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REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin Comes Clean On The Band’s Recent Struggles

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Kevin Cronin recently took to Facebook to open up about some of the challenges his band has faced on their recent tour and to share updates on the band’s future.

The singer began by discussing the difficulties the band encountered during their show in New Orleans, where extreme weather conditions, including a snowstorm, shut down the city and led to canceled flights. Some crew members had to drive long distances to reach the venue, while the band switched airlines and even took a last-minute private plane to get there.

“I’m so grateful to the whole team,” Cronin wrote, expressing his appreciation for the band’s efforts. He went on to highlight the dedication of the musicians involved: “Lead guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt (who have been with me in REO Speedwagon for thirty-five years), Matt Bissonette (twelve years on bass with Elton John), the newly-coiffed Derek Hilland (former keyboardist Foreigner, Rick Springfield, Whitesnake), and I have toured together non-stop since November of 2023.”

He continued, “We played eighty-five shows last year, sharing our music with over 500k people. Moving forward, Kevin Cronin Band will carry on the REO tradition of high-energy performance, Eighties-style positive party vibes, and a setlist filled with the hit songs that the late great Gary Richrath and I wrote and produced, and which REO fans have taken into their hearts and souls.”

Looking ahead, Cronin shared his excitement for the band’s upcoming plans, saying, “We look forward to seeing you this summer, as we emphasize the songs of Hi Infidelity, all the other REO hits, plus a new song I wrote with my pal Richard Marx called ‘All Because of You.’ The Kevin Cronin Band will join our long-time friends and tour mates, Styx, for a major amphitheater tour beginning in Spring 2025. Come out and join the party!”

Cronin also reflected on REO Speedwagon’s last show, which took place on December 22. During the performance, the band played 15 songs, including iconic hits like ‘Keep On Loving You’ and closed with ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling’ and ‘Roll With the Changes.’

Despite the retirement of REO Speedwagon, fans have been asking the band to provide more closure. In response to one fan’s comment about wanting the band to “talk things out,” Cronin wrote, “I agree that the fans deserve nothing but the best effort from any artist they buy a ticket to see. That is what I have always striven for with REO Speedwagon. As to a farewell tour… I am simply not ready to say farewell, and I can’t control the retirement schedules of others. I have spoken to this question several times, so I would respectfully ask that you take these sentiments elsewhere.”

Tension surrounded the final shows, with “irreconcilable differences” between Cronin and bassist Bruce Hall causing Hall to miss the performances.

I'm Emma. I Love rock music, doing guitar reviews, and making food. I love writing works because it is the best way to provide information to people.

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