I think that fame and the riches that come with it can also bring out the demons in people. Maybe too much, Your lyrics in that song are at times venomous: You played dead/But you never bled/Instead you lay still in the grass/All coiled up and hissin. Oh, yeah. We played a lot of originals but also covered songs that at the time were underground: Buffalo Springfield, Moby Grape, the folk-rock thing. So when they fired me it was more of a relief than anything else. Ridin' the storm out \rWaitin' for the thaw out\rOn a full moon night \rin the rocky mountain winter\r\rMy wine bottle's low \rwatching for the snow\rThinking 'bout \rwhat I'm missing in the city\r\r(chorus)\rAnd I'm not missin' a thing\rWatchin' the full moon crossin' the range\rRidin' the storm out\rRidin' the storm out\rRidin' the storm out\rRidin' the storm out\r\rMy lady's beside me \rshe's there to guide me\rShe says that alone \rwe've finally found our home\r\rThe wind outside is frightning\rBut it's kinder than the \rlightning life in the city\rIt's a hard life to live \rbut it gives back what you give\r\r(chorus)\r\rRidin' the storm out \rWaitin' for the thaw out\rOn a full moon night \rin the rocky mountain winter\r\rMy wine bottle's low \rwatching for the snow\rThinking 'bout \rwhat I've been missing in the city\r\r(chorus) We realised we needed each other at right around the same moment. Richrath was a Peoria, Illinois-based guitarist and prolific songwriter who brought fresh original compositions. Michael Murphy is the former keyboard player and lead singer for REO Speedwagon from 1973-76. Fiorio then departed in late 1969, eventually assuming the name Duke Tumatoe, and went on to form the All Star Frogs. All rights reserved. Oh yeah. Thats where it all coalesced for us. We all spent money on various stupid things. But hey, the song did okay! Lets go! So thats kind of where the rift began. But in defence of my over-use of the rhyme, I wrote that chorus in 15 minutes. In a 2001 episode of VH1's Behind the Music series that focused on REO Speedwagon, Cronin and Richrath cleared up any misconceptions of ill will existing between either camp and voiced approval of a possible reunion in the future. Post Malone came up with "White Iverson" after getting braids in his hair and thinking they looked like basketball legend Allen Iverson's signature cornrows. The Ottawa Rough Riders claimed him as a territorial exemption in the 1977 CFL Draft.In his first CFL season he rushed for 871 yards and caught 48 passes for another 483 yards, winning him the Frank . When he met Delilah DiCrescenzo, Plain White T's lead singer Tom Higgenson told her he'd write a song about her, and came up with the first verse of "Hey There Delilah" on the spot. So I blew my voice out. How does it feel to have written the No.1 song in America? All user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. REO Speedwagon toured the US in 1985, including a sold-out concert in Madison, Wisconsin in May. Profile: Rock band from Champaign, Illinois, USA. Richrath was a Peoria, Illinois-based guitarist and prolific songwriter who brought fresh original material to the band. The keyboard player was the leader, but several other band members were unhappy with the situation. Over the course of its career, the band has sold more than 40 million records and has charted thirteen Top 40 hits, including the number ones "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling". The song refers to the band being stuck in a harsh winter blizzard after a show in Boulder, Colorado, at a bar named Tulagi (now closed). 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). Some of the early singles barely qualified for the Hot 100, while some of the latter-day hits made no waves outside of the Mainstream Rock charts, which means that they are relatively unheard by the pop audience that loved Hi Infidelity and "Can't Fight This Feeling." Was there a pivotal moment in the making of Hi Infidelity? Is there another album in the works? He has been touring lately with Pete Anderson. [21] The band toured the US with Styx and Don Felder on the "United We Rock" tour, debuting June 20, 2017, at the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater. With Doughty's retirement from touring being announced in January 2023, Derek Hilland has been filling-in for Doughty live since January 2023. They are popular on the fair and casino circuits, but still team with other acts to play larger venues. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Met Michael Murphy and saw him play keyboards with ONE-EYED JACKS several times before he was a member of REO. That, I think, is what Im most proud of. REO Speedwagon continued to tour in the back half of the 2010s, often teaming up on bills featuring Styx and Chicago. 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. REO Speedwagon (originally stylized as R.E.O. This becomes a bonding moment for the two characters, who were previously enemies in the "Karate Kid" movies. The line is from an Ajax commercial where a white knight rides around destroying dirt. There was no other choice for me. 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. He then recorded two more albums with them, Lost in a Dream and This Time We Mean It . And after the show, someone laid out an item that was about the size of a cue ball it was the same colour as a cue ball as well and I respectfully declined. All five of us suffered, some more than others. On his first night of classes, he met fellow student Alan Gratzer. Mike Blair (1967 - 1968) Mike Murphy (1973 - 1976) Miles Joseph (1989 - 1989) Neal Doughty (1967 - present) Steve Scorfina (1969 - 1970) Terry Luttrell (1968 - 1972) REO Speedwagon (originally styled as R.E.O. The album title. It just appeared there on the paper. Three bands were the undisputed arena rock kings of the early '80s -- Styx, Journey, and REO Speedwagon -- yet all weren't overnight success stories (in fact, each group initially pursued different musical styles -- prog rock, fusion, and straight-ahead hard rock, respectively, before transforming slowly into chart-topping mainstream rockers). Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic. 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. Murphy stayed onboard for a couple of more releases -- 1974's Lost in a Dream and 1975's This Time We Mean It -- but neither managed to push REO to the next level. You had already recorded vocals for Ridin The Storm Out, but new singer, Mike Murphy re-cut your parts. Vannelli also performed additional piano, Hammond organ, and synthesizer on the 2007 album. [4] Cronin recorded one album with the band, 1972's R.E.O./T.W.O. I dont know that anyone could have foreseen what was gonna happen with that record. But as a band, we bought an oil well in Southern Illinois [laughs]. . And Gary probably didnt expect the band to do very well without him either. In early 1968, Terry Luttrell became lead singer, and Bob Crownover joined as the guitar player, replacing Matt. REO Speedwagon's mainstream popularity waned in the late 1980s, but the band remains a popular live act. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Leon Huffman from Casey, Il I saw REO Speedwagon several times in the 70's and they were great. [15] In mid-2010, the band then touring with Pat Benatar announced that it would release a 30th anniversary deluxe edition reissue of Hi Infidelity.[16]. Did you have as much input on that song as he did with Keep On Loving You? When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception. He then recorded two more albums with them, Lost in a Dream and This Time We Mean It. Ridin' the storm out Waitin' for the thaw outOn a full moon night in the rocky mountain winterMy wine bottle's low watching for the snowThinking 'bout what I. The title refers to the address in Westport, Connecticut, where the band stayed while recording in Leka's studio in Bridgeport. Still fronted by longtime vocalist Cronin, currently the only original member in the 21st century touring lineup is keyboardist Neil Doughty. Principal Members (1971)Gary Richrath - GuitarAlan Gratzer - Drums Gregg Philbin - BassTerry Luttrell - VocalsMike Murphy - Vocals, Current LineupKevin Cronin - Lead Vocals, Rhythm GuitarDave Amato - Lead Guitar, VocalsBruce Hall - Bass Guitar, VocalsNeal Doughty - KeyboardsBryan Hitt - Drums, Percussion. It needed that nasty guitar tone. He has written liner notes for classic album reissues by artists such as Def Leppard, Thin Lizzy and Kiss, and currently works as content editor for Total Guitar. Richrath and Gratzer was replaced by Miles Joseph and Graham Lear, Cronin's band members from jazz ensemble called "The Strolling Dudes". Richrath died in September 2015 at the age of 65. Though it did not chart as an album, it produced two singles which appeared on Billboard's Adult Contemporary radio chart. Lightly textured cover with matte/uncoated finish Inner sleeve includes lyrics and band logo Later pressing from the mid-70s have a PE prefix, such as REO Speedwagon - Ridin' The Storm Out 