Richrath was awesome. Obviously, his health took a major toll on his appearance and ultimately took him. I know it's a little sad to look at, but compare this footage to him back in the old days. Beneath it all, the enthusiasm was still there, and by & large, he still had his guitar chops, God bless him. He deserves respect and recognition as one of the great 70s rockers. RIP, brother.
I'm not convinced all you commenting "get it". This is THE man. Gary Richrath IS the reason I, plus thousands of others, play guitar. Growing up, there were three tones I admired and wanted to emulate...Brian May, Eric Johnson and Gary Richrath. You will never find a more pure "Les Paul thru Marshall" tone anywhere. Gary...I wish you nothing but happiness, as that's what's you given me for over 30 years. You ARE and will always be REO Speedwagon!
Kelly, I'm with you Brother. I've been a player all my life. I agree with your examples of "tone masters". Gary is and has always been the total package. Tone, melodic licks, and the knowledge(taste) of when to add speed to and back it off in his solo's. NEVER,EVER SLOPPY! Right-on Brother!
+gregorylpetrie I love the way he plays when he,s not doing solos. He was always adding color to the song, that,s what made the songs so brilliant. And his solo,s were breathtaking , especially in the 70,s when they were a rock and roll band!
+1600362 You hit the nail on the head! The "color" Gary adds to the song (not solo related) is what makes him so unique. (i.e. the intermittent one-note bends on the low E string, like in "Roll w/ the Changes" for example) Gary is one of a kind IMO.
To all those commenting and insulting Gary's appearance - go to hell AND ...he could outplay any of you any day of the week. Gary's been gone almost 4 years now and everytime I see a video of him, young or old, I am mesmerized! The way that man's hands move along a fret board, such grace and such power!! If Eddy Van Halen is the father of tapping, Gary is the father of pinch harmonics! Listen to "flying Turkey Trot" many guitarists of the day would comment on how Gary could get this "clucking " sound from his guitar, yeah we call it pinch harmonics today. Thank you for uploading this video - no matter how far his illness might have dragged him through hell, he never misses a not and ALWAYS seems to get so much enjoyment from playing his guitar.
@@Bridging_the_Political_Divide Thank you for being another that can hear Gary's touch that he put on everything that he played. I would rather listen to Gary than Eddie Van Halen any day, even though Eddie was a fantastic guitarist, and probably one of the only ones that could have put Gary's uniqueness into a song, he never did so we will never know, because I've never heard anyone copy Gary's style or sound completely!
@@Bridging_the_Political_Divide I've just seen way to many people cut him down for the way that he looks. Age is a terrible thing for all of us, but Gary never lost his touch on playing. The sad thing is even Cronin made a comment about his weight when Gary wasn't even that big. Funny I've always thought that Kevin had some kind of a eating disorder, because the only picture on a album that he looked healthy in was on the back cover of the T.W.O. done in 72.
3 місяці тому+2
Gary is a legend-nobody played like him, fluid, clean and never sloppy. Thx Gary
Please don't speak harshly at such a great guy!! He has sadness in his heart and needs to see the love of our God to overcome his pain!! How we look can be directly proportional to our inner pain that we have endured!! He has been thru a lot and just needs our love to help him see the light. Gary is a really nice guy and his wife Justine is an Angel !! Peace !!
I met Gary when they were trying to get their feet on the ground in the early 70s. They were playing the small clubs in my city just a hundred miles or so from U of I where they were based. Tremendous person, and in my view, the best guitarist ever! His style was unique and could not be copied by anyone, including his replacement. Seeing him the way he looked towards the end broke my heart. Being tossed from REO broke his spirit. I can’t forgive Cronin for that! It was Gary’s band and Cronin stole it! Simple as that! And shame on the others for letting it happen! What a gift he was to the world; musically and as a man. RIP Gary!👍🙏
Greg I couldn't have said it any better. I hope KC knows that Gary's blood is on his hands. Gary was pushed so far away from what he wanted to play that he just gave up trying, and I think the other bandmates as well as producers went along with it. No it wasn't all his fault because the others went along with it and could have stopped this from happening. Yes they made it big with the sappy ballads, but I think they were good enough before to have made it, if MTV had came out earlier, however it came out at just the right time to catch those ballads which made them worldly known and loved. To me it was much more about timing than anything else, because one thing is for sure, Gary, Gregg, Alan, Neal and Bruce were all great at what they played, and with Keven singing they were all a team that couldn't be ignored. Anyway that is my take on R.E.O. Speedwagon. And when three of the main ingredients were removed, the Speedwagon died and never really charted again.
