Richrath was awesome. Obviously, his health took a major toll on his appearance and ultimately took him. I know it's a little sad to look at, but compare this footage to him back in the old days. Beneath it all, the enthusiasm was still there, and by & large, he still had his guitar chops, God bless him. He deserves respect and recognition as one of the great 70s rockers. RIP, brother.
I'm not convinced all you commenting "get it". This is THE man. Gary Richrath IS the reason I, plus thousands of others, play guitar. Growing up, there were three tones I admired and wanted to emulate...Brian May, Eric Johnson and Gary Richrath. You will never find a more pure "Les Paul thru Marshall" tone anywhere. Gary...I wish you nothing but happiness, as that's what's you given me for over 30 years. You ARE and will always be REO Speedwagon!
Kelly, I'm with you Brother. I've been a player all my life. I agree with your examples of "tone masters". Gary is and has always been the total package. Tone, melodic licks, and the knowledge(taste) of when to add speed to and back it off in his solo's. NEVER,EVER SLOPPY! Right-on Brother!
+gregorylpetrie I love the way he plays when he,s not doing solos. He was always adding color to the song, that,s what made the songs so brilliant. And his solo,s were breathtaking , especially in the 70,s when they were a rock and roll band!
+1600362 You hit the nail on the head! The "color" Gary adds to the song (not solo related) is what makes him so unique. (i.e. the intermittent one-note bends on the low E string, like in "Roll w/ the Changes" for example) Gary is one of a kind IMO.
Please don't speak harshly at such a great guy!! He has sadness in his heart and needs to see the love of our God to overcome his pain!! How we look can be directly proportional to our inner pain that we have endured!! He has been thru a lot and just needs our love to help him see the light. Gary is a really nice guy and his wife Justine is an Angel !! Peace !!
To all those commenting and insulting Gary's appearance - go to hell AND ...he could outplay any of you any day of the week. Gary's been gone almost 4 years now and everytime I see a video of him, young or old, I am mesmerized! The way that man's hands move along a fret board, such grace and such power!! If Eddy Van Halen is the father of tapping, Gary is the father of pinch harmonics! Listen to "flying Turkey Trot" many guitarists of the day would comment on how Gary could get this "clucking " sound from his guitar, yeah we call it pinch harmonics today. Thank you for uploading this video - no matter how far his illness might have dragged him through hell, he never misses a not and ALWAYS seems to get so much enjoyment from playing his guitar.
@@Bridging_the_Political_Divide Thank you for being another that can hear Gary's touch that he put on everything that he played. I would rather listen to Gary than Eddie Van Halen any day, even though Eddie was a fantastic guitarist, and probably one of the only ones that could have put Gary's uniqueness into a song, he never did so we will never know, because I've never heard anyone copy Gary's style or sound completely!
@@Bridging_the_Political_Divide I've just seen way to many people cut him down for the way that he looks. Age is a terrible thing for all of us, but Gary never lost his touch on playing. The sad thing is even Cronin made a comment about his weight when Gary wasn't even that big. Funny I've always thought that Kevin had some kind of a eating disorder, because the only picture on a album that he looked healthy in was on the back cover of the T.W.O. done in 72.
Gary Richrath ‘s talent was immensely huge and his presence is obviously noted on all the great REO albums. He was a unmatched guitarist and one helluva player and songwriter as well as a vocalist. Without Gary, there would be no REO. He was captivating, loving, energetic and the HEART ❤️ of REO. RIP Gary, you live forever on this earth through the great music you wrote and produced!
I met Gary when they were trying to get their feet on the ground in the early 70s. They were playing the small clubs in my city just a hundred miles or so from U of I where they were based. Tremendous person, and in my view, the best guitarist ever! His style was unique and could not be copied by anyone, including his replacement. Seeing him the way he looked towards the end broke my heart. Being tossed from REO broke his spirit. I can’t forgive Cronin for that! It was Gary’s band and Cronin stole it! Simple as that! And shame on the others for letting it happen! What a gift he was to the world; musically and as a man. RIP Gary!👍🙏
Greg I couldn't have said it any better. I hope KC knows that Gary's blood is on his hands. Gary was pushed so far away from what he wanted to play that he just gave up trying, and I think the other bandmates as well as producers went along with it. No it wasn't all his fault because the others went along with it and could have stopped this from happening. Yes they made it big with the sappy ballads, but I think they were good enough before to have made it, if MTV had came out earlier, however it came out at just the right time to catch those ballads which made them worldly known and loved. To me it was much more about timing than anything else, because one thing is for sure, Gary, Gregg, Alan, Neal and Bruce were all great at what they played, and with Keven singing they were all a team that couldn't be ignored. Anyway that is my take on R.E.O. Speedwagon. And when three of the main ingredients were removed, the Speedwagon died and never really charted again.
