REO Speedwagon

REO Speedwagon is a band that started out as a country and boogie band, but which over time one of the most successful arena rock band of all time was the United States . The band is from Champaign, Illinois and was founded in 1967 by Neal Doughty, Alan Gratzer, Joe Matt and Mike Blair. The name was coined by Neal Doughty and REO stands for Ransom Eli Olds.



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[hide] *1 History  ==History[ Edit] == Before delivering his REO Speedwagon first album there are quite a few personnel changes. The band was established in the autumn of 1967. The first line-up consisted of Neal Doughty (keyboards), Alan Gratzer (drums/vocals), Joe Matt (guitar/vocals) and Mike Blair (bass/vocals). In the spring of 1968 is singer Terry Luttrell (ex-Terry Cook and the Majestics) attracted, Joe Matt and Mike Blair are replaced by Bob Crownover (guitar) and Gregg Philbin (bass). Joe McCabe played SAX at this time. Crownover played guitar for the group until the summer of 1969, Bill Fiorio is his replacement. Fiorio (When later as Duke) leaves REO Speedwagon end 1969, his replacement is Steve Scorfina. At one point, Steve Scorfina sees it no longer sit, he leaves the others and leaves for St. Louis to return to years later in the rock-scene as guitarist of Pavlov's Dog. Gary Richrath (ex-Suburban 9 to 5, ex-Feather Train) was to take place in the open cases. The Group had at that time a kind of punk-image and had by the rigorously toured all kinds of clubs and bars in the Midwest a fanatical and loyal clan supporters got behind, thereby got REO Speedwagon earned the confidence of Epic Records and a contract. ===Starting Period[ Edit] === The first (self-titled) album comes out in 1971, but in the first years, the band is not very successful. Singer Terry Luttrell (later in Starcastle) takes down after just one album and was replaced by Kevin Cronin (ex-Fushia), which as a composer/singer/guitarist right away a hefty stamp on the group key. He makes his debut on the album "REO/TWO". During the recording of "Ridin' the storm out" Gary Richrath and Kevin Cronin have a disagreement and the latter band is turned off. Which ensures that on "Ridin' the storm out" Michael Murphy (ex-One Eyed Jacks) is heard. Murphy can also be heard on "Lost in a dream" and "This time we mean it" at this latest album a single "Out Of Control" (with the b-side the song "Running Blind", only released on 45-single). After "This time we mean it" leaves Michael Murphy REO Speedwagon and is he to find years later at Billy Vera & The Beaters. For the album "REO" back and Kevin Cronin returns, however, this basically means the breakthrough of the band in the United States. ===Good luck[ Edit] === The single "Ridin' the storm out" is a hit and the success Gets a sequel with the live album "You get what You play for," and "You can tune a piano but you can't tuna fish".This latest album lets get a personnel change: bassist Gregg Philbin is replaced by Bruce Hall (ex-One Eyed Jacks. Bruce Hall and Gary Richrath made together also part of the band "Feather Train" in 1970 of that year). With this occupation: Neal Doughty, Gary Richrath, Kevin Cronin, Bruce Hall and Alan Gratzer get REO Speedwagon the composition with which they will achieve its greatest successes. And with the album "Nine Lives" to give full throttle direction including Netherlands Europe. ===Greatest successes<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Those successes are introduced by the album "Hi infidelity", that album has sold in the United States on the 10 million copies. Hi infidelity is the best selling rock LP of 1981, it has been 15 weeks at # 1 in billboard. It also supplies four hits on "Keep on loving you", "Take it on the run", "Don't let him go" and "In your letter". The big hit from that album, the song "Keep on loving you", which is the highest place in the American billboards. With this album also get REO Speedwagon fame in Europe (and especially with the single). "Keep on loving you" reached the 7th place in the UK charts. In Netherlands the band will only score two hits: "Keep on loving you" and "Don't let him go". Album listing in Netherlands, "Hi infidelity" # 11 (24 weeks).
 * 1.1 early days
 * 1.2 Success
 * 1.3 greatest successes
 * 1.4 Changing occupation
 * 1.5 New occupation
 * 2 Reprints
 * 3 Trivia
 * 4 discography
 * 4.1 Studio albums
 * 4.2 Live albums
 * 4.3 Compilation albums
 * 4.4 Singles
 * 4.5 soundtracks
 * 4.6 Video/ld/dvd
 * 4.7 Game
 * 4.8 Biblio
 * 5 Dutch/Flemish chart positions
 * 6 Radio 2 Top 2000
 * 7 Covers by other artists
 * 8 Band occupation: 1967-present
 * 9 external links

