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. Steve Scorfina (who would go on to found progressive rock/album-oriented rock band Pavlov's Dog) came aboard for over a year, composing with the band and performing live, before being replaced by Gary Richrath in late 1970. In early 2014, it was announced that REO Speedwagon and Chicago would be teaming up for 15 dates throughout 2014. Back up singers Carla Day and Melanie Jackson were also added. \"Gary was both a unique guitarist and songwriter, and the embodiment of the tough guy with a heart of gold.\"He said he learned most of what he knows about being in a rock band from Richrath.\"The entire REO Family mourns his death and shares in the grief of his family, friends, and fans,\" he added. Gary Richrath, lead guitarist from REO Speedwagon until 1989, has died at age 65. . He was 40. The two held an impromptu jam session in the basement of their Illinois Street Residence Hall dormitory.[1][2]. 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". He was also the bassist on their first major success, the 1977 live double album, Live: You Get What You Pay For. The band also briefly added saxophonist Joe McCabe and trumpeter Marty Shepard to its lineup in 1968. They both played the bass as more of a lead instrument. before leaving during sessions for the 1973 follow-up. In 2021, REO Speedwagon was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Rt. Who are the original members of REO Speedwagon? Kevin and Lisa share the story of their storybook romance and secret to their successful 24-year marriage. Original bassist Gregg Philbin died on October 24, 2022 at the age of 75. This lineup did only one show, on January 7, 1989, in Via del Mar, Chile, where it won the award for best group at the city's annual International Song Festival. In 1977, bassist Gregg Philbin left the band. By the late 1980s, the band's popularity was starting to decline. Although REO were slowly inching their way to big-time success, no one (not even the band) could have predicted the massive hit that their next album turned out to be, Hi Infidelity. RSVP; Tickets signaled the beginning of the veteran group's winning streak, as both 1977's Live: You Get What You Play For and 1978's You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish were REO's first to earn gold and platinum certification. Although the rest of the band's lineup remained stable, REO Speedwagon switched lead vocalists three times for their first three albums. REO Speedwagon continued to tour in the back half of the 2010s, often teaming up on bills featuring Styx and Chicago. With Neal's retirement from touring being announced in January 2023, Derek Hilland has been filling-in for Neal live since January 2023. 2023 American Profile, All Rights Reserved. Alan Gratzer, REO's drummer, stares at Doughty in disbelief. The cause of death was not given. With him on board, the regional popularity of the band grew tremendously. On his first night of classes, he met fellow student Alan Gratzer. The title refers to the address in Westport, Connecticut, where the band stayed while recording in Leka's studio in Bridgeport. Newcomer Kevin Cronin got the gig; he was a folksinger/guitarist beforehand, with little to no experience fronting a loud rock & roll outfit. 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. Hard-working and hard-rocking band from the Illinois heartland who morphed into million-selling power balladeers by the '80s. Doughty landed a summer job and bought his first. REO Speedwagon Guitarist Life As We Know Songwriter Fact-checking and Ethical Concerns Gary Richrath (birth name - Gary Dean Richrath), nicknamed - Gar baby, was an American former songwriter and guitarist for the rock band "REO Speedwagon" from 1970 to 1989. After touring for several years, the Richrath band released Only the Strong Survive in 1992 on the GNP Crescendo label. Luttrell left the band in early 1972, eventually becoming the vocalist for Starcastle. [18], The band performed with Pitbull the song "Messin' Around" live on the ABC TV show Greatest Hits in 2016; that version of the song was also released as a single on iTunes. Today, REO Speedwagon is best known for its number-one singles "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling." "I loved REO Speedwagon as a teenager and still do," Hannon said. Though it did not chart as an album, it produced two singles "I Needed to Fall" (Cronin) and "Find Your Own Way Home" (Cronin) which appeared on Billboard's Adult Contemporary radio chart. before leaving during sessions for the 1973 follow-up. The group had a more progressive rock sound for its first six albums and did not find commercial success until they released their first live album. [11] Richrath also left early the next year, with Miles Joseph filling in for a show before Dave Amato took over in May. (non touring 2023present) (founding member), Last edited on 23 February 2023, at 12:29, The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken, You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish, Not