REO Speedwagon April 27, 1974 Don Kirshner's Rock Concert - Video

[@themusicexpresswithrobertl8816]

No one could make a Les Paul scream like Gary Richrath! 🎼🎸🎼

[@kimgreen2705]

Gary was one of the greatest guitarist of all times and should’ve been recognized more RIP GARY LOVE YA MAN and Mike on vocals outstanding

[@alanherring8769]

This was so tasty to see and hear. Thanks for posting !

[@sz22ff01]

Gary was one of the most underrated guitarists. RIP my friend.

[@bearsmartdurango]

Who underrated him? Everyone that knew guitar knew he was great.

[@boopah4365]

I know what u mean..He just wasn't ever put at the top of the so called "experts" lists when it came to guitar greats..

[@joesausage4639]

He was on top of mine.

[@NJDEVILz86]

Roll w the changes

[@mid2170]

@@bearsmartdurango He was never ranked among the "greatest" rock guitarists. Not that he was Hendrix or Paige or Clapton, but he was up there and never got the credit that he deserved because he could make his guitar do anything and everything. He was drastically underrated by everyone except REO fans. We know how good he was. RIP Gary.

[@TheBennie102103]

Gary Richrath is a beast on guitar

[@knowmusicman157]

was a beast

[@solsunson262]

was....indeed on Roll with the Changes,etc

[@sebastianryder8311]

Pro trick: watch series on Flixzone. Been using it for watching a lot of movies during the lockdown.

[@andrejax6983]

@Sebastian Ryder Yup, have been using Flixzone} for years myself :D

[@roccojude9867]

@Sebastian Ryder yup, I have been using Flixzone} for years myself =)

[@jimmyb1559]

This is the REO I know and love.

[@maryshumate4629]

Daaaam Gary!

[@suzannecarwell1391]

Thank you for posting this gem. My favorite REO lineup and 3 of my favorite REO songs.. RIP Gary Richrath ♥♥♥ RIP Gregg Philbin

[@danstone8783]

Neil Doughty never got the recognition he deserves

[@mikelair9144]

Or Alan Kratzer

[@danstone8783]

For not drumming and singing Alan Gratzer didn't gt the recognition at all. He and Bruce Hall had great backup vodals.@@mikelair9144

[@mark.8949]

He still doesn't. There is a list of the top 50 rock keyboardists on KZbin and he wasn't even mentioned.

[@beckiebuist803]

He was their secret weapon, that Hammond B3 driven through a Leslie !

[@ITSHAA-yn5zc]

@@mikelair9144Gratzer.

[@DutchStar443]

Damn I miss Gary. Greg too. RIP fellas.

[@Mark-lq3sb]

I recall as a 15 year old teenager watching this on my portable TV in my bedroom in mom & dad's house. Time fly's! Now, I'm 62...

[@qtrhors1]

Such a different time and vib. Loved the album Riding the Storm Out. I Will be 61 in a couple weeks.

[@magnuswettermark8293]

Back when times and music was good. Today most everything is totaly shit. Miss the 70's and the 80's.

[@ronward3181]

This is the my favorite REO lineup.

[@edarnold1426]

Thanks Ned! I've seen this before, but never all together. I'm always amazed at Gary's guitar strength and style. Gary was one of a kind and never got the respect that he deserved. One of the greatest in style and with a untouchable sound without electronic achieving it. This is the year, or the year after I discovered R.E.O.. R.E.O. was a great band and started buying their albums and going to their concerts. RIP Gary!

[@tkalbfeld1]

Ed, us guitar players totally dug Gary's chops. He's one of the greats!! Playing his songs are a tribute and an honor now!!

[@edarnold1426]

@@tkalbfeld1 I grew up listening to R.E.O. Speedwagon, Nazareth, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Ronny Montrose, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Eric Clapton and Occasionally some Dobie Brothers. Those were some of the first albums I bought. Then came the second wave with Foghat, Boston, ACDC, the Jay Geils Band Blue Oyster Cult Styx, Rush etc. One thing I've noticed, I've never grown tired of listening to R.EO., and I'm always waiting to hear that guitar of Gary's to bring the music to life.

