October 6, 1951 Birthplace Evanston , IL Age 71 years old Birth Sign Libra About American guitarist and lead singer for the rock band REO Speedwagon who wrote "Keep on Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling." Before Fame He was first chosen as the second lead singer of REO Speedwagon at age twenty in 1971. He was 65. Tickets start at . Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. We are pleased to do a new interview with Cronin, about how he wrote his classic REO songs, and his creative songwriting process. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. 12+ Best Songs By REO Speedwagon Band (A-Z) - Song Lyrics & Facts 'Heartland' Actor Robert Cormier Dead at 33 Lead Singer of REO Speedwagon: 'Memba Him? You know, I went through some fictional years there in the past! Find out more about their lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist as we reveal 10 things you didnt know about Kevin Cronin. Learn how your comment data is processed. Gary Richrath, a former guitarist for the classic rock band REO Speedwagon who also co-wrote the groups hit song Take It on the Run, died Sunday, according to a publicist for the band. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. DK: A few years later, you followed up with another big ballad, Cant Fight This Feeling. Is this song perhaps the most popular song youve written? Its an example of the power of television. REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Cronin, like the rest of the band, earned a reputation as a party animal. As a result, hes spent more time with them in the past 18 months than he ever has, and says the bond theyve formed will remain forever.. ". I had the verses already written. The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned. I can always pick up a guitar or sit down at the piano. Turning 17 is a big deal. Kevin Cronin is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and occasional pianist for the American rock band REO Speedwagon. The. Welcome to the Quantum Realm. Its like the stars lining up. For example, In 2011, He worked on Universal Language with producer Will, Read More 10 Things You Didnt Know about Angel VivaldiContinue, Ice Nine Kills is a metal band that hails from from about an hour from where I grew up: Boston, MA. The subjects that we were writing about were what was going on in our lives, since we were all in the same boat in a lot of ways. "I had my eyes closed the whole time picturing my brother. I told the writer, You know, thats not what I would normally say. What Ive been saying for I don't know how many years is, Hey Cincinnati, check yourselves out. And then our light guy puts the spots on the audience. Reo Speedwagon Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images "We laughed, we joked it was like we knew each other forever. They were told they could either bail him out or Paris would spend the next 4 days in jail. And my immediate reaction was, Wait a minute, all the other characters are fictional, except for us. I'm strictly nonfiction at this point in my life. Usually for me, the title is the last thing that happens. He discovered his love for music at an early age, and spent most of his time outside of school honing his guitar skills. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Download the TMZ App on the Apple App Store, Download the TMZ App on the Google Play Store. DK: Keep On Loving You from Hi Infidelity is a great song. The first line of "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" is "It was the 3rd of September," which is the day lead singer Dennis Edwards' father died. So when theres chaos in your personal life, then you look to the band for that security. Thats another way of doing it. We pull up to the last gig of the tour and there on the marquee, in English, it says, REO Speedwagon plus ventriloquist act. We go into the venue, and not only were we sharing the bill, but we were sharing the dressing room with the ventriloquist act. We're all sitting there going, God, this is bullst. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from, Paul McCartney was in too much 'emotional pain' to keep the Beatles going after John Lennon left. It was just that I needed to really identify where the heart and soul of this piece that I was working on was. REO Speedwagon's official music video for 'Take It On The Run'. Search instead in. My longtime friend and collaborator Gary Richrath passed away earlier today. It took me 10 days. All the songs I write, they spring from an initial burst of creativity that kind of gets the ball rolling. Andrew Baena was born on July 18, 1992, in Canada. So that was special. (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); Hi friends, kc here. So I think that really helped for the album, that it felt like all the songs belonged together. But I was looking at the discography of your hits, and I noticed that you wrote your biggest hits by yourself. Cronin managed to reach $350,000 before being eliminated after forgetting the lyrics to Donna Summers Last Dance.