What the HELL-This is Being CENSORED For a PROFANITY That Was ACTUALLY BLEEPED OUT-Professor of Rock

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your Pick for the BEST POWER BALLAD or even just favorite BALLAD of the Rock ERA?

[@TerrickTerran]

I Can't Fight This Feeling.

[@RBS_]

...well, Journey has ALWAYS greeted us with "Open Arms"... *LITERALLY* .... ; ) ....

[@surlechapeau]

Foreigner - I Want to Know What Love Is(Lou Gramm). runnerups: In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel; Faithfully - Journey(Steve Perry).

[@rabby-u]

Hey Jude- Beatles

[@karmab4391]

Save Your Love - Great White Paradise - Tesla

[@jbr2991]

I have a cool REO story. My mom had a glorious sense of humor. I was in a record store just browsing the albums when SHE found, “You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can’t Tuna Fish.” She bought it for me just from the cover. She said something like if they’re that witty with their cover, their music must be good too. Miss you Mom. I was a Speedwagon fan from that day on.

[@JimmySoto-v7z]

My mom also bought that album for me. The title was just too crazy to leave it at the store. Great record!

[@dukecraig2402]

Great album

[@BillGraper]

My story of "Can't Fight This Feeling": I asked for a telescope for Christmas in 1984, which I got from my parents. I remember looking at Jupiter every night in the winter of 1985. It was cold outside, and Jupiter was always setting outside our big kitchen window. I would listen to the "top 8 at 8" on our local hit music station. When this song played, I would somehow relate it to Jupiter. "And even as I wander, I'm keeping you in sight. You're a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter's night. And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might." That's from the point of view of Jupiter, watching me watch it through the telescope. Give me a break, I was just 13! 😂

[@ProfessorofRock]

Great story Bill!

[@williambarry8015]

Astronomy Domine

[@RBS_]

..WELL, at least you got a telescope, Bill....I got a ROCK! ...ha-HAAA!!

[@ProfessorofRock]

@@RBS_ Ha ha!

[@BillGraper]

@@RBS_ Charlie Brown!!! 🤣

[@threeballedtomcat9380]

I saw REO in the early 1980s with a friend that had backstage passes because of a marriage connection to Kevin. Meeting him was a great moment, he was such a humble and decent guy, nothing like the rockstar you would have thought he would be. It was a GREAT show (what I remember of it, after all I wasn't yet 27 yo, lol) .I doubt that Kevin would remember me, but I will always remember him and his kindness, all of the band were very cool... Great interview, Adam.

[@ProfessorofRock]

He's one of the nicest guys around!

[@TJ-id6ee]

Cool story!

[@MiracleFound]

I saw them in the 70's when they were a bar band. I still remember the particulars of the id I borrowed to get in. I wasn't there for the alcohol and my cousin insisted that I had to see them. He was right.

[@ronaldscofield1666]

My wife and I danced to I can’t fight this feeling for our first dance at our wedding 39 years ago. I still love this song and when we’re together when it comes on the radio we look at each other and get misty.

[@ProfessorofRock]

So cool!

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

@@ronaldscofield1666 That's what music and Love is made for. I wish you another 39 years with only the best to come!

[@ronaldscofield1666]

@ thanks working on it

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

@ronaldscofield1666 GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL WIFE

[@Joreel]

My wife and I are getting ready to celebrate 30 years... Both of us grew up on REO and other power ballets in the 80s. So many great songs to enjoy and reminisce about 😊

[@WeirdScienceComics]

Wasn’t a huge REO fan in the 80s, but have grown to appreciate them so much more now and Kevin is one of those guys you just fall in love with after hearing him talk - so kind and humble (and a Beatles fan to boot)

[@DaveWillmore]

There was a pizza joint people from my high school frequented in the 80s. The jukebox was always playing music. REO Speedwagon was always in the mix. When I hear their music today, I can still smell the pizza cooking. The 80s for me were awesome.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Great memories!

