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List of REO Speedwagon members

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REO Speedwagon performing live in 2010 (top) and 2016 (bottom).

REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Formed in 1967, the group originally included drummer and backing vocalist Alan Gratzer, guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Blair, and keyboardist Neal Doughty.[1] Matt left early the next year after graduating from school, with Terry Luttrell taking his place on lead vocals.[2] Bob Crownover took over as the band's guitarist, but was replaced after a brief tenure by Bill Fiorio and later Steve Scorfina.[3] Blair left a few months after Matt, with Gregg Philbin taking his place.[4] The band also briefly added saxophonist Joe McCabe and trumpeter Marty Shepard to its lineup in 1968.[3]

By late 1970, REO Speedwagon had finalised its first recording lineup with the addition of guitarist Gary Richrath in place of Scorfina.[5] In early 1972, shortly after the release of the band's self-titled debut album, Luttrell left REO Speedwagon following a disagreement with Richrath.[6] The vocalist was replaced by Kevin Cronin, who performed on the group's second album R.E.O./T.W.O. before leaving during sessions for the 1973 follow-up.[7] Mike Murphy took over and recorded Ridin' the Storm Out, Lost in a Dream and This Time We Mean It, but was replaced by a returning Cronin in 1976.[8][9] Philbin left the following year, with Bruce Hall taking his place.[10]

The band's lineup remained stable thereafter for more than ten years until Gratzer decided to retire in 1988, with Graham Lear brought in as his replacement.[11] Richrath also left early the next year, with Miles Joseph filling in for a show before Dave Amato took over in May.[12][13] Also in 1989, Bryan Hitt replaced Lear on drums,[14] while Jesse Harms joined as a second keyboardist, performing on the band's 1990 album The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken.[15] Since the end of Harms's brief tenure with the group, REO Speedwagon has retained a consistent lineup of Neal Doughty, Kevin Cronin, Dave Amato, Bruce Hall, and Bryan Hitt[16] until 2023 when Doughty announced he was retiring from touring. His touring replacement was announced as former Iron Butterfly and Whitesnake member Derek Hilland.[17]

Members

[edit]

Current

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Neal Doughty photograph - September 2013.jpg
 Neal Doughty[17] 1967–2025 (not touring since 2023)
  • keyboards
  • organ
  • piano
  • synthesizer
 all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971) to Not So Silent Night ... Christmas with REO Speedwagon (2009)
Kevin Cronin backstage at Rock of Ages off-Broadway musical.jpg
 Kevin Cronin
  • 1972–1973
  • 1976–2025
[18]
  • lead and backing vocals
  • rhythm guitar
  • piano
Bruce Hall and Dave Amato.jpg
 Bruce Hall 1977–2025[19][20]
  • bass
  • backing and lead vocals
 all REO Speedwagon releases from You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish (1978) onwards
Summerfest_2007_-_REO_Speedwagon_-_Dave_Amato.jpg
 Dave Amato[21] 1989–2025
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
 all REO Speedwagon releases from The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990) onwards
Summerfest_2007_-_REO_Speedwagon_-_729671112.jpg
 Bryan Hitt[22]
  • drums
  • percussion

Former

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Alan Gratzer 1967–1988 (founding member)[23]
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
 all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971) to The Hits (1988)
Mike Blair[24] 1967–1968
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 none
Joe Matt[25]
  • guitar
  • lead vocals
Starcastle "77" WPLR (9538427850).jpg
 Terry Luttrell 1968–1972[citation needed] lead vocals R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971)
Bob Crownover 1968–1969[26] guitar none
Gregg Philbin 1968–1977[27]
(died 2022)
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971) to Live: You Get What You Play For (1977)
Joe McCabe 1968[28] saxophone none
Marty Shepard trumpet
Duke Tumatoe with guitar.jpg
 Duke Tumatoe (Bill Fiorio) 1969[29] guitar
Steve Scorfina.png
 Steve Scorfina 1969–1970[3]
Gary Richrath.png
 Gary Richrath 1970–1989[30]
(died 2015)
  • lead guitar
  • backing and lead vocals
 all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971) to The Hits (1988)
Mike Murphy 1973–1975[31]
  • lead and backing vocals
Graham Lear.jpg
 Graham Lear 1988–1989[32] drums The Second Decade of Rock and Roll: 1981 to 1991 (1991)
Miles Joseph 1989[33] (died 2012)[34] lead guitar none
Carla Day 1989[35][36] backing vocals
Melanie Jackson
Jesse Harms 1989–1991[15]
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
 The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990)

