All rights reserved. [2] Bob Crownover took over as the band's guitarist, but was replaced after a brief tenure by Bill Fiorio and later Steve Scorfina. May the almighty let Philbin's soul rest in peace on the . REO Speedwagon continued to tour in the back half of the 2010s, often teaming up on bills featuring Styx and Chicago. Epic Records signed the band to a recording contract in 1971. [1] Matt left early the next year after graduating from school, with Terry Luttrell taking his place on lead vocals. REO Speedwagon continued to tour in the back half of the 2010s, often teaming up on bills featuring Styx and Chicago. Kevin Cronin wrote this note the bands official Facebook page. I learned most of what I know about being in a rock band from Gary Richrath," REO Speedwagon's lead singer, Kevin Cronin, wrote on the band's website and Facebook page. Philbin left the following year, withBruce Halltaking his place. REO Speedwagon was first formed in 1968 by a pair of University of Illinois students, keyboardist Neal Doughty and drummer Alan Gratzer. Dave Amato (lead guitar) joined the band in 1989. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. Over the course of their career, the band has sold more than 40 million records and has charted 13 top 40 hits, including the number ones "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling". Richrath died on Sept. 13, 2015. 1987's Life as We Know It saw a decline in sales,[3] but still managed to provide the band with the top-20 hits "That Ain't Love" (U.S. #16) and "In My Dreams" (U.S. On his first night of classes, he met fellow student Alan Gratzer. Richrath died in September 2015 at the age of 65. Alan Gratzer, REO's drummer, stares at Doughty in disbelief. Blair left a few months after Matt, with Gregg Philbin taking his place. In 1977, bassist Gregg Philbin left the band. This is the lineup featured on the quintet's 1971 self-titled debut recording for Epic Records. [3] Cronin recorded one album with the band, 1972's R.E.O./T.W.O. Today, Doughty, Cronin, and Hall remain with the band; guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt have been in since 1989. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! By the late 1980s, the band's popularity was starting to decline. 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. Frederick M. Brown/Getty. REO Speedwagon headlined on the M&I Classic Rock Stage at the Milwaukee Summerfest on June 30, 2011. Philbin was the group's second bassist and appeared on their first six studio albums. By Daniel S. Levine All rights reserved. Lear had already been invited to join REO in September 1988 as Gratzer's successor and Joseph was brought in as a temporary stand-in for Richrath. REO Speedwagon continued to score further hit albums (1982's Good Trouble, 1984's Wheels Are Turnin') and singles ("Keep the Fire Burnin'," the number one hit power ballad "Can't Fight This Feeling," etc. Founding member Neal Doughty has decided to retire from touring. Richrath died on 13 September 2015 at age 65. [13] On December 2, the band released an online video game, Find Your Own Way Home, produced by digital design agency Curious Sense. He was also the bassist on their first major success, the 1977 live double album, Live: You Get What You Pay For. He is, however, still considered an official member of the band. Gary Richrath reunited with REO one final time for a performance of "Ridin' the Storm Out" to end REO's set at the sold-out concert. REO Speedwagon continued to tour in the back half of the 2010s, often teaming up on bills featuring Styx and Chicago. The concert was held on December 4, 2013, in Bloomington, Illinois. REO Speedwagon Hartman Arena Valley Center, Kansas. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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). Gary Dean Richrath (October 18, 1949 - September 13, 2015) [1] was an American guitarist, best known as the lead guitarist and a songwriter for the band REO Speedwagon from 1970 until 1989. I'm not ready to start going to church.". Families impacted by the storm and first responders sat near the stage for this special REO concert. The REO portion of the show was released again under three separate titles: Live - Plus (2001), Live Plus 3 (2001) and Extended Versions (2001) (which was certified gold by the RIAA on April 26, 2006). "All that said, Gregg was a smart, funny, charming guy, and you would be hard-pressed to find a more savvy individual," Cronin wrote. RSVP; Tickets pain au chocolat sticks substitute. When REO returned to the studio later in the 2000s, however, it was without Richrath. [17] In 2016 the band went on tour with Def Leppard and Tesla. Gregg Philbin, the former bassist of REO Speedwagon, has reportedly passed away. We hugged one another, I told him how happy I was that he came, and he expressed his gratitude for the invitation, wrote Cronin at the time. The band released a self-financed album entitled Find Your Own Way Home in April 2007. Doughty eventually began sitting in on few songs. "I never quite compared us to the Osmonds. Richrath last played with REO Speedwagon in 2013, when the band performed a benefit concert in Bloomington, Illinois, to raise money for tornado victims. REO Speedwagon ultimately self-financed this effort, which failed to chart. [11] Richrath also left early the next year, with Miles Joseph filling in for a show before Dave Amato took over in May. Although the rest of the band's lineup remained stable, REO Speedwagon switched lead vocalists three times for their first three albums. The two held an impromptu jam session in the basement of their Illinois Street Residence Hall dormitory.[1][2]. "Gregg approached the bass guitar much like legendary Who bassist, John Entwistle. He was replaced by Kevin Cronin. Additionally, further in-concert releases cropped up -- Live: Plus, Extended Versions, and a 2001 live set, Arch Allies: Live at Riverport, split 50/50 between REO and touring mates Styx. [1] Matt left early the next year after graduating from school, with Terry Luttrell taking his place on lead vocals. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Bassist Bruce Hall stated that he would always be part of the REO brotherhood, and left open the opportunity for Doughty to appear at select dates. Bob Crownover took over as the band's guitarist, but was replaced after a brief tenure byBill Fiorioand later Steve Scorfina. [3], By late 1970, REO Speedwagon had finalised its first recording lineup with the addition of guitarist Gary Richrath in place of Scorfina. "His health had been an issue for some time, and today his soul is freed. Greg never recorded/toured with the band, but rehearsed. What happened to the lead singer of REO Speedwagon? is a cover of. Doughty had learned some Beatles songs on his parents' piano, and Gratzer had been a drummer in local bands since high school. How to Choose the Right Guitar String Gauges? \"These words do not come close to expressing the depth of emotions I am feeling at this time.