The odds against a band forming while The Beatles were still together, continuing for five decades, and returning four songs to the charts via a Netflix show appearance just last year have to be nearly incalculable. The Hi Infidelity album was the one that broke things loose. Were a high-energy band, Cronin emphasized, but our studio recordings didnt show this, and people want consistency. The sound of the band keeps a rock steady tone that you cannot deny. 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). Were going in, says Cronin, in a totally different way. Kevin Cronin - lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar, piano Gary Richrath - electric guitars Bruce Hall - bass Neal Doughty - Hammond organ Alan Gratzer - drums Additional personnel Steve Forman - percussion Tom Kelly - backing vocal Richard Page - backing vocal Chart performance Weekly charts Year-end charts Certifications See also [8], The 1931 Reo Royale was a trendsetting design, introducing design elements that were a precedent for true automotive streamlining in the American market. 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. [11] Richrath also left early the next year, with Miles Joseph filling in for a show before Dave Amato took over in May. Sure enough, its proven itself right so many times for me, that I have to really believe its a truth that I can count on. After we did it, Gary and I sat in Johns office and called up radio stations and asked them to play it and see if they got a phone response. That same year, Philbin left and the band added bassist Bruce Hall, who remains at the spot today. Traveling 4,176 miles (6,720km) from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Vancouver, British Columbia, in a 1912 REO special touring car, mechanic/driver Fonce V. (Jack) Haney and journalist Thomas W. Wilby made the first trip by automobile across Canada (including one short jaunt into northeastern Washington State when the Canadian roads were virtually impassable). In 1980 their album Hi Fidelity sold more than 10 million copies, about a quarter of all of the band's album sales. Kevin Patrick Cronin Jr. (born October 6, 1951) is an American singer and songwriter, who is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and pianist for the rock band REO Speedwagon. Whats up with the band REO Speedwagon these days? Find out more here. Each of us thought there was just one way to go his own.. The truck was, of course, the REO Speed Wagon, though the band closed Speedwagon to one word. Here with Me from 1988 (Uploaded to YouTube by REO Speedwagon). Thats not to say they never willsongs have a way of surfacing in the future sometimes. Three years later, in 1957, Reo's vehicle manufacturing operation became a subsidiary of the White Motor Company. Crownover only lasted two years when Bill Fiorio replaced him before also leaving in late 1969, taking the name Duke Tumatoe and forming the All Star Frogs. Speedwagon" written across the blackboard when he walked into the classroom. 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. [3], From 1915 to 1925, under Scott's direction, REO remained profitable. When you were recording Hi Infidelity, did you and the band feel that this was your best album up to that point? Im trained on the guitarI took guitar lessons for years when I was a kid. While Ned Jordan is credited with changing the way advertising was written with his "Somewhere West of Laramie" ads for his Jordan Playboy, Reo's Flying Clouda name that provoked evocative images of speed and lightnesschanged the way automobiles would be named in the future. Take, for example, the biography of REO Speedwagon. [1] REO Speedwagon released their debut album, R.E.O. https://www.songwriteruniverse.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Kevin_Cronin_interview_excerpt2.mp3. It was a change in direction that would lead to the defining successes of their career. Fortunately, I stumbled into my home studio, which was a very humble little studio back in those days. He formed the band in the fall of 1966, with original drummer Alan Gratzer (who left REO in 1988). With the momentum of the live album, the band truly turned the corner on 1978s You Can Tune a Piano, but You Cant Tuna Fish. Material on this site is provided for purposes of education, criticism, commentary, cultural reporting, entertainment, historical reference, and news reporting/analysis. At one time, REO was part of a four-billed show which also included Bob Seger, Ted Nugent and Styx. amzn_assoc_asins = "B007V4QM78,B000066405,B00H7J8A68,B00138J9F0,B0069FCW9C,B000050IM9,B00004ZB26,B00701QUWO"; Adapted from the Lexington Herald-Leader (Kentucky) January 20, 1985. I think the main reason that I got the gig, was that REO had released one album, and they were working on songs for their second album for Epic Records. By late 1970, REO Speedwagon had finalised its first recording lineup with the addition of guitaristGary Richrathin place of Scorfina. So when I finished Cant Fight This Feeling, I realized that yeah, Ive gotta make this move. Ive gotta do what Im saying in this songIve got to make this happen. Neal Doughty Kevin Cronin Bruce Hall Dave Amato Bryan Hitt Many people think the current lead singer of REO Speedwagon is dead! Success in Rock music requires many long hours, hard work. Notably, these five band members have been together since 1989. before leaving during sessions for the 1973 follow-up. 