[@marktait2371]

us the same chuck e cheese had a jukebox also one was for sale local antique store a few years back big priice forget how much

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Yum!

[@flavellinator]

My wife contends the lyrics are NOT cheesy.... That's good enough for me... Happy Thanksgiving!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Awesome. Just taking the words our of Kevin's mouth!

[@justpray365]

One man’s Casu Marzu cheese, is another man’s Pule Cheese😂

[@ketovoreboomer7566]

My college roommates got REO 10th row center seats at Jenison Field House, MSU, for my birthday in '83, first rock concert and could not hear well for 3 days! Loved it and still have the tour book. Have seen them countless times since then and loved it each and every time. Favorite songs are Time For Me To Fly, Roll With The Changes, Don't Let Him Go. Love you Speedwagon!! Thanks Professor!!

[@Peter_S_]

Such a great band. “If you’re tired of the same old story, turn some pages” - REO Speedwagon

[@DDKaraokeOutlaw]

I've seen them 4 times. REO Speedwagon/Richard Marx at Battelle Hall Columbus, OH. 8/18/87. Life As We Know It Tour. REO Speedwagon/STYX/Journey at the Schottenstein Center Columbus, OH. 6/25/2003. REO Speedwagon QFM96 Budweiser Wing Zing at Promowest Pavilion. Columbus, OH. 7/9/2005. REO Speedwagon QFM96 Budweiser Wing Zing at LC Pavilion. Columbus, OH. 8/16/2008. I also have a couple of guitar picks.

[@ProfessorofRock]

MY favorite song from them!

[@ProfessorofRock]

@@DDKaraokeOutlaw Very cool!

[@DDKaraokeOutlaw]

@@ProfessorofRock I think I'm going to faint. My first ever reply from The Professor.

[@randyduncan4672]

@@DDKaraokeOutlaw I saw them back to back nights, first at Columbus Clippers game after baseball concert, then next night a PNC Park in Pittsburgh after Pirates baseball game and fireworks. They were awesome both times.

[@raymyers6016]

"Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs. What's wrong with that? I need to know.". NOTHING! Some people and artists take themselves waaay to seriously. Good on you Kevin. My favorite REO song.

[@Jims_Camera_at_dawn]

A Pauling!! 😂 ☕☕🎶🎵🎶

[@smokeymtn.wanderer6757]

I still have this in my rotation. and im 57 yrs. Old . roller skating back in the 80's

[@terrypikaart4394]

Ridin the storm out, was the first and only song my high school band learned to play. REO Speedwagon was a big part of my life in the late 70s and early 80s

[@rich56ca]

This song always has a special relevance for me. It came out the year my now wife and I were just getting together. Every time I heard it, it defined my feelings at the time. Cheesy or not it worked for me.

[@jamescaron6465]

Happy almost 40 years together!!

[@ProfessorofRock]

That's so cool! Congrats!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Happy anniversary!

[@iymspartacus7089]

I’m not a fan of REO, or of Chronin’s vocals, but I now have a newfound respect for him as a songwriter, a father, and a human being. Thank you for the interview.

[@terryp5807]

I saw my first REO concert when they were on their first tour, as the opening act for Canned Heat. That was 1972. I saw my 42nd REO concert in August 2024 at the NY State fair. Shortly after that, Kevin announced that the 2024 tour would be their last. From the age of 16 to age 68, REO has been my favorite band. I know they are most famous today for their power ballads, but once upon a time they were real rockers. If you are not familiar with early REO, check out 1978's "You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish", aka the Tuna Fish album. One great rock and roll tune after another. Gary Richrath had one of the coolest solos ever on "Lucky for You". Thank you, REO for 50+ years of great music.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Terry!

[@ross2812]

You probably have the record for attending the most REO Speedwagon concerts. That's incredible.

[@terryp5807]

​@@ross2812Similar to the "Dead Heads", I just fell in love with their sound at 15 years old. And I never missed a chance to see them if they were playing anywhere near. Funny anecdote, I now have a wife and an ex wife who each have 20+ REO concerts under their belts and neither of them even knew who REO was when they met me. Bless their hearts for indulging me all these years.