@@edarnold1426 So true Ed. Thank you for your accurate insight! The whole affair was a tragedy in so many ways, but it left a lot of us with good memories !😊👍
@@gregorycarlson6632 yes fortunately it left us with some good memories. However it also left some of us with a bad taste in some individuals, but it also taught us to carefully choose friends more wisely. After all there was always one guy that was always wanting to change what worked for years.
I just keep coming back to Gary. Crying again. One of my childhood crushes. Still breaks my heart that he suffered so. I know he could have helped himself more, but I think his heart broke when, IMO, the band left him behind. I'll just love this man until the day I take my last breath. He's one of the Giants. If I make it to heaven, I want to see my Daddy, then I'm going to get into that long line to see Elvis and Gary!
RIP, Gary will be missed. He had a unique sound. You could always tell an REO song, just by hearing the guitar. It's very sad he's gone so young! I think REO 10, most with Gary on guitar.
I remember your name from another thread, must have been pretty cool to be a friend of Gary, nice tribute in saying best guitar player you ever knew. RIP GARY WE MISS YOU!!
I was an annoying neighbor kid that loved the guitar. We used to go over and just listen to him play. I would work on something for a couple weeks, play it for him, he'd smile and say "Well that 's pretty good, but I believe it goes like this" and nail it. I also had a 1960 Oldsmobile station wagon that we could get almost all the equipment in. We both slept in it more than once as we didn't have money for food, let alone a room. Good times!
I got something in my eye now.... Both of them :( ........ My first guitar hero, and the reason I play guitar today!!...... I'm am filled with sadness, like losing a family member!!.... RIP Good Sir!!
It's maddening to watch KC never letting Gary having his due attention and why it's hard to watch some of the videos - Gary gets buried under KC. Imagine doing that to Angus Young of AC/DC?! Unfathomable!
I was an Alcoholic and Drug addict for 40 years. I had 2 years clean yesterday on 11/24/18. I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for taking saving me and delivering me from all the demons that infected my soul for so long.
This guy is a legend.. its the heart that counts . nvm what he looks like now. i bet you wouldn't like people telling bad things about how you look at the moment. I find its pretty insulting for this man who made a name of himself. respect your legends and elders . word is peace.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. The man was beyond special. He had a huge heart. A kind soul and could eat frets for breakfast. He was one of a kind and if anyone couldn't see behind a few pounds and still see those eyes and that special smile and hear him crank that Les....well that's just really sad for them. Thank you CIVILCHAOS1 for restoring my faith in people tonight! Aloha and mahalo!
@@donnascott1525 He still had that smile and I'll bet was still sexy in person, he had the "it" factor, charisma that transcends just physical appearance alone.
Gary, was a guitar great and a fabulous song writer. One of my favorite of all time. It is sad to see him in this condition and knowing that he died so young at 65. I will always remember all the live REO shows that I saw. He and Kevin were really a dynamic duo.
I remember back in 1978, REO came to our small town in Potsdam, N.Y. myself and my friend were 16 years old....and were almost front row....Gary came right near the stage and did one of his wonderful riffs just for her and I!!!!.....We were in heaven. We were in love.....lol thank you Gary for making us feel like the only one in the room. 40 Years later, we saw them together again......without Gary....so sad. R.I.P. and thank you for making two small town girls feel so so special.
The end of that solo where Gary does that "pick scrape" ? move was my very first G.R. experience. Certainly worth it, since there are days his music is the only thing that makes me feel alive. Tks!
I can’t tell you how many times I have seen Gary play…From every other weekend at the “RED LION” club in 1969 in Champaign, Illinois to Knoxville TN, to Kansas City, which is 30 to 40 times easy, and I was never disappointed in Gary’s performance. Gary hitting the notes perfectly was masterfully done at every show, and I never tired at his beautiful handling and impeccable handling of that Les Paul axe. We miss you Gary and you had a big influence on us, and anyone that could appreciate incredible control of that guitar that only a few have. You should be in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. I nominate you!!! R.I.P. my Friend!!!!!
RIP Gary, seen you guys 1 at Rt. 66 in Joplin. God you guys were amazing. I've listened to you since I was a 14 year old boy. I'm almost 57 now and I still love you guys so much. May your music inspire and live on forever. I'm having wish you were there and carry on my wayword son sung at my funeral. My 2 sad song's I still play when I'm needing to cry. I'm dying of Cancer.