@@edarnold1426 So true Ed. Thank you for your accurate insight! The whole affair was a tragedy in so many ways, but it left a lot of us with good memories !😊👍
@@gregorycarlson6632 yes fortunately it left us with some good memories. However it also left some of us with a bad taste in some individuals, but it also taught us to carefully choose friends more wisely. After all there was always one guy that was always wanting to change what worked for years.
Gary Richrath ‘s talent was immensely huge and his presence is obviously noted on all the great REO albums. He was a unmatched guitarist and one helluva player and songwriter as well as a vocalist. Without Gary, there would be no REO. He was captivating, loving, energetic and the HEART ❤️ of REO. RIP Gary, you live forever on this earth through the great music you wrote and produced!
I just keep coming back to Gary. Crying again. One of my childhood crushes. Still breaks my heart that he suffered so. I know he could have helped himself more, but I think his heart broke when, IMO, the band left him behind. I'll just love this man until the day I take my last breath. He's one of the Giants. If I make it to heaven, I want to see my Daddy, then I'm going to get into that long line to see Elvis and Gary!
RIP, Gary will be missed. He had a unique sound. You could always tell an REO song, just by hearing the guitar. It's very sad he's gone so young! I think REO 10, most with Gary on guitar.
I got something in my eye now.... Both of them :( ........ My first guitar hero, and the reason I play guitar today!!...... I'm am filled with sadness, like losing a family member!!.... RIP Good Sir!!
I remember back in 1978, REO came to our small town in Potsdam, N.Y. myself and my friend were 16 years old....and were almost front row....Gary came right near the stage and did one of his wonderful riffs just for her and I!!!!.....We were in heaven. We were in love.....lol thank you Gary for making us feel like the only one in the room. 40 Years later, we saw them together again......without Gary....so sad. R.I.P. and thank you for making two small town girls feel so so special.
I can’t tell you how many times I have seen Gary play…From every other weekend at the “RED LION” club in 1969 in Champaign, Illinois to Knoxville TN, to Kansas City, which is 30 to 40 times easy, and I was never disappointed in Gary’s performance. Gary hitting the notes perfectly was masterfully done at every show, and I never tired at his beautiful handling and impeccable handling of that Les Paul axe. We miss you Gary and you had a big influence on us, and anyone that could appreciate incredible control of that guitar that only a few have. You should be in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. I nominate you!!! R.I.P. my Friend!!!!!
RIP Gary, seen you guys 1 at Rt. 66 in Joplin. God you guys were amazing. I've listened to you since I was a 14 year old boy. I'm almost 57 now and I still love you guys so much. May your music inspire and live on forever. I'm having wish you were there and carry on my wayword son sung at my funeral. My 2 sad song's I still play when I'm needing to cry. I'm dying of Cancer.
Albert Stinnett I agree. I thought Gary was amazing! I was 14-15 and there just wasn’t any better. So sorry to hear you’re sick. 😔. I will keep you in my thoughts. 🙏🏼
Albert great comment! Hope you kick that shit to the curb and beat it down like no other. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I just said one for you! I just turned 62 four days ago. Rock on!
If this video serves as an example of anything, it is that alcohol doesn't care how famous you are, how successful you have been, how much money you have or the unlimited talent you possess. Alcohol destroys people and destroys families, it it robbed years of life from this amazing icon right here. It was great to see that Gary still had the fire in his heart, but watching him struggle to breathe as he did what his heart and soul commanded him to do was truly heartbreaking. RIP, Gary. You will always be on my Top 10 list.
at this point you can not imagine how hard it was for him to do this but he never backed down and he always road out the storms and he had many in his life he lived in his van for about 10 years before he got a shot this man was the rocky balboa of rock and roll ,, see you soon my man rip
I was an Alcoholic and Drug addict for 40 years. I had 2 years clean yesterday on 11/24/18. I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for taking saving me and delivering me from all the demons that infected my soul for so long.
What a great guitar player. He still nailed it 41 years after he wrote it. Wow he could still play like no one else on the songs that he penned or played before. We really don't have much else to compare it to on here, but I'm guessing that just about every song that he played he added that Richrath touch that made them very unique and unduplicatable for anyone else to copy. Definitely a Legend that deserved so much more recognition!!!
If only the bass player here played the right notes during his solo.... But, Gary was always Gary. Great showman and player. Thanks for the unforgettable moments
that was amazing! i saw REO just a couple of years ago in Southern California in a casino without Gary Richrath! "Hi Infidelity" i think, is one of the greatest rock album out there! i believe i still have my original copy of that album. One of the songs i love in that album is "Take it on the Run" written by Gary. RIP Gary Richrath! Thank you!!