\"He added that a photo of the two on stage performing \"has been on my music-room table for as long as I can remember, and will stay there.\"Richrath joined Speedwagon, known for its 1980s ballad, Can't Fight This Feeling, in 1970, three years after the band was formed in Illinois. or redistributed. [8] 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. The vocalist was replaced byKevin Cronin, who performed on the group's second albumR.E.O./T.W.O. Another live album, Live Again, was also issued in 1978, followed up a year later by another gold-certified hit, Nine Lives. After the appearance, four of REO's songs reentered the Billboard rock charts.[24]. "The entire REO Family mourns his death and shares in the grief of his family, friends, and fans. REO Speedwagon resumes its tour on Nov. 2 and has dates planned through March. Luttrell left the band in early 1972, eventually becoming the vocalist for Starcastle. [14] In mid-2010, the band then touring with Pat Benatar announced that it would release a 30th anniversary deluxe edition reissue of Hi Infidelity.[15]. He was a member of the band when it released its self-titled debut in 1971 and was with REO Speedwagon until 1989. The group's best-selling album, Hi Infidelity (1980), contained four US top 40 hits and sold more than 10 million copies. The lineup on the first album consisted of Richrath, Gratzer, Doughty, Philbin, and Luttrell.[3]. He left the band in 1989.According to UltimateClassicRock.com, Richrath released one solo album, in 1992, Only the Strong Survive, but reunited briefly with the band in 2013 when they staged a benefit concert for residents of central Illinois displaced by a series of powerful storms in the area.Gary was in great spirits when he walked into the dressing room. It was a night for the ages.Read More: Gary Richrath, Former REO Speedwagon Guitarist, Dies at 65 | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/gary-richrath-dies/?trackback=tsmclipHe reunited with the group briefly in 2013, joining his former bandmates for a concert staged to aid residents of central Illinois who were displaced or had their homes damaged by a series of powerful storms in the area.Gary was in great spirits when he walked into the dressing room. If music and guitar has never been part of your interests then this site may change your view and be a music lover. What is the most expensive bass guitar in the world? Legal Statement. He also performed drums at soundchecks when Bryan was running late. [12][13] Also in 1989, Bryan Hitt replaced Lear on drums,[14] while Jesse Harms joined as a second keyboardist, performing on the band's 1990 album The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); It could be that you are wondering whether you are in the right place. Neal was absent from the REO Speedwagon Unplugged Live in Washington XM Radio show in early April 2007, with producer Joe Vannelli filling in on keyboards. ", "It sucks knowing that Gregg has passed away," Hall wrote in his own statement. Richrath was a Peoria, Illinois-based guitarist and prolific songwriter who brought fresh original compositions. The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. rip gary-Reo Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath has died, the band announced on its website and Facebook page Sunday. Richrath stayed on stage to help with the encore of "With a Little Help From My Friends" along with REO, Styx, Richard Marx, and others. [3] That same year, the band moved to Los Angeles. 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. 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. Hi Infidelity sold over 10 million copies. The last album he recorded with the band was 1987's Life As We Know It. The best campsites in the country with incredible viewssome might be closer than you think. 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. On March 11, 2012, Kevin Cronin appeared on the Canadian reality TV series Star Acadmie. Original bassist Gregg Philbin died on October 24, 2022 at the age of 75. "No one should underestimate the Philbin Factor in the evolution of REO Speedwagon . Formed in 1967, the group originally included guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Blair, keyboardistNeal Doughtyand drummer Alan Gratzer. In 2000, REO teamed up with Styx for an appearance at Riverport Amphitheater in St. Louis, which was released as a live concert video Arch Allies: Live at Riverport. "I feel so sad. Hannon, who reached Billboard magazine's Top 10 with Tesla singles "Love Song" and "Signs," said he grew up as a fan of REO Speedwagon and Gary Richrath the band's guitarist-songwriter from 1970 to 1989. In 1977, the REO members convinced Epic Records that their strength was in their live performances. The title refers to the address in Westport, Connecticut, where the band stayed while recording in Leka's studio in Bridgeport. In early 2014, it was announced that REO Speedwagon and Chicago would be teaming up for 15 dates throughout 2014. [12][13] Also in 1989, Bryan Hitt replaced Lear on drums,[14] while Jesse Harms joined as a second keyboardist, performing on the band's 1990 album The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken. ), but the hits dried up shortly thereafter. He also o Ransom Eli Olds. The REO Speedwagon member joined the group as a bassist in 1968, replacing Mike Blair. Speedwagon ), or simply REO, is an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Richrath (the band) continued to perform for several years before disbanding in the late 1990s. He sang a sampling of REO's hits with the show's singing finalists. Durch Klicken auf Alle akzeptieren erklren Sie sich damit einverstanden, dass Yahoo und unsere Partner Ihre personenbezogenen Daten verarbeiten und Technologien wie Cookies nutzen, um personalisierte Anzeigen und Inhalte zu zeigen, zur Messung von Anzeigen und Inhalten, um mehr ber die Zielgruppe zu erfahren sowie fr die Entwicklung von Produkten. [5] In early 1972, shortly after the release of the band's self-titled debut album, Luttrell left REO Speedwagon following a disagreement with Richrath. When Mike Blair left the band in mid-1968, Gregg Philbin replaced Blair, Marty Shepard played trumpet, and Joe McCabe played sax until McCabe moved to Southern Illinois University. 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