[@tinahs8269]

For some reason...the REO Speedwagon Greatest Hits CD was my go to insomnia cure...Their music just allows my mind to relax and unwind.

[@ranger51262]

This is so cool to watch. I was a mere child when the Beatles came out and the impact they had on almost every band at that time and forward, REO Speedwagon was one of my favorite bands growing up. I couldn't afford albums but my brother would borrow them and we would wear those albums down

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@michaelrochester48]

I’m glad that Gary Richrath is given some love in the videos because his guitar work was instrumental to their success as well as Kevin’s vocals which to me sound almost like Alan Clark of the hollies on steroids

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree! Thanks Michael!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Oh yes! In a good way.

[@jeffreykress3505]

Thank you for this episode, Adam! It's so great to hear from Kevin Cronin. He's such a likeable and down to earth guy. I could listen to Kevin tell stories all day long.

[@amycrittendon3269]

Great episode! I have always been a die hard REO fan, and I always will be!!! I’m 57 years old….their sound simply ROCKS! Happy Thanksgiving, Professor!!! ❤

[@vilbos]

Fun Fact-- The Boy on the cover of War is the same boy in The Commitments who tries to audition when Jimmy's in the tub, but he chickens out of the audition.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@rogerdeahl9629]

🦃 REO SPEEDWAGON! 🦃 Love Kevin and the boys. Extensive catalog....... great songs of the 70s and 80s. Should never take crap for any song. Thanks for this Thanksgiving episode, Professor. In the spirit of food today, always remember that famous REO album....... You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish!🤣

[@Sweet--Richard.4981]

Salmon the other pink meat 😅

[@ProfessorofRock]

ThaNKS ROGER!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Still an amazing album title.

[@Ohionortheast]

I hate when people label stuff as cheesy.its a love song it was catchy and a huge hit.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Actually like Dennie Deyoung says! Everybody Like cheese. (the food) so why is that considered bad?

[@MrCee71]

Mm-hmm, It's only the serious fans (meaning people that take music to seriously) that hate "Love Songs" Not the calm music fans like us.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

And as Dennis said, the cheese is good as long as it’s not a fungus. 😜

[@shiroibasketshoes]

@@ProfessorofRock While I also detest the "cheesy" label for music, not everyone likes or approves of cheese, and vegans like me do not eat real cheese. His name is spelled Dennis DeYoung.

[@OTOss8]

Great video man. Cool backstory and great interview. For the people who don't dig Can't Fight This Feeling, listen, if you've got a problem with the Speedwagon, you've got a problem with life. This song is gold.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha! Love the Speewagon!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

That’s right!

[@douglasmesina6922]

Props to Kevin & the band on playing Live Aid. I saw them outside 3 River Stadium in '94, '95ish. They were surprisingly loud. Great show.

[@DeronMidge]

Kevin, wow what gift he is to humankind. I don't believe I've seen him interviewed in 30 plus years. Thank you Professor! You two connected on that level you don't get very often. Beautiful energy and vibe 🌟❤️⚡

[@TerrickTerran]

Love the song, love REO, love the story. Happy Thanksgiving Prof and the class.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Happ y Thanksgiving Terrick!

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

Happy Thanksgiving and I agree.

[@CaptainCraigKWMRZ]

I've seen REO half a dozen times and have played their songs for years in my cover band. People love those songs and always sing along. Thank you Kevin!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for watching!

[@petersage5157]

You actually had hair when you did that interview! Great song, great band, and Kevin seems to be a great guy. I love that you actually referred to the year as just "85." You're showing your age, and you wear it well.

[@jerryfritz374]

Thanks Professor for the Great interview. Have a Happy & THANKFUL THANKSGIVING

[@ProfessorofRock]

Same to you!

