- Rock & Roll band formed in 1967, based in Champaign IL. Neal Doughty (keyboards) was the last founding member with the band when it ended in 2024. Alan Gratzer (drums) left in 1988 – his replacement, Bryan Hitt, plays with the band until the end. The band had six lead guitarists over the years. Gary Richrath handled lead guitar during their most popular period in the 70s and 80s. He was replaced by Dave Armato in 1989, who played with the band until the end. Lead vocals since 1976 were handled by Kevin Cronin, who also played guitar. Bruce Hall was the bass guitarist and vocalist from 1977 to 2024.
- The name REO Speedwagon comes from the flatbed truck – the REO Speed Wagon, with ‘REO’ the initials for Ransom E. Olds, the founder of the company that made the truck.
- The band released six albums from 1971 to 1976, with modest success. They began to gain momentum with their 1978 album You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish, followed by Nine Lives the following year. Their breakout album was their ninth studio album, Hi Infidelity, released in 1980. This album was a move toward pop-rock, and it sold over 10 million records. The hit singles from this album were Keep On Loving You (#1), Take It On The Run (#5), In Your Letter (#20) and Don’t Let Him Go (#24). They released three more albums in the 80s, and continued to have hit singles, including Can’t Fight This Feeling, which peaked at #1 in 1984.
- In total, they produced 16 studio albums, ten live albums, and 34 singles. Six of their albums were certified platinum, as were two Greatest Hits albums.
- Their music was big during the heyday of MTV, and their music videos were prominently shown on the network.
- After 57 years, they stopped touring in 2024. There were several one-off shows in 2025 and 2026.
- Here’s one of those videos you’d see on MTV back in 1980/1981 – their first #1 hit, Keep On Loving You. It has that classic REO big arena rock sound, with those classic REO harmonies. Very typical sound of 80s rock music.