Let's see you play with a bar band when you've been off the road for years and very ill and slam it out of the park like you were 32 again. He rocked it just like he always did and looked just as good as ever doing it.
I saw REO in the gym at Olivet college (Olivet, MI) back in either '72 or '73. We sat on the gym floor and were about 20' from Gary. I believe they had just released their first album but were still on the college circuit. They were in St Louis the night before, where their hotel had caught on fire. Gary had to leap from a 2nd floor window and sprained his ankle. Still put on an awesome show, limping around on stage, and I still believe this was the best concert I have ever attended. RIP Gary.
The solo in "Take It..." is one of my absolute favorites ever. And im an extreme metal musician of 35+years...the tone and emotion in it is just outstanding 👏
Gary was a guitar godt in his prime, that's a fact. Much respect. RIP GARY. He still rocked and strangled that axe till he left this hole we all live in..in my eyes he was reo Speedwagon
Still the same amazing Gary Richrath who started me wanting to play the guitar! Wish I was there to see you back playing with the boys! Looked like a fantastic time! Thank you for being there with them! Awesome!
I just started watching REO in concert this week from the early 80's I was so taken by Gary's hot look. I had no idea he died and lived such a tortured life. Oh Gary, if only you knew how talented you were, how blessed a life you had as a Rock N Roll star and how hot you were your life would have been so much more happier. I hope you are Rocking Out in the After Life. You are a legend!!!!!
I remember your name from another thread, must have been pretty cool to be a friend of Gary, nice tribute in saying best guitar player you ever knew. RIP GARY WE MISS YOU!!
I was an annoying neighbor kid that loved the guitar. We used to go over and just listen to him play. I would work on something for a couple weeks, play it for him, he'd smile and say "Well that 's pretty good, but I believe it goes like this" and nail it. I also had a 1960 Oldsmobile station wagon that we could get almost all the equipment in. We both slept in it more than once as we didn't have money for food, let alone a room. Good times!
Gary was without a doubt an excellent piece of music history and I've had an honor playing lots and lots of his material over my 30 years of playing guitar...R.I.P. Sir...
Gary doing what he loved best ! Being on stage playing that Les Paul. He was an amazing song writer and guitarist under rated as both and a showman when he hit the stage I met him in 1990 Richrath band played at Reflections. We talked for about 20 min just the nicest guy you could meet
The end of that solo where Gary does that "pick scrape" ? move was my very first G.R. experience. Certainly worth it, since there are days his music is the only thing that makes me feel alive. Tks!
Gary, was a guitar great and a fabulous song writer. One of my favorite of all time. It is sad to see him in this condition and knowing that he died so young at 65. I will always remember all the live REO shows that I saw. He and Kevin were really a dynamic duo.
Gary played in your face guitar! He gave reo a great sound..you always.knew it was reo when Gary was in the band. I read a slot of comments saying he didn't get the recognition he deserves. Well you guys are right. He's in my top 8.. very cool guitar wizard
It's maddening to watch KC never letting Gary having his due attention and why it's hard to watch some of the videos - Gary gets buried under KC. Imagine doing that to Angus Young of AC/DC?! Unfathomable!
Gary Richrath was one of my favorite guitarists. Not only was he a great musician his back story and style made him one of the greats! REO wouldn't have been the same without him and of-course Gary passed away much too soon.
Gary is one of my top 5 guitarist. RIP buddy.I heard a commentary long ago from Kevin C. he stated that you people buy a ticket and come to see the REO Speed Wagon show, I get to look to my left and see the Gary Richrath show. Thanks so much Gary you will be missed greatly.
what I like to remember is Gary's picture on the front of the live album. Met him once in glens falls ny touring with Michael Jantz, what a great guy RIP my guitar hero, no one plays the guitar like Gary does
Most definitely one of my all time favorite guitarists of all time. I watch many of these episodes posted in this stage of his career and wonder if he managed to stop his drinking by this point because he sure as hell obviously still had the fire burning to perform. I would have loved to see what he would be doing musically now and years to come. He had his own sound that you could identify with in an instant whenever one of his tunes came on the radio. Went to one of the REO concerts in the late 70's and it was pure pleasure. R.I.P. GARY, my first time hearing your talent was Golden Country of which still remains my all time favorite REO tune. Best album for me was "You Get What You Play For Live" bought when it first came out and still have it.
I was a huge Richrath fan for over 40 years. It deeply saddens me to see what Gary looked like here. I showed this to my son to show him what drug and alcohol abuse can do to someone.