[@edarnold1426]

Gregg Philbin has passed away and is now up there with Gary! I imagine that they have a great line up by now!

[@edarnold1426]

Everyone needs to pray for the Gregg Philbin and his family please! Gregg did a great job playing Bass for R.E.O. before he left the band!

[@davidteller7681]

Gregg has passed away. RIP Gregg

[@edarnold1426]

@@davidteller7681 Yes he did. I'm actually in contact with his wife Lyda on here. I'm not sure that she is gonna finish the book that Gregg was gonna put out.

[@captainsouth4460]

Concerts in the 70's were magical!

[@SDune]

Or we were high.😊

[@suefields4254]

Ahhh, The great Gary in his youth. This is the best REO lineup...

[@ronaldrogers3660]

Sitting alone in my apartment after a long shift, tuned in to the Don Kirshner show and saw REO for the first time. I was hooked. Gary one of the greatest and yes, I prefer Murphy to Cronin. More natural with the band I think.

[@capncaptain1594]

I agree. This to me is the REO Speedwagon that I like. The Kevin Cronin power ballad stuff doesn't rock for me. Everyone here shines as a good solid rockin band. Richrath is very underated especially how young he is here. Mike Murphy has a cool distinct voice that works for this band.

[@beckiebuist803]

Murphy lacked the key ingredients...that's why after REO he was never heard from again.

[@leahcoblentz852]

​@@beckiebuist803obviously you don't know what you are talking about...do some research on Murphy...

[@Lake_Lover]

I remember my older brother bringing home the Lost In a Dream album in 1976 and playing it on a SEARS stereo with these smaller speakers in our basement. My first exposer to REO. Growing up in Champaign it was a BIG deal. No one makes music like this anymore. An era gone by. Ahhh the good old days.

[@Rogijimbex]

I've been a fan of REO forever...especially because of Gary Richrath's exceptional guitar playing. Mike Murphy is a more pleasing singer than Kevin Cronin to me. Kevi's ok but very one-dimensional in my view. Richrath is indeed probably up there with the most underrated players of all time. Just great and so cool in the day.

[@Tipp_Of_The_Mitt]

I could not agree more, I love the early years.

[@Tipp_Of_The_Mitt]

@Lunatic Fringe Damn, that would have been awesome, but during that time i was only bout 15, and no concert venues in my area.

[@sejrec56]

I totally agree w you

[@denntamm]

No

[@crisrose521]

There’s absolutely no comparison between Murphy and Kronin . This band would not have gone as far as they did with this line up .

[@csnyder23]

great memories staying up late to watch these shows and Midnight Special

[@bikerhighmiler8998]

Always enjoyed the Philbin/Gratzer rythm section..Rock solid.

[@joeszczechowski8333]

Good call

[@joeszczechowski8333]

Now that was GARY'S REO Speedwagon !

[@debrameyer3729]

The Riding the Storm Out album with this line up is a must have.

[@JamesZ1025]

Their best album!

[@patrickmayer9566]

...yes,,,,,,the REO we all really know and love so long ago......so good,,,,,and then along came styx,boston...............wow....

[@brucybabyy7355]

absolutely, the 1st REO i bought.

[@toneyisaiah3556]

What was once called "Corporate Rock?"

[@toneyisaiah3556]

Debbie, Mike Murphy sung the studio version of the song " Ridin' The Storm Out"

[@whalers59]

I love that we can listen to "157 Riverside Avenue" as sung by all three lead singers in REO's history. I enjoy each one. Mike has such a unique voice and adds a great flavor to this classic.

[@josephp2712]

With this lineup Gary really got a chance to shine and show his worth and his work ,Kevin kind of pushed him aside

[@Faltor895]

Just as well, see what he became, dude had issues.

