Thanks for visiting and for supporting a small business! You can upload: image. I appreciate the well-researched background story on REO Speedwagon here, and the links. We are pleased to do a new interview with Cronin, about how he wrote his classic REO songs, and his creative songwriting process. In 1905 Olds left Oldsmobile and established a new company, REO Motor Car Company, in Lansing, Michigan. So I called up and cancelled the songwriting session. He was first chosen as the second lead singer of REO Speedwagon at age twenty in 1971. This happens in any artistic endeavor. 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. Their album Hi Infidelity received the Diamond Award for official U.S. sales of over 10 million copies. So well seethis year should be interesting. With the tour titled Storming the U.S., tickets for the opening night show in Milwaukee sold out in two days. The REO versions of the truck had some changes, such as different door handles and a more powerful engine. The original REO Speedwagon vehicles & other classic REO cars and trucks. So when I came to Los Angeles I really wanted to feel the journey. Rock on REO SPEEDWAGON. [2] Bob Crownover took over as the band's guitarist, but was replaced after a brief tenure by Bill Fiorio and later Steve Scorfina. It was actually Doughty who first followed Gratzers band, listening to them play songs. As of late, its received quite a bit of FM airplay, and the latest LP, a live two-record set, entered the Rock World record chart at 160 with a bullet, and Cashboxs at 186 with a bullet. At one time, REO was part of a four-billed show which also included Bob Seger, Ted Nugent and Styx. 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. 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. R.E.O. Whats up with the band REO Speedwagon these days? I felt like I had a fever and my stomach hurt. After he joined, their popularity began to explode throughout the Midwest. DK: Which album was it, where you started to write a good amount of the songs for the group? To properly celebrate such a momentous, golden milestone in the history of the band, Styxworld speaks exclusively to co-founding members James JY Young and Chuck Panozzo as well as guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw, keyboardist/vocalist Lawrence Gowan, drummer Todd Sucherman, bassist/vocalist Ricky Phillips, and . Im finding myself waking up in the middle of the night with ideas, and writing them down and recording them. Cant Fight This Feeling would hit #1 in 1984. lead singer of reo speedwagon. 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? Copyright 2023 Saturday Evening Post Society. But when Good Trouble came out a year later, the reception was considerably cooler. I feel songs are kind of the same way. [3], From 1915 to 1925, under Scott's direction, REO remained profitable. I just really felt like it was a two-person job [this past year] more than ever. They perform about 100 dates a year. [8][9] Philbin left the following year, with Bruce Hall taking his place. Who gives the best guitar lessons on YouTube? Success in Rock music requires many long hours, hard work. Bob Crownover took over as the band's guitarist, but was replaced after a brief tenure byBill Fiorioand later Steve Scorfina. and has remained the lead vocalist ever since. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. So on the last day of school that year, band guitarist Joe Matt called the leader and informed him that he, Gratzer and Mike Blair chose to leave and join a new one with Doughty. [3], In April 1927, Reo introduced the Wolverine brand of cars as a companion model to the Flying Cloud. Who are the original members of REO Speedwagon? The sound of the band keeps a rock steady tone that you cannot deny. His first track written for REO was Lost In A Dream from 1974 (co-wrote with Mike Murphy). 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. [2] The pronunciation, however, was as a single word. Richrath also left early the next year, with Miles Joseph filling in for a show beforeDave Amatotook over in May. head trip escape into THEIR world right about now. When you start second guessing yourself, thats when you get lost. But I was looking at the discography of your hits, and I noticed that you wrote your biggest hits by yourself. Before REO Speedwagon was formed, Neal Doughty had entered the electrical engineering program as a junior in 1966. [4] The band also briefly added saxophonist Joe McCabe and trumpeter Marty Shepard to its lineup in 1968. Their compilation album, The Hits, included Here With Me and I Dont Want to Love You, but unfortunately after that, they lost Gary Richrath and Alan Gratzer. I wrote Time For Me To Fly on the guitarmost of my songs I write on the acoustic guitar. But it would be fun to have some success as a co-writer. These singles were on the charts for over a year, selling over 10 million copies. I just needed a mental break. Whats your opinion of this band? "157 Riverside Avenue" (Uploaded to YouTube by REO Speedwagon) R.E.O. 