But for me, I usually write the song first and then I find the title in the song. Its friggin awesome! . It seemed like we had been working 24 hours a day since Hi-Infidelity had come out, and even after its success, all I could think of was writing new songs. 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. His first track written for REO was Lost In A Dream from 1974 (co-wrote with Mike Murphy). before leaving during sessions for the 1973 follow-up. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; 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. [1] Currently, he is using synths made by Korg and Yamaha and tours with a Hammond B3 organ routed through Leslie speaker cabinets. Neal Doughty Kevin Cronin Bruce Hall Dave Amato Bryan Hitt Many people think the current lead singer of REO Speedwagon is dead! But You Get turned out to be the record REO had needed all along four sides of crackling power that will probably rank as the years best live collection. 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. I guess our problem was that we were trying to carry on like nothing had changed. Thats not to say they never willsongs have a way of surfacing in the future sometimes. Although he has never been one of REO Speedwagon's primary songwriters, Doughty has written or co-written several of the band's songs. Unlike so many of the undeserving in the entertainment industry, theyre out there giving it their all. Which instrument do you prefer to write songs on? For the good ones, the inspiration is usually a pretty big piece of the song. It just has this huge history to it. 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. Marty Shepard also came in as trumpet player with Joe McCabe playing the saxophone until he moved to Southern Illinois University. Official YouTube channel for REO Speedwagon. He called John Boylan, a producer he liked, and asked whether, in that case, hed start over. DK: So what were you thinking about, when you wrote Cant Fight This Feeling? Its like a college diploma, Cronin said. REO Speedwagon members Bruce Hall, Kevin Cronin and Dave Amato perform in 2018. [3] Blair left a few months after Matt, with Gregg Philbin taking his place. 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. So the answers to those other questions are separate topics, but here I wanted to explain just where REO Speedwagon got their name. CBS had a big convention in London. The Model 8-31 was priced at $2,145. Paul Leka, record producer, brought the band to his recording studio in Bridgeport, CT where it recorded original material for the first album, which included Richrath, Gratzer, Dought, Philbin and Luttrell. 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. 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. At one time, REO was part of a four-billed show which also included Bob Seger, Ted Nugent and Styx. Your email address will not be published. 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. Whenever any two people work closely together it brings about a sort of creative tension. However, with six albums under their belt, the band still believed they werent hitting their full potential with the audience. [4] The band also briefly added saxophonist Joe McCabe and trumpeter Marty Shepard to its lineup in 1968. "During dress rehearsal, they introduced us as Reo Speedwagon," said Cronin, as reported by Rolling Stone. Last year, we called our tour the Family First Tour. And wallah! Fifty years after their first album, they remain a touring draw that can find new audiences in unexpected ways. 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. Here with Me from 1988 (Uploaded to YouTube by REO Speedwagon). "There are actually quite a few people who can say they were members of REO," according to Gratzer. REO Speedwagon (originally styled as R.E.O. We are pleased to do a new interview with Cronin, about how he wrote his classic REO songs, and his creative songwriting process. As the story is told most often, Doughty is credited with coming up with the group's name. From early struggles and line-up changes to major successes and seemingly endless touring, the group from Champaign, Illinois has been riding out the storm of rock for over five decades. REO Speedwagon performing live in 2010 (top) and 2016 (bottom). REO Speedwagon has recorded 16 studio albums which have sold a total of more than 40 million units. [REO band member] Gary Richraththe late, great Gary Richrath who unfortunately passed away this past yearwas my partner in crime, so to speak. 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. Were in tune with ourselves and I trust our taste. In 1971, REO Speedwagon signed a contract with Epic Records. Cronin left, paving the way for Michael Bryan Murphy; Murphy filled the frontman slot for three records. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vinyl Album, REO Speedwagon/"Life As We Know It", Original 1987 Release at the best online prices at eBay! REO Speedwagon has recorded 16 studio albums which have sold a total of more than 40 million units. 50 years; my goodness. But unlike the latter three, REO has been unable to garner support out of that regionalized base. [3], From 1915 to 1925, under Scott's direction, REO remained profitable. The latter two songs charted as Billboard singles, with "One Lonely Night" cracking the top 20. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Its amazing when I walk out on stage and start playing one of the songs I wrote and 10,000 people stand up and start singing along, says lead singer Cronin, 62, who wrote their No. But I think it served its purpose because people at the record company heard it, REO Speedwagon fans heard itif they didnt hear it on the radio they heard us playing it live. It is estimated that REO produced around 20,000 of these trucks and, unlike the original Studebaker trucks which were also used by the United States, the REO versions were only for export to the Soviet Union. 