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. Heavy Metal Wiki is a FANDOM Music Community. The response has been ridiculous, Cronin said with a smile. 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. The songs for that album had a certain cohesive nature to them. However, during the Second World War, REO produced a number of them under license from Studebaker. Its friggin awesome! Although the members of REO Speedwagon long considered themselves a high-energy rock band, they will be remembered forevermore as masters of the power ballad. Hi-Infidelity, and its disappointing follow-up, Good Trouble, which sent the group on one of its most exhaustive tours. Today, Doughty, Cronin, and Hall remain with the band; guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt have been in since 1989. I was really focused on my wife, my children and my homemy children are all in high school now. I was talking to someone today about how the opening line of a song is so important to me. Here is the Q&A interview with Kevin Cronin: DK: When did you join REO Speedwagon, andhow did you developa key role as the bands singer & songwriter? I appreciate the well-researched background story on REO Speedwagon here, and the links. To ensure a reliable supply of parts, he organized a number of subsidiary firms, like the National Coil Company, the Michigan Screw Company, and the Atlas Drop Forge Company. The latter I had tickets for June 2020 but had to have my $$ credited back due to the situation. But for me, I usually write the song first and then I find the title in the song. The Top 40 album was produced by Cronin and Richrath who also, together and individually, wrote the whole of the album (with one exception, Runnin Blind, co-written by Richrath and Debbie Mackron). The cause of death was not given. After gigging for a while, with Matt, Blair, and Grazter doing vocals, lead singer Terry Luttrell joined in 1968. DK: More recently, REO has released the album Find Your Own Way Home in 2007 and REOs Christmas album in 2009. There are some good cover band concerts next year for The Doors, Billy Joel, The Eagles, Pet Shop Boys and maybe some other favorites. When you start second guessing yourself, thats when you get lost. Beverly Rae Kimes, editor of the Standard Catalog of American Cars, terms the Royale "the most fabulous Reo of all". Cronin: I first joined the band in 1972. For some bands, success comes overnight. So when I came to Los Angeles I really wanted to feel the journey. If I can inspire any young songwriter with anything that Im saying today, thats probably the most important thing that Ive learned over the years. Needless to say, the energetic Cronin was speedier than normal during our 90-minute talk. 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. REO Speedwagon members Bruce Hall, Kevin Cronin and Dave Amato perform in 2018. I remember that I sat down on the floor of my bedroom, and I was literally almost in tears. Dont see anything coming up in 2022 yet, but am loving their new Crash of the Crown album from just earlier this year. Richrath is REOs lead guitarist and along with Cronin the principal creative force behind its music. [9] White then merged REO with Diamond T Trucks in 1967 to form Diamond Reo Trucks. Gary and I have gotten some new stuff together for the tour, as well as old tunes, Cronin said, then proceeded to digress. So it all kind of came true. DK: Which album was it, where you started to write a good amount of the songs for the group? [2] The pronunciation, however, was as a single word. I just couldnt get the courage up, to make that leap of vulnerability, to share with her that I had feelings for her that were more than friendship. And, he added after a moments pause, I guess it sort of is. Cronin: We talked about Music Manthat song has a very special place for me because it kind of got me the gig. University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Live: You Get What You Play For dropped in 1977, eventually selling a million copies and making the live version of Ridin the Storm Out a Hot 100 charter that is still played regularly on rock radio. Although he has never been one of REO Speedwagon's primary songwriters, Doughty has written or co-written several of the band's songs. I used to listen to the Beatles Rubber Soul albumI know that album inside and out. [3], By late 1970, REO Speedwagon had finalised its first recording lineup with the addition of guitarist Gary Richrath in place of Scorfina. I learned something from thisthat if you pay attention to the song, the song will tell you what it needs. I couldnt do it the real way that human beings communicate (laughs). [4], In 1915, Olds relinquished the title of general manager to his protg Richard H. Scott, and eight years later he ended his tenure as the company's presidency as well, retaining the position of chairman of the board. DK: A few years later, you followed up with another big ballad, Cant Fight This Feeling. Is this song perhaps the most popular song youve written? Gregg Philbin would become the bassist, and in 1970, the band added a legitimate guitar hero in Gary Richrath. ClickAmericana.com is made with and by Synchronista LLC 2011-2022. This week a month and a half later its moved up to 54 with a bullet and 61 with a bullet respectively in those same trade publications. The record company people told me to stick with the band, he said, then laughed. I wrote Keep On Loving You, Cant Fight This Feeling and Roll With The Changes on the piano. The band's lineup remained stable thereafter for more than ten years until Gratzer decided to retire in 1988, withGraham Learbrought in as his replacement. At the end of the performance, the emcee thanked "REO Speedway.". Band member and lead singer Kevin Cronin stressed about the announcer getting the name right. The vocalist was replaced byKevin Cronin, who performed on the group's second albumR.E.O./T.W.O. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; It was just that I needed to really identify where the heart and soul of this piece that I was working on was. Here, take a look back at the ups and downs of the career of this American rock group, with interviews and insights from the 70s and 80s. The opening line may be even more important than the title. They continued to work at the music, performing stage shows, touring, and recording. My favorite songs were Keep on Loving You and Messin Around. It also contains affiliate links in which we earn a fee from qualifying sales. We fired our producer halfway through, and Gary (Richrath) and I took over.. Philbin left the following year, withBruce Halltaking his place. I wanted to put any extra time that I hadobviously the band tours and thats very important to all of us. Dont second guess it. 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. He called John Boylan, a producer he liked, and asked whether, in that case, hed start over. The first track REO recorded featuring Bruce's vocals was Back On the Road Again from 1979, which was also a successful single . It was really my songs that got me the gig. Soon after, the band membership began to rotate quite a bit. For definitive proof, consider REO Speedwagon. Although it still managed to make the top-20 hits with the songs That Aint Love and In My Dreams. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. They are the only two remaining of five original band members. The band made an appearance in one episode of the Netflix series Ozark; the one guest-spot put four of the bands songs back on the Billboard rock chart in 2020. But now, even these more discriminating listeners are beginning to take notice of REO Speedwagon. Olds had 52% of the stock and the titles of president and general manager. Are you and the band working on a new studio album? But then looking back on it, and now seeing the impact that Cant Fight This Feeling has had on my life, the life of everyone in the REO Speedwagon family, the lives of people whom Ive never met all over the worldpeople have played that song at their weddings. The rest of the band went with it as their first advertisement went out in their school newspaper at a frat party, which later turned into a food fight. Now I see them any time they come near me just due to to the fact.they earned my ticket purchase. 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For REO Speedwagon, 1983 and 1984 were years to recoup from the huge success of its 1980 platinum album. Notably, both Cant Fight This Feeling and Keep On Loving You reached number one on Billboards Hot 100 singles chart, and became two of the most popular rock ballads of the 1980s. The company's name was spelled alternately in all capitals REO or with only an initial capital as Reo, and the company's own literature was inconsistent in this regard, with early advertising using all capitals, and later advertising using the "Reo" capitalization. Now that you know, have fun looking around! Honestly, when I finished that song, I was really youngI was 18 or 19 when I wrote that song. I didnt just want to jump on an airplaneit was too big of a move for me. Cronin: The first album that I made with them was an album called R.E.O./T.W.O., which was our second album. His most notable playing includes the Hammond organ solo on "Roll with the Changes" and the honky-tonk piano work on "157 Riverside Avenue". Music is a funny kind of business. Its the first weve done all by ourselves. REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; This was on the first day he and the rest of the band decided to look for a name. For You Can Tune a Piano in 1978, Cronin said, We had a bunch of songs: Roll with the Changes, Time for Me To Fly, Blazing Your Own Trail Again, Sing To Me, and we were cocky about it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); It could be that you are wondering whether you are in the right place. Thats my titlethats what this song is about. R.E.O. Were in tune with ourselves and I trust our taste. Its a blessing because Ive always got myself (laughs). The Ultimate Guideto Choose The Right Guitar Slide, The Ultimate Guide to Choose Guitar Picks. The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox! Cronin: Theres no real formula with it for me. The path to success is not often linear, and a band that knows that better than many is the multi-platinum band REO Speedwagon. We usually play as the opening act or as special guests, but this time were headlining.. However, with six albums under their belt, the band still believed they werent hitting their full potential with the audience. Theyre all home (and becoming) young adults. And when I had that realization, I went down to my piano room and I wrote the B section and the chorus in about 15 minutes. 