Reo Speedwagon Biography

REO Speedwagon, originally formed in 1967 in Champaign, Illinois, has become one of the most iconic bands of the arena rock era, especially noted for their success during the 1970s and 1980s. Although their first two albums achieved only moderate success, the band experienced a turning point with the addition of frontman Mike Murphy, whose contributions helped propel the single 鈥淩iding the Storm Out鈥 onto the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1974. This marked a significant moment for the band, preceding the release of albums like Lost in a Dream and This Time We Mean It in 1975.

In 1976, the original lead singer, Kevin Cronin, rejoined the group, and they released the self-titled album REO Speedwagon. This album featured a number of hits that achieved gold and platinum status. Building on this momentum, their 1978 album Live Again produced the notable gold hit 鈥淣ine Lives.鈥 However, it was their 1981 album Hi Infidelity that solidified their place in rock history. With hits like 鈥淒on鈥檛 Let Him Go,鈥 鈥淭ake It on the Run,鈥 and the chart-topping 鈥淜eep On Loving You,鈥 Hi Infidelity became one of the best-selling albums of the year, with sales exceeding nine million copies.

Throughout the 1980s, REO Speedwagon continued to delight fans with a string of successful albums, including Good Trouble (1982) and Wheels Are Turnin鈥 (1984). The 1987 album Life As We Know It achieved gold status, producing popular singles such as 鈥淐an鈥檛 Fight This Feeling鈥 and 鈥淜eep the Fire Burnin鈥,鈥 which kept the band at the forefront of the music scene. Their career has seen over 40 million records sold and 13 Top 40 hits, with two number ones.

As the band transitioned into the new millennium, REO Speedwagon remained active in the music industry, with a lineup that includes Neal Doughty, Kevin Cronin, Bruce Hall, Dave Amato, and Bryan Hitt. They released the self-financed album Find Your Own Way Home in 2007 and toured with classic rock giants like Journey and Styx on various occasions. Additionally, 2014 saw them team up with Chicago for a series of North American tour dates, further solidifying their enduring popularity.

REO Speedwagon continued to innovate and engage their fanbase by releasing a Christmas album in 2009 and producing a unique online video game to complement their music. Their enduring impact on popular culture was evident when several of their hits reentered the Billboard charts after appearances in popular TV shows such as Ozark and Cobra Kai. Despite personal loss鈥攊ncluding the passing of notable members Gary Richrath and Gregg Philbin鈥攖he band has shown resilience and a commitment to their music.

As of early 2023, the band's sole remaining original member, Neal Doughty, announced his retirement from touring after a remarkable 55 years. Following Hall's leave of absence for health reasons, the band revealed plans to continue touring while inviting new members into the fold. However, in September 2024, REO Speedwagon announced they would cease touring effective January 1, 2025, with intentions to retire the name while continuing to perform as solo artists. Throughout their long and storied career, REO Speedwagon has cemented their legacy as a beloved rock band, continuing to thrill audiences with their classic hits.