[@higgme1ster]

What the younger people nowadays could never imagine about the middle 1960's is the multiple garage bands in every subdivision across the nation dreaming of fame and playing their hearts out. I am glad I was born in '53, it was a blessing to see and hear.

[@carmaigdeforest7284]

Not a fan of this particular song or power ballads in general, but I very much enjoyed this segment and interview. I appreciate Kevin's humility and the rapport between him and you, Professor, was palpable. Well done! Also: happy thanksgiving to all reading this.

[@rogertemple7193]

REO Speedwagon have always been my favorite band and they still are from the 70's to the 90's most especially. Thanks for the awesome episodes the interview with Kevin Cronin and have a wonderful Thanksgiving today Thank You Professor.🦃🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🦃

[@ProfessorofRock]

THat's amazing! Happy Thanksgiving Roger!

[@Whisper_292]

"It"s time to bring this ship into the shore and throw away the oars forever" is my favorite line from the song. I like a little bubble gum from time to time.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree. I think it's awesome!

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

Happy Thanksgiving. I like that line too and all coiled up and hissing is another one but of course different song.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s an empowering line.

[@Whisper_292]

@AnnaTrail-xp8pr Still a good line.

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

@Whisper_292 absolutely

[@jajincaable]

I love Kevin. He just seems so down to earth and a really good soul. You can tell when he loves something like his family, the music, and performing, because his face just lights up when he talks about it. That was an excellent interview and I felt as though we got to really know the man and not just the artist. Keep on keeping on, Professor. I really appreciate what you do. Take care and God bless.

[@gordonwallin2368]

My Dad, "Well at least Elvis could sing" Yeah, 1967, it all changed very soon. Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.

[@stanleywoznick1102]

Just the best channel Adam. Thank you for all you do it’s such enjoyment to watch.

[@steveb7310]

This song reminds me of a certain girl who liked me as I was fighting through trust issues. Of course it went nowhere. I really enjoy hearing these artists talk about their struggles in their creative process to just get it right. True artistry on display. The artist is always his/her toughest critic.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Cool!

[@llamasugar5478]

I used to “sing” those album commercials to amuse my mom! 🎶 “Sittin’ on the dock of the bay . . . Wichita lineman, is still on the liiiiiine . . . Can’t hurry love . . . Tears of a clow-ow-own . . .” 🎶

[@cherriehearn6950]

❤❤❤ REO ❤❤❤ thank you for the memories of my first real love. May he RIP😢😢😢

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Cherrie!

[@danielclark5586]

What a nice man. Great song and great talent. Thank you for reintroducing the songs and helping us discover the people behind them. A lovely legacy Professor.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for listening!

[@Fregulus5]

There were many awesome songs in the summer of '81 (Tom Sawyer, Bette Davis Eyes, Jesse's Girl, In The Dark...), but REO's "In Your Letter" will always be the one that I remember most from that summer!

[@JodysJourney]

Thank you so much for this one! You must have been reading my mind as I was hoping for some REO Speedwagon content. I’ve always been just a song person, not the artist or the album, but REO’s Hi Infidelity album was IT for me. My senior year in high school. I knew it would my defining album from then on, and is still my response when someone asks what my favorite album is. A close second is Rick Springfield’s Working Class Dog album, also released my senior year.

[@Duqsteel1115]

I became familiar with REO through Hi-Infidelity, but after that album came out I later heard a song of theirs on the radio and cranked it up because I always thought it rocked. I never knew who sang it, but once it was done, the DJ said it was REO Speedwagon. The song was “Back In The Road Again.” I then decided to work backwards in their catalog and discovered a lot more great songs from them. Very underrated stuff. Too bad they decided to disband. For a hard rocking fan, REO is a band I would love to have seen live.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for the comment!

[@stevewight1409]

Also Riding the storm out..is great rocking tune...