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. There are some good cover band concerts next year for The Doors, Billy Joel, The Eagles, Pet Shop Boys and maybe some other favorites. The group that formed in Chicago played the mid-60s clubs dates for some time, then branched out into the concert circuit throughout the Midwest. So to me, my experience has been that my strongest songs are the ones where it all kind of happens at once. That's not true, it's REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath who has died. Formed in 1967, the group originally included drummer and backing vocalist Alan Gratzer, guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and lead vocalist Mike Blair, and keyboardist Neal Doughty. Before they met, Gratzer was a drummer in high school and played in a local group on the weekends while Doughty was studying the Beatles songs closely using his parents piano. We really needed one a long time ago. Back in the day of the album, that was very important. (Brandon Nagy / Shutterstock), Become a Saturday Evening Post member and enjoy unlimited access. So I think that really helped for the album, that it felt like all the songs belonged together. Its like the stars lining up. The following semester of 1967, they had their rehearsals before classes started, naming the band REO Speedwagon. Hi Infidelity blew the doors off the joint and people went back and discovered (early albums like) You Can Tune a Piano, But You Cant Tuna Fish and discovered R.E.O/T.W.O, and all the songs on those albums. 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. Could use a Which Ones Pink? 1912 REO advertisement. The band formed in the autumn of 1967 by Neal Doughty and Alan Gratzer. I literally woke up in the middle of the night and I had these three, simple piano chords going through my head. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Were going in, says Cronin, in a totally different way. So I wanted to drive. If music and guitar has never been part of your interests then this site may change your view and be a music lover. So I sat there and looked at my lyric notebook and if you think about it, the opening line of the song is I cant fight this feeling any longer. That was likeBingo! I could have very easily followed that fear that I had about that title and thought Oh Man, I better not call it this, because of some commercial concern. DK: More recently, REO has released the album Find Your Own Way Home in 2007 and REOs Christmas album in 2009. And wallah! Which instrument do you prefer to write songs on? 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! Bass Guitar / Lead & Harmony Vocals 1978-present. Music is a funny kind of business. REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Most of these businesses failed and the company was bankrupt again by 1966. But who are the original members of REO Speedwagon? He notes the piano track to "Can't Fight This Feeling" was his most difficult studio performance, but is now his favorite part of live concerts. One album I know I "bought" from the Columbia House Record and Tape Club was REO Speedwagon's 1978 classic,You Can Tune a Piano But You Can't Tuna Fish.There are . Subscribe now. Basically, the only songs I can play on piano are those that I wrote (he laughs). A new concert series of them with Pat Benatar would be a smokin hot idea. The band itself has never left the road, hitting the tour circuit with ongoing regularity. On the very first night, he met who would be his lifetime friend and bandmate, Alan Gratzer, and the two held an impromptu jam session in the basement of their Illinois Street Residence Hall dorm. amzn_assoc_asins = "B007V4QM78,B000066405,B00H7J8A68,B00138J9F0,B0069FCW9C,B000050IM9,B00004ZB26,B00701QUWO"; Adapted from the Lexington Herald-Leader (Kentucky) January 20, 1985. In 1971, REO Speedwagon signed a contract with Epic Records. [1] Formed in 1967, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. Instead, were lumped in with heavy metal groups, and were not like Angel Oh yeh, another Kiss band., Its our own fault, I guess, he continued, because we lost perspective of our strong points., ALSO SEE: Even back in 75, people knew Bruce Springsteen was something special, Those strengths, according to Cronin, center around the energy REO generates during a live performance. Richrath was 65. At one point, the company also manufactured buses on its truck platforms. Wed fight over whose tunes would go on an album, how loud each instrument should be, how each instrumental line should be played (as to style and attack). Fast forward to 1968, Terry Luttrell became lead singer and Bob Crownover replaced Joe Matt on the guitar. 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. REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. DK: Besides some of your big hits, what are some of your songs that are your favorites? They continued to work at the music, performing stage shows, touring, and recording. Speedwagon through 2009's Not So Silent Night . The record company people told me to stick with the band, he said, then laughed. 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? 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. 