Chordplay - The Chords Of REO Speedwagon

[@bretth5070]

We always called it "selling out", David. Unfortunately, so many of the good rock bands did it. They sold out to get radio airplay and more mainstream popularity. REO, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, KISS, and many others did it. I am glad you stayed true to the rockin' era of REO. Gary was such an underrated guitar player.

[@doctordetroit4339]

100% correct, and MTV came along and made it even more so.

[@Krullmatic]

Kiss has always been a sell out! That was Gene's intention all along. That's why he came up with the makeup, dressing up and the stage show. They were a failing band before that. They're mediocre at best. It was never about the music with them. Just the image and making money. That's why I never did like bands that need a gimmick. You take gimmick away, and those bands would've never made it.

[@esteban1487]

@@doctordetroit4339 I did like MTV in 1980s though.

[@tallpaul1020]

Gary was criminally underrated. He made that Les Paul sing. Some of his solos are legendary. Thanks for keeping him alive with videos like this one!!!!! 🎸👍

[@toddthousand1976]

YES!! Gary Richrath

[@300gjw]

Surprised Riding the Storm Out was not in this episode.

[@Tipp_Of_The_Mitt]

Gary Richrath, very under rated. Im 60 and REO is still my fav band, but quit buying their albums when HI came out. I still think You Get What You Play For is one of the best live albums out there along with Lou Reed Rock & Roll Animal and Thin Lizzy's Live and Dangerous. I love the Ghost Notes Gary uses on Tuna and Turkey Trot.

[@jamessator5564]

So did Gary, he loved the POWER & he was a ROCKER !! He made REO what they were , he’s the one that got them there record deal with EPIC……. Sorry, I a 53 year old Les Paul playing fool and I miss our guitar heroes that we grew up on that don’t tour or have passed away! I have discovered DIRTY HONEY…….. they are a rocking band! Thanks Dave for all your hard work

[@STRAT62]

I wore out my copy of their double live album. Flying Turkey Trot was a must learn at the time.

[@jonathanclaypool93]

East Central Illinois loves Gary Richrath ❤️ forever!

[@livingabovethe12th]

I noted you avoid the obvious unidentified turkey trot for the intro song and opted for the double deep cut unidentified tuna trot. Well played sir. Has to be said the 'you get what you play for' live album is reo at their peak. 'golden country' off that record is a richrath master class.

[@SteveJones379]

70's REO 🤘"Ridin' the Storm Out"!!

[@tomtracy5396]

Thanks for doing this. Good commentary on appreciating the gritty side of reo. Most of us agree no doubt

[@frankiedonofrio5438]

Cant believe I didnt see this one.......Thanks for the Lesson!!!!!

[@greg77hot]

Thanks Dave ...loved REO ...seen them in Pittsburgh in the 70's... Riden the storm out

[@jamessator5564]

I am going to comment before I watch, I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH DAVE !!!

[@artheriford]

Thanks for this, David. Gary was one of my very earliest guitar heroes. I had some older friends who played "Live You Get What Your Play For" in probably 1977. Seminal moment for me.

[@cynaminstick6693]

Awesome video! One of my favorite Richrath moments is 157 Riverside Ave. where Kevin calls up Gary to talk and Gary's response was various guitar licks. Pure genius between the two with Kevin doing the dibble de do be doop with his voice and Gary's guitar responses.

[@clemclemson9259]

Thank You Dave! look fwd to every video you post.

[@esteban1487]

The 70s was such a great decade for rock music, British and American both.

[@teddwayne]

Agree on all the above. I lived in Peoria Il back in those blazing 70's. Saw them many times /Big outdoor shows/Busch stadium/St.Louis...the good old day to be a rocker. My fav was seeing them in Peoria/where Gary is from/East Peoria... I got to meet Gary after a show at Bradley University. He was my guitar hero,before Eddie came on the scene .RIP Gary

[@MikeJones-jr5hb]

Great band, I’ve seen them three times the first time Gary R. was with em & the red headed singer @ the start. He was awesome

[@jamessator5564]

I’m really glad you played the Turkey Trot, I’ve been trying to master this lick for years!! Thanks again David !