+spsimmons YES IT IS!!! It kills me to see idiots making bad remarks about appearance. All that matters is he was having the TIME OF HIS LIFE and he SHREDDED THE HELL out of that guitar!!!! R.I.P. Gary
Major rock acts Styx, REO, the Nuge, and others (Head freakin East!) convened in Bloomington IL for a benefit concert to help Illinoisans after a devastating tornado that fall. Blo/No is where I attended college. I attended this concert, dubbed Rock to the Rescue. The Nuge and Styx deliver Coming of Age (Damn Yankees) and I thought that was the highlight. REO comes out for their set - and who joins them!?!?! Yes, Gary.
He's truly rock n roll royalty. Saw him for the first time in 83, the Hi Infidelity Tour Market Square Arena Indianapolis. They came every year on or close to New Year's. When ever year til he left the band.
PS: Kevin Cronin REO is Gary's band too. Let him play again, I mean come on man how would you feel if the tables were turned? This stuff happens to too many bands where drugs and booze is involved and the band splits up and never come back together. That's got to stop. Sandy West the drummer of the Runaways died and never got that opportunity to get back with her band. Kevin don't let this happen to Gary, to REO. I beg you. Come together.
Richrath was awesome. Obviously, his health took a major toll on his appearance and ultimately took him. I know it's a little sad to look at, but compare this footage to him back in the old days. Beneath it all, the enthusiasm was still there, and by & large, he still had his guitar chops, God bless him. He deserves respect and recognition as one of the great 70s rockers. RIP, brother.
So well said.
His health here was sad... but every time I play these songs I feel him there. He was me inspiration and my idle. RIP Richrath.
He is still the beautiful and talented soul he was years ago. I miss him so much it hurts
he was one of the nicest guys i ever met.
our whole crew misses him so much best guy ever
@@marionrodriguez270 yes
I'm not convinced all you commenting "get it". This is THE man. Gary Richrath IS the reason I, plus thousands of others, play guitar. Growing up, there were three tones I admired and wanted to emulate...Brian May, Eric Johnson and Gary Richrath. You will never find a more pure "Les Paul thru Marshall" tone anywhere. Gary...I wish you nothing but happiness, as that's what's you given me for over 30 years. You ARE and will always be REO Speedwagon!
Kelly, I'm with you Brother. I've been a player all my life. I agree with your examples of "tone masters". Gary is and has always been the total package. Tone, melodic licks, and the knowledge(taste) of when to add speed to and back it off in his solo's. NEVER,EVER SLOPPY! Right-on Brother!
I agree with u this guy is a legend and reason I play guitar and will not see reo in concert unless he's back with them!$!
+gregorylpetrie I love the way he plays when he,s not doing solos. He was always adding color to the song, that,s what made the songs so brilliant. And his solo,s were breathtaking , especially in the 70,s when they were a rock and roll band!
+1600362 You hit the nail on the head! The "color" Gary adds to the song (not solo related) is what makes him so unique. (i.e. the intermittent one-note bends on the low E string, like in "Roll w/ the Changes" for example) Gary is one of a kind IMO.
+Kelly Schneider Right on Kelly!
To all those commenting and insulting Gary's appearance - go to hell AND ...he could outplay any of you any day of the week. Gary's been gone almost 4 years now and everytime I see a video of him, young or old, I am mesmerized! The way that man's hands move along a fret board, such grace and such power!! If Eddy Van Halen is the father of tapping, Gary is the father of pinch harmonics! Listen to "flying Turkey Trot" many guitarists of the day would comment on how Gary could get this "clucking " sound from his guitar, yeah we call it pinch harmonics today.
Thank you for uploading this video - no matter how far his illness might have dragged him through hell, he never misses a not and ALWAYS seems to get so much enjoyment from playing his guitar.
Completely agree.
@@Bridging_the_Political_Divide Thank you for being another that can hear Gary's touch that he put on everything that he played. I would rather listen to Gary than Eddie Van Halen any day, even though Eddie was a fantastic guitarist, and probably one of the only ones that could have put Gary's uniqueness into a song, he never did so we will never know, because I've never heard anyone copy Gary's style or sound completely!
@@edarnold1426. We all love Gary, and know what a legend he is. We will keep his legacy alive. 👍
@@Bridging_the_Political_Divide I've just seen way to many people cut him down for the way that he looks. Age is a terrible thing for all of us, but Gary never lost his touch on playing. The sad thing is even Cronin made a comment about his weight when Gary wasn't even that big. Funny I've always thought that Kevin had some kind of a eating disorder, because the only picture on a album that he looked healthy in was on the back cover of the T.W.O. done in 72.