[@blakenorman4822]

mediocre cover band without Gary

[@garyjskadra1180]

Damn! Gary Richrath is jamming here!!! R.I.P. 😞

[@darrelledens237]

Lov me some REO during this time,!!❤🎸🎤

[@mikelair9144]

I love this era! Murphy and Philben... "Reelin". "Lost in a Dream"

[@charlesviner1565]

I would do ANYTHING TO HAVE THESE TIMES BACK

[@leonbogdan40]

You get what you play for! Great live album RIP GARY

[@billhelmerich4295]

One of my fave albums of all time. I have had that album on every form of media it has ever been released. Wore two LPs out. First concert I ever went to. Gary was a guitar god to me...still is.

[@fretfix1]

@@billhelmerich4295 And the bass playing by Gregg Philbin on this album is stellar!

[@clarkleach6733]

Sure is. If you can stand a 50-second story: In my high school, which was named Riverside, one of the fringe kids sat right in front of me in homeroom. One day he asked me my favorite rock group and I said KISS. He looked at me as if someone had slipped him a salty booger, and responded, "Kiss!?" The way he said it sounded more like Kee-ussss!? He shook his head, then proceeded to tell me that Kee-usss was hardly in the realm of other Rock bands. When he asked me if I liked REO, I said I had never heard of them. He repeated the same askance look and incredulation mentioned above, then said he would bring me a cassette tape the next day to listen to their new live album --- which he did. I kept the tape for a few days and when I gave it back to him, I had become an irrevocable REO fan for the few remaining years they played Rock'n'Roll. Needless to say, my Kee-usss days at that point were numbered, but I still play the REO live album and hear it the same way I did on that first listen not so long ago. And when I saw the fringe kid (long since dead) one day in the hall between classes and told him the REO live album was good, he said "You're damn right it's good!" Still smile at the memory every time I hear the live version of 157 Riverside Ave.

[@rodrossi9749]

This makes it really difficult to watch Gary's last performance with REO. Damn he sure could play !

[@jwenzel_marquis1692]

Last performance?Didn't he perform with them on Don Kirchner's Rock Concert in '77, '78 and '80? Check it out!!!

[@Faltor895]

You think this was Gary's last performance?

[@tommyboyindy1157]

Back in the early 70s when I was only 13 my dad used to take us to a restaurant on the southside of Indianapolis called the Stable Influence that had bands as entertainment. They had the best steak on the southside of Indy. They also had this band from Illinois that came regularly called REO Speedwagon.our whole family loved them. This was before Kevin Cronin was the lead singer. This was the set they played. We never missed a show. Damn good times.

[@dbrew2u]

This by far is the Best REO Lineup . Mike Murphy's Vocals really shine . Lost in a Dream and Riding the Storm Out are must have REO Lp's

[@tram84mvp]

He was terrible, glad he left

[@Faltor895]

​@@tram84mvpAgreed.

[@leahcoblentz852]

​@@tram84mvpnah nit terrible...he was amazing...

[@mikelair9144]

This is the sound that drove Glenn Frey to hire Joe Walsh.

[@rafaelsale6364]

This REO lineup was their best ever with Mike Murphy. They played with a hard rocking bluesy sound. They also put a lot soul into their music. With Cronin, they became a one dimensional, commercialized sell out pop band in the 80's. RIP Gregg Phibin.

[@tempo529]

A bit harsh, but yeah the Mike Murphy years were great very underrated time for the band.

[@mid2170]

I respectfully disagree. I think Kevin Cronin has a better voice and took them to a new level. I like the songs of the early years, but I like them better with Kevin singing them. I also like the songs with Kevin.

[@supermohawk]

Badass party music back in the day, keggers that go all nite, love them memories

[@jonathanhathaway7796]

I had no idea that they were on Don Kirshner's that early on. I've never seen footage with the original lineup.

[@markroberts1301]

Gregg playing the Thunderbird bass! I really liked Michael Murphy's version of this more than Kevin's. What can you say about Gary but "Wow!" Thanks for the great songs!

[@charlesviner1565]

I wish I could go back to this time and place ❤🎸🎵🎵🎼,R I P, GARY RICHRATH ❤

[@SDune]

Mike Murphy sang on there two best albums lost in a dream and risen the storm out..

