The Hi Infidelity album was the one that broke things loose. Cronin, 68, spoke to EW by phone about how his band ended up in the show, what it was like being on set, and also revealed one of the weirdest gigs REO Speedwagon ever played. Formed in 1967, the group originally included drummer and backing vocalist Alan Gratzer, guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and lead vocalist Mike Blair, and keyboardist Neal Doughty. Next year is set to be a big one for Cronin and the rest of REO Speedwagon. Whether you're young or old, everyone loves a good song about memories and good times. He refused to bail him out, something he credits with putting Paris, whos now sober, on the road to recovery The songs on the album were written about the experience, which Cronin has described as the darkest, yet most fulfilling, chapter of my life.. Ozark, a dark, violent drama about family both the crime and blood variety is not the kind of show where youd expect to hear the light classic rock stylings of REO Speedwagon. Get TMZ breaking news sent right to your browser! This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. Zelenskyy on Anniversary of Russian War. Cronin: I cant say that we felt that. If I can inspire any young songwriter with anything that Im saying today, thats probably the most important thing that Ive learned over the years. Stevie Wonder wrote the Rufus funk classic "Tell Me Something Good. We did a tour of Mexico. REO remains a popular live band which tours steadily throughout the U.S. and worldwide. So thats going to be a lot of fun. Considering the band has toured with everyone from Def Leppard to Status Quo and Chicago, it promises to be unmissable. A monthly update on our latest interviews, stories and added songs. So that was special. You know, I went through some fictional years there in the past! And when I had that realization, I went down to my piano room and I wrote the B section and the chorus in about 15 minutes. It was basically Garys responsibility to write the songs, and I think he realized thatyou know what they saythat you have your whole life to write your first album but only a year to write your second albnm. Cronin is known to play Ovations on tour, and even has his own signature guitar from the brand. Youre with another person, youre bouncing ideas around and I enjoy that. Kevin Cronin -- lead singer of '80s rock group REO Speedwagon -- heard the words straight from his own son's mouth . So the earlier songs were given a second chance as a result of the Hi Infidelity album. I gotta tell ya, I see the name REO Speedwagon all the time, but I don't often see my own name there. The entire REO Family mourns his death and shares in the grief of his family, friends, and fans. 9/28/2010 1:00 PM PT With '80s hits like " Keep On Loving You " and " Can't Fight This Feeling ," Kevin. Midway through the song, the words disappeared from the screen and the singer had to rely on memory to get through the rest. DK: One of my favorite songs is Roll With The ChangesI think that song has inspired a lot of people. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. In early 1968, Terry Luttrell became lead singer, and Bob Crownover joined as the guitar player, replacing Matt. It was monumental.". To hear people say things like this is amazing, said Bruce Hall, bass guitarist and lead and harmony vocalist for REO Speedwagon. written by REO Speedwagon January 22, 2016, As the lead singer & songwriterof the multi-platinum rock band REO Speedwagon, Kevin Cronin has been the bands guiding force since joining the group in the mid-1970s. With '80s hits like "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling," Kevin Cronin became famous as the lead singer of REO Speedwagon. I know there are many writers who come up with the title and then write the song around the title. Cronin: Well, I will tell youI was thinking about this todaythis year (2016) will be the year that I get back to knucklin down. REO Speedwagon's 1971 debut album was with their original lead singer, Terry Luttrell. I am an avid Mac-user, nerd, musician, freelancer, and gamer. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Its an example of the power of television. Theres no bigger influence for me. Well, then you're going to love this blog post! Another one like that is Keep Pushin, which I wrote a little after Music Man. That was another one where I felt likeit was soulfulI wrote it right from the heart. Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all. And then if Im lucky enough to capture that, then the actual craftsmanship comes into play. When you write a song, you have no idea the journey that song may or may not take you on. In our episode, my line is, Hey, are there any dentists in the crowd tonight?" It's a time when many young people feel like they are finally becoming adults. So I think that really helped for the album, that it felt like all the songs belonged together. Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon, and LaTonya Floyd, sister of George Floyd, sing "Keep on Loving You" together at The Community of Faith Church in Houston for a prayer vigil . His initial period with the band proved brief. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. [REO band member] Gary Richraththe late, great Gary Richrath who unfortunately passed away this past yearwas my partner in crime, so to speak. Erik Stein confirmed on Monday that Richrath passed away but offered no details about the cause of death. October 6, 1951 Birthplace Evanston , IL Age 71 years old Birth Sign Libra About American guitarist and lead singer for the rock band REO Speedwagon who wrote "Keep on Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling." Before Fame He was first chosen as the second lead singer of REO Speedwagon at age twenty in 1971. It just so happens that the album came out when I was in junior high school. In addition, his songs Roll With The Changes and Keep The Fire Burning have had an enduring impact, becoming rock anthems which convey positive and uplifting lyric themes. Click to listen to REO Speedwagon on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/REOspot?IQid=RUNAs featured on The Essential REO Speedwagon. YouTube Video link: REO Speedwagon band was one of the top groups in the 20th century. I feel so sad. In addition to REO's jaunty 1978 hit Time for Me to Fly being used during a drug cartel kidnapping sequence, the group also makes a cameo, playing a concert at the casino and entering into a money laundering arrangement with Marty (Jason Bateman). REO Speedwagon has a net worth of $46 million. Who is the lead singer in REO Speedwagon? Kevin Cronin is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and occasional pianist for the American rock band REO Speedwagon. So I sat there and looked at my lyric notebook and if you think about it, the opening line of the song is I cant fight this feeling any longer. That was likeBingo! I remember that I sat down on the floor of my bedroom, and I was literally almost in tears. Currently seeking: Band to Join, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar and more.Hi my name is Luke Bolen! Well, it turns out that the casino is on one lake and the Blue Cat on another. John Waite was the lead singer for the Babys and Bad English but most likely you know him from his smash single "Missing You." Most recently, he dropped his tenth studio album "Rough & Tumble". ". Notably, both Cant Fight This Feeling and Keep On Loving You reached number one on Billboards Hot 100 singles chart, and became two of the most popular rock ballads of the 1980s. 4 CD Lot! The MCUs tiniest heroes are kicking off its biggest phase yet, setting up the next several years of storytelling. Guess what he looks like now! My biggest inspiration in music is the Beatles, and Lennon & McCartney in my mind are the great songwriting duo in the history of the world, and I owe everything that I know about being in a band, writing a songI owe it all to the Beatles. Then as many of my songs do, I write them and then I kind of learn about myself when Im finished with them. The first line of "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" is "It was the 3rd of September," which is the day lead singer Dennis Edwards' father died. We were all psyched up. The lead singer of REO Speedwagon is Kevin Cronin and Terry Luttrell respectively. Showing Editorial results for kevin cronin of reo speedwagon. Please subscribe. Before we start the interview, here is some information about REO Speedwagons hit discography, and about the other members of the band, both past and present. The last time they toured together was 2018, but now theyre promising a comeback to the stage with a multi-act major tour. So far, Cronin is keeping mum on who the other acts will be, telling Ultimate Classic Rock, The two other bands will remain nameless for the moment but suffice to say, theyre really both great friends of ours. Scott Weiland, lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, died December 3 at age 48. Back in the day of the album, that was very important. DK: These days, so much of the songwriting process is co-writing, particularly in Nashville. Cronin managed to reach $350,000 before being eliminated after forgetting the lyrics to Donna Summers Last Dance.. Search instead in. Se do you feel more comfortable writing the song by yourself, or do you also love the process of co-writing? For our episode, they had me on stage delivering a couple of lines. Theyre one of my favorite bands of all time, and I thought it was, Read More The Top 10 Ice Nine Kills Songs From The Silver ScreamContinue, Have you heard of American rap artist 2KBABY? I didn't know what to make of it. We wanted to see the Blue Cat [Lodge; the set is a shuttered bar on Lake Allatoona] and the strip club, Lickety Splitz. The title line is, Cant you see, Ill always be a music man. It basically talked about my story in a song. However, there, Read More 10 Things You Didnt Know about DJ PaulContinue, Your email address will not be published. Maybe it was just the timing of when it was released. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Free shipping for many products! It's been a pretty amazing journey. He might still occasionally enjoy the odd glass of wine at dinner, but he makes sure to drink it by the glass rather than the bottle. The bandwe were all kind of going through some chaos in our personal lives. How do you think Ozark meant for the song to be seen? As a result, hes spent more time with them in the past 18 months than he ever has, and says the bond theyve formed will remain forever.. Speedwagon ), or simply REO, is an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. "It's amazing when I walk out on stage and start playing one of the songs . 