Gary Richrath *The Rise and Fall of REO Speedwagon* (mini doc)

Lead guitarist Gary Richrath was the face of REO Speedwagon for almost 20 years. He started with them in 1970 when they were a cover band, wrote and recorded original songs and helped them to the top of the charts. But the ride back down was a tough one for them all, especially Gary. Here is a short mini documentary on Gary and the band.
#reospeedwagon #minidoc #documentary #classicrock

[@knoxtrail5412]

His solo in roll with changes is one of THE BEST EVER

[@xmichaelxwalkup10]

I helped to discover Gary Ritchrath. In 1970 I was in a band at the University of Illinois called "Feathertrain". We were basically a Three Dog Night copy band with 3 singers, drums, organ, guitar and base. I played lead guitar and had founded the band along with one of the singers, Geoff Poor. Our organist was Dana Walden who later wrote a cross over R & B hit in 1980 with the group "Champaign" and our base player was Bruce Hall, who is currently with REO. Our booking agent was Irving Azoff, who is now probably the leading figure in the music industry. Irving had us playing intially 4 nights a week whick alloweed me to keep up with my college classes. However, right before finals, he wanted us to start playing an additional 2 nights which would have made it impossible for me to stay in school. Figuring "whoever heard of a 40 year old Rock n Roll musician" I decided to quit the band so I could cram for my finals. We begen looking for another lead player. At a gig in Peoria IL, we interviewed Gary, who had brought a Les Paul to show us what he could do. Unfortunately, we didn't have an amp backstage so all he could do was play on the Paul with no amplification. We couldn't hear much of what he was doing but his hands were a blur. Later, the group audtioned him at our rented warehouse space across the street from the Chance R nightclub in Champaign along with the original REO lead player, Bill "Duke Tomato" Fiorio. Gary won and became the band's lead player which he did for about a year before being picked up by REO to replace their then lead player. Later on, REO used one of our then singers, Mike Murphy, to replace Kevin on vocal when Kevin's voice went out while trying to record the Riding The Storm Out album. Even later, the original REO base player, Greg Philbin, quit, and Gary contacted Bruce Hall to replace him. By that time Kevin had returned and the rest is history. For myself, I finished college and went to law school.

[@RiverDocs]

Great story and thank you for sharing!

[@BryanRods]

I really like the song in your letter

[@jamesnewberry1191]

Bass player ???

[@ajentgen7943]

Awesome...thanks for sharing

[@pete9688]

Thanks man… me and my buddies would go to see REO a lot here in Chicago. What does REO stand for anyway? Is it an acronym?

[@rhetttillery]

One of my bands opened for Richrath in a bar in N Texas back in 91 or 92. We sat in front of him and were blown away. He was flawless on the old REO; Golden Country etc. He autographed my Riding The Storm Out album and I got to talk with him for a while. Great guitarist!

[@gearhead8681]

Humble brag alert

[@rundoetx]

I knew Gary about that same time in Texas.a group of us saw them every chance we got. We even made our own t shirts. Later I saw Gary play in Texas too. What was the name of your band? I probably saw you play.

[@JamminClemmons]

@@gearhead8681 What’s interesting about (you people), those drinking trolls & your alcoholism is that just a few years before the infamous potato famine, Ireland was the site of a massively successful temperance campaign led by the noted Catholic priest, Theobald Mathew. So successful was this campaign that between 1838 and 1841, their national alcohol consumption was cut in half.

[@WisconsinWanderer]

He was a one of a kind guitarist I miss his playing.

[@JohnDoe-ny1wp]

I love hearing this "OLD MAN" tell the stories. Why? Because I'm an old man too and he's telling FACTS. We were SOOOO lucky to have MUSIC in our day.

[@Starman2112ofKings]

Love Gary’s playing he was the definition of “cool”

[@frankiethefixer]

Definitely one of the all time greats. He slayed that '59 and made it scream. Roll With The Changes is one of my favorite lead guitar songs. RIP GR

[@atomicwedgie8176]

Don't Let'im Go is my fav.