[@esteban1487]

Same thing happened to Styx. How they went from Grand Illusion to Mr. Roboto is just criminal lol

[@tomfoolery2082]

Saw those guys in winter 1973 promoting the Golden Country album . WoW !

[@Krullmatic]

Gary was awesome. One of my inspirations indeed! Your playing is wicked awesome as always Dave!

[@vincenttomazzolli3940]

Impressive!!! Never heard any of these tunes, surprisingly! Must've been in on the 80's lineup instead. But these are killer! Thanks David.

[@timehasbeenkind]

Thanks for doing this!!!!🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@bernardoconnor5512]

Wow, the unidentified flying tuna trot is an underrated tune by them ! Please watch Golden Country live in Germany and inhale the smoke from Gary Richrath's solo !!

[@mikeking453]

See these guys back in the seventies a couple of times Gary was awesome live he's the main reason I went to watch him play guitar. He could sure make a wah wah sing

[@henrys.6864]

Their Live album is the one I go to and grew up with! Gary is definitely an underrated guitarist! 🎸

[@cocktailhotel]

Great session here with REO, David. The "Nine Lives" album is probably my favorite of theirs (love the earlier stuff, of course) because of that hard, crunchy riff that Richrath laid down on the song "Heavy On Your Love". This is where I wish the band's style and power had stayed, but when the 80's bands came around with their more reliant use of keyboards in the textures of that era, record companies make the mistake of thinking bands like Speedwagon can just morph their music into anything and be successful, and it's just not the case. Kevin Cronin was great at writing ballads, no doubt, but Gary didn't want the band turning too strongly in that direction, mainly because of the more poppy sound change that you mentioned, yet also due to the fact that there became less of a place for his excellent guitar work. A little bit like when Blackmore left Deep Purple after the Stormbringer album because their funky groove direction after Burn left Ritchie with less of an overall sound for him to gear his Strat into. It ended up to be a blessing in disguise for him by forming Rainbow, but unfortunately in Gary Richrath's case, it kind of left him out in the cold when Kevin seemed okay with what the record company wanted instead of backing his buddy to hold onto the real REO rock sound and not go in the pop and polish, which in fact led to the band's demise. Following 1987's album Life As We Know It, that was the end of Gary in the band. Honestly, it's amazing he hung on that long with those last few albums, but I really feel he was hoping the tide would turn back in his favor to go back to the guitar rock sound that made them who they were. Btw, Gary and Kevin didn't live far way from each other, as I live in the same area which is the far west end of Los Angeles in a town called Woodland Hills, in the San Fernando Valley. Gary and his wife lived just down the street (101 freeway a few miles) in Agoura Hills or Old Agoura, and Kevin lived and may still live in Calabasas I believe, which is a town between where I'm at and where Gary was. Maybe the worst part of all of this is the hard time Gary had with alcoholism that, along with some stomach ailment and complications in the hospital, eventually led to his death. The last REO studio album in 2007 was produced by Kevin and Gino Vanneli's brother, Joe. Gino used to live over here too. This area where I live is sort of an enclave for musicians and entertainers in movies and TV. Lyle Mays passed away here just a couple years back. Oh, one last thing, Dave, that could be a future consideration for you to cover, is the guitar work of Lee Ritenour. I know it's Jazz and all, but back a few years ago during the Woolsey Fires here in this area where I was only one mile away from being evacuated. Well, to let you know in case you're not aware of what happened, is when the fires kept moving south towards the Pacific Ocean from the valley over the Santa Monica mountains into Malibu where Ritenour lived, Lee not only lost his home in the fire, but he also lost his recording studio along with 100 guitars, 40 amps, every effects pedal he ever owned and a bunch of music. That's a lot of history gone.

[@jimlange2858]

Nice video and information David, much appreciated. Would like to see you get into some of their live album tracks like son of a poor man, our time is gonna come and being kind....or whatever you feel like. Thanks!!!

[@jonbigg7385]

I always loved Gary's playing. Definitely underrated. I actually did like some of the stuff from High Infidelity. I thought Gary's solos on Take It On the Run and Don't Let Him Go really stood out. Glad you covered the riff from Back On The Road again. Great song!