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards. My wife is an amazing person. In 2007, REO Speedwagon released Find Your Own Way Home, their first new album in eleven years. But I was probably over halfway finished with Cant Fight This Feeling, and I felt that it was something special. All Rights Reserved. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. Richrath last played with the band in 2013, when the band performed a benefit concert in Bloomington, Illinois, to raise money for tornado victims. Meanwhile, their 1988 compilation album, The Hits, entered the Top Rock Albums chart at 49. "I have this Forrest Gump-ian way of touching something and it becomes a hit!" Cronin: That song, coincidentally, was number one 35 years ago from right now. Find out more about their lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist as we reveal 10 things you didnt know about Kevin Cronin. Roll With The Changes was personally about me moving from Chicago to L.A.I was quite literally rolling with the changes. I remember where I was when I wrote that song. REO Speedwagon, Boz Scaggs Latest To Sue Sony Music Over Digital Downloads, I feel so sad. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. "If I want to see if . Click to buy the track or album via iTunes: http://smarturl.it/REOEssiTunes?IQid=RUNGoogle Play: http://smarturl.it/REORunPlay?IQid=RUNAmazon: http://smarturl.it/REOEssAmz?IQid=RUNMore from REO SpeedwagonKeep On Loving You: https://youtu.be/wJzNZ1c5C9cCan't Fight This Feeling: https://youtu.be/zpOULjyy-n8Here With Me: https://youtu.be/m8yKgLKJFjQMore great classic rock videos here: http://smarturl.it/ClassicRocks?IQid=RUNFollow REO SpeedwagonWebsite: http://www.speedwagon.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/REOSpeedwagonOfficialTwitter: https://twitter.com/kcreospeedwagonInstagram: https://instagram.com/reospeedwagonofficial/Subscribe to REO Speedwagon on YouTube: http://smarturl.it/REOsub?IQid=RUN---------Lyrics:Heard it from a friend whoHeard it from a friend whoHeard it from another you been messin' aroundThey say you got a boy friendYou're out late every weekendThey're talkin' about you and it's bringin' me downBut I know the neighborhoodAnd talk is cheap when the story is goodAnd the tales grow taller on down the lineBut I'm telling you, babeThat I don't think it's true, babeAnd even if it is keep this in mindYou take it on the run babyIf that's the way you want it babyThen I don't want you aroundI don't believe itNot for a minuteYou're under the gun so you take it on the run Click to listen to REO Speedwagon on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/REOspot?IQid=RUN Show more REO Speedwagon - Event. Then theres gun violence. He was 65. I was kind of a late bloomermusic was my vehicle. I've also got a horrible habit of needing the absolute newest technological wonder, whether it's stable or not. He was there with me.". But with [Music Man] I thought, Hmmmthis song had structure to it, it has a nice feel to it, there were some nice rhymes in it. Is the lead singer of REO Speedwagon married? He has written many classic hit songs for REO, including Cant Fight This Feeling, Keep On Loving You, Roll With The Changes, Keep The Fire Burnin, Time For Me To Fly, Dont Let Him Go, That Aint Love, Keep Pushin and In My Dreams.. Michael Murphy (actor) (born 1938), American actor Mike Murphy (musician) (1946-2006), American drummer for the Bee Gees and Chicago Michael Bryan Murphy, lead singer of REO Speedwagon; Michael John Murphy, American folk musician; Mike L. Murphy (born 1975), American film maker and animator; Michael Murphy (singer) (born 1986), New Zealand Idol runner up He was like, 'Oh my God, you're a true fan!' Yes! Offers may be subject to change without notice. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. . She doesn't hold back. The career of Antonio Vivaldi defies music industry logic. It took a long time, and I wrote that song before I finally got the guts to tell her. DK: A few years later, you followed up with another big ballad, Cant Fight This Feeling. Is this song perhaps the most popular song youve written? Tickets start at . Hes a real sweet guy and hes written some big hit ballads, and we were supposed to co-write. It took me 10 days. Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon performs at the Illinois Bicentennial party at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois, December 3, 2018. Collect, curate and comment on your files. Are you and the band working on a new studio album? It was number one (on the Hot 100 chart) for I think three weeks, which back in the 80s was quite an accomplishment. [1] DK: Thats a great story about how you wrote Cant Fight This Feeling. Thank you. We recorded it in Nashville, and the song of mine that [probably] got me the gig was called Music Man. It was never a huge hit, but its still in the REO setlist and it was basically my fantasy of how my life would turn out. Usually for me, the title is the last thing that happens. Then when our family sat down to watch Season 3 and I saw they actually kept that name for the episode, it was a kick. Here it is, 50 years later, and it's still out there appealing to people; bringing up emotions, making people smile. But, spoiler alert: REO plays a major role in one