Beloved Classic Rock Band Retires

[@KeefsCattys]

They are one of those bands that crafted perfect radio rock . I would never put it on in my house or even think about their songs , but every time they come on the radio in the car, I'll be singing along and waiting to get home to my guitar to badly jam it . They were superb songwriters and performers for sure .

[@handle433]

You hit the nail on the head. They sound great in the car!

[@billroberts8982]

For sure. You explained it perfectly. I’m really big on who writes the song. My wife is always saying.What are you doing? Trying to figure out who wrote this song lol.

[@dalefuller5507]

They were one of the first concerts that ever went to that my big sister took me to the the show in 1979

[@jacktorrance2633]

Why wouldn't you listen to them in the house?

[@matt6l6]

Gary Richrath was the guy who made me want a Les Paul when I was a kid. Always loved his playing.

[@Tipisbored]

He instilled two things to me as a young player, melody being king in a solo and pinch harmonics.

[@miketaylorID1]

A great melodic player - layered acoustic/electric songs that - like so many others of that class - could make that 59 burst sing! I wonder where his burst is today. Hopefully not a wall hanger in a dentists office somewhere 😅. ✌🏼

[@scottbee501]

Gary Richrath was from East Peoria, Illinois seemed like people would talk about him and how nice he was up until his death. I think he passed away in surgery in Bloomington, Illinois. I was a freshman at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1971 and any bar they played at was absolutely packed like sardines.

[@robmoore9741]

Opening for REO Speedwagon at a rib festival is absolutely awesome, and the fact that they were really nice makes it even more so. Happy New Year to to you Amy and the critters, Otis. You made 2024 more livable. Peace.

[@randaloopy]

Steely Dan... as a southern rock/classic rock guy I used to hate hearing their music on the radio in the 70"s & 80"s... then the internet... turns out they were really talented musicians, wordsmiths & a tremendous band. Now I appreciate them 😀

[@commontater8630]

Good for you. I loved them ever since they first hit with Do It Again -- soundtrack of my life at the time!

[@leftwrite]

Hey Otis, my band (Slash Cowboy) opened for REO on July 4th, 1988 at Zilker Park in Austin. We barely got a sound check because REO took a 45 minute sound check playing this mindless reggae riff the entire time. The rock gods look favorably upon us that day as a severe thunderstorm hit after we, Omar & the Howlers and the Ventures played. REO was postponed until the next day, which very few people attended because it was a work day. Gary Richrath was a great guitarist. I always liked "Golden Country" much more than "Riding the Storm Out" because he owned that song. Happy New Year!

[@tZydeco]

Omar & the Howlers were a lot of fun

[@TonyBoyd-b2j]

Anybody remember their first album? Kevin Cronin wasn’t in the band yet. My cousin had the record and it was quite different than what the band turned into. ✌🏼

[@jr642]

REO Speedwagon and Head East are both Illinois bands and they both sound like Illinois. Drive across the farmland in central Illinois and crank up Riding The Storm Out, or Never Been Any Reason. Those sounds somehow fit that atmosphere and landscape perfectly.

[@thomaskrueger1728]

Absolutely!

[@ministerofdarkness]

Well Otis sometimes you just can’t fight that feeling anymore. Ride the storm out and we’ll see ya on down the road.

[@PieCompanyGuitars]

I heard it from a friend...

[@alicesings1971]

@@PieCompanyGuitarswho heard it from a friend who….

[@Johnpalmeter]

Otis, this video is a perfect example of what makes you an interesting person that is well worth “following.” Keep on keepin on and have a happy and healthy new year!

[@carlpop2324]

Well-said. Otis is a wonderful story teller. This is one of his best. Thanks, Otis!

[@brianjones7521]

yep

[@stevemoody13]

Journey, Styx, Toto, Heart, and the Eagles are bands that I think of in that way. Some really good songs over the years, but I pretty much heard enough of them way back when I listened to the radio and let someone else choose the songs.