[@Jhossack11]

Yeah, you nailed Speedwagon, at Hi-in-Fidelity- they went all choir-boys. The live album we wore out , you get what you play for, … is there a better live album? Maybe Bob Segers “live bullet”. Thank you David, your content is just so damn good!

[@dougstubbs4351]

Are you kidding lol. You are cranking them out. If I was I millionaire you would definitely be getting a million from me. The work you're putting in for us and the rate and quality is more than expected. Thank you much. KIX chord play or Live Chord play, just a request. Take care man. Oh yeah I recently read that Gary Moore was going to be Ozzy's first choice for guitar player not sure how true that is but I'm going to check your channel see if you have any Gary Moore content peace and love brother

[@ronaldsmith8966]

I second that request for Kix!

[@1960Bernie]

Yes for KIX! Brian and Ronnie, great guitarist combo still playin today in my area. Thank you David you are Awesome!

[@woodskid4ever]

Loves songs and ballads...they threw those in for parking...Foreigner, Journey, Styx, Kansas, even Kiss with Beth, But never RUSH!

[@esteban1487]

Richrath was incredible.

[@TwelveSticks]

An eye-opener for me... how can I have not known about their style in the 70's? I only have one REO album - the ubiquitous 'Hi Infidelity', which even though it's not really my genre of music, is one of the best of its type. I will have to go and investigate those earlier albums on the back of this video. Thanks David, as ever...

[@suefields4254]

Richrath Rules!!

[@esteban1487]

Grew up with The Speedwagon!

[@derekcaster1]

I think the Flying Turkey, and the Flying Tuna were both names for airplanes the band flew to gigs in. Gary was my 1st guitar hero.

[@hailmaryrecordings8255]

I opened a show for Gary in August of ‘90, in Rock Falls IL. He had a Seymore Duncan amp deal, so he played through a wall of them & was probably the loudest player I’ve heard. Liked his Jack Daniels 🙂 Nice guy, actually. ☮️

[@wildelorme4409]

David could you do a lesson on how Gary played Back On The Road Again?

[@estring69]

Bob Ross of guitar videos :) Thanks for the post.

[@johnhedley831]

Saw Speedwagon at the Fox in Atlanta 70's with Judaist Priest and Stars

[@Tipp_Of_The_Mitt]

The Star's. Have not heard that name in awhile, I remember seeing them in CREEM Magazine quite often back in the day.

[@josephsleeper7485]

Starz

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

Hey, this is great! I wish you could do a lesson on Ridin' the Storm Out. They had a great live album. Also , Hi Infidelity one of the best albums ever!

[@michaeleaster1815]

1:42 I saw Gary Richrath's name and thought of Terry Kath, then realized that REO and Chicago have similar trajectories in style, with beloved guitarists from "the early years". (Yes, I've had a few beers, thanks for asking)

[@billythekid7090]

Yea sorry had to add some more comments love Gary, but Joe Walsh played slide on whiskey night, check out it’s only a summer love, Gary sings it and to me the guitar work is excellent

[@martymcpeak4748]

The Brother of a friend of mine was a D.J. in Ohio who actually interviewed Gary Richrath on air for the station he worked at. He said Gary was a super down to earth and humble guy. From what I was told Kevin Cronin fired Gary because of his drinking after Gary and his wife split up and Gary took it really hard.

[@marcbolan1818]

Gary was a real genius with the ‘59 LP and “You Get What You Play For” was a major hit in the Midwest when it was released with a lot of FM airplay. The album broke the band to a larger audience. Sad state of affairs for Gary in the post REO era that resulted in his untimely demise.

[@kristonpohlman2685]

WOW you did Gary Richrath guitar licks. Great Job!!! Not a guitarist you hear much about. You have the A side of Guitarist and the B side. I'm SOOOOO the B side, guys and gals killing it but nobody paying attention. OH well more for me.