[@stevemcfate1961]

The best album was REO TWO

[@joesausage4639]

Everybody on their feet. Gary was hot this night. The whole band really. Yes, Kevin went for the money but it didn’t stay without Gary.

[@Tipp_Of_The_Mitt]

Gary was on top of his game here, RIP

[@stovitch11]

Kevin Cronin did to REO what Peter Cetera did for Chicago (after Terry Kath died); steered them toward more radio friendly top 20 music and sappy ballads. It makes for record sales and money, but I much prefer the more guitar driven boogie rock they did with Mike Murphy. But who can blame anyone for chasing success and the almighty dollar.

[@buellosaurusrex4046]

My favorite era...the Mike Murphy years. How good was Gary? Let's just say he defined the "Les Paul/Marshall sound".

[@bruceschwab]

Much better REO Speedwagon!!!!!!!

[@bglk2310]

Miss watching this back in the day on a BW TV up past my bedtime!

[@donsmore]

Gary was the heart and soul of REO A true master guitarist

[@jeffbrown7408]

Best REO, IMO. Awesome band, one of the best🎸

[@Whitevaliantwarrior]

🔊🎵Philbin was a excellent bassist🔊🎼 I know many people don't like Kevin Cronin, but he has twice the vocal range of Mike Murphy and probably the reason they had many radio hits.🔊🎶

[@edarnold1426]

I don't think that it's that they don't like Kevin, but more to do with how he took the band away from Gary. I think it started out happening slowly and progressed at a much faster pace towards the end.

[@Whitevaliantwarrior]

@@edarnold1426 Indeed he did pretty much become the leader, but he was also the one who was writing all their hit songs in the end. It is sad that Gary couldn't beat the alcohol before it beat him💣.

[@edarnold1426]

@@Whitevaliantwarrior What's sadder is that after he did I think he only played with them one time in 2013. That and as far as I know, they never released a no1 hit after he left. Personally I don't think they should have left him alone, they didn't leave Neal alone after his problems. I think the taking over started in about 1979 or 80. I don't know, I liked R.E.O. clear back in late 73 or early 74 when I saw them and bought my first album of theirs T.W.O..

[@damienminorminor]

I totally agree with that. That's why they had to bring Kevin back in the band.

[@charlesviner1565]

I LOVE GARY RICHRATH 💙 ❤

[@charlesviner1565]

God bless GARY RICHRATH 🙏

[@moebone4561]

t's not so much Gary was underrated as a guitarist, it was just too many people didn't even know who he was. But if you did hear of him, you knew his playing was fire. His shredding on "Golden Country" from the live album was as powerful as anyone who ever strapped on a Les Paul. Look at his beautiful smile on this clip. He was soooooo happy playing. That's all he ever cared about. And that's how I'll always remember him. Rest in Peace, Gary.

[@10000jims]

Probably the best opening to Don Kirshner's Rock Concert ever.

[@JayDee25895]

Who would of ever thought The Great USA has fallen so fast so far......Makes me cry...............

[@sirgalahad3574]

I will think nothing less of Gary than one of the top 5 rock and roll guitarists of all time.

[@riverraider76]

he was mister smooth master. never able to replace him..

[@lindagreaney5136]

Amen Mom was front row w him from Peoria all the way till she passed bc he loved her!

[@dhouser4345]

One of the Great American Rock Bands.... their LIVE album incredible.

[@mikethomas507]

Wow....

[@mrchilly3338]

‘73 Jacksonville Coliseum Jacksonville Florida with Skynyrd and Marshall Tucker band.

[@mikelair9144]

Helluva lineup

[@donsmore]

Sounds like an awesome show. I'm a bit jealous.

[@hereforit170]

Holy hell❤ 🤘🏻😛

[@ImaDogTrainer]

Wow! This was filmed 22 days after I saw them open up for the Doobie Brothers in San Antonio on my 18th birthday! It was an incredible show and I'll never forget it. I've seen REO many times over the years, but I thought this was the best line up.

