[17] Members [ edit] Current [ edit] Former [ edit] Timeline [ edit] By Richard Sherwood, Valley News-Sun (Van Nuys, California) April 10, 1977. But the records that came before it, the songs that our fans already knew about, like Keep Pushin' and Roll With The Changes and Time For Me To Fly which hadnt really been hits, but our fans knew about them. My biggest inspiration in music is the Beatles, and Lennon & McCartney in my mind are the great songwriting duo in the history of the world, and I owe everything that I know about being in a band, writing a songI owe it all to the Beatles. Richrath had wanted to join the band and knew that he could take them to a new level with his artistry and songwriting. Hi Fidelity alone produced four Top-10 hits for the group, with two hitting Number One: "Keep on Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling." Very glad theyre still touring, new albums or not. So here it is! CBS had a big convention in London. Formed in 1967, the group originally included guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Blair, keyboardistNeal Doughtyand drummer Alan Gratzer. I agree 1978s You Can Tune a Piano album did help pave the way for 1980s Hi-Infidelity which to many (myself included) was/is their peak album. You cant take success that seriously, Cronin said. [5] In early 1972, shortly after the release of the band's self-titled debut album, Luttrell left REO Speedwagon following a disagreement with Richrath. (Brandon Nagy / Shutterstock), Become a Saturday Evening Post member and enjoy unlimited access. 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. He formed the band in the fall of 1966, with original drummer Alan Gratzer (who left REO in 1988). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Saturday Evening Post is a nonprofit organization funded primarily by our members. Now I see them any time they come near me just due to to the fact.they earned my ticket purchase. Cronin: I would hope that the point [of this story is], when youre writing a song, you have to stick with your gut. 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. 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My wife is an amazing person. 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. The Flying Cloud was the first car to use Lockheed's new hydraulic internal expanding brake system and featured styling by Fabio Segardi. We are pleased to do a new interview with Cronin, about how he wrote his classic REO songs, and his creative songwriting process. They flew us over to get our gold record. At the end of the performance, the emcee thanked "REO Speedway.". ""It's R-dot-E-dot-O-dot Speed-wagon REO Speedwagon!" Basically what we said was, Im not going to let you have these songs on a record unless we produce them ourselves. The album went double-platinum and produced two signature songs, Roll with the Changes and Time for Me to Fly. Though their subsequent Nine Lives record had a harder edge, the band chose after that recordto broaden their approach to incorporate more pop layers into their rock sound. REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. DK: These days, so much of the songwriting process is co-writing, particularly in Nashville. Im thankful for that and proud of that as well. It just so happens that the album came out when I was in junior high school. They also toured the UK arena circuit with Status Quo in December 2016. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; The name was used on a lower-priced 6-cylinder model through 1935. For REO Speedwagon, 1983 and 1984 were years to recoup from the huge success of its 1980 platinum album. REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken. 50 years; my goodness. And then if Im lucky enough to capture that, then the actual craftsmanship comes into play. 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. They continued to work at the music, performing stage shows, touring, and recording. The current lineup of REO Speedwagon consists of Cronin, original member Neal Doughty (keyboards), Bruce Hall (bass), Dave Amato (lead guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums). I think so. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; So the band got together after the tour, and we decided we werent going to make another record until we felt we could., The bands newest album, Wheels Are Turnin, is bringing REO back to terms with its audience via two singles, a rocker called I Dowanna Know (Cronins answer to all of the unsolicited advice he received after REO hit it big) and a ballad, Cant Fight This Feeling.. He was 65. Each of us thought there was just one way to go his own.. Notably, these five band members have been together since 1989. Who died from REO Speedwagon? We really needed one a long time ago. "During dress rehearsal, they introduced us as Reo Speedwagon," said Cronin, as reported by Rolling Stone. Another one like that is Keep Pushin, which I wrote a little after Music Man. That was another one where I felt likeit was soulfulI wrote it right from the heart. Formed in 1966, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. Mike Blair also left the band later that year as Gregg Philbin filled his spot. While single Sophisticated Lady just missed the Hot 100, the albums second track, 157 Riverside Avenue, has remained the most popular song from their debut album.. A staple of the bands live shows, its known for including solos from each member and sometimes extending for more than ten minutes over its recorded length. Getting gigs in the Midwest, however, is no problem at all. Kevin Cronin wrote this note the bands official Facebook page. Matt left early the next year after graduating from school, withTerry Luttrelltaking his place on lead vocals. What is the most expensive brand of guitar? Normally I go full speed, and every once in a while take a day to rest, but these past two weeks have been bizarre, he said with amazement. 