Genres: Alternative/Indie,Soundtracks,Pop,RockREO Speedwagon have defied the odds and music industry trends to still be a working band after forty years in the business. In the late 70s and early 80s they were arena kings of rock, outselling and outperforming just about everyone else. The bands power ballads and melodic rock was the signature sound which has managed to sell nearly 40 million records worldwide. The band's classic tune "Keep on Loving You" is one of the most recognizable rock tunes ever.
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REO Speedwagon - Golden Oldies!
"The world is going through a weird phase, and everybody needs music now more than ever. We all need to join our friends, pool our resources, combine our energies, because there is power in people coming together"- Kevin Cronin REO Speedwagon
Hi-Infidelity
REO Speedwagon have defied the odds and music industry trends to still be a working band after forty years in the business. In the late 70s and early 80s they were arena kings of rock, outselling and outperforming just about everyone else. The bands power ballads and melodic rock was the signature sound which has managed to sell nearly 40 million records worldwide. The band's classic tune "Keep on Loving You" is one of the most recognizable rock tunes ever.
They were one of rock music's most successful pioneers of progressive rock fusion delivered with the grand spectacle of arena rock In the last two decades as album sales declined, the band moved onto being a touring band and is often called the hardest working band in rock. There co-headlining tours with Styx, Fleetwood Mac and opening for Def Leppard have ensured that they maintain there legacy and imprint on rock music.
The Early Years
Taking its name from a truck and fire engine REO Speedwagon were the darlings of the 70s and 80s arena rock. The roots of the band can be traced to keyboard player Neal Doughty who started jamming with college mates in 1967 at the University of Illinois. He formed a band while in college
The early years saw frequent line up changes and a record deal with Epic Records in 1971. Even though they released two albums, it was not until Kevin Cronin joined as lead vocals that things started to turn commercially for the band. Cronin and Doughty remain the two members forming the crux of the band till this day.
Kevin Cronin was a melodic singer with a soulful voice, his creative song writing bent more towards the rock ballads which would later define some of their best hits. After creative differences which saw him leave the band for short time, Cronin returned in '76 and recorded R.E.O. The band had built a strong fan base in the US and Europe based on extensive touring. In '77 they released "You Can Tune a Piano but you can't tuna fish". The album was a hit and started Kevin Cronin's de facto leadership. The album was certified platinum.
The Road to Success
In 1979 the band released the hard rocking "Nine Lives" and ensuing tour started creating the road to the bands mainstream success. In 1980, REO Speedwagon released their 9th album "Hi Infidelity", the album made it all the way to the top of US charts and eventually selling a staggering 9 million copies. In a lot of ways the band was ready for this kind of mainstream success, building a strong audience on the strength of the live shows, it was commercial. Melodic ballads and straight forward arena rock sound with simple lyrics set the tone for the album.
The next two albums Good Trouble in 1982 and Wheels are Turing in 1984 were all chart success. REO Speedwagon were America's preferred arena rockers and their concerts were simple yet grand. Several singles from these albums charted in the US and in 1983 they even played the Live Aid concert
The Hard Times
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