[@dougthePogingguitarist]

love the early Reo Speedwagon

[@edreiser]

A different version of Riding The Storm Out. I like it.

[@TheQakman]

Damn you ruined my day when I saw your profile pic. I suffer from coulrophobia. Lol

[@leecalvinmusic]

If you listen to Gary’s solo during Without Expression at 8:28 you can hear bits of the same solo from the solo in They’re On The Road which they released the same year this concert was recorded.

[@uncle-andy-guitar-herbst]

I remember I bought this and was disappointed Kevin Cronin had quit the band, but really grew to like this album. The 70's were rockin' in the Quad Cities.

[@OttoByOgraffey]

This was before Kevin.

[@uncle-andy-guitar-herbst]

@@OttoByOgraffey . No, Kevin was there in 72-73, then hit the bricks, then came back in 1976. Mike Murphy was his replacement in '73.

[@mikeday6908]

@@uncle-andy-guitar-herbst You are correct!

[@You-cx5mb]

Top of the class See and hear for yourself First person can not get no better in the now Giving thanks again Today is another too day. Great to be riding the storm out

[@onusgumboot5565]

Thanks for uploading this. I loved REO. Then they got Cronin to sing and I really didn't like his voice at all. I know they had their biggest success with him, but I never could stand him. This version of riding the storm out is much more to my taste.

[@Tomchichi1975]

They had Kevin before Mike Murphy. Thank god the Murphy Albums didn't sell and they brought back KC

[@addagwenlyn9662]

They had Steve Scorfina on lead too. He eventually joined Pavlov's Dog. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pp3ZppxjfqxroKM

[@Tomchichi1975]

@@addagwenlyn9662 He was lead guitar before Gary.

[@addagwenlyn9662]

@@Tomchichi1975 Yes, you are correct. I know him personally.

[@robertashton8069]

I believe Murphy was only with them for RTSO tour.

[@Paul-hk7ue]

original reo the best.....kevin ruined a good thing and sent gary to an early grave......rip gary i love ya bro......thank you

[@suzannecarwell1391]

heartbreaking 💔 RIP Gary

[@Faltor895]

Gary did that to himself, you ever hear of personal responsibility? Yeah, he ruined living in near poverty and brought in millions.

[@andrewjohnson388]

Ive only re captured Gary ...From UK ..saw REO SPEEDWAGON ..on TV in 80's ..I am rock drummer ..later done stuff ..I remember thinking that guitarist shines ,,,never really liked the band ..but all time ago ...found who he was ,,real shame ..he was better than that really ..found out he died ...but always remember him ..he stood as great guitar breaks in the music ..yep ..finding wrong band etc ..rock n roll ..not easy ...RIP Gary ...I felt it ..enough for me..

[@jeffcarr4870]

best REO lineup of all time. With they could have kept this going.

[@robertpusateri2345]

Without Expession Great song with Mike and Gary wow.

[@romelovesdan]

Wish there was more live recordings of this lineup. The short Long Beach Nov. 1974 audio only recording is just "OK" sounding. I hope that full video is found (or shared) one day.....

[@rubicon-oh9km]

I would LOVE to see this entire episode.

[@rrob268]

Me, too.

[@martyc2637]

I was a bartender at the Columbus, Ohio Agora during this time. Everytime REO came the place was packed and rocking.

[@shacker2222]

I remember meeting Mike Murphy in the early 90s, he was working as an art teacher at a local middle school in our neighborhood. He couldn't stand Kevin Cronin and he was very opinionated....

[@Adept179]

No wonder Cronin is the lamest ever

[@moutnlovr2]

@@Adept179 I fully agree with you!!

[@davidrice3337]

How good was Gary Richrath-good grief

[@davidrice3337]

@@Psychedelicxylophone agreed- & something else that amazes me as a "wanna be" guitar player is,Gary Richrath plugged straight in to a Marshall Amp- no peddles ,no effects- Eric Clapton talkes about feel and how everyone sounds little different than others for better or for worse-Richrath? That dude had an sound, a unique sound all his own, and when i listen to the live stuff from the mid 70's I cannot think of a player today who puts such a bad ass stamp on a band's sound like the one and only Mr Gary Richrath (& I'm not even that big of an REO fan) Here's to ya Brah 🎸📻🎼

[@Mensa989]

Gregg Philbin (★ - 24 October 2022) was a American Bassist.