So Silent Night Christmas with REO Speedwagon, "REO's Neal Doughty: Back on the Road Again", "Now It's Cheat to the Beat, as Reo Speedwagon Finally Arrives with 'hi Infidelity', "A Chat with Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon", "REO Speedwagon Guitarist Dave Amato on His New Gibson Custom", "Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon Talks About His Classic Hits and His Songwriting", "25 Years Ago: REO Speedwagon Regroup with 'The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken', "REO SPEEDWAGON Announces DEREK HILLAND As New Keyboardist", "Bruce Hall of REO Speedwagon - Official page", "Interview: Guitarist Dave Amato Talks Les Pauls, Touring and REO Speedwagon", "REO Speedwagon hometown, lineup, biography", "50 Years Later, REO Speedwagon Keeps On Rollin', "How REO Speedwagon Got Their Name | 80s Music Blog", "FIVE YEARS GONE: REO SPEEDWAGON'S GARY RICHRATH REMEMBERED", "Who was the original lead singer of REO Speedwagon? Issued in 1987, Life as We Know It managed to go gold, but their fans' sudden disinterest coupled with turmoil between certain bandmembers led to the exit of both Richrath and Gratzer by the end of the decade. Crownover played guitar for the group until mid-1969 when Bill Fiorio replaced him. Whats up with the band REO Speedwagon these days? He. [2] [3] Blair left a few months after Matt, with Gregg Philbin taking his place. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. The members returned to school in the fall of 1967 and had their first rehearsal before classes started. With more sub genres and sub-sub genres than can be named, rock has given rise to punk, grunge, metal, indie . If music and guitar has never been part of your interests then this site may change your view and be a music lover. [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]. Since 1995, the label has released over a dozen compilation albums featuring greatest hits, including 1999's The Ballads which features two new songs: "Just for You" (Cronin and Jim Peterik) and "Till The River's Run Dry" (Cronin). REO Speedwagon performing live in 2010 (top) and 2016 (bottom). [3] The most popular track on this record was "157 Riverside Avenue"; it remains an in-concert favorite. [8][9] Philbin left the following year, with Bruce Hall taking his place. REO Speedwagon resumes its tour on Nov. 2 and has dates planned through March. REO Speedwagon's frontman Kevin Cronin revealed the cause of Richrath's death to the Billboard website in 2015, stating that Richrath's wife told him that Richrath had abdominal surgery a few days before his death. 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. Issued at the tail end of 1980, it became one of 1981's biggest albums -- spawning one of the best-known power ballads of all time, "Keep on Loving You," as well as such popular rock radio hits as "Don't Let Him Go" and "Take It on the Run." On November 21, 1980, Epic released Hi Infidelity,[3] which represented a change in sound, going from hard rock to more pop-oriented material. 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. REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Even though I didn't know Gregg the way that Neal, Alan, Gary, and Kevin did, I always admired him and valued his friendship. 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. This lineup also released an unabashed record of Christmas songs in 2009, titled Not So Silent Night. REO Speedwagon (originally stylized as R.E.O. From around July 2005 until around September 2017, Gratzer made occasional live guest performances, playing percussion only. "His health had been an issue for some time, and today his soul is freed. 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. [16] Gary Richrath died on September 13, 2015, due to complications from surgery. but left the band during the recording sessions for 1973's Ridin' the Storm Out because of internal conflicts. After graduation, the group signed on with then-unknown manager Irving Azoff (who would later guide the careers of such multi-platinum acts as the Eagles and Steely Dan), which led to the outfit building a devoted following in the Midwest due to nonstop touring. After that, Miles Joseph and the back up singers were dropped in favor of former Ted Nugent guitarist Dave Amato (who was brought aboard in May 1989) and keyboardist/songwriter/producer Jesse Harms. Formed in 1967, the group originally included guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Blair, keyboardistNeal Doughtyand drummer Alan Gratzer. Gregg Philbin, the former REO Speedwagon bassist, died earlier this week, the band announced. He had played saxophone in the school band. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. #19). Early life [ edit] Richrath was born in Peoria, Illinois, on October 18, 1949, to Curtis and Eunice Richrath, [1] and grew up in East Peoria, Illinois. REO Speedwagon Swiftel Center Brookings, South Dakota. In the fall of 1966, Neal Doughty was just beginning an electrical engineering program at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois, as a junior. reo speedwagon members who have died You are here: beginner safe horses for sale in washington 12 christmas party games reo speedwagon members who have died Two years later, the band released Wheels Are Turnin', an album that included the #1 hit single "Can't Fight This Feeling" plus three more hits: "I Do' Wanna Know" (U.S. #29), "One Lonely Night" (U.S. #19), and "Live Every Moment" (U.S. [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. I'm not ready to start going to church.". Currently, there are 3 original members of REO Speedwagon that are still in the band. He was replaced by Kevin Cronin. REO Speedwagon continued to tour in the back half of the 2010s, often teaming up on bills featuring Styx and Chicago. These were the last songs recorded with Gary Richrath and Alan Gratzer. #34).[3]. is a cover of. After the appearance, four of REO's songs reentered the Billboard rock charts.[24]. [9] The Hits is a 1988 compilation album[3] which contained the new tracks "I Don't Want to Lose You" and "Here with Me". Moreover, is the lead singer of REO Speedwagon married? 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. [14] In mid-2010, the band then touring with Pat Benatar announced that it would release a 30th anniversary deluxe edition reissue of Hi Infidelity.[15]. [11] Richrath also left early the next year, with Miles Joseph filling in for a show before Dave Amato took over in May. Lear had already been invited to join REO in September 1988 as Gratzer's successor and Joseph was brought in as a temporary stand-in for Richrath. REO Speedwagon (originally stylized as R.E.O. The debut failed to break REO through to the mainstream, and the band's future was thrust into uncertainty shortly thereafter when Luttrell left the group. 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 continued to score further hit albums (1982's Good Trouble, 1984's Wheels Are Turnin') and singles ("Keep the Fire Burnin'," the number one hit power ballad "Can't Fight This Feeling," etc. [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. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Centennial High School (in Champaign, Illinois), You Can Tune a Piano but You Can't Tuna Fish, The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken, Not So Silent NightChristmas with REO Speedwagon, You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish, Not So Silent Night Christmas with REO Speedwagon, List of artists who reached number one in the United States, "Now It's Cheat to the Beat, as Reo Speedwagon Finally Arrives with 'Hi Infidelity', "REO Speedwagon Will Dedicate Every Show to Late Guitarist Gary Richrath 'Probably Forever', "REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin on Louisville, power ballads and if my wife's a slut", "Styx, REO Speedwagon Team Up For "Rockin'" Tour, Single", "REO Speedwagon Plans 'Hi Infidelty' 30th Anniversary Reissue, Tour", "Live Nation Announces REO Speedwagon And Chicago Summer Tour", "Def Leppard Announce Summer Tour With REO Speedwagon and Tesla", "UK TOUR WITH STATUS QUO & THE LOUNGE KITTENS ANNOUNCED", "Styx, REO Speedwagon, Don Felder Ready for 'United We Rock' U.S. Tour, Starting June 20th", "REO Speedwagon's 'Hi Infidelity' receives 10X Diamond Award", "Chicago and REO Speedwagon Announce Co-Headlining Summer Tour", "REO Speedwagon drive back into the charts thanks to Ozark appearance", "Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66", "live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK", "REO Speedwagon with Larry the Cable Guy Roll with the Changes", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=REO_Speedwagon&oldid=1142197786, Alan Gratzer drums, percussion, backing vocals, Gregg Philbin bass guitar, backing vocals, Mike Murphy lead vocals, occasional rhythm guitar, Melanie Jackson-Cracchiolo backing vocals, Derek Hilland keyboards, organ, piano, synthesizer, backing vocals, John Aldridge percussion, occasional drums, This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 01:35. Rest In Peace 'Regis,' and say hi to Gary for me.". Speedwagon ), or simply REO, is an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. 29. His association with the rock group continued for nine straight years, and he eventually left the group in 1977. . The album sold over two million copies in the US, ultimately achieving double platinum status. Richrath also left early the next year, with Miles Joseph filling in for a show beforeDave Amatotook over in May. Its lineup in 1968 while recording in Leka 's studio in Bridgeport years, the grew! The group in 1977. live guest performances, playing percussion Only Doughty in disbelief March. [ 8 ] [ 9 ] Philbin left the following year, with Miles Joseph filling in for show! Had their first rehearsal before classes started 8 ] [ 3 ] the most popular track this! Of a lead instrument Speedwagon and Chicago would be teaming up on featuring! Following year, with Bruce Hall taking his place record was `` 157 Avenue... Has died at age 65. 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