Hi infidelity was a last ditch effort for the band,thats one of limitless reasons why that album was soo special.Their record label was not happy with them,album sales were not impressive.Kevin "Coolcat"Cronin...lol...before goin into the studio,told the band to put it out there! Hold nothin back!Say what needs to be said!And obviously what they had to say was astonishin!..And the world was very receptive!Hi infidelity spent an incredible 16 weeks at #1,and ultimately album of the year in 1981!
Was my friends in high scool got listen rock music was in middle school Hampton Iowa some song ACDC and 1970s songs. Thank you my friend in Iowa high school turn my around listen radio Station Mason City. I enjoy Reo Speedwagon didn't know until 1980s start music was great year I listen song Barry Manliow I write songs sing on stage back 1978. So my friend talk about got see concert Reo Speedwagon and Air Supply was up set not until move out Iowa to Minnesota my mom had job. Dad truck driver no work until later. So proud all Reo Speedwagon music I been few concert one was 1985 at Bloomington Mn old Met Center . At state fair. Bad weather one year. I took my daughter see concert. She love song back on road again. Try my best see Bruce Hall and Kervin no luck my son Earl and my sister little girl Ashley. Once life in person. So proud new album. I will alway listen Reo Speedwagon. And Styx like did back was in high school 1983 . So glad Reo Speedwagon music got better. Every year. Two thumbs up. Thank you. Keep On Rocking and Rocking on down Highway. All around the world. God bless all of you.
I think they should get gary back, those were some good times and he is underrated in my opinion and really is a large part of what made them and its my prayer that he gets his health back, and go out and tear it up.... blessings to you Gary
You must be compatible to stay together and have each others back. One for & all For One. Its unfortunate when there's a parting of the ways,yet its necessary sometimes for the good of the band. Looking forward to REO's Future ! & remembering the past with good memories ! Rock & Roll !
You know, I really like REO, so I'm not saying this to be a "Troll" or anything, but for me, in the narrow genre of "Pop Rock from the early to Mid '80s", JOURNEY is still head and shoulders above REO, Styx, Toto, etc. Why, you ask? Not necessarily for the songwriting, but because Neal Schon, Steve Perry (at the time) and Gregg Rolie/Jon Cain were such great musicians that they perfectly straddled that fine line between Radio Hit accessibility and also serving up great and tasty music chops to satisfy musicians like myself.
Nice interview, guys, from someone who remembers you from the beginning. From the Lion and the R, from C.V.'s and Emerson's, from Irving and Bob, it's been a long time. Best of luck to you all in the future!
@whywasilaidoff i love REO Speedwagon too!!! and first time when i heared them was in a Venezuelan radio station in 1983!!! In Your Letter!!! sounded too much here that year!!!
Ur right Jim, I went to my first REO Venue in the fall of 67 at Ill.State U. womans Dorm basement Dance ! Packed house co-ed's everywhere.I was at countless on campus dances and Pubs in Normal and Champaign..ie Red Lion etc.But it is Kronins Leadership, songwriting talent and Vocals that got them to the Nat. level..no doubt about it.Their early albums did suck !,but boy did they get better !....and I watched them from the very beginning until now. Peace
Kevin states earlier that he was a "southside guy"....Kevin is actually from Wilmette......and he goes on to state that he was with Alan ..Neal and Gary in the late 60's.....Kevin didn't join the band till 1972...and Gary didn't join the band till late 1970.....He was about 5th in their search for the right guitar sound.....all before they even recorded the first lp.....I have read other interviews back in the early mid 70's.....and the story seems to have been altered considerably..
Maybe Kevin Cronin writes the 'sensitive' songs, but he comes across as pretty wirey / keyed up in interviews. Caffeine junky(!?) 8:43 "Nowadays ..with the media...Young bands don't get a chance to be young bands ... it's almost like you have to be worldwide immediately... It took us 11 albums before we had a hit." True?
Hey Julio, I was just curios man how come you like REO so much? I was born in Chicago, a suburb Geneva Illinois so I liked all the Chicagoland bands. Plus even if they were not from Chicago I would still love them bcz they rock. At age 16 my friend John and I would cruise after school in his 74 Monte Carlo Chevrolet car, 2 door! Wow, that car was like a Cadillac and we would cruise and listen to "You Get What You Play For," REO live on cassette man, wow, that's my all time favorite!!! Of course this was back in 1979, haaa. One of the reasons why I like them a lot! Nice eh?
Neil Doughty is, to my opinion, the most underrated keyboardist in rock.
RIP Gary Richrath.
RIP Gary. You kicked some serious ass
Loved REO from the first time I heard them on KSHE!
Hi infidelity was a last ditch effort for the band,thats one of limitless reasons why that album was soo special.Their record label was not happy with them,album sales were not impressive.Kevin "Coolcat"Cronin...lol...before goin into the studio,told the band to put it out there! Hold nothin back!Say what needs to be said!And obviously what they had to say was astonishin!..And the world was very receptive!Hi infidelity spent an incredible 16 weeks at #1,and ultimately album of the year in 1981!