Gary is a legend-nobody played like him, fluid, clean and never sloppy. Thx Gary
Please don't speak harshly at such a great guy!! He has sadness in his heart and needs to see the love of our God to overcome his pain!! How we look can be directly proportional to our inner pain that we have endured!! He has been thru a lot and just needs our love to help him see the light. Gary is a really nice guy and his wife Justine is an Angel !! Peace !!
swimhard. Well said. God bless
He did what he had to do and got out of Dodge
I met Gary when they were trying to get their feet on the ground in the early 70s. They were playing the small clubs in my city just a hundred miles or so from U of I where they were based. Tremendous person, and in my view, the best guitarist ever! His style was unique and could not be copied by anyone, including his replacement. Seeing him the way he looked towards the end broke my heart. Being tossed from REO broke his spirit. I can’t forgive Cronin for that! It was Gary’s band and Cronin stole it! Simple as that! And shame on the others for letting it happen! What a gift he was to the world; musically and as a man. RIP Gary!👍🙏
Greg I couldn't have said it any better. I hope KC knows that Gary's blood is on his hands. Gary was pushed so far away from what he wanted to play that he just gave up trying, and I think the other bandmates as well as producers went along with it. No it wasn't all his fault because the others went along with it and could have stopped this from happening. Yes they made it big with the sappy ballads, but I think they were good enough before to have made it, if MTV had came out earlier, however it came out at just the right time to catch those ballads which made them worldly known and loved. To me it was much more about timing than anything else, because one thing is for sure, Gary, Gregg, Alan, Neal and Bruce were all great at what they played, and with Keven singing they were all a team that couldn't be ignored. Anyway that is my take on R.E.O. Speedwagon. And when three of the main ingredients were removed, the Speedwagon died and never really charted again.
@@edarnold1426 So true Ed. Thank you for your accurate insight! The whole affair was a tragedy in so many ways, but it left a lot of us with good memories !😊👍
@@gregorycarlson6632 yes fortunately it left us with some good memories. However it also left some of us with a bad taste in some individuals, but it also taught us to carefully choose friends more wisely. After all there was always one guy that was always wanting to change what worked for years.
@@edarnold1426 Right on the money again Ed!!👍
Gary Richrath ‘s talent was immensely huge and his presence is obviously noted on all the great REO albums. He was a unmatched guitarist and one helluva player and songwriter as well as a vocalist. Without Gary, there would be no REO. He was captivating, loving, energetic and the HEART ❤️ of REO.
RIP Gary, you live forever on this earth through the great music you wrote and produced!
I just keep coming back to Gary. Crying again. One of my childhood crushes. Still breaks my heart that he suffered so. I know he could have helped himself more, but I think his heart broke when, IMO, the band left him behind. I'll just love this man until the day I take my last breath. He's one of the Giants. If I make it to heaven, I want to see my Daddy, then I'm going to get into that long line to see Elvis and Gary!
Sounds good, me too!
It wasn't the band,it was the singer that left gary behind
I'll be right behind you in the Richrath line.
Believe in Jesus Christ as your savior and you will be in heaven…
RIP, Gary will be missed. He had a unique sound. You could always tell an REO song, just by hearing the guitar. It's very sad he's gone so young! I think REO 10, most with Gary on guitar.
Gary was the coolest, toughest looking guitarist ever
As one of Gary’s biggest fans , it is sad to him in this condition. He was an awesome, songwriter, melodic guitar player, musician!
I got something in my eye now.... Both of them :( ........ My first guitar hero, and the reason I play guitar today!!...... I'm am filled with sadness, like losing a family member!!.... RIP Good Sir!!
Just like when Ace Frehley left KISS, when Gary left REO he took the heart of a great band with him.
MAN he made that Les Paul scream even at that age
R.I.P Gary, you have touched the souls of many during your short time here, your legacy shall last forever !
I remember back in 1978, REO came to our small town in Potsdam, N.Y. myself and my friend were 16 years old....and were almost front row....Gary came right near the stage and did one of his wonderful riffs just for her and I!!!!.....We were in heaven. We were in love.....lol thank you Gary for making us feel like the only one in the room. 40 Years later, we saw them together again......without Gary....so sad. R.I.P. and thank you for making two small town girls feel so so special.
rip gary you left a mark on alot of us
RIP brother. You've given me lots of good times through your guitar playing.
DAM ........ so hard to see Gary like that ............R I P My Friend.
I can’t tell you how many times I have seen Gary play…From every other weekend at the “RED LION” club in 1969 in Champaign, Illinois to Knoxville TN, to Kansas City, which is 30 to 40 times easy, and I was never disappointed in Gary’s performance. Gary hitting the notes perfectly was masterfully done at every show, and I never tired at his beautiful handling and impeccable handling of that Les Paul axe. We miss you Gary and you had a big influence on us, and anyone that could appreciate incredible control of that guitar that only a few have. You should be in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. I nominate you!!! R.I.P. my Friend!!!!!