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Recording-history.org is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program. REO Speedwagon tour 2023: Where to buy tickets, schedule, prices Afterwards, she spent time with Cronin, his daughter and his manager. He refers to the band as The Wagon, when fans actually call you REO. The songs for that album had a certain cohesive nature to them. REO Speedwagon, Boz Scaggs Latest To Sue Sony Music Over Digital Downloads, I feel so sad. A monthly update on our latest interviews, stories and added songs. When fans of the Netflix show Ozark tuned in to its third season, they were treated to a surprise appearance from Cronin and the rest of REO Speedwagon during episode three. I think the opening scene is more a literal translation of what the song is about. Before we start the interview, here is some information about REO Speedwagons hit discography, and about the other members of the band, both past and present. https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/cantfightthisfeeling.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/keeponlovingyou.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/takeitontherun.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/rollwiththechanges.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/timeformetofly.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/dontlethimgo.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/keepthefireburnin.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/inmydreams.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/onelonelynight.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/inyourletter.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/keeppushin.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/backontheroadagain.html, Rock Music: 49 Different Types and Their Characteristics, Loverboy Greatest Hits: The 17 Best Songs of All Time, 42 Songs About the Experience of Being 17, 48+ Songs About Good Times and Memories to Look Back On. I've also got a horrible habit of needing the absolute newest technological wonder, whether it's stable or not. "Pretty In Pink" by Psychedelic Furs was released in 1981. Lead Singer of REO Speedwagon: 'Memba Him? - TMZ We recorded it in Nashville, and the song of mine that [probably] got me the gig was called Music Man. It was never a huge hit, but its still in the REO setlist and it was basically my fantasy of how my life would turn out. Yes! I wanted to put any extra time that I hadobviously the band tours and thats very important to all of us. Who Is The Lead Singer Of REO Speedwagon? These days, though, its a different story. In fact, the group's best-selling album is Hi Infidelity. I had written some songs before that were okaythey were passable. He needed the money to buy the group's back catalogue. When youre writing a song, you have no idea where that songs going to end upyou dont know whats going to happen. It was one of those albums which was definitely top-heavy with songs that people, to this daythey come to our concerts and we play at least five or six songs from Hi Infidelity every night. So he knew that they needed some help in the songwriting department. And when I had that realization, I went down to my piano room and I wrote the B section and the chorus in about 15 minutes. I felt like I had a fever and my stomach hurt. Joined my first band in 2008 (a Metallica cover band) and. LaTonya Floyd, at right, with sister Zsa Zsa Floyd at their brother George's funeral June 9, 2020. Richrath last played with the band in 2013, when the band performed a benefit concert in Bloomington, Illinois, to raise money for tornado victims. Speaking to Guitar World about his favorite piece of kit, he said: People tell me its too valuable to take on tour, but I love playing that guitar so much that I dont care. Youre with another person, youre bouncing ideas around and I enjoy that. I learned something from thisthat if you pay attention to the song, the song will tell you what it needs. But Ive written some of our biggest hits on the piano. So it was literally time for him to fly. REO Speedwagon (originally stylized as R.E.O. I am an avid Mac-user, nerd, musician, freelancer, and gamer. Theres no bigger influence for me. So thats going to be a lot of fun. Considering the band has toured with everyone from Def Leppard to Status Quo and Chicago, it promises to be unmissable. Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon performs at the Illinois Bicentennial party at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois, December 3, 2018. When they wrote those songs, they were just trying to write good . Id just started to write a couple little silly songs. The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album. He goes, [Spanish accent] This is bullst. Erik Stein confirmed on Monday that Richrath passed away but offered no details about the cause of death. Hes a real sweet guy and hes written some big hit ballads, and we were supposed to co-write. "Gregg . He left education after graduating from Chicagos Brother Rice High School, having already become convinced that his future lay in music, not business. The neck fits my left hand perfectly, and it sounds exactly how I think an electric guitar should sound. When we play those songs, you can just feel the energy in the room light up. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. REO remains a popular live band which tours steadily throughout the U.S. and worldwide. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. DK: A couple years later REO released Hi Infidelity, which became your biggest album. My biggest inspiration in music is the Beatles, and Lennon & McCartney in my mind are the great songwriting duo in the history of the world, and I owe everything that I know about being in a band, writing a songI owe it all to the Beatles. REO Speedwagon has recorded 16 studio albums which have sold a total of more than 40 million units. Ask me about my collection of M:TG cards! He realized that the band needed songs. "AOR poll part 2: Which lead singer's voice do you like best? There was this girl in Chicago who Im still in touch with to this daywere still friends. And the journey continues. When we play Time for Me to Fly in concert, it's always one of those songs that gets a big response. It just so happens that the album came out when I was in junior high school. Yet Im thinking this song is so important to me and I think its got the potential to be a real special song in the world, but this title is going to kill it. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Since rejoining the band, Cronin has penned the bulk of their most successful songs, including Keep the Fire Burnin', I Do Wanna Know, Keep on Loving You, Cant Fight This Feeling, In My Dreams, and Dont Let Him Go. Michael Bryan Murphy took his place, and remained with the band until Cronin stepped back up to the mic in January 1976. The opening line may be even more important than the title. Trivia I try to stick with the inspiration, and keep as much of that initial burst of creativity in the song as I possibly can. I could have very easily followed that fear that I had about that title and thought Oh Man, I better not call it this, because of some commercial concern. "When Gregg left the band in 1977, he took with him the prog-leaning extended instrumental section aspect of the REO sound," Cronin wrote. The last time they toured together was 2018, but now theyre promising a comeback to the stage with a multi-act major tour. So far, Cronin is keeping mum on who the other acts will be, telling Ultimate Classic Rock, The two other bands will remain nameless for the moment but suffice to say, theyre really both great friends of ours. Warning: This article contains spoilers forOzarkseason 3. During the peak of their success, the band was an almost permanent fixture on the Billboard Hot 100, racking up 13 Top 40 hits, two number 1s, and selling over 40 million records in total. Currently seeking: Band to Join, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar and more.Hi my name is Luke Bolen! In addition, his songs Roll With The Changes and Keep The Fire Burning have had an enduring impact, becoming rock anthems which convey positive and uplifting lyric themes. But it certainly did come together. It just has this huge history to it. I know there are many writers who come up with the title and then write the song around the title. We were all psyched up. I never really took any piano lessonsI just messed around with it and figured it out for myself. It took a long time, and I wrote that song before I finally got the guts to tell her. Im thankful for that and proud of that as well. I sat down and started playing those chordsthat was what the song came from. Some of the greatest songs ever have been written by songwriting partnerships. I think the main reason that I got the gig, was that REO had released one album, and they were working on songs for their second album for Epic Records. Last year, we called our tour the Family First Tour. Richrath was born in October 1949, according to public records. About The Lead Singer Of REO Speedwagon In the REO Speedwagon band, there are two lead singers, and one is Kevin Cronin and Terry Luttrell. But, spoiler alert: REO plays a major role in one Season 3 episode, which also happens to be named after the band's lead singer, Kevin Cronin. Cronin: Ive written songs on both, honestly. Who knows what came first, the chicken or the egg there. I didnt just want to jump on an airplaneit was too big of a move for me. But for me, I usually write the song first and then I find the title in the song. It's been a pretty amazing journey. Anyway, Smooth would chase them down. Luke Bolen: Musician in Bradenton, Florida. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. In our episode, my line is, Hey, are there any dentists in the crowd tonight?" Gary Richrath, REO Speedwagon Guitarist, Dead at 65 - Yahoo! REO Speedwagon - Take It on the Run (Video Version) - YouTube Your email address will not be published. Songwriting and music has always been my savior in that way. Or maybe it was a little thing to make me feel at home? Its funnyeven though it was 35 years ago, it still feels like it was just yesterday to me, because I remember writing it so vividly. Theres something going on emotionally for me, usually some kind of a feeling that I either dont understand yet, or I understand and havent figured out how to express it yet. Sure enough, its proven itself right so many times for me, that I have to really believe its a truth that I can count on. Bay Area. It was monumental.". "The lead singer of REO Speedwagon, Kevin - he's a rock-n-roll Hall of Famer - he said, 'How about that LaTonya, your first live performance, and you've got a platinum record already.' ". John Waite was the lead singer for the Babys and Bad English but most likely you know him from his smash single "Missing You." Most recently, he dropped his tenth studio album "Rough & Tumble". 9/28/2010 1:00 PM PT With '80s hits like " Keep On Loving You " and " Can't Fight This Feeling ," Kevin. Roll With The Changes was personally about me moving from Chicago to L.A.I was quite literally rolling with the changes. So my dental line kinda bombed. Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon performs at the Illinois Bicentennial party at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois, December 3, 2018. With Cant Fight This Feeling, I did not know what the name of that song was. Cronin had been inspired to write the album after his son, Paris, fell into drug addiction. She covers numerous genres of music but her favorites are Pop, Rock, Heavy Metal, Rap, and even the classics. and still couldn't believe it -- but it is one of the funniest celeb. Basically, the only songs I can play on piano are those that I wrote (he laughs). Formed in 1967, the group originally included drummer and backing vocalist Alan Gratzer, guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and lead vocalist Mike Blair, and keyboardist Neal Doughty. Read REO Speedwagon's bio and find out more about REO Speedwagon's songs, albums, and chart history. One day, I was really frustrated because we had an album that was due, and we really needed that song that was going to pick up where Keep On Loving You left off, and we didnt have it. REO Speedwagon has a net worth of $46 million. Notably, these five band members have been together since 1989. The MCUs tiniest heroes are kicking off its biggest phase yet, setting up the next several years of storytelling. But I was probably over halfway finished with Cant Fight This Feeling, and I felt that it was something special. Notably, both Cant Fight This Feeling and Keep On Loving You reached number one on Billboards Hot 100 singles chart, and became two of the most popular rock ballads of the 1980s. There was no way we would get together because she was with my friend. Its kind of a blessing and a curse. Luckily, I had the sense to stick with my gut and sure enough, Cant Fight This Feeling ends up being the most popular song Ive ever written. Even though it wasnt a hit, its a REO fan favorite. After the stage performance, we sang, 'I Can't Fight This Feeling' and a couple of his other songs. So my manager, Tom Consolo, set up a writing session with Eric Carmen, who was the lead singer of the Raspberries. ", LaTonya added, "My dream has come true to meet REO Speedwagon. It was kind of shocking in a way. He refused to bail him out, something he credits with putting Paris, whos now sober, on the road to recovery The songs on the album were written about the experience, which Cronin has described as the darkest, yet most fulfilling, chapter of my life.. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. A dentist tells Wendy he wants REO to plays a dental convention on the Missouri Belle riverboat casino. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for REO Speedwagon CD Lot! Michael Murphy (actor) (born 1938), American actor Mike Murphy (musician) (1946-2006), American drummer for the Bee Gees and Chicago Michael Bryan Murphy, lead singer of REO Speedwagon; Michael John Murphy, American folk musician; Mike L. Murphy (born 1975), American film maker and animator; Michael Murphy (singer) (born 1986), New Zealand Idol runner up Honestly, when I finished that song, I was really youngI was 18 or 19 when I wrote that song. How a gym teacher, a janitor, and a junkie became part of some very famous band names. DK: These days, so much of the songwriting process is co-writing, particularly in Nashville. So I wanted to drive. But then looking back on it, and now seeing the impact that Cant Fight This Feeling has had on my life, the life of everyone in the REO Speedwagon family, the lives of people whom Ive never met all over the worldpeople have played that song at their weddings. Well, it turns out that the casino is on one lake and the Blue Cat on another. REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin on the band's surprising Ozark cameo - EW.com I couldnt do it the real way that human beings communicate (laughs). Then I thoughtyou know what, so be it, then thats how it has to be, because thats what this songs name is. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. What inspired you to write this song? As my father always used to say, you only get one chance to make a first impression, and in songwriting thats ityour opening line. The band made a music video for this song in 1978, three years before MTV went on the air. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. REO Speedwagon - Wikipedia This song, even though it wasnt finished yet, meant so much to me and it was such a big part of who I am, that I just knew that I wanted to finish this song myself. Night Ranger original guitarist formed in 1980. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. What was it that inspired you to write it? Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. Chauvin's defense in his trial, which began March 29 with prosecution testimony, is due to start next week. It shows how my manager calls me and asks if Im willing to launder money through our merchandise company for an extra hundred thousand dollars. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from Coffy to Jackie Brown. Required fields are marked *. But this year I think I need to start tapping into the creative side of my being, because otherwise it starts exploding (laughs) in other ways. Cronin: Well for me, songwriting has been kind of a solitary journey. Are you and the band working on a new studio album? REO Speedwagon performing on Feb. 5, 1981 in Chicago, Il. I didnt put a whole lot of time and energy into the creative part of what I do. [But] they sent me the first two seasons of the show and I got on the tour bus, got in my bunk and binge-watched. After realizing his lifestyle was starting to overshadow his work and family life, he made a 180-degree turn. Showing Editorial results for reo speedwagon. As time went on, and my buddy broke up with her, we still remained friends.