[@jefferyroy2566]

"Roll with the Changes" is something I have to listen to 3-4 times a year just to keep my head straight. Another is the live performance of "My Sharona," where guitarist Burton Averre plays his tasty solo with extra energy. Hendrix doing "Killing Floor" at Monterey Pop, "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" at the Fillmore, and others help my psyche survive the insanities of this world we've built.

[@scottsearcy2075]

" Roll With the Changes " is the greatest rock n' roll song I've ever heard. Neil's keyboard solo is off the chats.

[@Woodstockneverhappened]

I’ll go as far to say REO without Gary is like Skynyrd without Ronnie

[@jefferyroy2566]

@@Woodstockneverhappened I was going to agree until your screen name became evident. Some of my concert experiences were accompanied by psychoactive substances that left me wondering if they really happened. I hope you're not suggesting Woodstock is a myth, false flag operation or an atrocity against God and country. You're right about Gary and Ronnie, in any case.

[@kendevries3212]

Alan Gratzer opened a restaurant in Westlake Village, CA. It was called Pita Feast. I ate there once and Alan was manning the cash register. I asked him if he missed the band. He said, "yes, kinda."

[@MultiSkyman1]

How weird man. Life is so strange. From being on stage doing the rock star thing and experiencing all those amazing moments to being behind a cash register. But that is the reality for most musicians. Of course it was his own business I guess. Yes, I play music too. 63 now, and had all the same dreams as the others, but at least they made it pretty damn big a good while and can be proud of it forever!

[@paolovincent6800]

a great player, you could always tell it was Gary by his tone, he is a true Rock Star !

[@davedavid7061]

His guitar on Roll With The Changes has my vote for best guitar work in any song

[@gins8781]

My all time favorite song. Love the energy.

[@cmmorrissey4]

I spent a few hours with Gary after the REO break up. He showed me his Les Paul guitars and we talked for a long time. He was a sweet guy. He was also one great rock n roll guitarist. Thanks.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Gary is one of my guitar heroes. His playing is engaging and powerful. Golden Country live solo is amazing.

[@Fukna69]

He sings on the live album, only a summer love, not the best but not bad, listen to the guitar work on that tune, one of my favorite

[@johnhunsinger2625]

Gary is one of the most underrated guitarists. I loved watching him play. He always looked like he really enjoyed performing and made it look so easy. RIP Gary!

[@Sonoma_Coast]

Not underrated.

[@JoeHunter-vt2mw]

Explanation needed on "Not Underated". Thank You!

[@Sonoma_Coast]

@@JoeHunter-vt2mw Rockers from my generation know his is one of the top pioneers to rock guitar. He had his own unique sound and that makes him great. Though Younger generations may not know of him. WE KNOW.

[@Aranck-kcnarA]

​@@Sonoma_Coast.. 🎯

[@timothyclaffey9138]

My first day as a freshman at University of Illinois in August, 1970 I went to see a band playing in an alley behind a frat house. It was REO Speedwagon. Then the next night it was REO at The Red Lion on Green Street. I just remember thinking how great it was to be able to see this awesome local band anytime I wanted! I loved Gary Richrath and their original singer Terry Latrell and when he left to join Starcastle, for me it was never the same. Just couldn't get on the Kevin Cronin train. Great memories nonetheless.

[@charlesking5328]

I'm with you on the "Kevin" assessment 100%

[@markkenny2919]

Truly one, if not the, most underrated guitarist in rock history. His playing on the live "You Get What You Play For" is flawless Golden Country is one of his greatest solos. I can never get enough of his playing on Back On The Road Again. (The live version, left hand sliding up and down the neck of his guitar is epic). One of the greats.

[@leftylefty77]

Chronically underrated.

[@markvineyard4149]

Gary's solos on "Back On The Road Again" are among the blistering in history. I always crank up the volume when that song comes on.

[@showtime951]

My L.A. Laker season tickets and Keven Cronin & Gary Richrath's season tickets were right next to each other at the Forum. I sat right next to Gary for two seasons in the early-mid eighties. Both of them were absolutely delightful, down-to-earth, funny, sarcastic guys. We laughed so much. It was also great being able to go backstage before and after the show when REO Speedwagon played the Forum, which they would typically SELL-OUT in those days. I was truly saddened to hear of Gary's all to early passing. What a tremendous person and talent.