[@captainkangaroo4301]

I was never a big REO fan but I did take a date to one of their shows in 1972 at the armory in Devils Lake North Dakota. I’ve never owned one of their albums either. But I have nothing but respect for anyone who can make a living touring and playing instruments.

[@billroberts8982]

I’m guessing Journey for me. I’ve never owned any of their Albums. But I hate to say it. Me being more into classic country and folk music. I will turn them up when they come on. I never thought of this before. Our mind is amazing. How we can recall memories that we haven’t thought of for years. Peace and love to you Otis.

[@matchedbook1]

Absolutely. Don’t own an album but those songs catch my ear when they come on a playlist !

[@jameshauer8554]

Journey definitely falls into this category for me. Being form the SF Bay Area, Journey was a cool local rock band. I saw them open for Emerson, Lake and Palmer in August 1978 and after rocking out Look Into The Future for the first song, they introduced their new lead singer to us, Steve Perry. I thought it sucked and that would be the end of them. Man, was I wrong with regards to their popularity. However, as a musician when I critically listened to Jourey music with Steve Perry it is impossible not to think, "damn, that is a well done song."

[@jonathanedwardgibson]

Nostalgia finds me humming to songs I never bought, or sought, and some I even detested, but the familiar has a tonic quality that washes away the remaining aftertaste{s} of my youth.

[@scottshand8559]

Rush. I know so many of their songs but just never went out and bought any. Another very nice Saturday morning video Otis, thanks man.

[@erichehe799]

I grew up in Columbus, IN so I remember Q95 from a young age. My parents bought High Infidelity when it came out. I must’ve been 10. They loved a lot of those bands: Styx, Journey, Boston, Foreigner. At the time I was too busy listening to AC/DC, Sabbath, Aerosmith to care. But it was everywhere. You couldn’t escape it. Nowadays I have a little soft spot for certain songs by those bands. It reminds me of a certain era and takes me back.

[@user-mad7max11dystopia]

My REO Speedwagon story is from 1990. My wife’s brother was in the Navy and stationed in San Diego. After he got out he lived there for a few years near San Diego State University. He invited us out for a 10 day vacation. So I’d flown once in my life and my wife had never flown. We get in the car to drive to the airport and REO was on the radio singing “It’s time for me to fly”. That was weird.

[@brucezimmerman9451]

Some of my friends danced to REO as they played at the Red Lion Inn the night before my wedding. Looong time gone. Early versions of REO, like early Chicago, is best in my mind. Later is OK for MOR radio. But like you grandmother story these songs anchor points in our lives, good and bad, and aren’t we the luckiest people ever to be able to hear the songs of our youth just as they were played 55-80 years ago. Never before was that possible. From one Hoosier to another thanks for all the excellent content you bring to us here and elsewhere.

[@johnwurum2968]

Otis, Have been watching your vids for a few years on my roku player. Thanks for restoring my faith and love in my philosphy and religion called genuine music.All your guests are real deal genuine musicians, Dyed in the wool. Steve Poltz, Kenny Vaughan being my two current fav interviews. Keep up the great work. I'm sure you are having the same effect on other music lovers. Thank you for your great videos and the heartfelt authenticity behind them . Happy Holidays. John

[@geneclayton2393]

Good morning Otis. I love REO. No shame. I’m a sucker for a melody, and REO has tons of great melodies. Match with great playing and vocals, it’s a no-brainer.

[@duaneparrish6142]

The band Boston. At our age anything that reminds you of grandma is awesome!

[@PhotoTrekr]

Boston was brilliant. Probably why their music is still played in rotation today.

[@ourlifeinwyoming4654]

The guitar licks are what kept me interested in this band.

[@meldrew728]

Back On The Road Again has always really hit the spot for me. Cheers Otis.

[@danstringer7610]

I love that one too!

[@joeylowry874]

Mornin' Otis, warmed up a little here in KY. Drinking some good old Maxwell House straight up black. Much love to you and the fam.