RIP Gary, seen you guys 1 at Rt. 66 in Joplin. God you guys were amazing. I've listened to you since I was a 14 year old boy. I'm almost 57 now and I still love you guys so much. May your music inspire and live on forever. I'm having wish you were there and carry on my wayword son sung at my funeral. My 2 sad song's I still play when I'm needing to cry. I'm dying of Cancer.
Albert Stinnett I agree. I thought Gary was amazing! I was 14-15 and there just wasn’t any better. So sorry to hear you’re sick. 😔. I will keep you in my thoughts. 🙏🏼
Albert great comment! Hope you kick that shit to the curb and beat it down like no other. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I just said one for you! I just turned 62 four days ago. Rock on!
If this video serves as an example of anything, it is that alcohol doesn't care how famous you are, how successful you have been, how much money you have or the unlimited talent you possess. Alcohol destroys people and destroys families, it it robbed years of life from this amazing icon right here. It was great to see that Gary still had the fire in his heart, but watching him struggle to breathe as he did what his heart and soul commanded him to do was truly heartbreaking.
RIP, Gary. You will always be on my Top 10 list.
Rest in peace Gary. Thanks for all the music that enriched our lives. Love you man.
man,
Gary could play.
addiction really takes a toll on the body.
he was phenomenal!
play that guitar for god, Gary.
we love & miss you.
RIP Gary. You Rocked til the End.
Yes he did. But I noticed he didn't use his pinky like he usually did. He must have play it another style
3:48 gives my the chills. The way hey plays, pure awesome! One of Peoria ,il. Finest.
Sweet the guitar man Gary Richrath I believe you are at peace . I miss you Gary Richrath
at this point you can not imagine how hard it was for him to do this but he never backed down and he always road out the storms and he had many in his life he lived in his van for about 10 years before he got a shot this man was the rocky balboa of rock and roll ,, see you soon my man rip
Awesome to see Gary still playing so well despite his illness. Thank for posting my guitar hero!
I was an Alcoholic and Drug addict for 40 years. I had 2 years clean yesterday on 11/24/18. I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for taking saving me and delivering me from all the demons that infected my soul for so long.
Amen my brother!
What a great guitar player. He still nailed it 41 years after he wrote it. Wow he could still play like no one else on the songs that he penned or played before. We really don't have much else to compare it to on here, but I'm guessing that just about every song that he played he added that Richrath touch that made them very unique and unduplicatable for anyone else to copy. Definitely a Legend that deserved so much more recognition!!!
If only the bass player here played the right notes during his solo.... But, Gary was always Gary. Great showman and player. Thanks for the unforgettable moments
that was amazing! i saw REO just a couple of years ago in Southern California in a casino without Gary Richrath! "Hi Infidelity" i think, is one of the greatest rock album out there! i believe i still have my original copy of that album. One of the songs i love in that album is "Take it on the Run" written by Gary. RIP Gary Richrath! Thank you!!
REO without Gary is just a hack tribute band
R.I.P. My Friend! Could Not Beat Those ...Demons! A.A. The Best Guitarist In The World!! REO Speedwagon #1
The man, Gary, is still on his game. No matter what he is still REO!
***** His playing is nowhere near his game. That solo in 'Take it on the Run' in this video was awful.
krelbar You must never have heard the solo for "Take It On The Run" before.
krelbar the solo is good..BUT the drumming sucks
Let's see you play with a bar band when you've been off the road for years and very ill and slam it out of the park like you were 32 again. He rocked it just like he always did and looked just as good as ever doing it.
I saw REO in the gym at Olivet college (Olivet, MI) back in either '72 or '73. We sat on the gym floor and were about 20' from Gary. I believe they had just released their first album but were still on the college circuit. They were in St Louis the night before, where their hotel had caught on fire. Gary had to leap from a 2nd floor window and sprained his ankle. Still put on an awesome show, limping around on stage, and I still believe this was the best concert I have ever attended. RIP Gary.
The man can still burn up that Les Paul! Keep Pushin On Gary!
The solo in "Take It..." is one of my absolute favorites ever. And im an extreme metal musician of 35+years...the tone and emotion in it is just outstanding 👏
Gary was a guitar godt in his prime, that's a fact. Much respect. RIP GARY. He still rocked and strangled that axe till he left this hole we all live in..in my eyes he was reo Speedwagon
May he rest in peace thanks for sharing your talent with us
Still the same amazing Gary Richrath who started me wanting to play the guitar! Wish I was there to see you back playing with the boys! Looked like a fantastic time! Thank you for being there with them! Awesome!