[@hollymartins6913]

I'm not a major REO fan, but as a kid growing up during the early days of MTV, Gary Richrath was THE GUY that made me pick up the guitar almost 40 years ago. And he's still one of the most dynamic guitar players I've ever seen. In my book, he's right up there with Bloomfield, Green, and Kossoff.

[@roychester7876]

Gary was an unbelievable guitar player, not only on the hard rocking songs, but also for smoother tunes. He sings the wonderful Only a Summer Love on the R.E.O and You Get What You Play For albums, and I was delighted to hear his son Eric Richrath perform an excellent version of that song on his recent album Maybe Someday. Gary will definitely be smiling down at that!

[@BillByham]

Cool ! Two things I didn't know and enthralled to learn ... now to in investigate Eric R. 😊

[@BillByham]

Didn't know Gary sang that and I love ' Summer Love ' . T.Y. 😊

[@timpokrywka7026]

My two favorite guitarist have always been, Gary Richrath and Michael Schenker.

[@BillByham]

Met MIcheal S. He'll of a story like some of these others . You'd be tge only one I take the time to txt it out ............

[@csnide6702]

That band went as far as Gary's Les Paul took them ..... and that was IT..... that band died the day he left it

[@rubicon-oh9km]

They’ve been touring without Gary for 33 years now and making lots of money. Band is far from dead.

[@williamgullett5911]

@@rubicon-oh9kmthe band sold out with their High Infidelity lalala top 40 album. They deserved what happened after that. They deserve to plat state fairs in Iowa.

[@dougmillyard2418]

Agreed

[@csnide6702]

@@rubicon-oh9km you mean Kevin Cronin hasn't given it up.... Who can even name their band members anymore...? they are beating a dead horse to play county fairs.

[@christopherharris3229]

​@@rubicon-oh9kmcover band now 😂 try as he might Dave Amato can't hold a candle to Gary Richrath

[@The-Contractor]

One of the most under appreciated bands ever. Saw them in a bar while living in CO. They killed it. Pure talent and raw emotion fused to real power.

[@coloradod3649]

REO is one of my favorite bands and I think they are still great. I catch them in concert every few years. I last saw them with Styx in 2022. Sometimes you just have to roll with the changes.

[@ndNowMiguel]

Playing in November 2023 in Loveland Colorado. 🎉

[@gregputz1735]

Gary was one of my idols growing up in the ‘70-‘80! Great guitar player and musician. I was sad when I got news of his passing in 2015. Great Video Btw!!!

[@ELECTRICMOTOCROSSMACHINE]

Reo Speedwagon was my very first concert I ever went to at 17 years old. Gary Richrath stood out. I bought a shirt, that I wore till it fell apart.

[@JH-jx1hs]

REO was without question my favorite band in the late 70's early 80's and Gary was without question my favorite guitarist in that time. Eventually discovered the Blues through Eric Clapton's and Stevie Ray Vaughan, but REO will always be special for me. Saw them in 1970 in the Forum in LA and again in the 90's at Universal. Not even close to the same without Gary. Was one of those magic bands that needed everyone in it. RIP Gary. Thanks for the memories!!

[@kevinmuzerMetalMind64]

Gary Richrath...One of my All Time favorite guitar 🎸 players 🎶 🎵

[@michaelcox436]

I played with Gary one night in Fayetteville Arkansas, after their double bill with Point Blank, when he dropped by club we were playing at. He was on FIRE. He recognized immediately that I was a capable keyboardist and grinned and we traded licks back and forth for 20 minutes or so. He was definitely at the top of his curve.

[@ttnt3332]

Your blessed!! Gary was from my home town!! Love the dude! RIP Gary!!

[@ttnt3332]

So do I along with Eddie's!!

[@kikiki4592]

Gary is an amazing and under rated player. Everytime I hear a Guns N' Roses song and Slash starts into a solo I hear Gary's influence loudly. R.I.P. Gary

[@dongraham8236]

Slash could not hold Gary's pissjug...