Albert Stinnett I agree. I thought Gary was amazing! I was 14-15 and there just wasn’t any better. So sorry to hear you’re sick. 😔. I will keep you in my thoughts. 🙏🏼
Albert great comment! Hope you kick that shit to the curb and beat it down like no other. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I just said one for you! I just turned 62 four days ago. Rock on!
If this video serves as an example of anything, it is that alcohol doesn't care how famous you are, how successful you have been, how much money you have or the unlimited talent you possess. Alcohol destroys people and destroys families, it it robbed years of life from this amazing icon right here. It was great to see that Gary still had the fire in his heart, but watching him struggle to breathe as he did what his heart and soul commanded him to do was truly heartbreaking. RIP, Gary. You will always be on my Top 10 list.
Gary doing what he loved best ! Being on stage playing that Les Paul. He was an amazing song writer and guitarist under rated as both and a showman when he hit the stage I met him in 1990 Richrath band played at Reflections. We talked for about 20 min just the nicest guy you could meet
What a great guitar player. He still nailed it 41 years after he wrote it. Wow he could still play like no one else on the songs that he penned or played before. We really don't have much else to compare it to on here, but I'm guessing that just about every song that he played he added that Richrath touch that made them very unique and unduplicatable for anyone else to copy. Definitely a Legend that deserved so much more recognition!!!
The solo in "Take It..." is one of my absolute favorites ever. And im an extreme metal musician of 35+years...the tone and emotion in it is just outstanding 👏
at this point you can not imagine how hard it was for him to do this but he never backed down and he always road out the storms and he had many in his life he lived in his van for about 10 years before he got a shot this man was the rocky balboa of rock and roll ,, see you soon my man rip
I saw REO in the gym at Olivet college (Olivet, MI) back in either '72 or '73. We sat on the gym floor and were about 20' from Gary. I believe they had just released their first album but were still on the college circuit. They were in St Louis the night before, where their hotel had caught on fire. Gary had to leap from a 2nd floor window and sprained his ankle. Still put on an awesome show, limping around on stage, and I still believe this was the best concert I have ever attended. RIP Gary.
Still the same amazing Gary Richrath who started me wanting to play the guitar! Wish I was there to see you back playing with the boys! Looked like a fantastic time! Thank you for being there with them! Awesome!
that was amazing! i saw REO just a couple of years ago in Southern California in a casino without Gary Richrath! "Hi Infidelity" i think, is one of the greatest rock album out there! i believe i still have my original copy of that album. One of the songs i love in that album is "Take it on the Run" written by Gary. RIP Gary Richrath! Thank you!!
Gary was without a doubt an excellent piece of music history and I've had an honor playing lots and lots of his material over my 30 years of playing guitar...R.I.P. Sir...
PS: Kevin Cronin REO is Gary's band too. Let him play again, I mean come on man how would you feel if the tables were turned? This stuff happens to too many bands where drugs and booze is involved and the band splits up and never come back together. That's got to stop. Sandy West the drummer of the Runaways died and never got that opportunity to get back with her band. Kevin don't let this happen to Gary, to REO. I beg you. Come together.
I just started watching REO in concert this week from the early 80's I was so taken by Gary's hot look. I had no idea he died and lived such a tortured life. Oh Gary, if only you knew how talented you were, how blessed a life you had as a Rock N Roll star and how hot you were your life would have been so much more happier. I hope you are Rocking Out in the After Life. You are a legend!!!!!
Gary was a guitar godt in his prime, that's a fact. Much respect. RIP GARY. He still rocked and strangled that axe till he left this hole we all live in..in my eyes he was reo Speedwagon
Let's see you play with a bar band when you've been off the road for years and very ill and slam it out of the park like you were 32 again. He rocked it just like he always did and looked just as good as ever doing it.
If only the bass player here played the right notes during his solo.... But, Gary was always Gary. Great showman and player. Thanks for the unforgettable moments
Gary played in your face guitar! He gave reo a great sound..you always.knew it was reo when Gary was in the band. I read a slot of comments saying he didn't get the recognition he deserves. Well you guys are right. He's in my top 8.. very cool guitar wizard
He obviously had an underlying disease process that required him to be on a ton of steroids. He has that look. That shit just blows u up like crazy. RIP Rocker. Love ya Gary
Major rock acts Styx, REO, the Nuge, and others (Head freakin East!) convened in Bloomington IL for a benefit concert to help Illinoisans after a devastating tornado that fall. Blo/No is where I attended college. I attended this concert, dubbed Rock to the Rescue. The Nuge and Styx deliver Coming of Age (Damn Yankees) and I thought that was the highlight. REO comes out for their set - and who joins them!?!?! Yes, Gary.