1912 REO advertisement. What was REO Speedwagon's first #1 single? Cronin: Yeah, I think so. I just needed a mental break. You need a gold record to get a job.. 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. What was it that inspired you to write it? It was keyboard player Neal Doughty who came up with the name, which embodied the rebellious spirit of Ransom Olds and also stood out . Band member and lead singer Kevin Cronin stressed about the announcer getting the name right. We couldnt believe it., NOW SEE THIS: Hall & Oates: Looking back at the best-selling musical duo in history, PS: If you liked this article, please share it! If music and guitar has never been part of your interests then this site may change your view and be a music lover. 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. The band has released three original albums and one Christmas album since 1990, though they havent captured the audience of their earlier work. He formed the band in the fall of 1966, with original drummer Alan Gratzer (who left REO in 1988). Your support helps us preserve a great American legacy. ""It's R-dot-E-dot-O-dot Speed-wagon REO Speedwagon!" The announcer sort of got it right. The first album the group produced itself was a live album, in 1977, You Get What You Play For. DK: Which album was it, where you started to write a good amount of the songs for the group? The current lineup of REO Speedwagon consists of Cronin, original member Neal Doughty (keyboards), Bruce Hall (bass), Dave Amato (lead guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums). At about $35, theyre affordable too. Brad Adams, San Diego, California, The band REO Speedwagon, which originated in Champaign, Illinois, in 1967, consists of original member Neal Doughty, 67; Kevin Cronin and Bruce Hall, who joined in the 1970s; and Dave Amato and Brian Hitt, who came aboard in 1989. Richrath was from Peoria, IL and was an amazing songwriter who wrote fresh material for the band, even driving 100 miles to see and become a part of the band. Fifty years after their first album, they remain a touring draw that can find new audiences in unexpected ways. But we know just because we say we can do it doesnt mean a thing, until we do it.. All rights reserved. Cronin: We talked about Music Manthat song has a very special place for me because it kind of got me the gig. To me, were still the same five guys who were schlepping around bars in the early 70s. Drop files here. Volvo later took over White and thus currently owns the rights to the REO brand name. The band's most famous album, Hi Infidelity, which was released in 1980, has sold 10 million copies and became the best-selling rock album of 1981.The album contained four Top 40 hits: "Keep On Loving You" and "Don't Let Him Go" (written by Cronin), plus "Take It On The Run" and . Theyre great in concert too. Your email address will not be published. Gratzer retired from music. Classic Rock 105.1 relates that the Speedwagon was designed as a series of light, quick delivery vehicles a sort of precursor to today's pickups. The band itself has never left the road, hitting the tour circuit with ongoing regularity. 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. Originally the company was to be called "R. E. Olds Motor Car Company", but the owner of Olds' previous company, then called Olds Motor Works, objected and threatened legal action on the grounds of likely confusion of names by consumers. So the songs come in all different shapes and forms. Richrath is REOs lead guitarist and along with Cronin the principal creative force behind its music. The words referred to a 1915 vehicle produced by the founder of the Oldsmobile automotive company, Ransom E. Olds. [1] Matt left early the next year after graduating from school, with Terry Luttrell taking his place on lead vocals. Se do you feel more comfortable writing the song by yourself, or do you also love the process of co-writing? However, during the Second World War, REO produced a number of them under license from Studebaker. The first time I was introduced to her, when I saw herit was that love at first sight feeling. He helped REO Speedwagon release five Platinum-selling hit albums, including Wheels Are Turnin'. Boylan said yes. I didnt put a whole lot of time and energy into the creative part of what I do. Were happy with the sound, because we got what we wanted rather than what some producer wanted. ALSO SEE: Peter Frampton tells how he finally found success with Frampton Comes Alive! (1976). 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 . Gregg Philbin would become the bassist, and in 1970, the band added a legitimate guitar hero in Gary Richrath. Thats another way of doing it. It was one of those albums which was definitely top-heavy with songs that people, to this daythey come to our concerts and we play at least five or six songs from Hi Infidelity every night. Formed in 1967, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. Material on this site is provided for purposes of education, criticism, commentary, cultural reporting, entertainment, historical reference, and news reporting/analysis. Become a Saturday Evening Post member and enjoy unlimited access. REO has been recording since 1971, but the success that sent Cronin and his band members into such a culture shock came a decade later, when Hi-Infidelity stayed on top of the pop charts for nearly six months, making REO one of the hottest groups of 1981. 