[@kikiki4592]

@@dongraham8236 I agree. I laugh when I hear him name the typical responses to influences, and he lies as usual, he listened to a lot of REO and April Wine to get his sound.

[@fredknittney3273]

LOL! I loved April Wine as they were a "local" band...I do like GnR but as stated Slash isn't nearly at the same level as GR...been listening to REO since 1973 via my bro's older musician bro...@@kikiki4592

[@richardcollejr.5121]

​@@dongraham8236yes he can the 2 best Les Paul players they are both great Gary was one of his influences. Gary smoked the guitar. When you play Les Paul like that you're great

[@ferdberfle5069]

Another great one RD! RIP Gary Richrath!

[@thebluesrockers]

Gary Richrath was a hard rocking guitar player. He wasn't a fan of their light easy going songs, and they just wanted to embrace the radio friendly music. He was quite upset about that. He wanted to record more tunes like "Riding The Storm Out, Keep Pushing and Roll With The Changes." But Greed took over for Kevin, and he was the voice of the band. The rest of the band like playing the harder rock tunes too, but they sure were not going anywhere with the money they were raking in. Gary hated the foo foo easy going music bad enough to quit. So he did. Then he later self destructed with alcohol, and his bad diet. But he will remain one of my favorite all time guitar players. Thank you for talking about him. His friends all said that he was a great guy.. Peace

[@waverlyking6045]

Even his solos on ballads like “Take It on the Run” and “Keep on Loving You” had an intensity to them you would never expect to find in ballads.

[@thebluesrockers]

@@waverlyking6045 I totally agree. I liked a lot of their ballads and he was the best part of those tunes if you ask me. But being a guitar player, I'm biased. hahaha

[@mphrdldn]

REO, Styx and Journey seemed to have similar timelines. REO and Styx often headline together at the Labor Day fair in our town.

[@gearhead2017]

That opening riff to keep on lovin you was magical and the guitar solo gary did was phenomenal

[@ringonor4298]

Gary was the best, just the best, I love REO Speedwagon.

[@tomjones2348]

I was 15 when I saw REO at a college gym in Omaha. I considered myself a damn good guitarist....but Gary just stunned me. He just owned the stage, had an incredible tone and unique style. It was a hell of a show, and I'll kept Richrath licks in my playing to this day.

[@jhmonthetube6339]

“Where you once was…” Gems of wisdom!!

[@jornfox3545]

I saw Gary with REO at the L.A. Sports Arena in '81 and is still one of the best concerts I've been to and I've been to more than a few in my day, they were really hitting their stride at that time, then Gary left and I saw them a few more times live and they weren't even close to the same playing live. Great memories of that 'Hi Fidelity album' live tour.

[@douglasgil4208]

Great Review on the band's history ..... One thing we all agree on si that Gary was soul and heart of the band ...... He's well missed .😢

[@vayabroder729]

Thank you for the great documentaries! These have been sorely missed.

[@reddrockingeezer]

I grew up idolizing Gary long before REO became a band. When he played with Suburban 9 to 5, his garage band here in Central Illinois; I could see he was destined for stardom. I will never understand why REO TWO wasn't a chart busting album. The early rock magazine Circus gave the first REO album, with Terry Luttrell a "5 Ear" rating, stating to play it until the grooves wear out. Later in their career he told me that Riding the Storm Out was going to be their first hit; but unfortunately not until much later. After endless touring the band got a gold record for the double-live album, "You Get What You Play For". Years later Gary felt what he started as a hard rock band had been watered down and essentially taken from him by the hits written by Kevin Cronin. After being fired by the band for a myriad of reasons, Gary tried one more time with Richrath in the early 90's. I encouraged him to aim for a healthier lifestyle, but Gary wanted the party to go on forever. He played at a jam night the the Peoria bar named the Silver Dollar. I'd gotten a DUI, so I didn't know he was there. If you search for Gary Richrath / Silver Dollar you should find a sad video or two that shows how unhealthy he had become. It was a private funeral when he died, I don't even know where a grave might be located. Get a copy of REO TWO if you want to hear REO at their best in the studio. I was a friend of Greg Philbin, the original bass player. He told me that Kevin wanted an extremely simple bass thumping style, barely more than repetitive drivel. Greg played a really fluid bass, skills that Kevin didn't want to have to work around, so he had to go. Last observation, original drummer Alan Gratzer left because he was only getting a $300.00 stipend per week when the band was not on tour. He told me that all of the money went to the guys who were credited with writing the songs, so 2 people were getting 80% of the roylaties from record sales.