Gary is one of my top 5 guitarist. RIP buddy.I heard a commentary long ago from Kevin C. he stated that you people buy a ticket and come to see the REO Speed Wagon show, I get to look to my left and see the Gary Richrath show. Thanks so much Gary you will be missed greatly.
Gary Richrath was one of my favorite guitarists. Not only was he a great musician his back story and style made him one of the greats! REO wouldn't have been the same without him and of-course Gary passed away much too soon.
what I like to remember is Gary's picture on the front of the live album. Met him once in glens falls ny touring with Michael Jantz, what a great guy RIP my guitar hero, no one plays the guitar like Gary does
Most definitely one of my all time favorite guitarists of all time. I watch many of these episodes posted in this stage of his career and wonder if he managed to stop his drinking by this point because he sure as hell obviously still had the fire burning to perform. I would have loved to see what he would be doing musically now and years to come. He had his own sound that you could identify with in an instant whenever one of his tunes came on the radio. Went to one of the REO concerts in the late 70's and it was pure pleasure. R.I.P. GARY, my first time hearing your talent was Golden Country of which still remains my all time favorite REO tune. Best album for me was "You Get What You Play For Live" bought when it first came out and still have it.
Gary richrach like Alex lifeson - great guitarist who will never get all the respect that they deserve - I hope reo speedwagon makes it in the hall of fame .
![REO Speedwagon • “Take It On The Run/Keep On Loving You” • LIVE 1980 [Reelin' In The Years Archive]](/img/1.gif)
Richrath was awesome. Obviously, his health took a major toll on his appearance and ultimately took him. I know it's a little sad to look at, but compare this footage to him back in the old days. Beneath it all, the enthusiasm was still there, and by & large, he still had his guitar chops, God bless him. He deserves respect and recognition as one of the great 70s rockers. RIP, brother.
So well said.
His health here was sad... but every time I play these songs I feel him there. He was me inspiration and my idle. RIP Richrath.
He is still the beautiful and talented soul he was years ago. I miss him so much it hurts
he was one of the nicest guys i ever met.
our whole crew misses him so much best guy ever
@@marionrodriguez270 yes
I'm not convinced all you commenting "get it". This is THE man. Gary Richrath IS the reason I, plus thousands of others, play guitar. Growing up, there were three tones I admired and wanted to emulate...Brian May, Eric Johnson and Gary Richrath. You will never find a more pure "Les Paul thru Marshall" tone anywhere. Gary...I wish you nothing but happiness, as that's what's you given me for over 30 years. You ARE and will always be REO Speedwagon!
Kelly, I'm with you Brother. I've been a player all my life. I agree with your examples of "tone masters". Gary is and has always been the total package. Tone, melodic licks, and the knowledge(taste) of when to add speed to and back it off in his solo's. NEVER,EVER SLOPPY! Right-on Brother!
I agree with u this guy is a legend and reason I play guitar and will not see reo in concert unless he's back with them!$!
+gregorylpetrie I love the way he plays when he,s not doing solos. He was always adding color to the song, that,s what made the songs so brilliant. And his solo,s were breathtaking , especially in the 70,s when they were a rock and roll band!
+1600362 You hit the nail on the head! The "color" Gary adds to the song (not solo related) is what makes him so unique. (i.e. the intermittent one-note bends on the low E string, like in "Roll w/ the Changes" for example) Gary is one of a kind IMO.
+Kelly Schneider Right on Kelly!
MAN he made that Les Paul scream even at that age
Please don't speak harshly at such a great guy!! He has sadness in his heart and needs to see the love of our God to overcome his pain!! How we look can be directly proportional to our inner pain that we have endured!! He has been thru a lot and just needs our love to help him see the light. Gary is a really nice guy and his wife Justine is an Angel !! Peace !!
swimhard. Well said. God bless
He did what he had to do and got out of Dodge
To all those commenting and insulting Gary's appearance - go to hell AND ...he could outplay any of you any day of the week. Gary's been gone almost 4 years now and everytime I see a video of him, young or old, I am mesmerized! The way that man's hands move along a fret board, such grace and such power!! If Eddy Van Halen is the father of tapping, Gary is the father of pinch harmonics! Listen to "flying Turkey Trot" many guitarists of the day would comment on how Gary could get this "clucking " sound from his guitar, yeah we call it pinch harmonics today.
Thank you for uploading this video - no matter how far his illness might have dragged him through hell, he never misses a not and ALWAYS seems to get so much enjoyment from playing his guitar.
Completely agree.
@@Bridging_the_Political_Divide Thank you for being another that can hear Gary's touch that he put on everything that he played. I would rather listen to Gary than Eddie Van Halen any day, even though Eddie was a fantastic guitarist, and probably one of the only ones that could have put Gary's uniqueness into a song, he never did so we will never know, because I've never heard anyone copy Gary's style or sound completely!