[@KeefsCattys]

I must admit that I far prefer instant to all the mochaccinos and lattes etc .. We have Nescafe smooth here in Scotland and one of them in the morning does me fine with out going to Starfucks and pay £4,00 for something I think is foul!

[@PaulReed-lj2ym]

Fogers

[@greenatom]

Specific songs can be so evocative, incredibly so. Hearing a song can take you right back to a certain room, at a certain time, an amazing amount of detail comes back sometimes.... Thank you for sharing, Otis. These kinds of thoughts are highly personal, and at the same time universal.

[@stevetucker9181]

REO came to my little town, Wenatchee Washington, a few years back. I appreciated it so I went. I remember that Kevin Cronin played quite possibly every Ovation guitar in existence. They were polished, tight, and it was great to hear all of those songs again. Glad I went.

[@James-p8u]

Otis, back in the 70’s when I was a kid up here in Massachusetts We use to catch Aerosmith playing at local high school auditoriums and Town halls, it was Awesome 👍✌️

[@roberttaylor505]

Hope everyone is happy and looking forward to the new year. Roll with the changes! 🙏☮

[@ShayneLewis-rg3rb]

Thank you Mr. Gibbs, i have always enjoyed your broadcasts, as a musician I can really relate to your stories and perspectives. Keep up the good work!

[@danielwoll6917]

Good morning sir. Loved Gary's playing . There's an early live record called "You get what you play for". Lot of early stuff . Gary shines.

[@scottkidwell3601]

Happy Saturday, Otis! I think my circle of friends discovered FM radio sometime in the late 70s/ early 80s, which led us into rock & roll. Over on the west coast in Oregon it was KGON in Portland and KZEL in Eugene. REO and similar bands were the soundtrack to awkward junior high and high school slow dances and raod trips before we put cassette players in our cars. Much appreciation for your coffee talks. Thank you 🙏🏻🤍

[@bobbailey5072]

I saw REO in Savanah in the late 80’s. Loudest live show I ever attended. Gary ripped it to shreds. Thanks for the memories. ✌️

[@otisgibbs]

----- Otis Tour Dates ------- 02/27/25 -Iduna -Drachten, Netherlands 02/28/25. -De Schalm. -Westwoud, Netherlands 03/02/25. -Private Event. -Sint Willebrord, Netherlands 03/05/25 -TivoliVredenburg -Utrecht, Netherlands 03/06/25 -Cultural Centre De Zeepziederij -Bree, Belgium 03/07/25. -Popuppodium. -Almelo, Netherlands 03/08/25 -Lutherse Kerk -Groningen, Netherlands 03/09/25. -Walhalla -Rotterdam, Netherlands ------ Details at otisgibbs.com ----------

[@caseysmith544]

It is the same thing for my late gen--X early Millennial older then me in the Generation I am from Seeing White Stripes from I Iowa in my area (I live in South Dakota state capital) before they had released a full album.

[@fronts3165]

Okay, Otis, I will answer your question. When you said “Keep on loving you,” my first thought was Journey. Lol The power of the rock ballad and classic rock radio.

[@billbush3962]

Saw them open for BOC in ‘75 or ‘76. It’s a bit fuzzy. But Riding the Storm out I play every time I’m in the Rockies. I heard Astronomy by BOC today and found myself air guitaring in the gym. Thanks for the stories.

[@tomdebomb4299]

My only recollection of REO Speedwagon: In the seventies I was hitchhiking from California to Vail, CO where a buddy of mine was living and where I was going to get work and ski. It had been rough getting rides and a couple of them were with sketchy dudes. I was pretty worn out by the time I got to western Colorado. Stuck out my thumb for a couple hours and finally three guys a few years younger than me stopped. I get in and one of them says, “You like REO Speedwagon?..cause we’re gonna’ crank it up!” And for the next couple hours I was smokin’ weed with those guys and getting my REO baptism!