[@DanieVargas]

I remember being on the school bus and HEARING Keep On Loving You on the radio, on my way to 5th Grade class… the school buses had working radios on them back then. I also remember it being warm, so it was either the beginning of the school year or we were coming to the end of the school year. But I knew all the words by this point and my friend, Stacy Williams, and I just started singing along. We knew EVERY WORD at 10 years old…. What a great memory… HAPPY TURKEY DAY ADAM!!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Love it.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Happy Thanksgiving Danie.

[@PanhandleFrank]

I met Eric Carmen on 1/2/80. I was at Cleveland Hopkins airport with maybe a half-dozen fellow USAF inductees, waiting for our flight to San Antonio for basic training, and a girl in the group saw Carmen waiting for his flight the next gate over, sitting there reading the paper. She was so excited and wanted to go over and say hi, but she didn’t want to go over alone, so she roped me into going over with her. She was gaga, he was polite, I was a 3rd wheel. Good times. 🙂 (And RIP, Terri … )

[@richwever2756]

"I Can't Fight This Feeling" was THE song that turned my platonic prom date into my high school sweetheart, Diana. Sometimes I go to the back of the rack and recall listening to 157 Riverside Avenue in the weight room at Bedford High. Great memories!

[@TheDisneylover23]

I always loved REO. Kevin is so sweet, and humble, it makes me love him that much more! Thanks for another fantastic interview Professor!!

[@christophercolt1361]

KEVIN IS A MASTERPIECE THAT NEEDS NO BACK SEAT TO ANYTHING OR ANYBODY! PURE & PRICELESS HUMILITY!

[@chadlongnecker630]

Kevin is one of the most humble people ive ever met, great guy

[@ProfessorofRock]

Agreed!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

When did you meet him?

[@jdaniels1313]

Love all your interviews with Kevin Cronin, Professor! He's just so real and authentic, and you bring the best out of him.

[@Traceypro16]

“Take it on the run” my all time #1 favorite song! Loved it at 10 yrs old (1980) and I love it to this day! REO will always be my favorite band!!❤️

[@georgemathie8123]

First of all to all of my American friends out there happy thanksgiving and have yourselves a wonderful day and Reo Speedwagon what i totally admire about this band is they totally earned their success they paid their dues and show every aspiring musician out there that by hard work and perseverance that you can definitely make it and this band has given us over 5 decades of kick butt rock and roll and straight from the heart ballads

[@ProfessorofRock]

Happy Thanksgiving Geroge!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Yup. They’re awesome!

[@georgemathie8123]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I just discovered their first few albums on KZbin and wow they can rock with the best of them and their secret weapon was the late great Gary richtrath what a player and he should be up there with all the greats

[@poetsdreamsatc]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@ProfessorGamez]

Likewise and thank you

[@Beetlejuice-im6ml]

Happy Thanksgiving

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

REO had so many amazing songs and great lyrics. Years ago I told you my story to this song. Sad that Kevin has pulled the band apart.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I don't know... Kevin's a good dude.

[@papawinthewoods]

I have seen REO Speedwagon 6 times over the years. By far the best show I ever saw was in Knoxville Tennessee at the Civic Auditorium. It was billed as “A night with REO Speedwagon”. The auditorium only seated 2000 people. The Knoxville Orchestra played there. It was like a big movie theater with padded seats and a balcony. REO turned down the amps and played for 2 solid hours. Kevin Cronin talked extensively between sets with the crowd. The band took a break mid show, except for Gary Richrath, who stayed on stage playing his guitar and joking with the audience. Wow! What a show! I’ve been to lots of big concerts but this intimate show is the favorite of my life.

[@SirManfly]

🎶"It's time to bring this ship into the shore, throw away the oars forever" 🎶🤮

[@wishingb5859]

This song reminds me of my own love story. I was best friends with a sweet, creative, intelligent man who grew up ridiculously poor and on the wrong side of the tracks. He was such a 4-eyed nerd is how people thought back then that girls all walked past him and I told him, keep being a good friend and one will eventually fall in love. Didn’t know it was going to be me.