[@NoelHopkins]

Greg looks unenthused at the beginning of Riding the Storm Out (9:38) Awesome that we can hear Alan, Greg and Gary sing on this.

[@clarkleach6733]

Hard to listen to this song as is after hearing the 1977 live version. Preferred '70s Kevin Cronin up front, but the other four members were top notch. In any case, this was far more like the real REO sound --- The one a lot of us wish they had kept.

[@stevemcfate1961]

Absolutely

[@giampfrasca]

Tough Guys, I've always loved you!

[@frankdahlquist1851]

The Brothers n Sisters be gettin down!

[@wjniemi]

They were great way back when. The lead vocalist is really earning his cake.

[@lloydkrivanek4811]

my name is lloyd i went to fenton high school in bensenville il with Gregg Philbin both class of 1965 he played baritone sax and i played trumpet i was lead in the concert band and also lead in the stage band and i won a great trip to the stage band camp i did know that greg passed and very sorry i talked to him since high sshool . in the stage band he sat to my wife Laura Brandenburg. get a 65 class book and you can see them and me. glad that gregg did well at rthe r e o.

[@georgemoore2444]

Gary was savage AF.

[@scottg2253]

holy crap that was good

[@jettechdonatkins]

A big band in the '70's for sure! Love them with Michael Murphy a bit better than with Kevin,but they were and are still a great band! Them and Robin Trower I've seen around 8 times each and always great shows! Thanks for this!!

[@54chewbacca]

Agreed

[@williamzander4732]

You have to sell records and to be a commercial success Reo and Styx both changed direction can't blame them .

[@jamesmacdonaldjr.3594]

RIP Gregg Philbin

[@fisherguy719]

Mid to late 60's my buds dad owned lou's quarry in appleton,wi. A beer bar. We would go there on saturday to get the place ready for the night. Soon a vehicle and trailer would back up to the door. The bands were REO, One Eyed jacks,Fuse, the future Cheap Trick. Amazing days. Many more bands. It was fun.

[@dr.know-it-all5148]

Gary Richrath is the American Gary Moore

[@patrickmayer9566]

,,,,I remember when......................my older brother playing this over and over,,,,,,long long time ago.........epic.

[@barryhaynes103]

totally forgot about this song … what a great song 😎

[@markjohnsondrummer3144]

My first rock concert was seeing this same lineup earlier that month (4-10-74) at Purdue Univ in West Lafayette Indiana. Like REO, another regional band at the time, Styx, was to open. However they spelled Styx wrong on the ticket and apparently because of that they canceled. That was a bummer but REO was great. Riding the Storm Out had been recorded with Cronin on vocals but he left the band and Murphy overdubbed for the album and his head was also airbrushed onto Cronins body on the album cover. Of course Cronin was hired back a couple years later.

[@AdrianJeffreys-fj2fv]

Neils from my hometown Evansville Indiana

[@gibby6904]

This is the only REO as far as I'm concerned!

[@patmurphy6843]

never seen this version, fkn. amazing!

[@Brenda-nb1rj]

Man that Gary could really handle that guitar!

[@Mozart1220]

And NONE of these people are in the current version of the band. It's a tribute band now. They should let it die.

[@toneyisaiah3556]

Gary Richrath was born in Peoria,Illinois.

[@lewismaddix1707]

Can't wait to see them July 25 Iroquois Park Louisville KY

[@robertleath9913]

WOW. Thats a great line up .

[@SocalWebTech]

Back in the day there was also a band called Mike Murphy and the One Eyed Jacks playing the bar circuits in REO local areas. Eventually Murphy migrated to REO. Don't know the story behind it. Just some FYI ... Murphy was a fairly decent guitar player himself.

[@saveamerica2896]

Mike is my second cousin.