@@edarnold1426. We all love Gary, and know what a legend he is. We will keep his legacy alive. 👍
@@Bridging_the_Political_Divide I've just seen way to many people cut him down for the way that he looks. Age is a terrible thing for all of us, but Gary never lost his touch on playing. The sad thing is even Cronin made a comment about his weight when Gary wasn't even that big. Funny I've always thought that Kevin had some kind of a eating disorder, because the only picture on a album that he looked healthy in was on the back cover of the T.W.O. done in 72.
Gary Richrath ‘s talent was immensely huge and his presence is obviously noted on all the great REO albums. He was a unmatched guitarist and one helluva player and songwriter as well as a vocalist. Without Gary, there would be no REO. He was captivating, loving, energetic and the HEART ❤️ of REO.
RIP Gary, you live forever on this earth through the great music you wrote and produced!
I met Gary when they were trying to get their feet on the ground in the early 70s. They were playing the small clubs in my city just a hundred miles or so from U of I where they were based. Tremendous person, and in my view, the best guitarist ever! His style was unique and could not be copied by anyone, including his replacement. Seeing him the way he looked towards the end broke my heart. Being tossed from REO broke his spirit. I can’t forgive Cronin for that! It was Gary’s band and Cronin stole it! Simple as that! And shame on the others for letting it happen! What a gift he was to the world; musically and as a man. RIP Gary!👍🙏
Greg I couldn't have said it any better. I hope KC knows that Gary's blood is on his hands. Gary was pushed so far away from what he wanted to play that he just gave up trying, and I think the other bandmates as well as producers went along with it. No it wasn't all his fault because the others went along with it and could have stopped this from happening. Yes they made it big with the sappy ballads, but I think they were good enough before to have made it, if MTV had came out earlier, however it came out at just the right time to catch those ballads which made them worldly known and loved. To me it was much more about timing than anything else, because one thing is for sure, Gary, Gregg, Alan, Neal and Bruce were all great at what they played, and with Keven singing they were all a team that couldn't be ignored. Anyway that is my take on R.E.O. Speedwagon. And when three of the main ingredients were removed, the Speedwagon died and never really charted again.
@@edarnold1426 So true Ed. Thank you for your accurate insight! The whole affair was a tragedy in so many ways, but it left a lot of us with good memories !😊👍
@@gregorycarlson6632 yes fortunately it left us with some good memories. However it also left some of us with a bad taste in some individuals, but it also taught us to carefully choose friends more wisely. After all there was always one guy that was always wanting to change what worked for years.
@@edarnold1426 Right on the money again Ed!!👍
I just keep coming back to Gary. Crying again. One of my childhood crushes. Still breaks my heart that he suffered so. I know he could have helped himself more, but I think his heart broke when, IMO, the band left him behind. I'll just love this man until the day I take my last breath. He's one of the Giants. If I make it to heaven, I want to see my Daddy, then I'm going to get into that long line to see Elvis and Gary!
Sounds good, me too!
It wasn't the band,it was the singer that left gary behind
I'll be right behind you in the Richrath line.
Believe in Jesus Christ as your savior and you will be in heaven…
Just like when Ace Frehley left KISS, when Gary left REO he took the heart of a great band with him.
RIP, Gary will be missed. He had a unique sound. You could always tell an REO song, just by hearing the guitar. It's very sad he's gone so young! I think REO 10, most with Gary on guitar.
Gary was the coolest, toughest looking guitarist ever
I'm sorry Gary, I should have been a better friend. Shoulda woulda coulda. RIP to the best Guitar player I ever knew.
I remember your name from another thread, must have been pretty cool to be a friend of Gary, nice tribute in saying best guitar player you ever knew. RIP GARY WE MISS YOU!!
I was an annoying neighbor kid that loved the guitar. We used to go over and just listen to him play. I would work on something for a couple weeks, play it for him, he'd smile and say "Well that 's pretty good, but I believe it goes like this" and nail it. I also had a 1960 Oldsmobile station wagon that we could get almost all the equipment in. We both slept in it more than once as we didn't have money for food, let alone a room. Good times!
Somehow I bet you were a better friend than you think. Take care and be well! He was a wonderful guy wasn't he?
He is a legend, wish him and Kevin could’ve gotten along better. RIP Gary
R.I.P Gary, you have touched the souls of many during your short time here, your legacy shall last forever !
I got something in my eye now.... Both of them :( ........ My first guitar hero, and the reason I play guitar today!!...... I'm am filled with sadness, like losing a family member!!.... RIP Good Sir!!