Amazing! For years I wished he would make it back to the stage. Wish granted. RIP Guitar Hero.
I just started watching REO in concert this week from the early 80's I was so taken by Gary's hot look. I had no idea he died and lived such a tortured life. Oh Gary, if only you knew how talented you were, how blessed a life you had as a Rock N Roll star and how hot you were your life would have been so much more happier. I hope you are Rocking Out in the After Life. You are a legend!!!!!
You can tune a piano but you can't replace the music. Rest in Heaven bro. See ya when we get there. til then, we're rid in the storm out.
After all these years still one of the most kick ass solos in rock! Will never get tired of hearing it.
I'm sorry Gary, I should have been a better friend. Shoulda woulda coulda. RIP to the best Guitar player I ever knew.
I remember your name from another thread, must have been pretty cool to be a friend of Gary, nice tribute in saying best guitar player you ever knew. RIP GARY WE MISS YOU!!
I was an annoying neighbor kid that loved the guitar. We used to go over and just listen to him play. I would work on something for a couple weeks, play it for him, he'd smile and say "Well that 's pretty good, but I believe it goes like this" and nail it. I also had a 1960 Oldsmobile station wagon that we could get almost all the equipment in. We both slept in it more than once as we didn't have money for food, let alone a room. Good times!
Somehow I bet you were a better friend than you think. Take care and be well! He was a wonderful guy wasn't he?
He is a legend, wish him and Kevin could’ve gotten along better. RIP Gary
Man I love his style!! Take care of your health and keep on rockin'. We need you as a player.
So sad. Grateful that this is here for those of us who remember Gary as the sound of REO Speedwagon and can enjoy his playing forever.
Gary was without a doubt an excellent piece of music history and I've had an honor playing lots and lots of his material over my 30 years of playing guitar...R.I.P. Sir...
Damn, I'm moving to Illinois if Gary is going to be gigging there!! Can I get an "Amen"?!?!
Amen.
+Dennis Cassley Amen bro.
One of the most under-rated and under-appreciated guitar players ever. I don't think the man has ever played a bad note in is life.
Have to move to heaven now, Dennis.
Stephanie Cantrellenk May he rest in peace...great player & songwriter...
Mesmerized by the guitar playing! Way to go, man!
Gary doing what he loved best ! Being on stage playing that Les Paul. He was an amazing song writer and guitarist under rated as both and a showman when he hit the stage
I met him in 1990 Richrath band played at Reflections. We talked for about 20 min just the nicest guy you could meet
i love the solo from take it on the run
The end of that solo where Gary does that "pick scrape" ? move was my very first G.R. experience. Certainly worth it, since there are days his music is the only thing that makes me feel alive. Tks!
Wow! Gary is back! And he even started off with Flying Turkey Trot for a few seconds.
Gary, was a guitar great and a fabulous song writer. One of my favorite of all time. It is sad to see him in this condition and knowing that he died so young at 65. I will always remember all the live REO shows that I saw. He and Kevin were really a dynamic duo.
Gary played in your face guitar! He gave reo a great sound..you always.knew it was reo when Gary was in the band. I read a slot of comments saying he didn't get the recognition he deserves. Well you guys are right. He's in my top 8.. very cool guitar wizard
glad to see hes playing again, good therapy, wish I could find out when he is playing, I would have went to this
roonray The internet might help.
Cant get enough of Gary's solos.. he gave us so many memories to cherish...
It's maddening to watch KC never letting Gary having his due attention and why it's hard to watch some of the videos - Gary gets buried under KC. Imagine doing that to Angus Young of AC/DC?! Unfathomable!
Sparkles is a douchebag
Gary Richrath was one of my favorite guitarists. Not only was he a great musician his back story and style made him one of the greats! REO wouldn't have been the same without him and of-course Gary passed away much too soon.
Sweet the guitar man Gary Richrath was Awesome.
Gary is one of my top 5 guitarist. RIP buddy.I heard a commentary long ago from Kevin C. he stated that you people buy a ticket and come to see the REO Speed Wagon show, I get to look to my left and see the Gary Richrath show. Thanks so much Gary you will be missed greatly.
So that's why he hogged the cameras so that people saw much less of Gary than he was owed and what the fans wanted?
Awesome!!! Hope to see you on the road soon Gary!!! Rock on!
what I like to remember is Gary's picture on the front of the live album. Met him once in glens falls ny touring with Michael Jantz, what a great guy RIP my guitar hero, no one plays the guitar like Gary does
What a great video... he was a true rocker til the end. RIP
He was the reason we bought tickets to see them back in the day.seen him in 1983 in chicago.