Touring

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
John Aldridge 2005–present
  • percussion
  • occasional drums
 John Aldridge, Bryan Hitt's drum tech since July 2005, performed additional percussion parts live from around July 2005 until the present day.[37] He also performed drums at soundchecks when Bryan was running late.
Joe_Vannelli.jpg
 Joe Vannelli 2007 (substitute)
  • keyboards
  • organ
  • piano
  • synthesizer
 Doughty was absent from the REO Speedwagon Unplugged Live in Washington XM Radio show in early April 2007, with producer Joe Vannelli filling-in on keyboards.[38] Vannelli also performed piano, Hammond organ, and synthesizer on the 2007 album Find Your Own Way Home.[39]
Iron Butterfly Group PR Picture.jpg
 Derek Hilland 2023–present (substitute) With Doughty's retirement from touring being announced in January 2023, Derek Hilland has been filling-in for Doughty live since January 2023.[40]
Matt_Bissonette.jpg
 Matt Bissonette
  • bass
  • vocals
 With Hall's hiatus to have back surgery in November 2023, Matt Bissonette has been filling in for Hall.[41] He will continue to do so until the band ceases touring in 2025.[42]

Timeline

[edit]

Lineups

[edit]
Period Members Releases
Fall 1967 – early 1968
  • Joe Matt – lead vocals, guitar
  • Mike Blair – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocals
 none
Early – summer 1968
  • Terry Luttrell – lead vocals
  • Bob Crownover – guitar
  • Mike Blair – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocals
Summer – late 1968
  • Terry Luttrell – lead vocals
  • Bob Crownover – guitar
  • Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocals
  • Joe McCabe – saxophone
  • Marty Shepard – trumpet
Late 1968 – summer 1969
  • Terry Luttrell – lead vocals
  • Bob Crownover – guitar
  • Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocals
Summer – late 1969
  • Terry Luttrell – lead vocals
  • Bill Fiorio – guitar
  • Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocals
Late 1969 – late 1970
  • Terry Luttrell – lead vocals
  • Steve Scorfina – guitar
  • Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocals
Late 1970 – early 1972
  • Terry Luttrell – lead vocals
  • Gary Richrath – guitar
  • Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocals
Early 1972 – mid-1973
  • Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Gary Richrath – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocals
Mid-1973 – January 1976
  • Mike Murphy – lead and backing vocals
  • Gary Richrath – guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocals
January 1976 – early 1977
  • Kevin Cronin – lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Gary Richrath – lead guitar, lead and backing vocals
  • Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocals
Early 1977 – September 1988
  • Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano
  • Gary Richrath – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Bruce Hall – bass, vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocals
September 1988 – early 1989
  • Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano
  • Gary Richrath – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Bruce Hall – bass, vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Graham Lear – drums
 none
Early – spring 1989
  • Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano
  • Miles Joseph – lead guitar
  • Bruce Hall – bass, vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Graham Lear – drums
  • Carla Day – backing vocals
  • Melanie Jackson – backing vocals
Summer 1989 – early 1991
  • Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Dave Amato – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Bruce Hall – bass, vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Jesse Harms – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
  • Bryan Hitt – drums, percussion
Early 1991 – Late 2024
  • Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano
  • Dave Amato – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Bruce Hall – bass, vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Bryan Hitt – drums, percussion