[@pawlpoche8736]

If you look up on KZbin roll with the changes on the midnight special live, incredible performance shows how good of a band REO Speedwagon really was

[@sdqh57]

When I was in High School in small town Robinson IL, we had a Lyceum in the gym one afternoon ….it was REO Speedwagon. A short time later, they signed albums in the record department of the big dept store whose name escapes me, at the mall, Honey Creek Square. After the allotted signing time, they performed in the mall. This would have been ‘72 or ‘73. I think I had my drivers license so probably ’73. My friends and I rocked a lot of country road miles listening to Ridin’ The Storm Out and Golden Country! Like you, I never had an album of theirs, or 8 track tape as was the case for portable music in those days. But they sure did dominate the radio waves!

[@robertgillen979]

Whenever I see old rock concert advertisements I always come across them headlining shows with groups opening up for them that turned out being super popular.

[@kortt]

Never got into REO until 1980 and only because my girlfriend at the time loved the Hi Infidelity album. Another band is Toto, the Hydra album for the same reason.. Thanks for the nostalgia Otis!

[@kendallpigg5097]

I've never owned an album by Chicago, but when those early songs come on the radio, I'm totally into it. Sometime around 1979-80, REO came to DeKalb, Illinois where I was in school. Someone gave me a free ticket, so I went. To my surprise, they were really great!

[@lawsonj39]

I saw Dylan at the NIU field house in DeKalb. I forget the exact year--probably like '89. He had the Sales brothers backing him. Excellent show.

[@PADGE_HB]

Man I don’t know how but I just saw a video of ya. I’m from Indy area as well. Can’t tell you how much I enjoy hearing stories of yours. I was raised on Cash, Waylon, Willie, Merle, and to hear your stories is amazing. Thanks for sharing man. I hope I meet you one day and we can chat

[@richardcastagna7313]

I constantly listen to R.E.O Speedwagon, it's on my playlist on my phone. It's one of my top 10 favorite bands of all time.

[@anthonymcgill8035]

Huge appreciation for Gary Richrath’s guitar style and tone…always melodic.

[@donny_doyle]

I grew up in Pittsburgh - Ridin' The Storm Out is part of our classic rock Canon here too. Something about it... you know.

[@Lobster_Clawer]

I saw them in 2019 and have to say they were one of the most enjoyable bands I've ever seen. Just every song was a awesome.

[@J.T.Hatchet]

Hey Otis, best to you and Amy. I'm gonna take a hard left turn and say "Prince". More recently I've come to appreciate the songwriting and musicianship.

[@dlmyrs]

Gary Richrath was REO Speedwagon. Way underrated and one of the best at bending those strings. Once the ballad era started I shut them off.

[@donkkong5551]

That's why I don't criticize any music ever because there is a reason for all of it.. In 1982 my uncle passed away and I will never forget the song Steppin' Out by Joe Jackson coming on the radio, that song is the title of a chapter in my life.. Music is a gift and a time machine. Otis, I met you in the Catskills maybe 6 months ago you're a hip cat and were a pleasure to talk to. Don't judge all people from the greater Philadelphia area as bad people, All of us aren't bad Eagles fans.. Peace..

[@MatthewMoranMusic]

Nothing wrong with REO Speedwagon. Roll With The Changes is a rockin' tune!

[@davidtomlinson5017]

I grew up in rural Illinois, we had basically no local music. One evening at dinner in the Olson Hall cafeteria at Western Illinois University two guys were playing Riding the Storm Out on acoustic guitars, which I pooh-poohed. My friend Steve shut me up saying he liked the song, and made me reassess my opinions. Steve also introduced me to John Prine, and your Prine tribute brought me to your channel, so you could say REO Speedwagon led me here.

[@deepwood4]

So, back in the 80's I used to work as a dishwasher at a truck stop. REO stopped to fuel up and came inside to get some snacks. They all wanted Dintymore Beef stew but they didn't have a can opener on their bus. I offered to open the cans for them and put the stew in cups so they could warm it up on the bus. You'd have thought I was giving them cups of gold. They were so excited to be able to eat that stew.

