The 4 surviving members of REO Speedwagon‘s traditional 1977-1988 lineup reunited for a halftime present efficiency alongside the College of Illinois marching band in the course of the Illini’s homecoming soccer sport on Saturday in Champaign.
It marked the primary time singer Kevin Cronin, keyboardist Neal Doughty, bassist Bruce Corridor, and drummer Alan Gratzer have carried out collectively since Gratzer’s retirement in 1988. Collectively the lineup produced a few of REO’s best-selling albums, akin to 1980’s Hello Infidelity, and largest hits.
“Hello, all people. I’m Kevin,” Cronin instructed the gang. “On behalf of Alan, Neil, Bruce, and your entire REO Speedwagon household, I need to thank the individuals of Illinois, the town of Champaign-Urbana, and this nice college for offering a springboard for our music that launched us on a mind-blowing musical expertise. Thanks, you guys.”
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REO Speedwagon’s origins date again to the College of Illinois, the place Doughty and Gratzer have been college students after they first began the band.
Accompanied by the 400-piece Marching Illini band, Cronin and firm ran by way of a medley of three songs, together with “Ridin’ the Storm Out” — written by the fifth member of the traditional lineup, late guitarist Gary Richrath — plus “Roll with the Modifications” and “157 Riverside Avenue.”
Cronin, Doughty, Corridor, and Gratzer additionally served as Grand Marshals in the course of the Illini’s homecoming parade the day prior, sparking a profitable weekend because the Twenty second-ranked Illinois soccer workforce went on to beat the USC Trojans 34-32 in a contested Massive 10 convention matchup.
Cronin and Corridor performing collectively can also be a optimistic signal after Cronin was ignored of REO’s “retrospective” reunion live performance on June 14th in Champaign, Illinois. This got here after the band’s announcement that it could stop touring after 2024 resulting from “irreconcilable variations” between Cronin and Bruce Corridor, a rift that seemingly led to the previous’s exclusion from the Champaign reunion in June.
Cronin as a substitute toured this previous yr below his personal title, however with mainly the identical touring members of the latest incarnation of REO Speedwagon. Nevertheless, the singer has admitted that it’s been tougher to promote tickets as a solo act, regardless of it being basically the identical band.
Under you may watch footage from REO Speedwagon’s halftime present with the Illinois marching band.