Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective

List of REO Speedwagon members

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

List of REO Speedwagon members
Remove ads

REO Speedwagon was 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 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]

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

By late 1970, REO Speedwagon had finalized 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] Following the end of Harms's brief tenure with the group, REO Speedwagon retained a consistent lineup of Neal Doughty, Kevin Cronin, Dave Amato, Bruce Hall, and Bryan Hitt[16] until February 2023 when Doughty announced he was retiring from touring. His touring replacement was announced as former Iron Butterfly and Whitesnake member Derek Hilland.[17]

In November 2023, Hall was replaced on tour by Matt Bissonette as the bassist had injured his back.[18] Bissonette continued to play with REO Speedwagon until the group disbanded in December 2024,[19] due to Cronin's dispute with Doughty and Hall regarding Hall's recovery.[20] (In 2025, Cronin performed with Amato, Hitt, Hilland, and Bissonette as the Kevin Cronin Band, co-headlining a tour with Styx and featuring Don Felder as the opening act.[21])

On June 14, 2025, REO Speedwagon reunited for a one-off show in its hometown, Champaign, Illinois. The show featured Doughty, Hall, and original drummer Alan Gratzer, alongside early members Terry Luttrell (vocals), Steve Scorfina (guitar), and Mike Murphy (vocals).[22][23] Richrath's son, Eric, also participated. Cronin, Amato, and Hitt did not appear due to their tour overlapping with the date.

On September 28, 2025, the band's classic lineup (minus the late Gary Richrath) reunited onstage for a performance alongside the University of Illinois Marching Illini for the 2025 Illinois homecoming halftime show. The performance included Hall, Gratzer and Doughty performing "Ridin' the Storm Out", "Roll With The Changes", and "157 Riverside Avenue", backed by the marching band.[24] While Cronin did not sing (as the melodies were provided by the marching band), it was the first time Cronin, Hall, Doughty, and Gratzer shared a stage since December 31, 1988. The band members officially reunited the previous day as Grand Marshals in the University's homecoming parade. The band members were reportedly unsure about any potential future reunions.[25]


Remove ads

Members

More information Image, Name ...

Touring

More information Image, Name ...
Remove ads

Timeline

Lineups

Summarize
Perspective
More information Period, Members ...
Remove ads

References

Loading related searches...

Wikiwand - on

Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.

Remove ads