[@frustrateduser9933]

Aww 🙂

[@jeromethiel4323]

It's always nice when you see someone so talented say "i'm not the right person to do this, i need help." And they get that help, and it results in an amazing product. Or in this case, a song. Just being talented or extremely good at a particular thing, does not mean that sometimes you need someone else to step in and do something you are just not quite able to pull off. For example, i am good at my job. But that doesn't mean i don't need help or advice from time to time. I talk to peers all the time, just because it's easy to get to close to a problem to see it clearly. And someone else who has been there, but is NOT there under the stress or being there can say "did you try X?" Even if trying X isn't the answer, it can break the deadlock in your head, and allow you to think more clearly.

[@DC8091]

Those first three REO albums are OLD SCHOOL KICK ASS ROCK N ROLL GOLD! Gypsy Woman’s Passion, Riverside Dr, Let Me Ride, Music Man, Whiskey Night, etc. now that there’s some “grab a bottle o’ JD and krank it 11” rock n roll 🤘

[@ProfessorofRock]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@DC8091]

@@ProfessorofRock ditto bro!! 🍻

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Good ones!

[@jimroscovius]

I've seen REO Speedwagon quite a few times - arenas, county fairs, and they even played for our company Christmas party. Fantastic band!!

[@petercena9497]

Good to hear a Thanksgiving episode professor, Thanks! There's a 14 year gap between my two favorite REO songs: Golden Country (1971) One Lonely Night (1985)

[@ProfessorofRock]

Great choices Peter! Not the regular ones!

[@michaelreid5912]

Tremendous interview. Again, the power of the Beatles as an influence comes through. Kevin… so talented!

[@karmab4391]

Happy Thanksgiving Music Junkies!!!!! I love REO Speedwagon. Hi Infidelity and You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish were play on repeat until the cassette breaks albums. The Professor covered the song that got me through the end of my marriage the other day, Iris, and today he is covering the song that brings back memories of when it began.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Rock on!

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

Happy Thanksgiving. I Can't Fight This Feeling has two different memories for me. Back in the 80s song was playing as I pulled into the parking lot and last time I saw my ex prom boyfriend. Several years ago while working outside and while this song was playing my husband got stung by a bee. After several choice words he said yeah no shit I can't fight this feeling. I just started laughing.

[@Sweet--Richard.4981]

Richrath, the orginal shredder

[@ProfessorofRock]

YES!

[@ericbgordon1575]

"Can't Fight This Feeling" might be my favorite REO tune. That includes the "hated line". Ironically, it came my way after the bottled-lightening hit by Jack Wagner, "All I Need", and I (in my typical fashion) thought "Can't Fight This Feeling" was cut from the same cloth. In any event, this song has held up strongly for 40 years. (I've even done a throwaway cover that can be heard on SoundCloud.)

[@ProfessorofRock]

hey eric!

[@ericbgordon1575]

Happy Thanksgiving, Adam.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

How are they similar? In lyric?

[@ericbgordon1575]

The key they're both in and some of the melody, @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 , along with the ballad dynamics.

[@elizabethsullivan7176]

My daughters LOVE the show The Goldbergs. I'm like, "Welcome to our (mom and dad's) childhood" It's like an entire other world.

[@jjglick5777]

Personally, I feel "Roll With The Changes" is the greatest pure rock and roll song ever. Hard driving, great lyrics, excellent vocals and two great guitar solos. Also a fantastic Hammond solo. Pedal to the metal all the way through.

[@JJ4848]

It really doesn’t get enough love in the classic rock world. I almost never hear it played on the radio anymore at least where I’m at.

[@PapiDoesIt]

I can't fight this feeling any longer came at the perfect time for me. I was living in Hawaii, far away from family, and I met a girl. I didn't want to fall in love because I already had a girl in Indiana. But this song and Trouble in Paradise came out around the same time. I was working at night and when these 2 songs came on the radio back to back I knew then that I loved the girl in Hawaii. We got married 5 months later and we're still together.