[@RiverDocs]

Thanks so much for your comment. You kind of confirmed my suspicions of why Gregg was to leave the group. What you say here makes sense with what information I found. And the same with Alan too. I knew there couldn't have been much money coming in by the mid 80's as their album sales had dropped off drastically.

[@RiverDocs]

And to add, REO Two was my second favorite album after the live album.

[@Doug-nr3gh]

Really insightful ... Explains a lot thanks D's

[@pawlpoche8736]

The live version of Roll with Changes on Midnight Special is amazing 🎊

[@don66hotrod94]

April 23, 1974 Green Bay, WI Montrose w/Sammy Hagar, REO, and headliner Black Oak Arkansas all for $4.50. For many rockstars it must be hell to peak @ 25 and ride life downhill from there.

[@divingduck1970]

There was a club called The Vogue in Indianapolis, IN, where I lived between '84 to '95, and the marquee always seemed to have Richrath's name on it.

[@markrahner2065]

REO shows of the late 70s were spectacular hard driving rock 'n' roll experiences. My REO loving friends and I were disappointed when they later transitioned to featuring pop tunes. They got a lot more radio play but, from our perspective, it seemed that financial considerations had overwhelmed artistic considerations. I can't imagine that all members of the band were thrilled with that transition. But I'm grateful for the memories of those earlier concerts.

[@timtaylor9339]

Have to agree, those of us that loved the band in the early seventies felt they lost the edge after the pop songs came out. Still a big fan of Ridin' the storm out.

[@ttnt3332]

It all went to hell after Richrath from my home town!! You can read my post and know actual facts! It went Cronins way 100%

[@MrNegative57]

One of my favorite live albums. Very few bands can ever maintain relevance. Aerosmith made their comeback work. No one talks with their guitar like Gary !!

[@alanhowe225]

Roll with the Changes was always my favorite as the song plays itself out like more of a jam session than a studio recorded song and everyone just seemed to be in top form at that moment. Great video, R.I.P Gary.

[@Mike_Hunt_69]

Richrath was truly underrated as a lead guitarist

[@fretworkband3204]

One of my favorite rock guitarists and imho one of the all time best. He could shred before that term became popular, but at least his playing was tasty and musical. I guess he wanted to climb the mountain again because surely he’d made enough money in REO to never have to worry about it. I just thought that surely some band could’ve used his skills to expand their audience.

[@ndNowMiguel]

I attended this Concert on 1981 in Denver Colorado at the old McNichols Arena. They absolutely shredded it and Gary Richrath 🎸 stole the show, he was amazing. REO plays Colorado again in November 2023. 🎶🎶🎶

[@mustlovepretzels]

Gary's birthday was 2 days ago(October 18). Great guitar player. Thanks for posting River Docs. Cheers!🥨

[@RiverDocs]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!!

[@Intersectionrecordsstl]

My first REO show was in the summer of 1990 and Gary had just left the band. I never saw him. Had chances to see his solo band. Amazing artist!! Another fantastic show River Doc!!

[@RiverDocs]

Thanks Ryan. Appreciate it!

[@TracedaBassman]

Great guitar player. Saw him at the Portland Coliseum with REO. He was not only a great soloist, but he knew how to write hooks that sold records.

[@user-rg9fs9ph5n]

Some guys look constipated or even angry when they play, but he looked like he was having fun.