[@notyrants]

Aww man. I was trying to keep it together but I can't fight this feeling anymore.. I'm old.

[@carlpop2324]

Thanks for being you, Otis! Have a happy new year!

[@toddflowers8052]

Being from Northeast Indiana I saw REO Speedwagon so many times I lost count ! It seems like they played the Ft Wayne Coliseum every month or so . I agree with you about Gary Richrath ,"Flying Turkey Trot " was another good one with his riffs . Thanks for bringing them up Otis .... good day sir .

[@steveroche8584]

That story is hilarious. Thanks Otis.✌from San Diego.

[@Tipisbored]

Howdy Otis...a belated Merry Christmas to you and your family. Went to Bukovacs birthday show and had a blast but my trip to Nashville was not as fun without running into you in multiple locations like last time! Best wishes from Ian from DC.

[@derrickdeweese5637]

Love REI… great commentary on your view of them. Your buddy Dan Baird opened for them on a couple tours. Georgia satellites. Love all your videos.

[@williamweber8573]

Used to play Keep on Loving You bak in the day an it packed the dance floor every time💯🎸🤠. Come to think of it might have to put it back on the list in one of the bands I play in now😎

[@johngaltjkt62]

REO is one of those bands that you only need to own their "The Hits" album and they were always fun to see in concert.

[@myleslong5584]

Live-You Get What You Play For is a MUST own for any personal collection.

[@teddwayne]

I grew up in Peoria,Gary was from East Peoria. I was born in ^2 and Gary was the man as far as I was concerned back then. I got to meet Gary after a show at the Bradley Fieldhouse,killed it! Those baseball stadium summerfest shows,REO,Ted Nugent...great video Otis!

[@teddwayne]

the formula was Kevin Cronin joining the band-REO TWO is a classic for us old guys :)

[@Michel-r6m]

Never owned a Bob Dylan album...yet I love Bob Dylan's music 😅

[@danmcconnell5941]

I had Keep on Loving You on a 45rpm single, but no REO albums. I do have a clear memory of hearing that song in the radio in the morning while my mom was dropping me off at school, 8th grade out in Plainfield. If it wasn’t Q95 it was WZPL.

[@bazilbrushrocks]

I was waiting for a video from you about REO. I guess you just couldnt fight that feeling anymore.

[@MinglewoodSlim]

Hall and Oates! Even air Supply, good stuff Otis!

[@danhickey5707]

Never owned any albums by Hall & Oates, but they have a ton of great radio songs that I always enjoy hearing.

[@joeshmoe1739]

That guitar player in that band was crazy good. I also got my first kiss to “Keep On Loving You”. Her name was Jodi. I still know her. Those were the days

[@richshipley7893]

I've never had an REO album either but know the lyrics to their songs since they got so much airplay. Saw them open for a triple bill a few years back and Kevin said that the happiest thing in his career was that the whole audience could sing along to the concert. It was a fun time.

[@mbeachtantrum]

"Hi Infidelity" is an all-time, front-to-back BANGER of an album.

[@brownsfan7753]

Gary was a great guitar player!!!!

[@Ian-wh8ut]

Thanks man! next time i hear Keep on Lovin You i will for sure follow it up with some South of Heaven! cool as cool.

[@bmeerfeld]

Thanks Otis. More good stuff

[@Mr1coolguy2]

Otis, you always make my day!

[@stevehassenplug5150]

Hey Otis, I'm a subscriber because I love your videos. Your storytelling is just so enjoyable. Indeed, REO is one of those bands whose music generally makes me cringe. They have so many "cheesy" songs. I once saw them headline a stadium show in 1982 at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Get this: 707 opened, then The Scorpions came out and blew the rest of the lineup off the stage, then Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, then Ted Nugent, and finally REO. It was a long day.... LOL

[@jimholmes341]

Otis you are one cool dude if your ever in Tucson let's get a cup of coffee, love REO seen the quite a few times,Gary was awesome...Flying Turkey Trot🤟🎸

[@tonyhill1141]

I grew up in Indiana in the 70s and early 80s and you are hitting it on head. If you are from this area you had the big 3 Cheap Trick, REO, and Styx. Midwest bands. Wilco took up that mantle in 93 (and others to a lesser degree) but for that time period those three were the kings.