It's really amazing that after all these years, these guys can still kick some serious ass when it comes to playing live!
I do love-luv "Reo Speedwagon" lots and lots, God Bless Each And Every Member, Past & Present !!!!.
Was a huge fan til richrath left. Then, well, not so much. 157 baby!
Was my friends in high scool got listen rock music was in middle school Hampton Iowa some song ACDC and 1970s songs. Thank you my friend in Iowa high school turn my around listen radio Station Mason City. I enjoy Reo Speedwagon didn't know until 1980s start music was great year I listen song Barry Manliow I write songs sing on stage back 1978. So my friend talk about got see concert Reo Speedwagon and Air Supply was up set not until move out Iowa to Minnesota my mom had job. Dad truck driver no work until later. So proud all Reo Speedwagon music I been few concert one was 1985 at Bloomington Mn old Met Center . At state fair. Bad weather one year. I took my daughter see concert. She love song back on road again. Try my best see Bruce Hall and Kervin no luck my son Earl and my sister little girl Ashley. Once life in person. So proud new album. I will alway listen Reo Speedwagon. And Styx like did back was in high school 1983 . So glad Reo Speedwagon music got better. Every year. Two thumbs up. Thank you. Keep On Rocking and Rocking on down Highway. All around the world. God bless all of you.
ok......correction to my last post........Kevin born in Evanston and grew up in Oak Lawn......which would be technically south side.
Stop fools...commenting nonsense. YOU R LUCKY THEY LIVED YOUR TIME SANG YOUR TIME ON THE EARTH .. that's enough. Now go n listen "roll with changes
Kevin Cronin is a nice guy, he loves drama.
I think they should get gary back, those were some good times and he is underrated in my opinion and really is a large part of what made them and its my prayer that he gets his health back, and go out and tear it up.... blessings to you Gary
RIP Gary Richrath
You must be compatible to stay together and have each others back. One for & all For One. Its unfortunate when there's a parting of the ways,yet its necessary sometimes for the good of the band. Looking forward to REO's Future ! & remembering the past with good memories ! Rock & Roll !
You know, I really like REO, so I'm not saying this to be a "Troll" or anything, but for me, in the narrow genre of "Pop Rock from the early to Mid '80s", JOURNEY is still head and shoulders above REO, Styx, Toto, etc. Why, you ask? Not necessarily for the songwriting, but because Neal Schon, Steve Perry (at the time) and Gregg Rolie/Jon Cain were such great musicians that they perfectly straddled that fine line between Radio Hit accessibility and also serving up great and tasty music chops to satisfy musicians like myself.
Nice interview, guys, from someone who remembers you from the beginning. From the Lion and the R, from C.V.'s and Emerson's, from Irving and Bob, it's been a long time. Best of luck to you all in the future!
@whywasilaidoff i love REO Speedwagon too!!! and first time when i heared them was in a Venezuelan radio station in 1983!!! In Your Letter!!! sounded too much here that year!!!
Like him or not, w/o Kevin REO would have never been more than a regional act.
BS
Ur right Jim, I went to my first REO Venue in the fall of 67 at Ill.State U. womans Dorm basement Dance ! Packed house co-ed's everywhere.I was at countless on campus dances and Pubs in Normal and Champaign..ie Red Lion etc.But it is Kronins Leadership, songwriting talent and Vocals that got them to the Nat. level..no doubt about it.Their early albums did suck !,but boy did they get better !....and I watched them from the very beginning until now. Peace
+James Ramsey that could be said with most bands...
Hey Only1Monica!, This interview came from Live In The Heartland REO Speedwagon DVD!!!...Keep Rockin'
Kevin states earlier that he was a "southside guy"....Kevin is actually from Wilmette......and he goes on to state that he was with Alan ..Neal and Gary in the late 60's.....Kevin didn't join the band till 1972...and Gary didn't join the band till late 1970.....He was about 5th in their search for the right guitar sound.....all before they even recorded the first lp.....I have read other interviews back in the early mid 70's.....and the story seems to have been altered considerably..
Maybe Kevin Cronin writes the 'sensitive' songs, but he comes across as pretty wirey / keyed up in interviews. Caffeine junky(!?)
8:43 "Nowadays ..with the media...Young bands don't get a chance to be young bands ... it's almost like you have to be worldwide immediately... It took us 11 albums before we had a hit." True?
Hey Julio, I was just curios man how come you like REO so much? I was born in Chicago, a suburb Geneva Illinois so I liked all the Chicagoland bands. Plus even if they were not from Chicago I would still love them bcz they rock. At age 16 my friend John and I would cruise after school in his 74 Monte Carlo Chevrolet car, 2 door! Wow, that car was like a Cadillac and we would cruise and listen to "You Get What You Play For," REO live on cassette man, wow, that's my all time favorite!!! Of course this was back in 1979, haaa. One of the reasons why I like them a lot! Nice eh?
No Gary...NO REO
Does anyone know where this interview came from?