Kevin Cronin, the 72-year old frontman of REO Speedwagon, is living up to the old adage that you're never too old to learn.
He writes on the band's website, "As our Evening of Hi Infidelity…and More shows [next month in Las Vegas] grow nearer... I am thankful for the countless hours I have spent with my vocal coach of three years, Jeffrey Allen.
"My son Shane graduated from the USC Thornton School of Music, Pop Vocal program, and Jeffrey Allen heads that department. Shane would tell me, 'Dad, you need to work with Jeffrey… He will change your life.' And my son was right!
"It was rough going for a while, as Jeffrey fundamentally changed everything I thought I knew about singing. Plus, he continues coaching me through some of the emotional hurdles, which are holdovers from the early 1970s when I lost my spot in REO due to vocal problems.
"Anyway, the challenges of singing the entire Hi Infidelity album in sequence are many. Plus, there is plenty more singing in Act Two, (the unplugged portion), and Act Three, (other deep cuts and hits). I am currently holed up in an undisclosed location, working with Jeffrey via Zoom, and practicing singing through this all-new concert presentation...
"We have been re-imagining this concept for years. [It's] an ambitious undertaking. Our plan is to make it a totally immersive experience for the fans, as we celebrate the dawn of the 1980s through the music of Hi Infidelity, and trace the history of REO Speedwagon through the songs, and stories about those songs. We look forward to seeing you there.
An Evening of Hi Infidelity…and More will premiere on November 10th and 11th at the Venetian Theater in Las Vegas.