[@tomedmonson501]

Styx is another band that comes to mind. I don’t own any of their music, but definitely know some of their songs, and will listen to them on the radio.

[@steveweiman4708]

I was born in 64, I looked and I have exactly one REO Speedwagon album: Nine Lives from ‘79. Purchased it for exactly one song: Back on the Road Again -Written and Lead vocals by Bruce Hall it is one of the best examples of straight up killer midwest rock of the time, It just rips! Richraths licks, Doughtys Hammond organ work etc. - all great. It was my hope at the time the next album would be loaded with music this direction, but alas, it wasn’t to be. I can’t say I dislike them after that, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. At the time I didn’t know of their history dating back to 1970 and had no exposure to their early work. Taking a trip down the rabbit hole today it was amazing to see-hear Richrath In his early days. Amazing blues, licks, and all the ingredients of an explosive rock guitarist to be of the time. Never saw them live back in the day, but looking at some of their old performances these guys were top shelf live, I wish now I would’ve gone if for no other reason than to see/hear Richrath, he’s someone you rarely hear about today in the slots of great guitarists of the time, but he should be……

[@ChrissHill]

Riding the storm out! One if the members of Reo turned up in Starcastle..

[@kennedyterence4209]

Morning Otis, there are certain bands that you don't need to own their albums, radio took care of that. Maybe you didn't hate them, but you didn't need to own any of their music. I know I have been in the presence of REO Speedwagon, probably at a Day on the Green in the early 80s. As we get older music starts to have a memory tag to a time in our lives, maybe someone we knew liked a certain band, so now when we hear those songs it takes us back to a person, a place or thing in our lives, and for a moment, we turn it up and smile. That again is the mystery of vibrations, and why most of us here are music junkies.

[@alanphil]

Jay Ferguson - Thunder Island is a tune I would listen to if it came on the radio. Never listened to anything else by Jay Ferguson, but this song takes me right back to Summer 1978. . .

[@jeffanderson8384]

REO Speedwagon was my first "Stadium" rock show! Guessing it was late '70's. They put on a great show.

[@FussellFilms23]

Happy new year to you Otis. I wrote a song based on your sign off Somewhere Down The Road it is on my Wasteland Balladeer album. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@wittry2]

Sending sunshine your way Otis. First day of sun here in a week. Glorious. REO Speedwagon was cool for 5 min. Ridin’ the Storm Out was the only song I knew they played. They rest were no my kind of music. I was senior in HS when that song came out. 1973 ( had to look that up). Bands like them include Styx. Others aren’t coming to mind and I’m okay with that. In 73 I wanted The Rolling Stones.

[@ramblinsarap]

The Doobie Brothers. It's one of those things where they were on repeat on radio for years and I never took much notice of what was on the radio but nowadays I'll pay attention if I hear them as they made quite pleasant music.

[@mikefannon6994]

The Doobies rocked before Michael Mcdonald. He turned them into "Pop", like he always did.

[@seanwelch71]

REO was very popular in central Wisconsin. Kevin Cronin's brother was the weatherman in Wausau. I like early REO. I saw them play at the Wausau Fair, and it was lightly drizzling. Cronin starts the song saying to the crowd "Let's ride out the storm together!"

[@robertgillen979]

In the first 24 hrs of MTV, REO had 8 different videos played. They also did MTVs first live concert.

[@matm4331]

Thanks Otis...never loved Kevin Cronin vocals but often wondered what Gary Richrath would have sounded like with a different, well established rock band. Guess we'll never know. There was a band in the early 2000s called the Zutons that would fit your description...I don't always seek them out but enjoy them when I hear them.

