Although REO Speedwagon bassist Bruce Hall has been "exiled" from the band, he's publicly taking the high road.
He writes on Facebook, "2024 sure blindsided our family, but I’ll be forever grateful to have had this most amazing ride on the Speedwagon! Here’s one of my favorite memories. All the families together…a true brotherhood amongst the band. Don’t ever think that this wasn’t real. Don’t stop loving the music we created. Without our fans, none of this would’ve been possible. I love each and everyone of you. Happy New Year.”
Asked if he would tour under the REO moniker, he says, "I don’t want to honestly. REO is our band and Kevin [Cronin] should always be our lead singer. Fans deserve the real deal, not another tribute band.”
As we reported last year, Hall and the band's co-founder, Neal Doughty, who retired in 2023, cannot tour as REO without Cronin. The decision to retire the REO name came about after Cronin wanted to continue without Hall, who was sidelined last year with a back injury that required surgery.
Hall, Doughty and Cronin own the name REO, and Hall and Doughty voted against Cronin's continuing under that name unless Hall was part of the lineup. Cronin is now touring under his own name with the four hired hands who made up the 2024 incarnation of REO. He will be part of the Brotherhood of Rock tour in the spring and summer with Styx and Don Felder.