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The band gets into a creative impasse and is under pressure to make a successor for the hugely successful "Hi infidelity". In 1982 comes "Good trouble", a plate that has been disappointing and a heavy delivery. After this album the band decided to take a year off. Alan Gratzer partners with Queen guitarist Brian May Star Fleet Project in 1983, an ep released by Brian May & Friends. Including also a guitarist Eddie van Halen ( Van Halen's). In 1984 a new REO Speedwagon album: "Wheels are turnin'".From that album the band scores her second number one hit in the United States: the ballad "Can't fight this feeling", in early 1985 (with among other things also successes in England and Germany). On 13 July 1985 play REO Speedwagon at the festival of Bob Geldof (Live Aid). REO Speedwagon is now definitely an established name and plays in sold-out stadiums. And with the album "Life as we know it" REO Speedwagon still know the size to gain American audience. ===Changing occupation<span class="mw-editsection" len="341" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In 1988 Alan Gratzer REO Speedwagon drummer suddenly leaves to focus on the domestic life. He opened a restaurant (Mona Lisa) in Santa Barbara. His replacement is the Santana drummer Graham Lear. Gary Richrath was asked to Kevin about disagreements with Cronin regarding musical direction to leave, he is replaced by Miles Joseph (ex-Player). Gary Richrath was a rocker in hard and kidneys and that they missed in Miles Joseph, the rest of the band members knew that it would be almost an impossible task to replace Gary Richrath. With multi-instrumentalist Dave Amato (ex-Ted Nugent) they have finally found a good replacement. Met Kevin Cronin Jesse Harms (ex-Sammy Hagar) and is brought in as a second keyboardist. Graham Lear is replaced by Bryan Hitt (formerly of Wang Chung). In 1990 they bring "The earth, a small man, his dog and a chicken" out. REO Speedwagon to surprise once again positive, know this is on his time nice and heavy. ===New occupation<span class="mw-editsection" len="337" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In 1991, REO Speedwagon again a quintet and bring them the collector "The second decade of rock 'n' roll 1981 to 1991" on the market, this cd including a reggae version of "Keep on loving you" (Gary Richraths last live performance). We still hear something by the end of 1992 by ex-guitarist Gary Richrath that presents a new band under his own name. His album is, "Only the strong survive" (GNP Crescendo Records). Then the quiet around the band: it was only in 1996 brings them a new album again: "building the bridge". It turns out until april 2007 the final studio album by the band. There is still a compilation (The ballads) with two new songs and three live albums (one of which together with the band Styx). The band still touring through the United States, but now seems especially on old glory to it.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In april 2007, after 11 years a new album, entitled "Find your own way home", on the market. In America are a bonus-cd (with ' live ' in the studio recordings of the complete ' Hi-infidelity "in 2007) and a bonus-dvd (with unplugged clips and interviews) to this cd added. During the subsequent tour, the band played after long time again on European stages. In 2009 brings one along with Styx the cd-Single "Can't Stop Rockin'" from, this is get on REO Speed wagon website. At the end of 2009 there will be a Christmas album titled "Not so silent night ... christmas with REO Speedwagon". ==Reissues<span class="mw-editsection" len="332" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Sony (US), the first album (1971) never released on cd. Sony (UK) brings this for the first time on cd in 1993 as a collector's Choice, with the result that this fast is sold out. The British company BGO Records brings in 2007 the first album (remastered) worldwide along with REO Speedwagon's second album "REO/TWO" (1972). BGO Records also brings the Later albums "Ridin' The Storm Out" (1973), "Lost in a Dream" (1974), "This Time We Mean It" (1975) and "REO" (1976) remastered worldwide on cd. In an interview that Kevin Cronin had with www.billboard.com<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1" len="166" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] he explained that there is a "30th anniversary deluxe edition" of the album"Hi Infidelity" is going to come out in 2011. In October 2011, the first ten albums re-released in mini lp form. The release was an initiative of the Japanese Sony. The CDs have been remastered, also "You get what You play for", which contains the full live album, including "Gary's guitar solo" and "Little Queenie". ==Trivia<span class="mw-editsection" len="327" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ==Discography<span class="mw-editsection" len="332" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ===Studio albums<span class="mw-editsection" len="334" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Live Albums<span class="mw-editsection" len="332" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Compilation albums<span class="mw-editsection" len="338" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Singles<span class="mw-editsection" len="329" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Soundtracks<span class="mw-editsection" len="333" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Video/ld/dvd<span class="mw-editsection" len="334" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Game<span class="mw-editsection" len="326" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Biblio<span class="mw-editsection" len="328" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ==Dutch/Flemish chart positions<span class="mw-editsection" len="355" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ==Radio 2 Top 2000<span class="mw-editsection" len="338" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ==Covers by other artists<span class="mw-editsection" len="350" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ==Band occupation: 1967-present<span class="mw-editsection" len="347" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==
 * Both "Keep on loving you" and "Don't let him go" had the same b-side, "Follow my heart", which is also on the same album.
 * On 19 January 2001 the city of Champaign dedicated the street "Main Street" for always to "REO Speedwagon way".