[@RiverDocs]

When you said look constipated I saw the Robin Trower faces lol

[@chriskay3058]

I had heard that the band was pretty hard partying back in the day. It carried over into their home life and threatened to break up families. Gary didn' t want to give it up and that was one of the main reasons (but not the only one) that he parted ways with REO. Olive branches were extended to him and fences were mended some years later. But by then, it was way too late. Gary had become a mere shell of his former self due to excessive drinking. It's a very sad story when somebody so full of talent destroys themselve lilke that.

[@CanadaCornrow]

There is video of him performing in a bar near the end of his life. He barely looks recognizable, bloated from his lifestyle over the years. As someone who admired him in my youth it was hard to watch. At least he looked in good spirits while playing.

[@JH-jx1hs]

@@CanadaCornrow I've seen it and I almost wish I hadn't. He was a special talent and by far one of the most underated guitarists in history. He had a great run, but I guess the lifestyle caught up to him like it does so many. Maybe if he had gone out in a blaze at the top of his game he would be remembered, but either way he was one of the very best of all time.

[@ripper2087]

Roll With The Changes live is still one of my all time favorite songs. Such a sad story. Gary looked like an old lady at the end. Is this narrated by Rich Williams from Kansas? Sure sounds like him.

[@rickpopp6535]

My favorite is "you get what your play for" was the best of the bunch. It showcased all of the members doing what they did best. After that, it seemed to me to become more slick in the production, that took the edge (that I like) out of the sound.

[@sluke60]

Gary was from my hometown of Peoria Illinois. It is really sad that in the end he had to just give up. I don't think he was ever really happy after that.. RIP Gary.. Saw REO a couple of years ago in Missouri, sounded great..

[@flyingburritobro68]

There is a bench on the riverfront in E Peoria dedicated to Gary😎 saw them at the old Bradley Fieldhouse long ago. That stadium no longer exists. Great player and he was REO

[@InterestingWorldLove]

70s best live band ever J Giles too. I can't describe how awesome these bands were. Just amazing talent. The whole world, myself included, lost it in the 80s

[@jeffkolln5291]

I seen REO at Yankton, SD in the early 70's. They were the warm up band for Jo Jo Gunne. Gary walked into a raiser before they started and he was sent to the hospital to get stitches above his eye. The show was held up, but he played the show.

[@RiverDocs]

Thank for sharing your story. I love stories like this that you don't find on the internet or books. Again many thanks.

[@reprintranch]

Good doc. I was surprised that you didn’t mention REO’s last hard rockin’ album, Nine Lives. I thought that was a great record and expected it to sell big, which it did not. Maybe if it had been released five years earlier. I absolutely despised High Infidelity but I understand how/why the band felt like they needed a new direction. Poor Gary, I wish he could have found contentment when he needed it.

[@RiverDocs]

Well said! They went the way the money took them. And I don't blame them for it. Maybe if Ridin the Storm Out and REO Two would have done better earlier in their career Then Nine Lives would have sold better?? I don't know. Timing is everything for a band...and they had to change after Nine Lives or they might have tanked earlier and missed out on all that money. Again I don't blame them. But that change in music style really hurt Gary who was rock and roll to the bone. Thanks for your comment and insight.

[@michaelsteding7720]

Always loved Garys playing. He had his own style and sound for sure.

[@paulhenson4434]

I only saw REO once. Recording of the double live album in KC. Always liked his style n sound...❤

[@roncarter2188]

Having a older brother and sister I got introduced to so many great bands in 1970s and 80s. I remember my sister having the album Hi Infidelity, wow what an album, if she only knew how many times I played that album when she wasn't around.

[@veltonmeade1057]

As a bassist myself, Greg Philbin was a fantastic bassist and as we say, he played in the pocket, with the drummer.

[@richwhite63]

And then they screwed him over because he was going bald.😢😮😅 And replaced him with Bruce Hall. 😅😊😮

[@dangabor8585]

@@richwhite63 I believe you are correct. And they fired his brother who was their tour manager.

[@DenmanShooter]

Went to a concert for (another band) and REO opened for them. Never heard of them before. They opened with Ridin the Storm out and when the intro started it was like magic. They were called back twice for encore before the headliners even got on stage. Amazing concert.