[@sheryljohnson5906]

Loved Everything REO did ! Own most of thier albums,and I can't fight this feeling is one of mine and my husband's songs. Still makes me think of when I saw REO in concert,and think of those early days with my husband of 39 years !

[@robwr737]

Love REO Speedwagon, and 'Take it on the Run' should have been a #1 too. 'Can't Fight this Feeling' is an instant inspiration every time it plays.

[@ericfielding2540]

Great interview with Kevin Cronin. I never saw him in an interview before and he seems like a nice person, more humble than most rock stars.

[@jessehayes486]

Sometimes the best you can do is to sit back and let guys like Kevin just talk about their experiences.

[@peterd.9978]

Loved this song when I first heard it in 5th grade. Was already a REO Speedwagon fan from their Hi Infidelity album. Was happy to finally see them live in early 2000s.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Where at?

[@peterd.9978]

​@@ProfessorofRock Universal Amphitheatre in LA. Styx, REO Speedwagon, and Survivor were touring together. Big fan of all three bands so it was a great night!

[@Ohionortheast]

Seen them about a year before hi came out that album was so good and completely changed there sound and style great band

[@CrestoneMountains]

The WAR boy staring starkly is hilarious. He had no idea his young self would be recognizable for his entire life and probably well beyond!

[@petdocvmd]

Great Interview! Kevin is an American treasure (as was Gary Richrath). We wore the vinyl off of REO 2 and "YCTAPBYCTF" in my high school days.

[@justJelene]

The first boy who asked me to "go with him" (we held hands on the playground once, I believe- Sean) in about the 5th grade asked what my favorite band was. I don't recall what my answer was, but I always remember that his fave was REO Speedwagon. 😊

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for sharing!

[@beverleightodd5710]

I went to the states in 1981 when I was 19 so my mum could visit her old friend, who'd married a GI. We were in Alabama and I made friends with a couple of young guys locally, who were fascinated with Home Counties English girl. I asked them to recommend some American artists that I could get a couple of singles to take home. Artists we had not heard of in the UK. I was directed to REO and I bought "Take it on Rhe run" and "Keep on Loving you". Ironically within a couple of months both singles entered the UK charts, nothing to do with me but boy could I pick a hit even knowing nothing about the group.

[@MoonbeamMountainflower]

High Fidelity spoke to me at a time I was getting a divorce. A friend of mine from Michigan put it together and told me to take a break from it because it added to my growing depression. I still love the album because of the heart being shared and I can listen to it without feeling the pain.

[@brentc6595]

I grew up in the 1980s with an older brother who had all of the REO albums. I would hear them constantly, so much I couldn't stand the band. Now that I am older I can definitely see this is one of the best bands ever. With the career they have had, how are they not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

[@IBMCertified]

I really don't have a story about this particular song, but early in their career, REO toured the mid-west heavily and the fairground amphitheater, and even the mall in my home town were places that they would play on a fairly regular basis. When "Riding The Storm Out" hit the radio, we were all proud to have known them before they became famous. Needless to say, they stopped playing the mall, and even the fairgrounds in my home town. They opted for the civic center from that point on. Very good childhood memories for me to be certain.

[@DsRandomMemories]

I saw REO Speedwagon in the summer of 1992. At that time I had been a fan of the group since their Nine Lives album. The concert was great and I even got Kevin Cronins autograph. Some time after, a couple buddies stopped by at my house to visit and I told them about the concert and showed them my autograph. One of them just laughed and said "bud, REO isn't cool anymore, move on". I didn't listen to REO for years after that.

[@JOEKPOND]

Looking back at my youth, I am amazed at the number of fantastic concerts I got to attend. Tickets ran about $50, a challenge for a starving college student, but the memories are worth the sacrifice.

[@tedbecker4051]

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone

[@LaManteca76]

Happy Thanksgiving! 😄

[@ProfessorofRock]

Same to you!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Same to you Ted

[@giulietta9524]

One of my favourite lines ever -- all that alliteration - I still belt that line out, specifically, when listening to that song almost 40 years later!

