REO Speedwagon has had more than 20 members since forming in 1967, and on June 14th, six of them will come together for a "retrospective" concert in their hometown of Champaign, Illinois.
Back Where It All Began will feature band founder and keyboardist Neal Doughty, drummer Alan Gratzer, bassist Bruce Hall, guitarist Steve Scorfina, and singers Terry Luttrell and Mike Murphy, with an in memoriam segment for guitarist Gary Richrath and bassist Gregg Philbin.
Bruce Hall, who along with Neal Doughty and Kevin Cronin, owns the name REO Speedwagon, says, "So excited for this ONE night only event, back where it all began, in MY hometown!. Looking forward to reminiscing, rockin' with the founding fathers and saying a proper goodbye. Most importantly, this celebration benefits the REO Speedwagon Foundation for rare GU cancer research at Moffitt Cancer Center. I truly believe Gary is proud and smiling down on us. Let's rock!"
Cronin, who now tours as The Kevin Cronin Band, will be performing that night in Bend, Oregon as part of the Brotherhood of Rock tour with Styx and Don Felder.
Hall was asked on Facebook about why the band won't do a farewell tour. "I'm grateful to have this opportunity. I still would love a true REO farewell tour and will always hope that can happen...but as I've stated over and over...Kevin would also need to be a part of that to happen."
The decision to retire the REO name came about after Cronin wanted to continue without Hall, who was sidelined with a back injury that required surgery.
Doughty and Hall voted against Cronin's continuing under that name unless Hall was part of the lineup.
SPEAKING OF KEVIN CRONIN....
Kevin Cronin celebrated St. Patrick’s Day today (Monday) by rummaging through his attic, where, he says, he dug out Irish sweatshirts – “Cronin’s” – and “a bunch of vintage REO Speedwagon merch and some of my old stage clothes. We saved some, and dropped off the rest at our local music store, Instrumental Music. Felt good to share this stuff with the young musicians who work and teach at this cool independent music shop. So, Happy St Paddy’s to everyone, and Happy Birthday to my Dad who would have been 100 years old today!”
Check out his original post about it here from his official Instagram page.
Kevon Cronin will join Styx and Don Felder live at Dos Equis Pavilion on August 1st.