[@wndowpayne]

"You get what you play for" is a top 5 live lp for me...still play the vinyl often...original pressing...sound is so damn good..

[@mikeatl4953]

Nice video. Richrath was REO to me.

[@charliepickard7798]

One of my favorite guitarist of all time, love his sound, for me Gary Richrath was REO, when he left, they became a tribute band in my eyes.

[@drmarkintexas-400]

Thank you for sharing 🏆🥺😞🙏🇺🇲 I guess it's just nearly impossible to remain relevant as music and society naturally change. The Rolling Stones are truly an enigma.

[@Craig-dq5cu]

The stones are famous and they're great with the guitarist. Couldn't hold a candle to Gary richrath.

[@reneeleegreco1603]

wow excellent documentary!!!!!!!! Gary was super talented and addictions caused his downfall. After he passed away, I spoke briefly to his son. Incredibly nice.

[@RiverDocs]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Eatzbugs]

My all time favorite. He was born for greatness

[@magnuswettermark8293]

One of the best ever..

[@doctordetroit4339]

His playing is second to none. Keep on Rollin'.....that shredding and riffing.....unreal!!!

[@sirgalahad3574]

I very much enjoyed this. Gary's on the cover of You Get What You Play For...was the epitome of "rock star". I honestly put him in my top 10 favorite guitarists.

[@kenthawley5990]

Gary Richrath was a fantastic guitarist. I remember when REO played high school dances in southern Illinois.

[@TheCountofToulouse]

I never saw Richrath but a club that my band played at, a HUGE place called the Twilight Zone in Gastonia NC, had hosted him the week before. The owner of the venue told us that the place had about 500 people in there to see him, he was also complaining about the state of old bands that could no longer sell out big venues. He mentioned Jethro Tull, how much trouble they were having selling tickets. I saw REO in the summer of 1993 at a county fair in Cheboygan Michigan. I seriously could NOT believe how many people were there, it was packed on the floor and all the way to the rafters in the back and the band was incredible, they sounded great. I recall how I felt about seeing them minus Gary and I had a hard feeling about it....he also screwed up the solo on 'Keep on Loving You' which made that feeling a little more bitter. Even though Gary complained about Kevin's writing, his guitar was the perfect compliment to it. The dynamic sort of reminds me of Steve Perry and Neal Scheon in Journey. Neal was NOT hip on playing those slow ballads but that was where the REAL money was.

[@1red_nextview740]

I aw them with Cheap Trick back circa 1986. Very entertaining show. I still have the REO live album and "Tune a Piano...." on vinyl since they came out. RIP Gary.

[@geraldlavelle3337]

I went to a REO Speedwagon concert in Los Angeles in the early 70's. I ended up standing next to a stack of speakers out on the floor. I was virtually deaf for two weeks. I felt so lucky to slowly but surely get my hearing back.

[@gkirms]

The problem was Kevin Cronin and the direction he wanted to take the band and the direction was evident when they released Hi-Infidelity. As far as 1990 Grunge hit the scene. Nirvana was present and in 1991 released 'Nevermind'. All classic rock bands had a difficult time competing with grunge. You just had to sit back and ride it out which a lot of bands couldn't. But I still say as many others do without Gary in band they just weren't the same. For me, after 'Nine Lives' they really lost their raw rock edge. We'll never know the inner goings on between the band members and the direction they wanted to go in but at the end of the day I think Kevin won out.

[@garypeacock5919]

Great video. I was lucky enough to catch REO on their only visit to Scotland. I travelled from Glasgow to Edinburgh (about 50 miles) in July 1986, managed to get front row tickets which cost about $8, fantastic gig, also managed to sneak in my camera and got some great photos 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇲

[@RiverDocs]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@kendetulio4009]

This guy rocked!

[@user-vf3sg5xi4g]

Riding the storm out was pretty much the first real rock song i ever heard. Probably still my favorite song of theirs.