Notes: Derek Hilland is currently the touring replacement for Neal Doughty. Matt Bissonette is currently the touring replacement from Bruce Hall, who plans to return in 2024.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Allen, Craig (July 27, 2013). "Meet REO Speedwagon (Photos, Videos)". New Jersey 101.5. Townsquare Media. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  2. ^ Wright, Jeb. "REO's Neal Doughty: Back on the Road Again". Classic Rock Revisited. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c "REO Speedwagon: Niagara Falls Events". Facebook. November 14, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  4. ^ Graff, Gary (October 23, 2014). "10 Bands that Changed Bass Players..." For Bass Players Only. Notehead Media Group. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  5. ^ "Gary Richrath, guitarist - obituary". The Daily Telegraph. September 21, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  6. ^ Burke, David (September 10, 2013). "Former REO singer has Tons O'Fun". Quad-City Times. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  7. ^ Sheff, David (March 23, 1981). "Now It's Cheat to the Beat, as Reo Speedwagon Finally Arrives with 'hi Infidelity'". People. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  8. ^ Graham, Samuel (November 28, 1981). "The REO Speedwagon Story" (Scan). Record World. Vol. 18, no. 1791. New York City, New York: Record World Publishing. p. 14 (Section II). Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  9. ^ Sharp, Ken (December 2, 2013). "A Chat with Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon". Rock Cellar Magazine. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  10. ^ Henke, James (March 19, 1981). "REO Speedwagon's Big Breakout". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  11. ^ Fell, Ron (August 26, 1988). "Biofeedback" (Scan). Gavin Report. No. 1721. San Francisco, California. p. 21. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  12. ^ Fell, Ron (April 14, 1989). "Biofeedback" (Scan). Gavin Report. No. 1752. San Francisco, California: Gavin Report, Inc. p. 23. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  13. ^ Erickson, Anne (October 13, 2016). "REO Speedwagon Guitarist Dave Amato on His New Gibson Custom". Gibson. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  14. ^ "Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon Talks About His Classic Hits and His Songwriting". REO Speedwagon. January 22, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  15. ^ a b Giles, Jeff (August 30, 2015). "25 Years Ago: REO Speedwagon Regroup with 'The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  16. ^ "The Band". REO Speedwagon. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  17. ^ a b "REO SPEEDWAGON Announces DEREK HILLAND As New Keyboardist". Sonic Perspectives. 2023-02-03. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  18. ^ "Kevin Cronin - REO Speedwagon". Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  19. ^ "Bruce Hall - REO Speedwagon". Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  20. ^ "Bruce Hall of REO Speedwagon - Official page". Facebook. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  21. ^ James Wood (December 4, 2012). "Interview: Guitarist Dave Amato Talks Les Pauls, Touring and REO Speedwagon". Guitar World. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  22. ^ "Bryan Hitt". Conn-Selmer, Inc. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  23. ^ "Grater Central's Bio Page". gratzercentral.freeservers.com. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  24. ^ "REO Speedwagon hometown, lineup, biography". Last.fm. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  25. ^ "50 Years Later, REO Speedwagon Keeps On Rollin'". The Saturday Evening Post. 2021-11-01. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  26. ^ "Bob Crownover - Musician Profile". www.spirit-of-metal.com. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  27. ^ Johnson, Kevin. "In Memoriam: Gregg Philbin". No Treble. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  28. ^ Jessica (2021-07-04). "How REO Speedwagon Got Their Name | 80s Music Blog". About the 80s. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  29. ^ "BIO". Mysite. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  30. ^ "FIVE YEARS GONE: REO SPEEDWAGON'S GARY RICHRATH REMEMBERED". Nights with Alice Cooper. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  31. ^ H, Amal (2022-03-21). "Who was the original lead singer of REO Speedwagon?". Famuse : #1 Models, Actors, Agencies, Photographers & Talents Booking Platform. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  32. ^ "Graham Lear". Graham Lear. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  33. ^ "Miles Joseph - Musician Profile". www.spirit-of-metal.com. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  34. ^ "Miles Joseph Obituary (2013) - Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles Times". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  35. ^ "REO Speedwagon (Music)". TV Tropes. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  36. ^ The Second Decade Of Rock And Roll 1981 To 1991 (liner notes). Reo Speedwagon. Epic Records. 2009. EK 48527.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  37. ^ Aldridge, John. "John Aldridge | Linkedin". LinkedIn. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  38. ^ Patel, Nilay. "An Apology to REO Speedwagon Fans". Gapers Block. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  39. ^ REO Speedwagon - Find Your Own Way Home Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 2023-11-17
  40. ^ Cronin, Kevin (February 2, 2023). "Introducing Derek Hilland - REO Speedwagon". Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  41. ^ Cronin, Kevin (November 7, 2023). "Update On Bruce - REO Speedwagon". Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  42. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (2024-09-17). ""Heartbroken" REO Speedwagon to cease touring due to "irreconcilable differences"". NME. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
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