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). amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; DK: I think Keep Pushin' is one of the great songs from REOs early years, and maybe if it was released later in the mid-80s when the band was so hot, it could have been another big hit. Most Studebaker US6 trucks were built by Studebaker. Were going in, says Cronin, in a totally different way. So now were gonna record from noon until 7 oclock at night, and when we come in, were gonna be awake. Speedwagon" written across the blackboard when he walked into the classroom. The band would continue to juxtapose rock numbers and power ballads to great success, much like contemporaries Styx and Journey. See original listing. Shortly thereafter, the rising tides of hip-hop and alternative rock marked a shift in musical taste, and a number of long-time bands faced commercial difficulties. I used to think we had to play fast, loud and hard all the time. Tools Ridin' the Storm Out is the third studio album by REO Speedwagon, released in 1973. ""It's R-dot-E-dot-O-dot Speed-wagon REO Speedwagon!" In the fall of 1967, the group returned to campus; Doughty brought with him a Farfisa electronic organ. Most of these businesses failed and the company was bankrupt again by 1966. I was kind of a late bloomermusic was my vehicle. The album spawned four hit singles that were written by Cronin and Richwrath, including Keep On Loving you (Cronin), Take It on the Run(Richrath), In Your Letter (Richrath) and Dont Let Him Go (Cronin). We still get mad at each other sometimes, but we work it out. ""It's R-dot-E-dot-O-dot Speed-wagon REO Speedwagon!" The announcer sort of got it right. 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. After he joined, their popularity began to explode throughout the Midwest. He's appeared on 16 studio albums with the band, from 1971's R.E.O. Cronin: That song, coincidentally, was number one 35 years ago from right now. The album contained four Top 40 hits: Keep On Loving You and Dont Let Him Go (written by Cronin), plus Take It On The Run and In Your Letter (written by lead guitarist Gary Richrath, who left REO in 1989 and sadly passed away in 2015). 1 hits Keep on Loving You and Cant Fight This Feeling., Celebrity Q&A, Featured Article, Where Are They Now, https://americanprofile.com/articles/where-are-they-now-reo-speedwagon-video/, https://americanprofile.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/reo-speedwagon-150x150.jpg. R.M.Owens & Co. A 1919 REO Motor Car Company Advertisement. Theyre great in concert too. [17] Members [ edit] Current [ edit] Former [ edit] Timeline [ edit] 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. 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. [3], Perhaps the most famous REO episode was the 1912 Trans-Canada journey. Music is a funny kind of business. 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. Required fields are marked *, Attachments The maximum upload file size: 260 MB. Doughty and Gratzer were constants, but the bass and guitar slots changed frequently. I used to listen to the Beatles Rubber Soul albumI know that album inside and out. In 1954, the company was still underperforming, and sold its vehicle manufacturing operations (the primary asset of the company) to the Bohn Aluminum and Brass Corporation of Detroit. Weve been a team through the years, For a while, we were almost in competition, he admitted. ALSO SEE: Peter Frampton tells how he finally found success with Frampton Comes Alive! (1976). If you liked this article, please share it! 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. Free shipping for many products! They frequently team with other veteran rockers like Pat Benatar, Styx, .38 Special, and Chicago. So I think that really helped for the album, that it felt like all the songs belonged together. Then as many of my songs do, I write them and then I kind of learn about myself when Im finished with them. 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. Youre with another person, youre bouncing ideas around and I enjoy that. Designed by Battle Creek, Michigan, newspaper editor J.H. Brown, the automobile included a drop-down sleeping extension, a built-in gas cooking range, and a refrigerator. You can upload: image. 2023 American Profile, All Rights Reserved. 2. REO remains a popular live band which tours steadily throughout the U.S. and worldwide. They perform about 100 dates a year. 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 Royale rode upon factory wheelbases of 131 inches (3,300mm) (Model 8-31) and 135 inches (3,400mm) (Model 8-35); a 1932 custom version rode upon a 152-inch (3,900mm) wheelbase (Model 8-52). Can Kevin Cronin still sing? I try to stick with the inspiration, and keep as much of that initial burst of creativity in the song as I possibly can. 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. . As time went on, and my buddy broke up with her, we still remained friends. By 1907, REO had gross sales of $4.5 million, and the company was one of the four wealthiest automobile manufacturers in the U.S. After 1908, however, despite the introduction of improved cars designed by Olds, REO's share of the automobile market decreased due in part to competition from emerging companies like Ford and General Motors. But I was probably over halfway finished with Cant Fight This Feeling, and I felt that it was something special. The original members of REO Speedwagon are: Kevin Cronin on lead vocals, rhythm guitar, and occasionally piano Neal Doughty on keyboard Alan Gratzer on drums, percussion, and backing vocals Gregg Philbin on bass and backing vocals How did REO Speedwagon get its name? REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Ended: Apr 27, 2023. When you talk about (the line) I once had a girl, or should I say, she once had me, the opening line from Norwegian Wood, which is arguably the greatest opening line in the history of songwriting. What did you like about REO Speedwagon? Then on the day that Eric and I were supposed to co-write, I literally woke up that morning and I felt like I had the flu. Bass Guitar / Lead & Harmony Vocals 1978-present. Luttrell departed in 1972 and was replaced for one album by Kevin Cronin. The cause of death was not given. Gary Richrath, the REO Speedwagon guitarist who wrote some of the bands biggest hits, including Take It on the Run and In Your Letter, died Sunday, according to a post by REO lead singer Kevin Cronin. guitarist Gary Richrath Thats my titlethats what this song is about. 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. So I was quite literally and figuratively rolling with the changes (laughs). Right away, they formed a rock band. 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. Who are the original members of REO Speedwagon? The record company people told me to stick with the band, he said, then laughed. [3], By late 1970, REO Speedwagon had finalised its first recording lineup with the addition of guitarist Gary Richrath in place of Scorfina. We circled our wagons and started making some changes We changed everything except the record company. Three years later, in 1957, Reo's vehicle manufacturing operation became a subsidiary of the White Motor Company. metlife stadium seating view, hello rache typing test,