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. Further underappreciated studio releases followed, such as 1990's The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken and 1996's Building the Bridge. Both men begin nodding their heads to the song, and Johnny, with some amount of surprise, says to Daniel, "You like Speedwagon?" REO Speedwagon albums and discography on AllMusic including all best, old, and new album information. This Time We Mean It is the fifth studio album by REO Speedwagon, released in 1975. Did you have to work shitty jobs before you joined REO? An advertisement in the school newspaper produced their first job, a fraternity party that turned into a food fight. At 14 I was in bands with kids a few years older. At that moment, I thought: If Im turning this down, I think Im done with this stuff!. Guitar came pretty easily to me because I had a natural sense of rhythm. It was some years ago when we were touring in South America. And in the late 80s, as the bands popularity declined, it was Cronin who kept REO afloat following the departure of two key members guitarist Gary Richrath and drummer Alan Gratzer. After touring for several years, the Richrath band released Only the Strong Survive in 1992 on the GNP Crescendo label. Notably, these five band members have been together since 1989. [4] Depending upon which member is expressing an opinion, it was either because Philbin was disenchanted with the new corporate-structure REO where Cronin and Richrath got bigger slices of the pie instead of the equal credit they once shared as a "garage band", or that he was asked to leave over his lifestyle issues affecting the music quality. 19731978Diana Verom. Artist descriptions on Last.fm are editable by everyone. Formed in 1966, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. Our Properties. No. You recorded an album with the band in 1972, R.E.O./T.W.O. REO went into decline in the late 80s. It was pretty cohesive for a 14 year old! Find Your Own Way Home, the band's first studio album of new songs in more than ten years, featured Cronin along with founding member Neal Doughty on keyboards, longtime bassist Bruce Hall, and '80s additions Amato and Hitt. He is the author of several books including the first biography of Guns N Roses and the autobiography of bodyguard-to-the-stars Danny Francis. He also performed drums at soundchecks when Bryan was running late. The '90s saw the emergence of countless REO compilations, including such titles as The Second Decade of Rock n' Roll: 1981 to 1991, Only the Strong Survive, The Ballads, and a specially priced three-disc set of Live: You Get What You Play For, You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish, and Hi Infidelity. The title track would later become a hit for the band on their live album, after Cronin had returned to the band. Sure. This lineup also released an unabashed record of Christmas songs in 2009, titled Not So Silent Night. I think those bands are awesome. Greg never recorded/toured with the band, but rehearsed. Shortly after his departure, Richrath assembled former members of the Midwestern band Vancouver to form a namesake band, Richrath. AllMusic. [9] On July 13, on the way to a show in Milwaukee, the band made a stop in Philadelphia to play at the US leg of Live Aid, which broke a record for number of viewers. Rather than pronouncing REO as a single word as the motor company did, they chose to spell out the name with the individual letters each pronounced ("R-E-O"). Its been a wild ride, its had its ups and downs, but here we are today, and hopefully we can inspire people to never give up, to stay vibrant and to keep your dreams alive. The last one we made was Find Your Way Home in 2008. So whats next for you and REO Speedwagon? Back up singers Carla Day and Melanie Jackson were also added. Speedwagon) is an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Ridin' the Storm Out was completed with Michael Bryan Murphy on the microphone. Families impacted by the storm and first responders sat near the stage for this special REO concert. Thankfully, the honchos at Epic believed in us. Ill take the credit [laughs]. Between 1973 and 1975, Murphy would go on to record three albums with REO. 