lead singer of reo speedwagon lead singer of reo speedwagon

written by REO Speedwagon January 22, 2016, As the lead singer & songwriterof the multi-platinum rock band REO Speedwagon, Kevin Cronin has been the bands guiding force since joining the group in the mid-1970s. 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. I kind of want to hear some more about that. To a lesser extent perhaps, [its like] when Journeys Dont Stop Believin got played on the Sopranos final episode and that just breathed new life into that song. Back in the day of the album, that was very important. So when I came to Los Angeles I really wanted to feel the journey. According to legend, Cronin thrashed out the lyrics to REO Speedwagons Roll With the Changes on the back of a trash bag. Bay Area. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. 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. After releasing one album (1972s R.E.O./T.W.O,), he left the band during the recording of 1973s Ridin the Storm Out over creative differences. It's one of my favorite moments, because when I play those opening guitar chords, everybody in the place stands, everybody's got their lighters or cell phones up. 10 Things You Didnt Know about Andrew Baena, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Angel Vivaldi, The Top 10 Ice Nine Kills Songs From The Silver Scream, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Steve Jordan. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. REO Speedwagon has released a number of successful albums, including 1980s Hi Infidelity,which sold 10 million copies in the United States. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. I didn't know what to make of it. 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. DK: Which album was it, where you started to write a good amount of the songs for the group? They might not be bothering the charts quite as much these days, but they still know how to pull in the crowds at their live sets. Who is the lead singer in REO Speedwagon? "When Gregg left the band in 1977, he took with him the prog-leaning extended instrumental section aspect of the REO sound," Cronin wrote. Its a blessing because Ive always got myself (laughs). In the REO Speedwagon band, there are two lead singers, and one is Kevin Cronin and Terry Luttrell. So that was special. I never really took any piano lessonsI just messed around with it and figured it out for myself. Well, it turns out that the casino is on one lake and the Blue Cat on another. 4 CD Lot! REO Speedwagon skyrocketed to fame in 1980 with their chart topping . A dentist tells Wendy he wants REO to plays a dental convention on the Missouri Belle riverboat casino. 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. Kevin Cronin and Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, August 24, 1980. Yes! Send me email updates and offers from TMZ and its Affiliates. When my children were born, I didnt name my children when my wife was pregnant. Honestly, when I finished that song, I was really youngI was 18 or 19 when I wrote that song. Even our (REO) song Take It On The Run which Gary Richrath wrote, Heard it from a friend, who heard it from a friend, who heard it from another youve been messin aroundwhen I heard that line that Gary wrote, I said this song is amazing. I was determined to do everything I could possibly do to get that song finished and help Gary in any way, so we could record that song, because that opening line just killed me. [1] 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. I didnt just want to jump on an airplaneit was too big of a move for me. After realizing his lifestyle was starting to overshadow his work and family life, he made a 180-degree turn. "It means so much," LaTonya said. Chauvin, 44, has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of George seen on bystander video as Chauvin pressed his knee to George's neck for nearly nine minutes while George lay handcuffed on the ground during his arrest for allegedly spending a counterfeit $20 bill. The songs for that album had a certain cohesive nature to them. 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.. Welcome to the Quantum Realm. 'Heartland' Actor Robert Cormier Dead at 33 Lead Singer of REO Speedwagon: 'Memba Him? Friday's prayer vigil with its call for justice on George's behalf "was beautiful," LaTonya said. Up until then, the songwriting was credited to the whole bandthat they all wrote the songs togetherbut I think the truth was that it was mostly Gary who would spark (the songs creation) and then the band would get together and jam and finish it. Thats another way of doing it. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. Guess what he looks like now! So it all kind of came true. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. 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.. The bandwe were all kind of going through some chaos in our personal lives. Find out more about their lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist as we reveal 10 things you didnt know about Kevin Cronin. 9/28/2010 1:00 PM PT With '80s hits like " Keep On Loving You " and " Can't Fight This Feeling ," Kevin. All of his kids have left home, but when his daughter started working remotely and his sons colleges closed, all three moved back into the family home. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. I named my children after they were born and I looked at them, and I saw their little bodies, and they kind of told me what their names should be to some degree. He was 65. Andrew Baena was born on July 18, 1992, in Canada. The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned. Are you and the band working on a new studio album? I try to keep it that way, because I think theres a certain purityI try to keep the craftsmanship to a minimum. Click to buy the track or album via iTunes: http://smarturl.it/REOEssiTunes?IQid=RUNGoogle Play: http://smarturl.it/REORunPlay?IQid=RUNAmazon: http://smarturl.it/REOEssAmz?IQid=RUNMore from REO SpeedwagonKeep On Loving You: https://youtu.be/wJzNZ1c5C9cCan't Fight This Feeling: https://youtu.be/zpOULjyy-n8Here With Me: https://youtu.be/m8yKgLKJFjQMore great classic rock videos here: http://smarturl.it/ClassicRocks?IQid=RUNFollow REO SpeedwagonWebsite: http://www.speedwagon.