DAM ........ so hard to see Gary like that ............R I P My Friend.
As one of Gary’s biggest fans , it is sad to him in this condition. He was an awesome, songwriter, melodic guitar player, musician!
Sweet the guitar man Gary Richrath I believe you are at peace . I miss you Gary Richrath
It's maddening to watch KC never letting Gary having his due attention and why it's hard to watch some of the videos - Gary gets buried under KC. Imagine doing that to Angus Young of AC/DC?! Unfathomable!
I was an Alcoholic and Drug addict for 40 years. I had 2 years clean yesterday on 11/24/18. I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for taking saving me and delivering me from all the demons that infected my soul for so long.
Amen my brother!
RIP brother. You've given me lots of good times through your guitar playing.
Rest in peace Gary. Thanks for all the music that enriched our lives. Love you man.
This guy is a legend.. its the heart that counts . nvm what he looks like now. i bet you wouldn't like people telling bad things about how you look at the moment. I find its pretty insulting for this man who made a name of himself. respect your legends and elders . word is peace.
no facelifts, no botox, he's the realdeal!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. The man was beyond special. He had a huge heart. A kind soul and could eat frets for breakfast. He was one of a kind and if anyone couldn't see behind a few pounds and still see those eyes and that special smile and hear him crank that Les....well that's just really sad for them. Thank you CIVILCHAOS1 for restoring my faith in people tonight! Aloha and mahalo!
@@donnascott1525 He still had that smile and I'll bet was still sexy in person, he had the "it" factor, charisma that transcends just physical appearance alone.
rip gary you left a mark on alot of us
The man can still burn up that Les Paul! Keep Pushin On Gary!
Gary, was a guitar great and a fabulous song writer. One of my favorite of all time. It is sad to see him in this condition and knowing that he died so young at 65. I will always remember all the live REO shows that I saw. He and Kevin were really a dynamic duo.
You can tune a piano but you can't replace the music. Rest in Heaven bro. See ya when we get there. til then, we're rid in the storm out.
man,
Gary could play.
addiction really takes a toll on the body.
he was phenomenal!
play that guitar for god, Gary.
we love & miss you.
3:48 gives my the chills. The way hey plays, pure awesome! One of Peoria ,il. Finest.
I remember back in 1978, REO came to our small town in Potsdam, N.Y. myself and my friend were 16 years old....and were almost front row....Gary came right near the stage and did one of his wonderful riffs just for her and I!!!!.....We were in heaven. We were in love.....lol thank you Gary for making us feel like the only one in the room. 40 Years later, we saw them together again......without Gary....so sad. R.I.P. and thank you for making two small town girls feel so so special.
i love the solo from take it on the run
The end of that solo where Gary does that "pick scrape" ? move was my very first G.R. experience. Certainly worth it, since there are days his music is the only thing that makes me feel alive. Tks!
RIP Gary. You Rocked til the End.
Yes he did. But I noticed he didn't use his pinky like he usually did. He must have play it another style
I can’t tell you how many times I have seen Gary play…From every other weekend at the “RED LION” club in 1969 in Champaign, Illinois to Knoxville TN, to Kansas City, which is 30 to 40 times easy, and I was never disappointed in Gary’s performance. Gary hitting the notes perfectly was masterfully done at every show, and I never tired at his beautiful handling and impeccable handling of that Les Paul axe. We miss you Gary and you had a big influence on us, and anyone that could appreciate incredible control of that guitar that only a few have. You should be in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. I nominate you!!! R.I.P. my Friend!!!!!
RIP Gary, seen you guys 1 at Rt. 66 in Joplin. God you guys were amazing. I've listened to you since I was a 14 year old boy. I'm almost 57 now and I still love you guys so much. May your music inspire and live on forever. I'm having wish you were there and carry on my wayword son sung at my funeral. My 2 sad song's I still play when I'm needing to cry. I'm dying of Cancer.
Albert Stinnett I agree. I thought Gary was amazing! I was 14-15 and there just wasn’t any better. So sorry to hear you’re sick. 😔. I will keep you in my thoughts. 🙏🏼
Albert great comment! Hope you kick that shit to the curb and beat it down like no other. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I just said one for you! I just turned 62 four days ago. Rock on!
If this video serves as an example of anything, it is that alcohol doesn't care how famous you are, how successful you have been, how much money you have or the unlimited talent you possess. Alcohol destroys people and destroys families, it it robbed years of life from this amazing icon right here. It was great to see that Gary still had the fire in his heart, but watching him struggle to breathe as he did what his heart and soul commanded him to do was truly heartbreaking.
