‘Ridin’ the Storm Out’? Cronin Reunites with Former REO Bandmates
It’s been a tumultuous year and some change for REO Speedwagon, as disagreements over the direction of the band between singer Kevin Cronin and bassist Bruce Hall fractured the group in late 2024. Now, the band may be getting back together – properly.
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Cronin reunited with Hall, apparently burying the hatchet, and original members, keyboardist Neal Doughty and drummer Alan Gratzer, in the band’s hometown of Champaign, Illinois, according to Syracuse.com. The four class-era members served as grand marshals for the University of Illinois’ homecoming parade on Saturday, and took the field with the Fighting Illini marching band to perform Ridin’ the Storm Out, Roll with the Changes and 157 Riverside Avenue during halftime in Illinois’ game against USC.
Unfortunately, audio from REO Speedwagon during the performance appeared to be drowned out by the band, as their instruments didn’t appear to be fed into the stadium’s PA system.
The decision was made to end REO Speedwagon on Jan. 1, 2025. Hall wanted to rejoin the band after missing all of 2024’s shows while recovering from surgery, but Cronin reportedly didn’t think Hall was ready for touring. Unable to come to an agreement, the decision was made to end the band. This led to Cronin touring the country all summer with the last lineup of REO Speedwagon, minus Hall, as the “Kevin Cronin Band.”
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However, Hall, Doughty and Gratzer got together on June 14 for a “farewell concert” for REO Speedwagon in Champaign. The show even included early REO Speedwagon members; guitarist Steve Scorfina and singers Terry Luttrell and Mike Murphy. This left Cronin reportedly “deeply disturbed and hurt.”
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The halftime performance marked the first time since 1988 that the classic-era lineup performed together, aside from the late Gary Richrath. The lineup came together in 1977, as Hall replaced bassist Gregg Philbin.
Together, the band would experience a highly-successful run, releasing four platinum records in a six-year span. 1980’s Hi Infidelity achieved diamond status. The era ended in September of 1988 with Gratzer’s retirement. Richrath departed in 1989 after tensions with Cronin reached a breaking point.
RELATED: REO Speedwagon ‘Back on the Road Again’?
It remains to be seen if a new era of REO Speedwagon is ahead of us. With the four remaining class-era members in their 70s, and Doughty’s retirement from touring in January of 2023, it’s possible this reunion was a one-off. However, Cronin has been consistent with his drive to continue playing REO Speedwagon’s music, and based on how the band broke up, Hall may be too.
We hope the band will be “back on the road again” sometime soon, and that the “speedwagon” rolls through Houston