'Terry Luttrell & Mike Murphy' 'Kevin Cronin' '78 7 "You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish" , '80 9 "Hi Infidelity" . Graham Lear Gregg Philbin Jesse Harms Michael Murphy Mike Blair Terry Luttrell . Take It On The Run and Keep On Loving You were pretty much the same story but from different perspectives. Kevin first joined REO Speedwagon in 1972 for the album R.E.O./T.W.O. Mike Murphy, REO Speedwagon's lead singer from 1973 -1975 is still recovering after being hit by a car while riding his bike. But it was a really important song for me, very personal. Many of their hits were inspired by the ups and downs of the band members' relationships. Real Name: R.E.O. "When the Hi Infidelity album came out in 1980 we made a career changing tactical error," he says. Hi Infidelity (1980) contained four US Top 40 hits and is the group's best-selling album, with over ten million copies sold. You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish, The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken, The Second Decade of Rock n' Roll: 1981 to 1991. On his first night, he met another student, Alan Gratzer. By the early '70s, Doughty and Gratzer had welcomed aboard guitarist Gary Richrath, who would soon prove to be the group's spark plug (and one of rock's more underrated players), in addition to bassist Gregg Philbin and singer Terry Luttrell. Kevin Cronin earned his net worth as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the band REO Speedwagon.Kevin Cronin Net Worth. Doughty had seen the name written across the blackboard when he walked into his History of Transportation class on the very first day they had decided to . With interest at an all-time low, REO were set to pack it up for good until a sudden wave of renewed interest in classic rock bands of yesteryear began to sweep the U.S. during the late '90s, resulting in REO launching successful co-headlining tours alongside such acts as Styx, Fleetwood Mac, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Journey, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Bad Company, among others. We were flying around in our own airplane and we lived the life. [4] That same year, the band moved to Los Angeles. Bath For the first time in your life, you were making serious money. From the beginning, our mantra was in those songs: Ridin The Storm Out, Keep Pushin, Roll With The Changes. 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. But there was never bad blood between us, and I kept in contact with the band. Then I saw The Beatles and it all made sense. But Im still writing some pretty cool stuff. Gregg Philbin died on October 24, 2022.[27]. The Cronin-led lineup appeared to be headed in the right direction though, judging from 1972's R.E.O. but left the band during the recording sessions for 1973s Ridin the Storm Out because of internal conflicts. Thats a tough question. What is Michael Murphys political consultants middle name 2005? The chorus is very pretty but in the verses theres some nasty stuff in there, man! I played that song and Gary freaked out he thought he was the only person who knew that song. I was not used to singing with the sheer volume that REO required the giant stacks of Marshalls behind me. Photo of REO Speedwagon Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Kevin Cronin and Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon pose for a portrait in Hollywood, California Bass guitarist Bruce Hall, lead guitarist Gary Richrath , rhythm guitarist and lead singer Kevin Cronin, keyboardist Neal Doughty, and drummer Alan. I kept playing it over and over until, one day, Gary plugged in his Les Paul and hit these big chords. Doughty started to follow around Gratzer's band, eventually sitting in on a song or two. They named the band REO Speedwagon, from the REO Speed Wagon, a 1915 truck that was designed by Ransom Eli Olds. So I just started trying to sing as little as possible at rehearsals. As much as its fun to play around, being a rocknroll guy going from town to town and girl to girl, by nature Im a one-woman man. As a consequence, Epic began re-releasing recordings from older albums with updated artwork and design. The band toured relentlessly under guidance from early manager Irving Azoff. We sold how many records?! . The band signed to Epic Records in 1971. When did REO Speedwagon come back to the studio? England and Wales company registration number 2008885. We live only a couple of miles from each other. Is it fair to say that you no longer need to work that after more than 30 years, Hi Infidelity still keeps the pool heated? On November 22, 2013, they announced a benefit concert with Styx titled "Rock to the Rescue" to raise money for the affected families of the tornadoes in central Illinois. Theres not enough emotion in it. I was freaking out because I feared I would lose my voice permanently.