[@chetcalhoun613]

Hey Otis, thanks for the video. Like you, I’ve never owned one of their albums, but only because you would always hear them on the radio…so why buy the album? My favorite is Roll With the Changes/Keep on Rollin’ and Take it on the Run.

[@maryhanson8201]

REO was the first concert I went to in Oshkosh wi. Loved it !! Brownsville station opened .got caught in a stampede when they opened only one door .Feet not on the floor squished between huge guys .thought I was gonna die but finally reconnected with my friends and still enjoyed the show 🎉😅

[@delbertlord9858]

My last band we closed with Ridin the Storm Out. And you mentioned Cheap Trick. Seen them in regular venues but also saw them in a grocery parking lot and went down to see them in a bar in South Bend Indiana.

[@lindalee5866]

"REO Spee'gon" ! :D I had to 'youtube' the group to recall their music. Wasn't into them. But I love Otis's car-chat story! Didn't realize they go back to the 60s.

[@carlpop2324]

When Otis said REO Speedwagon, I almost spit my coffee! LOL! I grew up in Michigan and heard REO on the radio all the time but never bought any of their music, either.

[@catdeli]

Although we were mainly Metal/Hard Rock guys my friends and I all loved REO too. Their 1978 Live album 'You Get What You Play For' is one of THE great live albums and Gary was a smokin' guitarist. I bought their albums up until High Infidelity when they kinda lost me with their softer sound. I saw them live about six times. In later years I saw them and Kevin was playing acoustic onstage which really threw the songs in a less Rock n Roll direction, ruining them for me. After he was booted from the band Gary and band played a small bar here and the place was packed and hot and sweaty, a great show!

[@Strumbum01]

Good morning from AZ, Otis.

[@ChrissHill]

Riding the storm out. 157 Riverside avenue. Liked them in their early days .

[@bretaguilar153]

REO EFFIN SPEEEDWAGON! Lol. I'm from Bremen Indiana and my experience with REO is very much like yours. I have friends who are REO maniacs though. I was a metalhead so we called them REO Speedcookie. I will say that Gary Richrath's solo on "Back On The Road Again" off the "Nine Lives" album is raucous.

[@gregb8565]

They were actually a force in the 70s and played in the Midwest so many times I can’t even count them from my native locales of Green Bay Wisconsin Milwaukee when Cronin returned they had crafted their biggest song to date Ridin the storm out - Gary richrath was awesome too. Can’t tuna fish and roll with the changes started the ball rolling. Trick,reo , Seeger, Nugent all were backing bands for many years in the mid 70s

[@CatDandor]

The double live album is one of the best ever,the flying turkey trot+Riding the storm out are ,absolutely rocked us out in Canada,ah still have my 1977 vinyl copy!

[@MatthewMoranMusic]

Oh... a few additional thoughts. First, I've stopped being the "they suck" about cliche bands or music. There is a reason most of those acts are cliche... it's because they wrote some type of ear worm that caught people's attention. Good for them! A few concerts from my sort of hair metal days. Saw KISS - without makeup. A friend had an extra ticket. I wasn't that excited to go. One of the MOST entertaining concerts I've been to. They know how to use the entire stage. Second: Saw the Scorpions with Bon Jovi opening - 1984 - at the Forum in Inglewood (Los Angeles) . Runaway was just hitting. We were STONED! I remember how pumped we were when Klaus Meine, with his German accent, yelled, "Hello Los Angeles. Are you ready to rock and roll tonight!!" It was pretty sweet! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@MartinMCade]

I checked the final REO Speedwagon lineup, and aside from Bruce Hall who hasn't been able to tour for a year or two, I think it's all the same people who are now part of Kevin Cronin's touring band. So really nothing has changed except he's retiring the "REO Speedwagon" name and continuing as the Kevin Cronin band. REO was the second concert I ever saw, in 1979. (My first was Rush). I loved that old rock-n-roll era of REO before they figured out their hit formula. I guess I can't blame them for going where the money was, but they lost something when they changed their sound.