[@thedude-jb7wx]

A little off the topic but falls into stadium bands. Is the bridge to Stone in Love Journey finally a melodic minor melody that makes sense kind of and not just a pivot in a sense like Yesterday. I just was so interested in that bridge interlude in stone in love and im like holy ship thats kinda melodic minor. Journeys song writing is insane

[@Johnny_Ledford]

Where do you get your hats?

[@doctordetroit4339]

Great video. As those of us recall, the 80s were made by MTV. If you wanted to be famous or remain relevant, you HAD to do both videos AND appeal to both genders, i.e. go pop. Yes, Starship, Van Halen, Def, Heart, Aerosmith, Styx, and of course REO all got "softer" or else they would not have sold out a county fair. And to be fair....those bands put out incredible music in the 80s that have stood the test of time. Ballads included! Richrath, like Neal Schon and Spyder Geraldo is one of my favorite melodic-shredders. Rare to see a guitarist do both so effortlessly and seamlessly.

[@josephsleeper7485]

Thank you David! Any additional pre Infidelity would be very much enjoyed! Don't forget T.W.O LP.

[@billythekid7090]

Yep that’s why Gary left he wanted to rock n roll and Kevin wanted slow love ballads, never the same after Gary left, it’s a shame

[@stringbender11672]

🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁

[@fredericadda]

Wow the second track sounds like Extreme. Must have influenced Nuno in some way.

[@Jessica_Roth]

So, I guess Gary played both guitar lines on the studio version of "Lay Me Down", but they couldn't play it live without Cronin in the band for the rhythm line? (Neither Terry Luttrell nor Mike Murphy played guitar, AFAIK.) Huh.

[@Jessica_Roth]

Richrath's REO >>>>>> Cronin-driven REO. That said, not everyone can get a #1 hit for writing a love song to their toilet. (I am convinced that "Can't Fart This Feeling" is Kevin singing about a mad dash to the bathroom in the middle of the night.) So points to Kev for that, lol.

[@TheSpydersBand]

Gary Richrath had his own style and he was terrific, but Dave Amato is quite good. I saw them about 10 years ago and they were better than they were in their prime.

[@RB-pm2ni]

But This is Gary’s video, the other guy can have his own video if he’s he’s so inspiring,, maybe you can make his video

[@TheSpydersBand]

@@RB-pm2ni Better: Gary Moore! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJa8qaiHaNFnhrM

[@steveeckert8396]

REO actually came out of the jam band era in the 70’s. Richrath got booted from REO because of his alcohol problem. He ended up dieing from kidney failure. Huge waste of talent.

[@clemclemson9259]

not sure if he was a "waste of talent" drinking too much is very easy to do especially in the world of rock stars . he sure made his mark and i love it.

[@steveeckert8396]

@@clemclemson9259 they just started hitting their stride in the late 70’s. His drinking started getting out of control around Hi Infidelity. I remember seeing them on that tour. His playing was spot on but he just seemed out of it the entire show. Cronin was a singer songwriter. He loved acoustic songs and piano. From Hi Infidelity on everything was sappy, mellow songs. It’s easy to connect the dots.

[@STRAT62]

Not a waste of talent, but a frustrating to watch, inevitably tragic ending of a man's life ruined with alcohol.

[@garyranks7623]

He was booted from the band because the rest of the band had cleaned up. Gary was doing an eight ball before noon everyday and refused to quit. Thus he was replaced.

[@ulstervillan]

Sorry, but Hi Infidelity is where I first caught them. It's where I remain.

[@Wyldwulf]

I guess REO had a lot of trots from touring the world and eating suspect foods.

[@jerrywilson4371]

157 Riverside Avenue!! Great player but a hopeless drunk. RIP. Band was shit after he left

[@billhobbs7077]

Speedwagon lost me after Get What you play for Just like Foreigner after the sappy l Wanna Know What Love Is

[@bearsmartdurango]

Cronin deciding he was more important than Gary Richrath was the start of their downfall. Sappy equaled commercial equaled plunge into mediocrity.

[@schuey999]

Gary seemed nice and wrote some catchy tunes, but Eddie had more talent in his pinky. The rock world at large are not going to listen to the Flying Turkey Trot when then have Eruption.