RIP, Gary. You will always be on my Top 10 list.
fuck he was good...love you bro.
May he rest in peace thanks for sharing your talent with us
R.I.P. My Friend! Could Not Beat Those ...Demons! A.A. The Best Guitarist In The World!! REO Speedwagon #1
Gary doing what he loved best ! Being on stage playing that Les Paul. He was an amazing song writer and guitarist under rated as both and a showman when he hit the stage
I met him in 1990 Richrath band played at Reflections. We talked for about 20 min just the nicest guy you could meet
What a great guitar player. He still nailed it 41 years after he wrote it. Wow he could still play like no one else on the songs that he penned or played before. We really don't have much else to compare it to on here, but I'm guessing that just about every song that he played he added that Richrath touch that made them very unique and unduplicatable for anyone else to copy. Definitely a Legend that deserved so much more recognition!!!
Amazing! For years I wished he would make it back to the stage. Wish granted. RIP Guitar Hero.
Awesome to see Gary still playing so well despite his illness. Thank for posting my guitar hero!
The solo in "Take It..." is one of my absolute favorites ever. And im an extreme metal musician of 35+years...the tone and emotion in it is just outstanding 👏
After all these years still one of the most kick ass solos in rock! Will never get tired of hearing it.
at this point you can not imagine how hard it was for him to do this but he never backed down and he always road out the storms and he had many in his life he lived in his van for about 10 years before he got a shot this man was the rocky balboa of rock and roll ,, see you soon my man rip
I saw REO in the gym at Olivet college (Olivet, MI) back in either '72 or '73. We sat on the gym floor and were about 20' from Gary. I believe they had just released their first album but were still on the college circuit. They were in St Louis the night before, where their hotel had caught on fire. Gary had to leap from a 2nd floor window and sprained his ankle. Still put on an awesome show, limping around on stage, and I still believe this was the best concert I have ever attended. RIP Gary.
Still the same amazing Gary Richrath who started me wanting to play the guitar! Wish I was there to see you back playing with the boys! Looked like a fantastic time! Thank you for being there with them! Awesome!
that was amazing! i saw REO just a couple of years ago in Southern California in a casino without Gary Richrath! "Hi Infidelity" i think, is one of the greatest rock album out there! i believe i still have my original copy of that album. One of the songs i love in that album is "Take it on the Run" written by Gary. RIP Gary Richrath! Thank you!!
Man I love his style!! Take care of your health and keep on rockin'. We need you as a player.
Gary was without a doubt an excellent piece of music history and I've had an honor playing lots and lots of his material over my 30 years of playing guitar...R.I.P. Sir...
PS: Kevin Cronin REO is Gary's band too. Let him play again, I mean come on man how would you feel if the tables were turned? This stuff happens to too many bands where drugs and booze is involved and the band splits up and never come back together. That's got to stop. Sandy West the drummer of the Runaways died and never got that opportunity to get back with her band. Kevin don't let this happen to Gary, to REO. I beg you. Come together.
They did in 2013. The damage had already been done to Gary's well being though. He could still play like no other though. R.I.P. Gary! You made it!
I just started watching REO in concert this week from the early 80's I was so taken by Gary's hot look. I had no idea he died and lived such a tortured life. Oh Gary, if only you knew how talented you were, how blessed a life you had as a Rock N Roll star and how hot you were your life would have been so much more happier. I hope you are Rocking Out in the After Life. You are a legend!!!!!
Gary was a guitar godt in his prime, that's a fact. Much respect. RIP GARY. He still rocked and strangled that axe till he left this hole we all live in..in my eyes he was reo Speedwagon
Wow! Gary is back! And he even started off with Flying Turkey Trot for a few seconds.
This is like watching the 1969 GTO that your neighbor owned brand new when you were a kid competing in a demolition derby 30 yrs. later.
Mesmerized by the guitar playing! Way to go, man!
The man, Gary, is still on his game. No matter what he is still REO!
***** His playing is nowhere near his game. That solo in 'Take it on the Run' in this video was awful.
krelbar You must never have heard the solo for "Take It On The Run" before.
krelbar the solo is good..BUT the drumming sucks
Let's see you play with a bar band when you've been off the road for years and very ill and slam it out of the park like you were 32 again. He rocked it just like he always did and looked just as good as ever doing it.
Does anyone notice. No whammy bar. Old school at its finest. The best was back in 1983. Contrary to what Kevin says.
If only the bass player here played the right notes during his solo.... But, Gary was always Gary. Great showman and player. Thanks for the unforgettable moments
So sad. Grateful that this is here for those of us who remember Gary as the sound of REO Speedwagon and can enjoy his playing forever.
glad to see hes playing again, good therapy, wish I could find out when he is playing, I would have went to this
roonray The internet might help.