Awesome my Angel Gary Richrath
Thanks Gary Richrath, Heaven has a great Guitar player, your Gibson will sounds forever, RIP
This is like watching the 1969 GTO that your neighbor owned brand new when you were a kid competing in a demolition derby 30 yrs. later.
So many great memories.
THANK U SO MUCH FOR THE POST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RIP G
Most definitely one of my all time favorite guitarists of all time. I watch many of these episodes posted in this stage of his career and wonder if he managed to stop his drinking by this point because he sure as hell obviously still had the fire burning to perform. I would have loved to see what he would be doing musically now and years to come. He had his own sound that you could identify with in an instant whenever one of his tunes came on the radio. Went to one of the REO concerts in the late 70's and it was pure pleasure. R.I.P. GARY, my first time hearing your talent was Golden Country of which still remains my all time favorite REO tune. Best album for me was "You Get What You Play For Live" bought when it first came out and still have it.
It's so great to see recent footage of GR sounding great! Been waiting for this for a while.
I was a huge Richrath fan for over 40 years. It deeply saddens me to see what Gary looked like here. I showed this to my son to show him what drug and alcohol abuse can do to someone.
Just want to thank you again for posting this footage. I'm not sure people understand what they're watching/listening to.
+p1nesap Thank you for watching. It is quite a special thing to see the man play again.
+p1nesap RIP Gary Richrath .....he passed away today
+Eddie Duggan man...65...he touched many of us...even more by recent footage.
+spsimmons YES IT IS!!! It kills me to see idiots making bad remarks about appearance. All that matters is he was having the TIME OF HIS LIFE and he SHREDDED THE HELL out of that guitar!!!! R.I.P. Gary
+spsimmons It was amazing to get to see him wail again. So sad to hear of his passing. Thanks for the post!
fuck he was good...love you bro.
gary had some passion flowing that i consider him right up there...Golden Country solos are the epitome of passion and fire...i miss gary...
Awesome, Sweet Gary Richrath Rest in peace my man
From Chile, awesome Gary . R.I.P.
Leyenda. Mereces un lugar en el Olimpo de Rock n' roll 🙏💓
really hard to watch.....but ....the guitar playing...one of the best..RIP
I loved that...thanks for posting :) great to see Gary.
omg we miss you gary rip brother never ever forget you and your kind loving manner tears
Rest in peace Gary!
Sweet the man my Angel Gray Richrath wish you were here I miss you
I saw REO before they blew up. They were warmup for KISS. And they played like they were headliners! Awesome band. RIP.
Major rock acts Styx, REO, the Nuge, and others (Head freakin East!) convened in Bloomington IL for a benefit concert to help Illinoisans after a devastating tornado that fall. Blo/No is where I attended college. I attended this concert, dubbed Rock to the Rescue. The Nuge and Styx deliver Coming of Age (Damn Yankees) and I thought that was the highlight. REO comes out for their set - and who joins them!?!?! Yes, Gary.
Yep Gary Richrath my guitar hero
oh yes the man Gary Richrath .
Look!!!!! He is totally rockin' no matter what he is suffering.......for US!!!!!!
He's truly rock n roll royalty. Saw him for the first time in 83, the Hi Infidelity Tour Market Square Arena Indianapolis. They came every year on or close to New Year's. When ever year til he left the band.
Does anyone notice. No whammy bar. Old school at its finest. The best was back in 1983. Contrary to what Kevin says.
I miss Gary! :(
Nothing like a Gary Richrath solo. Nothing.🤟
Gary. You appear just as Gary Moore did at his last performance at Montrose. Good Luck.
This is great stuff, for so many reasons.
PS: Kevin Cronin REO is Gary's band too. Let him play again, I mean come on man how would you feel if the tables were turned? This stuff happens to too many bands where drugs and booze is involved and the band splits up and never come back together. That's got to stop. Sandy West the drummer of the Runaways died and never got that opportunity to get back with her band. Kevin don't let this happen to Gary, to REO. I beg you. Come together.
They did in 2013. The damage had already been done to Gary's well being though. He could still play like no other though. R.I.P. Gary! You made it!
I'm so sad for what Gary let his body become. But so happy for the music he can still make. I've seen him 3 times since 1977..
he passed away last year at the age of 65
I'll remember You,Gary,as the main man behind REO.:-)))
He was a guitar god, If not for Gary there would never have been an REO Speedwagon.
Gary Richrath, ranks among the upper eschew lions of greatness
I show my kids before and after footage of Richrath, I never have to worry about them doing drugs EVER !!