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. So I called up and cancelled the songwriting session. He helped REO Speedwagon release five Platinum-selling hit albums, including Wheels Are Turnin'. The original REO Speedwagon vehicles & other classic REO cars and trucks. Note: ClickAmericana.com features authentic historical information, and is not intended to represent current best practices on any topic, particularly with regard to health and safety, but also in terms of outdated cultural depictions and social values. [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. So until their last LP, a long-overdue live set called You Get What You Play For, REO Speedwagon has carried the image of a second-rate boogie band whose most devoted fans would forget them shortly after the third-encore cheers had died away. Cronin: Well for me, songwriting has been kind of a solitary journey. Formed in 1967, the group originally included guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Blair, keyboardist Neal Doughty and drummer Alan Gratzer. Find REO Speedwagon Loveland tickets, appearing at Budweiser Events Center in Colorado on Nov 17, 2023 at 7:30 pm. [REO band member] Gary Richraththe late, great Gary Richrath who unfortunately passed away this past yearwas my partner in crime, so to speak. I guess our problem was that we were trying to carry on like nothing had changed. For others, however, the wait can last for years. Moreover, is the lead singer of REO Speedwagon married? When Gary (Richrath) heard that song, it signaled to him that I had some ability as a songwriter. The title line is, Cant you see, Ill always be a music man. It basically talked about my story in a song. I sat down and started playing those chordsthat was what the song came from. REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. It was keyboard player Neal Doughty who came up with the name, which embodied the rebellious spirit of Ransom Olds and also stood out . I feel songs are kind of the same way. As for that name periods included or not that, too, is rooted in a college education. In addition, his songs Roll With The Changes and Keep The Fire Burning have had an enduring impact, becoming rock anthems which convey positive and uplifting lyric themes. Learn how your comment data is processed. Thanks for visiting and for supporting a small business! 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." All rights reserved. before leaving during sessions for the 1973 follow-up. 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. Ransom E. Olds was an entrepreneur who founded multiple companies in the automobile industry. Cant wait to see them again its been 30 years going to freedom hall in old Johnson city end of Feb stay healthy gods speed. Right away, they formed a rock band. They also toured the UK arena circuit with Status Quo in December 2016. Cronin came back for 1976s R.E.O. (they used periods in those days) Speedwagon had been at it for a while when the band got its first shot at performing live on national TV. Its like a college diploma, Cronin said. On July 13, on the way to a show in Milwaukee, they made a stop in Philadelphia to perform at the US leg of Live Aid, which broke a record for number of viewers in person and TV. So I think that really helped for the album, that it felt like all the songs belonged together. In the fall of 1967, the group returned to campus; Doughty brought with him a Farfisa electronic organ. Hes a real sweet guy and hes written some big hit ballads, and we were supposed to co-write. Speedwagon, in 1971. By Bruce Meyer - Rushville Republican (Indiana) Nov 16, 1977 . 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. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; 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. Then as many of my songs do, I write them and then I kind of learn about myself when Im finished with them. 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. Songwriting and music has always been my savior in that way. Fast forward to 1968, Terry Luttrell became lead singer and Bob Crownover replaced Joe Matt on the guitar. He has written many classic hit songs for REO, including Cant Fight This Feeling, Keep On Loving You, Roll With The Changes, Keep The Fire Burnin, Time For Me To Fly, Dont Let Him Go, That Aint Love, Keep Pushin' and In My Dreams.. and has remained the lead vocalist ever since. We are pleased to do a new interview with Cronin, about how he wrote his classic REO songs, and his creative songwriting process. Fast forward to November 21, 1980, Epic Records released Hi Infidelity, which represented a change in sound that went from hard rock to pop-oriented music. Kevin and Lisa share the story of their storybook romance and secret to their successful 24-year marriage. A new concert series of them with Pat Benatar would be a smokin hot idea. Cronin: I would hope that the point [of this story is], when youre writing a song, you have to stick with your gut. Songs for which he is the sole composer include "Sky Blues" from 1974, "One Lonely Night" from 1984 and "Variety Tonight" from 1987. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. By Richard Sherwood, Valley News-Sun (Van Nuys, California) April 10, 1977. The famous Barnum & Bailey Circus exhibited sideshow performers, Tiny Tim and Tom Thumb, driving a scaled-down version of the 1906 Reo Model-A Light Touring Car known as the "Baby Reo". The subjects that we were writing about were what was going on in our lives, since we were all in the same boat in a lot of ways. 50 years; my goodness. So the earlier songs were given a second chance as a result of the Hi Infidelity album. DK: Thats a great story about how you wrote Cant Fight This Feeling. Thank you.
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