Gary played in your face guitar! He gave reo a great sound..you always.knew it was reo when Gary was in the band. I read a slot of comments saying he didn't get the recognition he deserves. Well you guys are right. He's in my top 8.. very cool guitar wizard
Nothing like a Gary Richrath solo. Nothing.🤟
Damn, I'm moving to Illinois if Gary is going to be gigging there!! Can I get an "Amen"?!?!
Amen.
+Dennis Cassley Amen bro.
One of the most under-rated and under-appreciated guitar players ever. I don't think the man has ever played a bad note in is life.
Have to move to heaven now, Dennis.
Stephanie Cantrellenk May he rest in peace...great player & songwriter...
Awesome my Angel Gary Richrath
Sweet the guitar man Gary Richrath was Awesome.
He obviously had an underlying disease process that required him to be on a ton of steroids. He has that look. That shit just blows u up like crazy. RIP Rocker. Love ya Gary
That's the most sensible comment I've read about his unusual weight gain.
Awesome!!! Hope to see you on the road soon Gary!!! Rock on!
So many great memories.
really hard to watch.....but ....the guitar playing...one of the best..RIP
Yep Gary Richrath my guitar hero
Amazing Guitar player and songwriter- thanks for sharing ! The band did a great job also.
Look!!!!! He is totally rockin' no matter what he is suffering.......for US!!!!!!
Richrath is a legend.
Cant get enough of Gary's solos.. he gave us so many memories to cherish...
oh yes the man Gary Richrath .
Sweet the man my Angel Gray Richrath wish you were here I miss you
Rest in peace Gary!
Major rock acts Styx, REO, the Nuge, and others (Head freakin East!) convened in Bloomington IL for a benefit concert to help Illinoisans after a devastating tornado that fall. Blo/No is where I attended college. I attended this concert, dubbed Rock to the Rescue. The Nuge and Styx deliver Coming of Age (Damn Yankees) and I thought that was the highlight. REO comes out for their set - and who joins them!?!?! Yes, Gary.
He was a guitar god, If not for Gary there would never have been an REO Speedwagon.
Thanks Gary Richrath, Heaven has a great Guitar player, your Gibson will sounds forever, RIP
gary had some passion flowing that i consider him right up there...Golden Country solos are the epitome of passion and fire...i miss gary...
Gary is one of my top 5 guitarist. RIP buddy.I heard a commentary long ago from Kevin C. he stated that you people buy a ticket and come to see the REO Speed Wagon show, I get to look to my left and see the Gary Richrath show. Thanks so much Gary you will be missed greatly.
So that's why he hogged the cameras so that people saw much less of Gary than he was owed and what the fans wanted?
Awesome, Sweet Gary Richrath Rest in peace my man
I miss Gary! :(
What a great video... he was a true rocker til the end. RIP
I wonder if the rest of the band realizes how dusted they were by Gary's skills!
Gary Richrath was one of my favorite guitarists. Not only was he a great musician his back story and style made him one of the greats! REO wouldn't have been the same without him and of-course Gary passed away much too soon.
Gary. You appear just as Gary Moore did at his last performance at Montrose. Good Luck.
what I like to remember is Gary's picture on the front of the live album. Met him once in glens falls ny touring with Michael Jantz, what a great guy RIP my guitar hero, no one plays the guitar like Gary does
Most definitely one of my all time favorite guitarists of all time. I watch many of these episodes posted in this stage of his career and wonder if he managed to stop his drinking by this point because he sure as hell obviously still had the fire burning to perform. I would have loved to see what he would be doing musically now and years to come. He had his own sound that you could identify with in an instant whenever one of his tunes came on the radio. Went to one of the REO concerts in the late 70's and it was pure pleasure. R.I.P. GARY, my first time hearing your talent was Golden Country of which still remains my all time favorite REO tune. Best album for me was "You Get What You Play For Live" bought when it first came out and still have it.
R.I.P Gary Richrath
Gary richrach like Alex lifeson - great guitarist who will never get all the respect that they deserve - I hope reo speedwagon makes it in the hall of fame .
(R.I.P.) "Gary Richrath"
He was the reason we bought tickets to see them back in the day.seen him in 1983 in chicago.
I LOVE Gary Ritchrath and I still cry over him!
THANK U SO MUCH FOR THE POST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RIP G
It's so great to see recent footage of GR sounding great! Been waiting for this for a while.
I'll remember You,Gary,as the main man behind REO.:-)))
Awesome...
Gary! UN BELIEVABLE!
RIP Gary. You will be missed!