REO Speedwagon
Biography
Three bands were the undisputed arena rock kings of the early '80s -- Styx, Journey, and REO Speedwagon -- yet all weren't overnight success stories (in fact, each group began pursuing different musical styles originally -- prog rock, fusion, and straight-ahead hard rock, respectively, before transforming slowly into chart-topping mainstream rockers). REO Speedwagon first formed in 1968, via a pair of University of Illinois students, keyboardist Neal Doughty and drummer Alan Gratzer. After graduation, the group signed on with then-unknown manager Irving Azoff (who would later guide the careers of such multi-platinum acts as the Eagles and Steely Dan), which led to the outfit building a devoted following in the Midwest due to nonstop touring. By the early '70s, Doughty and Gratzer had welcomed aboard guitarist Gary Richrath, who would soon prove to be the group's sparkplug (and one of rock's more underrated players), in addition to bassist Gregg Philbin and singer Terry Luttrell. It was this lineup to be featured on the quintet's 1971 self-titled debut recording for Epic Records.
The debut failed to break REO through to the mainstream, as the band's future was thrust into uncertainty shortly thereafter, when Luttrell left the band.
Selected Discography
My buddy from the midwest turned me on to REO, glad he did. Great High school memories.
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Reviewer forgot about "Decade of Rock and Roll" a great album which had some big hits on it, especially the best break up song ever - "Time For Me To Fly".
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My husband and I saw REO and Styx about 8 years ago. We're going again in Sept to see them and 38 Special, but this time we're taking our 9 year old, who is a huge REO fan! We can't wait!
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I saw REO in Vegas-MAY 2009 WITH .38 Special & Styx. All three bands kicked a**, I had not been to a concert in about 10 years and it reminded me of my days in the past. There will never be music played like this ever again with rap hitting the airways. KEEP ON ROCKING!!
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REO will be one of the ever lasting bands.their music can be rocked out to or made love to,how many bands can truely say this.Not many people on this planet dont know at least one REO tune.Poor holloway wants to claw his brains out well in my opinion if you have that severe emotions over just music ,do the world a favor go ahead we probably wont miss you! columbia, missouri
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This is so kool!!! I saw them yesterday in consert and it was AMAZING!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
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I have been following REO since highschool.. . a l m o s t 30 years....sti l l love em as much as I did back then.
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Oh, these guys rock my WORLD! I lost my virginity to a coke bottle and REO!
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I destroy my hearing a little more whenever "Keep on Rollin'" or "Don't Let Him Go" are on the car stereo, gotta crank those up!
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One of the best American bands in the past 30 years. I used to listen to them all the time growing up in Waco, Tx. with my uncle David.
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A beautiful song by an incredibly talented group! REO Speedwagon has been around for many years, and are still great as ever.
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Back on the road agin is on Nine Lives and it is the only song sung by another musocain other than Kevin Cronin. It is sung by Vruce Hall..their bassist.
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I trying to find an old spedwagon song but I can't remember the title or album.It had the lyrics of "I back on the road again, it's time I leave you now, Im on my way". I knew that's not much help but it's all I can remember.It had an awesome guitar solo in it.If you've heard it you'll knew what I'm talking about? Can anybody help with title or album?
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157 riverside avenue is the all time favorate or my 1980's class along with free bird
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I've been a fan since I first heard Like You Do in the early '70s. T.W.O. is my favorite album.
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Request that they get access to 9 Lives - a great underrated album, because it didn't have a huge radio hit. It rocks and the songs have great hooks as well...
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REO Speedwagon keeps rocking on! They have toured ever year since 1967 and there is no end in sight. It's time this band made it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You go, Neal Doughty!
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I was a student at the University of Illinois when REO was starting out. They and another band called Head East played a bar called the Red Lion. At the other end of campus we saw Dan Fogelberg regularly. Awesome music in those days - hard to study too!
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REO's lyrics edge out Styx by a hair, but nobody had worse lyrics than Journey (well , except for Kiss). And yet I still love 'em all! I was just a kid during the height of their popularity, but these bands recorded some gorgeous, straight-for w a r d rock-n-roll. They made the simple sound sublime. How I miss those days...
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I hate the fact that most people lump REO in with the no talent a** clown club of Journey and Styx.
Reo put out far better lyrics and mucic then they recieved credit for. Their best album still is "You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can't Tune A Fish" Gary Richrath is still a very talented ax-man! |
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i saw them 3 time in wis. ilove their music ican't fight this feeling, in my dreams, time for me to fly,and some other one too.
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Saw REO in St. Louis in 2007, these old boys still know how to rock! I took the wife to the ampitheater for her 35th birthday, and man from the first song, to the last, folks were on their feet rockin' out! As one that feels some of the sixties rock bands keep touring when they should be home with their teeth in a jar, I was so pleasantly rewarded. REO will go down as one of the best all-time bands in my book, and I hope they can keep it fresh in studio to bring us some more albums before Cron
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OH Man I wish they put the song "it's time For Me to Fly" I LOVE that song and I would really enjoy hearing that song.
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LOL..REO Spudwagon has been around alot longer than that song...I guess one of my firsts was "Ridin The Storm Out"
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