2023 American Profile, All Rights Reserved. REO Speedwagon is the epitome of a hard-working band that keeps showing up for the fans. In the big business that is rock in its third decade, it takes a lot more than hard work to succeed. When we play those songs, you can just feel the energy in the room light up. Cronin: I was kind of a late bloomer with the ladies. The Model 8-31 was priced at $2,145. Formed in 1967, the group originally included guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Blair, keyboardistNeal Doughtyand drummer Alan Gratzer. So that was the song that kind of got it going. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; They performed Cant Fight This Feeling and Roll With the Changes which featured a few members from the Beach Boys, their families and Paul Shaffer for backing vocals. The band also briefly added saxophonist Joe McCabe and trumpeter Marty Shepard to its lineup in 1968. 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." Ive sat down with peopleIve written with some great writers in Nashville, and for whatever reason, none of those songs have really panned out. Bruce Hall joined REO Speedwagon after the You Get What You Play For tour. It was the first song where I thought, Wow, I kind of like this song (laughs). Although he has never been one of REO Speedwagon's primary songwriters, Doughty has written or co-written several of the band's songs. 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. In 1975, this company filed for bankruptcy and most of its assets were liquidated. But for me, I usually write the song first and then I find the title in the song. Formed in 1966, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. Starting bid: US $6.99 [ 0 bids] Shipping: $6.45 Economy . Cronin: I cant say that we felt that. Needless to say, the energetic Cronin was speedier than normal during our 90-minute talk. [8], The 1931 Reo Royale was a trendsetting design, introducing design elements that were a precedent for true automotive streamlining in the American market. It was a change in direction that would lead to the defining successes of their career. Mike Murphy took over and recordedRidin' the Storm Out,Lost in a DreamandThis Time We Mean It, but was replaced by a returning Cronin in 1976. In the Television series "Murdoch Mysteries", This page was last edited on 9 January 2023, at 19:43. But I remember when I just struggling to figure it out and the journey that a song takes is so remarkable and thinking back as a young songwriter, I remember that Keep Pushin' was the first song that I actually wrote that I thought Yeah, I could hear this on the radio. If it came on the radio, I dont think I would turn the channel (laughs). Last year, we called our tour the Family First Tour. Their keyboard player was the leader, but the others wanted out. The band from Illinois has managed to, yes, roll with the changes for more than five decades. Required fields are marked *, Attachments The maximum upload file size: 260 MB. Cronin: Ive written songs on both, honestly. 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. Its like a college diploma, Cronin said. Copyright 2023 About the 80s. You can also get our free newsletter, follow us on Facebook & Pinterest. I couldnt do it the real way that human beings communicate (laughs). He will still appear at select shows in the future. The cause of death has not yet been determined.. Id just started to write a couple little silly songs. This may sound weird after everything else, but this tour is turning out to be our best yet, Cronin said. Take, for example, the biography of REO Speedwagon. Its friggin awesome! 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. [15]Since the end of Harms's brief tenure with the group, REO Speedwagon has retained a consistent lineup of Kevin Cronin, Dave Amato, Bruce Hall, Neal Doughty and Bryan Hitt. Whenever any two people work closely together it brings about a sort of creative tension. Required fields are marked *. Gary and I have gotten some new stuff together for the tour, as well as old tunes, Cronin said, then proceeded to digress. Their popularity began to decline in the late 1980s, but they still perform at summer festivals today. In early 1972, shortly after the release of the band'sself-titled debut album, Luttrell left REO Speedwagon following a disagreement with Richrath. [17] Members [ edit] Current [ edit] Former [ edit] Timeline [ edit] At a 2013 benefit, the band was joined on stage by Richrath for the first time since the 1980s. He helped REO Speedwagon release five Platinum-selling hit albums, including Wheels Are Turnin'. Free shipping for many products! Roll With The Changes was personally about me moving from Chicago to L.A.I was quite literally rolling with the changes. Cronin: Yeah, I think so. But with [Music Man] I thought, Hmmmthis song had structure to it, it has a nice feel to it, there were some nice rhymes in it. It just so happens that the album came out when I was in junior high school. Then of course, you refine it from there. So it all kind of came true. At the end of the performance, the emcee thanked "REO Speedway.". That next studio collection is the key to REOs precarious success and the boys in the band know it better than anyone.
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