Formed in Champaign, Illinois, USA, in 1970 when pianist Neal Doughty (b. 29 July 1946, Evansville, Indiana, USA) and drummer Alan Gratzer (b. 9 November 1948, Syracuse, New York, USA) were joined by guitarist and songwriter Gary Richrath (b. 18 October 1949, Peoria, Illinois, USA). Although still in its embryonic stage, the band already had its unusual name, which was derived from an early American fire engine, designed by one Ransom Eli Olds. Terry Luttrell (vocals) and Greg Philbin (bass) completed the line-up featured on 1971’s REO Speedwagon, but the former was quickly replaced by Kevin Cronin (b. 6 October 1951, 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 R.E.O. T.W.O. (1972) and Ridin’ The Storm Out (1974) eventually achieved gold status, disputes regarding direction culminated in the departure of their second vocalist. Michael Murphy took Cronin’s place on Ridin’ The Storm Out, Lost In A Dream (1974) and This Time We Mean It (1975), but when the new albums failed to generate much interest, Cronin rejoined his former colleagues on 1976’s R.E.O.
Acutely aware that previous releases had failed to reflect their in-concert prowess, the band released the live set You Get What You Play For. The album achieved platinum status, a distinction shared by its successor, You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish, which featured new bass player Bruce Hall (b. 3 May 1953, Champaign, Illinois, USA). 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 (1982) was critically panned.
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 Turnin’ (1984) 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 (1987) was the last album from this period to feature Gratzer and Richrath, two key members of the band. Its successor, The Earth, A Small Man, His Dog And A Chicken, emphasized REO Speedwagon’s now accustomed professionalism but was terribly bland. The album featured a line-up comprising 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).
The 90s were not kind to REO Speedwagon. One album of new material (Building The Bridge) disappeared without trace and the band spent the rest of the decade working the live circuit and releasing compilation albums. Their first album of the new millennium, 2007’s Find Your Own Way Home, featured key songwriter Doughty on only one track.
Though its commercial heyday seems to have long passed, REO Speedwagon remains a popular concert attraction. Too often lazily dubbed ‘faceless’, or conveniently bracketed with other in-concert 70s favourites Styx and Kansas, REO Speedwagon has proved the importance of a massive, secure, grass-roots following.
