Reo Speedwagon

Formed in Champaign, Illinois, USA, in 1970 when pianist Neal Doughty (b. 29 July 1946, Evanston, Illinois, USA) and drummer Alan Gratzer (b. 9 November 1948, Syracuse, New York, USA) were joined by guitarist and songwriter Gary Richrath (b. 10 October 1949, Peoria, Illinois, USA). Although still in its embryonic stage, the group already had its unusual name, which was derived from an early American fire-engine, designed by one Ransom E. Olds. Barry Luttnell (vocals) and Greg Philbin (bass) completed the line-up featured on REO Speedwagon, but the former was quickly replaced by Kevin Cronin (b. 6 October 1951, Evanston, Illinois, USA). The quintet then began the perilous climb from local to national prominence, but despite their growing popularity, particularly in America's Midwest, the band was initially unable to complete a consistent album. Although REO Two and Ridin' The Storm Out eventually achieved gold status, disputes regarding direction culminated in the departure of their second vocalist. Michael Murphy took his place in 1974, but when ensuing albums failed to generate new interest, Cronin rejoined his former colleagues. Bass player Bruce Hall (b. 3 May 1953, Champaign, Illinois, USA) was also brought into a line-up acutely aware that previous releases had failed to reflect their in-concert prowess.
The live summary, You Get What You Play For, overcame this problem to become the group's first platinum disc, a distinction shared by its successor, You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish. However, sales for Nine Lives proved disappointing, inspiring the misjudged view that the band had peaked. Such impressions were banished in 1980 with the release of Hi Infidelity, a crafted, self-confident collection that topped the US album charts and spawned a series of highly successful singles. An emotive ballad, "Keep On Lovin' You", reached number 1 in the USA and number 7 in the UK, while its follow-up, "Take It On The Run", also hit the US Top 5. However, a lengthy tour in support of the album proved creatively draining and Good Trouble is generally accepted as one of REO's least worthy efforts. The quintet withdrew from the stadium circuit and, having rented a Los Angeles warehouse, enjoyed six months of informal rehearsals during which time they regained a creative empathy. Wheels Are Turning recaptured the zest apparent on Hi Infidelity and engendered a second US number 1 in "Can't Fight This Feeling". Life As We Know It and its successor, The Earth, A Small Man, His Dog And A Chicken, emphasized the group's now accustomed professionalism, by which time the line-up featured Cronin, Doughty, Hall, Dave Amato (b. 3 March 1953; lead guitar, ex-Ted Nugent), Bryan Hitt (b. 5 January 1954; drums, ex-Wang Chung) and Jesse Harms (b. 6 July 1952; keyboards). Too often lazily dubbed "faceless", or conveniently bracketed with other in-concert 70s favourites Styx and Kansas, REO Speedwagon have proved the importance of a massive, secure, grass-roots following.

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