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. When Gary (Richrath) heard that song, it signaled to him that I had some ability as a songwriter. Doughty and Gratzer were constants, but the bass and guitar slots changed frequently. Gary and I have gotten some new stuff together for the tour, as well as old tunes, Cronin said, then proceeded to digress. It did land a recording contract with Epic Records back in 1971, but six years and seven albums later, its still waiting for seemingly overdue popularity, on the east and west coasts. Shortly afterwards, four of their songs reentered the Billboard rock charts. Hi-Infidelity, and its disappointing follow-up, Good Trouble, which sent the group on one of its most exhaustive tours. The bandwe were all kind of going through some chaos in our personal lives. REO Speedwagon skyrocketed to fame in 1980 with their chart topping album, Hi Infidelity. Today Mark and Cristina welcome REOs lead singer, Kevin Cronin and his beautiful wife Lisa. The REO Motor Car Company was a company based in Lansing, Michigan, which produced automobiles and trucks from 1905 to 1975. Their popularity began to decline in the late 1980s, but they still perform at summer festivals today. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Olds had 52% of the stock and the titles of president and general manager. [3], By late 1970, REO Speedwagon had finalised its first recording lineup with the addition of guitarist Gary Richrath in place of Scorfina. If we were going to make it, a live album might be the way to do it. The aptly titled The Hits has sold four million copies. Cronin went on to explain how he felt the band three years ago to give a solo career a try. [2] The pronunciation, however, was as a single word. This song, even though it wasnt finished yet, meant so much to me and it was such a big part of who I am, that I just knew that I wanted to finish this song myself. Maybe it was just the timing of when it was released. Olds had 52% of the stock and the titles of president and general manager. I remember seeing REO in the stadium days. 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. There was no way we would get together because she was with my friend. I had a little red Wurlitzer electric piano that Id had since I was in high school. 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. Honestly, when I finished that song, I was really youngI was 18 or 19 when I wrote that song. Hes a real sweet guy and hes written some big hit ballads, and we were supposed to co-write. Olds then changed the name to his initials. So I think that really helped for the album, that it felt like all the songs belonged together. A convertible Victoria was listed at $3,195 but only one is known to have been built. It wasnt long before Gratzer, bassist Mike Blair, and guitarist Joe Matt decided to quit the old band and join Doughty in a new one. Whenever any two people work closely together it brings about a sort of creative tension. But did you wonder how on earth they got their name? Too many good songs in the past have come out sounding like bad records.'. If you liked this article, please share it! I saw them in 1997 at the Universal Amphitheater with Survivor and Blondie. Basically, the only songs I can play on piano are those that I wrote (he laughs). Beyond a convincing demonstration of endurance, REOs history has been one of repeated disappointments because they were never able to capture even a hint of their exciting live show in their records. I try to keep it that way, because I think theres a certain purityI try to keep the craftsmanship to a minimum. Formed in 1967, REO Speedwagon built up their reputation through the 70s and dominated throughout the 80s, with their best-selling album, Hi Infidelity (1980), at over 10 million copies. Were going in, says Cronin, in a totally different way. I thought that if I co-wrote it with someone, I had a feeling it would lose something that was really necessary for the song to happen. So now were gonna record from noon until 7 oclock at night, and when we come in, were gonna be awake. But this year I think I need to start tapping into the creative side of my being, because otherwise it starts exploding (laughs) in other ways. 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. After signing with Epic Records in 1971, the band cut their first album, R.E.O. Who gives the best guitar lessons on YouTube? But they get as crazy over the slow, romantic ballads as they do over the rock n roll songs. Cronin left, paving the way for Michael Bryan Murphy; Murphy filled the frontman slot for three records. He was taking a class, History of Transportation, and found "R.E.O. As many as 3 Dietrich coachbuilt bodies were built on 148-inch (3,800mm) wheelbases in 1931. 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. If there has been a turning point in the band, Cronin said, it was in 1977. hindrances to moving from glory to glory, concorde green park palace tunisie booking,
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