Season 3 episode, which also happens to be named after the band's lead singer, Kevin Cronin. These words do not come close to expressing the depth of emotions I am feeling at this time.. Who knows what came first, the chicken or the egg there. They sent me the script. REO Speedwagon has recorded 16 studio albums which have sold a total of more than 40 million units. It shows how my manager calls me and asks if Im willing to launder money through our merchandise company for an extra hundred thousand dollars. But the records that came before it, the songs that our fans already knew about, like Keep Pushin and Roll With The Changes and Time For Me To Fly which hadnt really been hits, but our fans knew about them. When youre writing a song, you have no idea where that songs going to end upyou dont know whats going to happen. REO Speedwagon's 1971 debut album was with their original lead singer, Terry Luttrell. They are Do you love animals? Busted After Ariana Found Sexual Texts to Raquel. But I was looking at the discography of your hits, and I noticed that you wrote your biggest hits by yourself. Night Ranger original guitarist formed in 1980. I just couldnt get the courage up, to make that leap of vulnerability, to share with her that I had feelings for her that were more than friendship. Gary Richrath, a former guitarist for the classic rock band REO Speedwagon who also co-wrote the group's hit song . DK: I think Keep Pushin is one of the great songs from REOs early years, and maybe if it was released later in the mid-80s when the band was so hot, it could have been another big hit. The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album. I think the main reason that I got the gig, was that REO had released one album, and they were working on songs for their second album for Epic Records. He guards that guitar with his life., The COVID lockdowns havent exactly been pleasant, but through adversity, comes opportunity, and in Cronins case, hes relished the chance to reconnect with his family. Cronin: I would hope that the point [of this story is], when youre writing a song, you have to stick with your gut. Bay Area. He was 65. These days, though, its a different story. 'Heartland' Actor Robert Cormier Dead at 33 Lead Singer of REO Speedwagon: 'Memba Him? As we all know, those memories are Who is the lead singer in REO Speedwagon? I kind of want to hear some more about that. To a lesser extent perhaps, [its like] when Journeys Dont Stop Believin got played on the Sopranos final episode and that just breathed new life into that song. Kevin Cronin is a member of REO Speedwagon, one of the most popular rock bands of the 1980s. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with. Songwriting and music has always been my savior in that way. When REO Speedwagon were at the peak of their popularity in the 1980s, their tours were known to get pretty wild. It was a little unsettling; exciting but new. It was kind of shocking in a way. Michael Bryan Murphy took his place, and remained with the band until Cronin stepped back up to the mic in January 1976. Artists and entertainers. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. After trying to help him via interventions and stints in rehab, the family hit rock bottom when they received a phone call to say Paris had been arrested for possession. Theyre all home (and becoming) young adults. But my friend, Sammy Hagar, his brand name is Sammy Hagar. But then looking back on it, and now seeing the impact that Cant Fight This Feeling has had on my life, the life of everyone in the REO Speedwagon family, the lives of people whom Ive never met all over the worldpeople have played that song at their weddings. Still now, this band is remarked and will be noted for its best performance in rock kinds of music. REO Speedwagon lead singer Kevin Cronin turns to his kids for advice when deciding on new projects including the band's recent cameo on Netflix's "Ozark.". REO Speedwagon is back on the Billboard charts for songs that are many decades old. Honestly, when I finished that song, I was really youngI was 18 or 19 when I wrote that song. I just havent had a great deal of success with it (laughs). I felt like I had a fever and my stomach hurt. I try to stick with the inspiration, and keep as much of that initial burst of creativity in the song as I possibly can. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Your email address will not be published. Hearing Time for Me to Fly in that show, there may well be people who heard that song for the first time and went, Oh, that's cool. 2023 Getty Images. Maybe you have and maybe you havent, at least not yet. Tell me about being on set to film your scene. All the energy that came back to me was, You might want to think about doing this.. I wrote Keep On Loving You, Cant Fight This Feeling and Roll With The Changes on the piano. The May 25 incident, watched worldwide as that video went viral, sparked mass protests across the country and around the globe over police brutality and racial injustice. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Recording-history.org is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program. I didnt just want to jump on an airplaneit was too big of a move for me. Some of the greatest songs ever have been written by songwriting partnerships. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Three other now-former officers on the scene face related charges in George's death, and will be tried later this summer. Ive sat down with peopleIve written with some great writers in Nashville, and for whatever reason, none of those songs have really panned out. The cause of death has not yet been. And sure enough, it ended up working out. Ask me about my collection of M:TG cards! Or maybe it was a little thing to make me feel at home? So that was the song that kind of got it going. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Download the TMZ App on the Apple App Store, Download the TMZ App on the Google Play Store. It just has this huge history to it. Friday's prayer vigil with its call for justice on George's behalf "was beautiful," LaTonya said. When you start second guessing yourself, thats when you get lost. Gary was both a unique guitarist and songwriter, and the embodiment of the tough guy with a heart of gold. You have an entire episode of Ozark named after you (Kevin Cronin Was Here) and you and the band perform Time for Me to Fly in it. One day, I was really frustrated because we had an album that was due, and we really needed that song that was going to pick up where Keep On Loving You left off, and we didnt have it. Trivia The 10 Best Ty Dolla Sign Songs of All-Time, The 10 Best Lupe Fiasco Songs of All-Time, The 10 Best 4 Non Blondes Songs of All-Time, The 10 Best Marina and the Diamonds Songs of All-Time, The 10 Best Ruben Blades Songs of All-Time. "Pretty In Pink" by Psychedelic Furs was released in 1981. They perform about 100 dates a year. No. Foreigner: Lou Gramm Styx: Dennis DeYoung Journey: Steve Perry REO Speedwagon: Kevin Cronin" So when I came to Los Angeles I really wanted to feel the journey. "We laughed, we joked it was like we knew each other forever. Formed in 1967, the group originally included guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Blair, keyboardist Neal Doughty and drummer Alan Gratzer. Cronin: Ive written songs on both, honestly. "It's like a direct connection with my brother that was our song," LaTonya, 52, told PEOPLE afterward. Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, September 10, 1982. And the journey continues. Read REO Speedwagon's bio and find out more about REO Speedwagon's songs, albums, and chart history. George Floyd (center) with LaTonya Floyd and her stepson Treyshawn Barker. We didnt set out to write a concept album, but the songs do hang together conceptually, because we were all going through similar things. REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Cronin: I was kind of a late bloomer with the ladies. Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. I thought that if I co-wrote it with someone, I had a feeling it would lose something that was really necessary for the song to happen. But it certainly did come together. Can't Fight This Feeling 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. All the songs I write, they spring from an initial burst of creativity that kind of gets the ball rolling. We are pleased to do a new interview with Cronin, about how he wrote his classic REO songs, and his creative songwriting process. Since starting his career at the age of 19 as the house drummer on Saturday Night Live, hes graduated into, Read More 10 Things You Didnt Know about Steve JordanContinue, If youre a fan of rap music, you might be quite familiar with the name DJ Paul. Thats another way of doing it. LaTonya Floyd, at right, with sister Zsa Zsa Floyd at their brother George's funeral June 9, 2020. Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream? When you talk about (the line) I once had a girl, or should I say, she once had me, the opening line from Norwegian Wood, which is arguably the greatest opening line in the history of songwriting. So well seethis year should be interesting. Then on the day that Eric and I were supposed to co-write, I literally woke up that morning and I felt like I had the flu. But, spoiler alert: REO plays a major role in one Season 3 episode, which also happens to be named after the band's lead singer, Kevin Cronin. On Friday, as the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin for George Floyd's murder continued in Minneapolis, REO lead singer Kevin Cronin joined LaTonya and others for a vigil honoring George, 46, at The Community of Faith Church in Houston, where Cronin and LaTonya stood on stage and sang the song together. So he knew that they needed some help in the songwriting department. She began at a small local paper covering up and coming bands. He goes, [Spanish accent] This is bullst. I've been singing since kindergarten. I'm self-taught on. The opening line may be even more important than the title. The. Visit Billboard Pro for music business news, Kodak Black Ordered Into Rehab By Florida Judge, Kodak Black Arrest Warrant Issued in Florida Over Failed Drug Test, Brad Paisley Drops Song Featuring Ukrainian Pres. Although Philbin left the band just before they reached the heights of their commercial success, lead singer Kevin Cronin wrote that no one should forget his contribution to REO Speedwagon's sound. Now, hes hoping to repeat the success of that classic track, albeit on the printed page.
How To Soften Wool Rug,
Eternal God Faithful And True Sheet Music,
Jessica Lange And Mikhail Baryshnikov Daughter,
Articles L