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/REOSpeedwagonOfficialTwitter: https://twitter.com/kcreospeedwagonInstagram: https://instagram.com/reospeedwagonofficial/Subscribe to REO Speedwagon on YouTube: http://smarturl.it/REOsub?IQid=RUN---------Lyrics:Heard it from a friend whoHeard it from a friend whoHeard it from another you been messin' aroundThey say you got a boy friendYou're out late every weekendThey're talkin' about you and it's bringin' me downBut I know the neighborhoodAnd talk is cheap when the story is goodAnd the tales grow taller on down the lineBut I'm telling you, babeThat I don't think it's true, babeAnd even if it is keep this in mindYou take it on the run babyIf that's the way you want it babyThen I don't want you aroundI don't believe itNot for a minuteYou're under the gun so you take it on the run 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. In early 1968, Terry Luttrell became lead singer, and Bob Crownover joined as the guitar player, replacing Matt. It was monumental.". It must have been 1989 after [late guitarist/songwriter] Gary Richrath and I parted ways and the band was at kind of a low point. I try to stick with the inspiration, and keep as much of that initial burst of creativity in the song as I possibly can. Offers may be subject to change without notice. At that point, Cronin decided to dole out some tough love and stop enabling his son. 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. Because I had a couple lines, they gave me the script, and it didn't dawn on me at first, but then I noticed the name of the episode was Kevin Cronin Was Here. I thought that was just a working title. Stevie Wonder wrote the Rufus funk classic "Tell Me Something Good. 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. I've also got a horrible habit of needing the absolute newest technological wonder, whether it's stable or not. Now, hes hoping to repeat the success of that classic track, albeit on the printed page. Which instrument do you prefer to write songs on? DK: When you write, do you usually create the melody or the lyrics first? When youre writing a song, you have no idea where that songs going to end upyou dont know whats going to happen. But I think it served its purpose because people at the record company heard it, REO Speedwagon fans heard itif they didnt hear it on the radio they heard us playing it live. Gary Richrath, songwriter and lead guitarist for REO Speedwagon for decades, has died, the band announced on its Facebook page Sunday. It gave me an outlet for expressing myself when I was very young and didnt know any other way to do it. DK: I think Keep Pushin is one of the great songs from REOs early years, and maybe if it was released later in the mid-80s when the band was so hot, it could have been another big hit. Im trained on the guitarI took guitar lessons for years when I was a kid. Richrath co-wrote some of the bands songs, including Take It on the Run, which became a Top 5 pop hit on the Billboard charts. After the stage performance, we sang, 'I Can't Fight This Feeling' and a couple of his other songs. Cronin: I was kind of a late bloomer with the ladies. When you write a song, you have no idea the journey that song may or may not take you on. I had written some songs before that were okaythey were passable. Or maybe it was a little thing to make me feel at home? Time for Me to Fly has taken me on an amazing musical journey that started when I wrote it in 1970. The album contained four Top 40 hits: Keep On Loving You and Dont Let Him Go (written by Cronin), plus Take It On The Run and In Your Letter (written by lead guitarist Gary Richrath, who left REO in 1989 and sadly passed away in 2015). No. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. So if the viewer remembers that this is a dental convention, that line is kind of funny. There was this girl in Chicago who Im still in touch with to this daywere still friends. George Floyd's Sister Says Trial Reminds Her of Suffering He Endured: 'He Felt Every Ounce of Pain'. But I remember when I just struggling to figure it out and the journey that a song takes is so remarkable and thinking back as a young songwriter, I remember that Keep Pushin was the first song that I actually wrote that I thought Yeah, I could hear this on the radio. If it came on the radio, I dont think I would turn the channel (laughs). 2023 Getty Images. says the actress. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. When we play those songs, you can just feel the energy in the room light up. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. REO Speedwagon's official music video for 'Take It On The Run'. 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 So when the Hi Infidelity album came out and Keep On Loving You went to number one, then suddenly people started looking back and realized, Wait a minute, that was REOs 11th album, maybe I should check out their earlier albums because there might be some good songs on it after all (laughs). Im thankful for that and proud of that as well. We wanted to see the Blue Cat [Lodge; the set is a shuttered bar on Lake Allatoona] and the strip club, Lickety Splitz. We were all psyched up. I didnt really picture myself as a Los Angeles person, Im a Midwest boy. So he knew that they needed some help in the songwriting department. Showing Editorial results for kevin cronin of reo speedwagon. Because of all the traveling wed done, and the work wed been doing over the years, we all just arrived at this place where we really needed each other as brothers for mutual support. Cronin managed to reach $350,000 before being eliminated after forgetting the lyrics to Donna Summers Last Dance.. But the records that came before it, the songs that our fans already knew about, like Keep Pushin and Roll With The Changes and Time For Me To Fly which hadnt really been hits, but our fans knew about them. All the energy that came back to me was, You might want to think about doing this.. Three other now-former officers on the scene face related charges in George's death, and will be tried later this summer. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. We started out as friends. DK: More recently, REO has released the album Find Your Own Way Home in 2007 and REOs Christmas album in 2009. Richrath was born in October 1949, according to public records. 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. In addition to being in the band Carcosa, he has also been in Galactic Pegasus and One More Slice. Chauvin's defense in his trial, which began March 29 with prosecution testimony, is due to start next week. I couldnt figure it out, and as a result, I had a really hard time finishing that song. LaTonya Floyd, at right, with sister Zsa Zsa Floyd at their brother George's funeral June 9, 2020. REO Speedwagon's 1971 debut album was with their original lead singer, Terry Luttrell. She was actually going out with one of my buddies. [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. Cronin, like the rest of the band, earned a reputation as a party animal. You have entered an incorrect email address! "It was just amazing," she said. I feel songs are kind of the same way. It was not a high point of my life. Tell me about being on set to film your scene. At that time, my [twin] sons were 19 and my daughter was 22. By subscribing, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. He was like, 'Oh my God, you're a true fan!' "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.' ". When REO Speedwagon were at the peak of their popularity in the 1980s, their tours were known to get pretty wild. These are ten things you didnt, Read More 10 Things You Didnt Know about Andrew BaenaContinue, Angel Vivaldi is a New Jersey-based progressive metal guitarist, composer, producer, environmentalist, and philanthropist. The first time I was introduced to her, when I saw herit was that love at first sight feeling. We did a tour of Mexico. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. Cronin also presented LaTonya with the plaque commemorating the Billboard chart-topping single's 1981 platinum status for sales of more than 1 million copies. I'm self-taught on. The career of Antonio Vivaldi defies music industry logic. Cronin: Well for me, songwriting has been kind of a solitary journey. ", LaTonya added, "My dream has come true to meet REO Speedwagon. If you catch Linda at a wedding be sure to check out the dance floor. 1 of 13. My wife is an amazing person. Teens Crash Through Overpass In Stolen Car 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. I had just stopped at a truck stop in New MexicoI had a brown paper bag that was sitting on the seat next to me, when the thoughts of the lyrics started coming to me. As forbes.com reports, the end result was that thousands of viewers flocked out to buy or stream the bands back catalog, leading to a major resurgence on a number of Billboard charts. and still couldn't believe it -- but it is one of the funniest celeb. REO Speedwagon lead singer Kevin Cronin turns to his kids for advice when deciding on new projects including the band's recent cameo on Netflix's "Ozark.". Directed by Arnold Levine, the black-and-white footage was shot at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri at their show on May 13, 1978. Erik Stein confirmed on Monday that Richrath passed away but offered no details about the cause of death. I learned something from thisthat if you pay attention to the song, the song will tell you what it needs. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Ozark, a dark, violent drama about family both the crime and blood variety is not the kind of show where youd expect to hear the light classic rock stylings of REO Speedwagon. Theyre all home (and becoming) young adults. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Basically, the only songs I can play on piano are those that I wrote (he laughs). Warning: This article contains spoilers forOzarkseason 3. Cronin: I think so. I didnt put a whole lot of time and energy into the creative part of what I do. So it was literally time for him to fly. And sure enough, it ended up working out. Among other things, the memoir promises to lift the lid on Cronins troubled relationship with bandmate Gary Richrath, who died from complications following surgery in 2016. They perform about 100 dates a year. Now Central Louisiana fans will have the chance to hear those songs and more live in concert when REO Speedwagon performs at 7:30 p.m. on March 16 at the Rapides Parish Coliseum. Search instead in. Last year, we called our tour the Family First Tour. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, REO Speedwagon scored numerous hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including two chart-topping singles written by Cronin: "Keep on Loving You" (1981) and "Can't Fight This Feeling" (1982). But for me, I usually write the song first and then I find the title in the song. Click to listen to REO Speedwagon on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/REOspot?IQid=RUN Show more REO Speedwagon - Event. Cronin: I actually wrote that song as I was traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles, when I rejoined the band; I left the band for a couple years. Kevin Cronin is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and occasional pianist for the American rock band REO Speedwagon. All the songs I write, they spring from an initial burst of creativity that kind of gets the ball rolling. But I was looking at the discography of your hits, and I noticed that you wrote your biggest hits by yourself. That said, there is little doubt that you will be hearing a great deal more about, Read More 10 Things You Didnt Know about 2KBABYContinue, Few drummers have managed to achieve the reputation that Steve Jordon enjoys in the industry. He goes, [Spanish accent] This is bullst. When Mike Blair left the band in the summer of 1968, Gregg Philbin replaced . I remember that I sat down on the floor of my bedroom, and I was literally almost in tears. But the whole thing about the dentists, that happened in episode one. REO Speedwagon Even after more than 40 years of success, Kevin Cronin, lead singer of arena rock specialists REO Speedwagon, never takes the band's status for granted. When we play Time for Me to Fly in concert, it's always one of those songs that gets a big response. He was a member of the band when it released its self-titled debut in 1971 and was with REO Speedwagon until 1989. 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. [REO band member] Gary Richraththe late, great Gary Richrath who unfortunately passed away this past yearwas my partner in crime, so to speak. 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. So my manager, Tom Consolo, set up a writing session with Eric Carmen, who was the lead singer of the Raspberries. The song was remixed for the re-release to have more Pop appeal. He refers to the band as The Wagon, when fans actually call you REO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Download the TMZ App on the Apple App Store, Download the TMZ App on the Google Play Store. 1980 - Present43 years. Another one like that is Keep Pushin, which I wrote a little after Music Man. That was another one where I felt likeit was soulfulI wrote it right from the heart. Who do you think is listening: old fans who were reminded of REO by the show, or young listeners just discovering the band? These days, though, its a different story. Click to listen to REO Speedwagon on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/REOspot?IQid=RUNAs featured on The Essential REO Speedwagon. Gary was both a unique guitarist and songwriter, and the embodiment of the tough guy with a heart of gold. Weiland died of an accidental overdose of alcohol and drugs, the Hennepin County (Minnesota). The current lineup of REO Speedwagon consists of Cronin, original member Neal Doughty (keyboards), Bruce Hall (bass), Dave Amato (lead guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums). Artists and entertainers. She began at a small local paper covering up and coming bands. I wrote Time For Me To Fly on the guitarmost of my songs I write on the acoustic guitar. Additionally, I've been playing music for the better part of 14 years. ", "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" by Marvin Gaye was inspired by Jackie Gleason's saying, "How Sweet It Is!". Kevin Patrick Cronin (born October 6, 1951) is an American singer and songwriter, who is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and pianist for the rock band REO Speedwagon. Thats not to say they never willsongs have a way of surfacing in the future sometimes. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. REOSpeedwagonPlans HiInfidelty30thAnniversary Reissue, Tour. Learn how your comment data is processed. Sold in excess of 17 million records worldwide. Id just started to write a couple little silly songs. The band made a music video for this song in 1978, three years before MTV went on the air. He might still occasionally enjoy the odd glass of wine at dinner, but he makes sure to drink it by the glass rather than the bottle. I just couldnt get the courage up, to make that leap of vulnerability, to share with her that I had feelings for her that were more than friendship. S.F. So we wrote that into the script. Does anyone call you The Wagon? "It's like a direct connection with my brother that was our song," LaTonya, 52, told PEOPLE afterward. achieved significant commercial success during the 1980s. Cronin: Theres no real formula with it for me. Get recommendations for other artists you'll love. The band REO Speedwagon, which originated in Champaign, Illinois, in 1967, consists of original member Neal Doughty, 67; Kevin Cronin and Bruce Hall, who joined in the 1970s; and Dave Amato and Brian Hitt, who came aboard in 1989. "Gregg . Songwriting and music has always been my savior in that way. Usually for me, the title is the last thing that happens. Band members read about that anecdote in PEOPLE and responded by contacting Floyd family attorney, Ben Crump, to say they'd like to give LaTonya a surprise. It's a different feeling, because I'm not used to it. He guards that guitar with his life., The COVID lockdowns havent exactly been pleasant, but through adversity, comes opportunity, and in Cronins case, hes relished the chance to reconnect with his family. Who knows what came first, the chicken or the egg there. Collect, curate and comment on your files. My biggest successes are songs that I write myself. When you talk about (the line) I once had a girl, or should I say, she once had me, the opening line from Norwegian Wood, which is arguably the greatest opening line in the history of songwriting. DK: One of my favorite songs is Roll With The ChangesI think that song has inspired a lot of people. It was basically Garys responsibility to write the songs, and I think he realized thatyou know what they saythat you have your whole life to write your first album but only a year to write your second albnm. 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. REO Speedwagon performing on Feb. 5, 1981 in Chicago, Il. But at the end of the episode, Marty gets dragged out of our concert and you don't know what happens to him until the next episode, where he's in Mexico. 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