[@glenkepic3208]

Ahhh, Gary "Marshall Chirpman" Richrath. I saw the band a couple of times as a middle act at Winterland in the mid '70s but never bought anything even though i liked them. A local TV station would broadcast videos on Friday night. One night they played "Take It On The Run" which knocked us out. Went and bought High Infidelity the next day. Loved it but pretty sure that was all I bought. One of those things...I think we saw them headline for this,,, Cow Palace? A lot of water under the bridge. Great offering. Thanks for the memories.

[@AlanWeaver1]

REO is still at the top of their game and killing it. No demise here!!!

[@LuisRodriguez-cf4tf]

Thank you for such EXCELLENT documentar and homage 🥲🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@RiverDocs]

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@peteywheatstraws4909]

I wasn't the biggest REO fan, but Gary could play his ass off. This was a cool video, thanks for posting it.

[@RiverDocs]

Thanks for watching. Appreciate it.

[@danielcorreard3746]

Gary richrath was the most underrated and unheralded guitarist in the history of rock and roll i used to love to listen to him play the guitar he could make that guitar talk. the best was the flying turkey trot.

[@Balkingpoints]

The early 90's wasn't a music trends roadblock for REO. What was amazing was that they charted with "Can't Fight This Feeling" in 1985, in the throes of the dance pop era of Madonna and Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson. Once grunge took over circa 1992-1993, that would have been a problem for them. But Richrath didn't leave REO, he was kicked out for substance abuse. Died at 65 of essentially the same cause.

[@mattrodela2030]

Gary was a nice person. He lived in Newbury Park CA for a lot years. He'd sit in once in a while and play with bands at Azar's in the late '90's. He is missed. RIP.

[@tomgorycki7176]

What a great guitarist! His playing on Follow My Heart gives me goosebumps.

[@michelleleeginger5225]

I remember watching reo on MTV when I was 8 years old... I would watch and wait for roll with the changes, that guitar solo still gives me goosebumps to this very day❣️❣️❣️ IMHO it's one of the best written and arranged songs of all time ❤❤❤❤

[@thinkgolden]

Short and Sweet...Great Video

[@RiverDocs]

Thanks!

[@rramirez4217]

This was a GREAT VIDEO! Thanks!!!!

[@RiverDocs]

You are so welcome!

[@michealfrederick327]

Awesome dude..

[@Spice8873]

Awesome video! I saw Gary play in Freeport, Illinois when I was 21 years old bartending at the only club in town. Amazing show and I got to meet him, but it was kind of sad in a way. He was a huge inspiration. God bless him.

[@RiverDocs]

Thanks!

[@peggymann7096]

Ive visited Garys memorial bench in E. PEORIA. Its a lovely spot by the river. Love this video about the history. I went to see REO at the Red Lion in Bloomington in the 70's

[@sidvicioux]

reo with murphy and philben was the best line up. Lost In A Dream is a colossal album.

[@RandyFricke]

Great job. Gary was one of the best. What makes for a great guitar solo is people's ability to sing it. Like Brian May or Tom Scholz even non-musicians could sing Gary's solos. Thanks for not including footage of Gary all bloated and fat. That was classy.

[@Fukna69]

He sings only a summer love on the live album, not great but not bad, listen to the guitar work on it, one of my favorites

[@hds181]

Good observations. Thanks.

[@ronaldhellengreen7063]

REO graced our town in 70, and 71. They were a kick ass Rock and Roll band. Then they turned into a ballad band. Should have stayed true to the Hard rockers they once were!!!! No matter Gary was a WICKED ax man!!!!! Glad I got to see him live! PEACE ✌️

[@Charles75N]

Another great one. Thx

[@RiverDocs]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@joserdiazalmodovar1898]

Gary was the driving Force of the Band for me. 🙏🙏🎸🎸

[@billgrabbe9992]

REO Speedwagon and Styx are two very successful bands whose music aged badly. The fact that they toured together kind of drove that home for me. I think that the lack of emotional connection between singer and song kept both bands from creating anything timeless that I'd want to go back and listen to.

[@user-fp9qg3qm5b]

Well, to be fair, Golden Country (live) is a tremendous song. They weren't my favorite bands. I agree that neither band's music will be timeless. But Styx was a very innovative band, even if the music is not timeless.