[@ProfessorofRock]

It's great!

[@jeanniemarkech351]

REO Speedwagon was the very first concert I ever attended - LOVED IT!

[@darrelldixon8056]

Several years back, I was helping Paul Gurvitz, a longtime artist, and record produce when his current band would set up for shows. Paul was in the band GUN with Ginger Baker and wrote the song "Race with the Devil". He also has played with many many artists over the years. Paul Gurvitz was performing with his band opening for REO Speedwagon at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix. I was fortunate enough to hang out with the members of REO Speedwagon in the green room prior to the show.

[@alrcfn80]

Dortmund Germany 1983 got to see REO to this day, their concert was awesome!! USAF RET.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Why were you over there?

[@madmick78]

As far as I'm concerned, "You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish" is one of the greatest album titles EVER! REO Speedwagon... a great, great band! RIP to the great Gary Richrath, one phenomenal guitar player.

[@robertwhitelock1460]

For me it was hearing Van Halen for the first time at 13. My best friend called me and said, dude get over here. He put Eruption on. It was amazing!

[@klaatuklaatu1]

After High In Fidelity they never had a good complete album.. They lost the rock edge… They had some good songs but became too pop..

[@irocdrvr1]

First band I saw live in early seventies, opened for BTO next year I saw them and they were the headliners and Riding the storm out was the song everyone waited for. Great song.

[@REOgal157]

1995-2024….27 REO shows under my belt. I was 13 when I started & I’m now 42. Can’t Fight This Feeling has always been my favorite ballad song.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Hey ProRo 🤓 and fellow Classmates What I am Thankful for is all of you ! ❤ Everyone needs a safe place to be themselves. I hope that all of you feel the same way! May your holidays be filled with love and joy and may your New Year be the 5th best year of your lives. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS! And Thank You one and all.

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

Ditto Brother Wang.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

@@AnnaTrail-xp8pr Your in my heart, your in my soul, your my breath when I grow old .

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

​@constipatedinsyou getting cheesy on me as you age?incity4424

[@ProfessorofRock]

Well said! Thanks my dear friend!

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

@ProfessorofRock It came from my heart ❤ brother. You enjoy your holiday with your family give my nephews, Wifey and your lovely mother all hugs 🤗 for me. And don't forget me in during Grace.

[@babybro70]

When I first moved into where i'm living now & hooked up my turntables the first record I played was the 45 of The Beatles' I Want To Hold Your Hand. It really does just say "Let's Rock!"

[@lou1880]

I've always loved REO Speedwagon - as a freshman in high school I was at that Kemper Arena show in 1985 that was filmed for MTV. It was such an amazing show and so cool to have a concert memory filmed for posterity. Then I moved to the east coast and my much hipper friends gave me crap about liking REO. Maybe they're a midwestern thing. I still love them though.

[@coyote4237]

What a great interview. Thank you.

[@poeslanding]

This song takes me back to my first love in the 80s named Sophia. I was 12 and she was 14 when we met. She was my older brother's girlfriend for about two weeks and then she and I started talking from then on. Every time I hear this song it brings me right back to that time.

[@2StrokeDriptroit]

Awesome! “High Infidelity” was a life changer for me as well! Again, helped me learn to play drums! And I am like Kevin Cronin i that I just WANT to be on that stage behind my vintage 1967 Rogers R-380 kit with my insanely beautiful PAiSTe 2oo2 cymbals and just give it all I have!! It is a high no drug can ever natch for me! Stage fright has no place for me! I also wish the show can never end! And I am self taught! Kevin mentioned he is not much of a pianist, that takes a big load off me with my beautiful Hammond C-3 and Leslie 122 and my wonderful 1966 Wurlitzer 140-B electric piano I so want to learn to play! Maybe learning just enough to have fun with these legacy instruments is enough! I can always know I am accomplished on my main instrument-the drums! Can’t beat that! Great interview with a great person I always looked up to-Kevin Cronin! 😋👍🏻