of it
@@aprilcox871 I call it their 'bridge' album between their 2 sounds. The harder rock side and then the pop side that they became. Why they chose to go in that direction is anyone's guess especially with Gary Richrath still in the band, but then again Gary wrote 'In Your Letter' from Hi-Infidelity so maybe it was everyone who decided to go in the pop direction to gain greater sales and a larger audience and it worked.
REO Speed Wagon Members Have Left, and/or Have Health Problems
😢😮😢
.
I quit listening to REO after Kevin & Neal axed Gary Richrath. Their disbanding now makes me no difference.
Tour not cancelled, get your facts right before you make a video.
@acelarson1872 I Think I'm Right It's Over
@@thestevechampagneradioshow7294 Tour is not over, seeing them on the 27th in Rancho Mirage , thats what you have wrong but after the tour yes they are done and Kevin is going solo.
I didn’t know they are still around
THEY HAVNT BEEN TOGETHER FOR DECADES...?? YOU NEED A MT. DEW?
Bruce was the last original member... Kevin is NOT an original founding member of the band. Everyone else are hired musicians... Now they would be a cover band without a single original member.
Bruce is not an original member. He joined in 79. He replaced Greg Philbin.
@chucksteak47he joined in 7761
@@JasonJohnson-gn4vq He joined in 7761? That’s about 5000 years away. Don’t believe everything you read on the internet 😂😂
And sadly---i don't even care. All the talent left the band when Gary left
Bruce was not the original bass player in Reo Speedwagon!
They did not cancel tour dates....they rescheduled the remaining ones for the rest of this year with the exception of 2 or 3 shows. They never had any scheduled in 2025. You don't really know enough to be a spokesman for this news which makes this rather terrible Steve. You need to do research before talking this out. Your opinion on some of the history is credible but its not over! There are 3 owners, Kevin, Bruce, and Neal. They are the ones that make the important decisions. The Vegas dates at the Venetian originally scheduled for early October will now happen in late December. Those will be the final shows with the 21st being the last. I will be there on the 20th.
What do you mean NOW?
As Pertaining To What ? Please Elaborate.@lloydcarlinsky2836
I blame this on Bruce hall
Why???
It's all kevin
Gary is dead