DK: When you write, do you usually create the melody or the lyrics first? I didnt just want to jump on an airplaneit was too big of a move for me. Sure enough, its proven itself right so many times for me, that I have to really believe its a truth that I can count on. S.F. I had a little red Wurlitzer electric piano that Id had since I was in high school. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. If someone swipes it, that would be total bad karma for them. Cronin: I cant say that we felt that. When my children were born, I didnt name my children when my wife was pregnant. Afterwards, she spent time with Cronin, his daughter and his manager. I feel so sad. It just so happens that the album came out when I was in junior high school. Guess what he looks like now! When LaTonya Floyd last spoke to her brother, George Floyd, days before he died last May with a police officer's knee pinned to his neck, the two sang REO Speedwagon's hit "Keep on Loving You" over the phone to each other, she told PEOPLE. "It was so inspirational.". It must have been 1989 after [late guitarist/songwriter] Gary Richrath and I parted ways and the band was at kind of a low point. Read REO Speedwagon's bio and find out more about REO Speedwagon's songs, albums, and chart history. My longtime friend and collaborator Gary Richrath passed away earlier today. I'm self-taught on. Honestly, when I finished that song, I was really youngI was 18 or 19 when I wrote that song. Cronin: Yeah, I think so. When youre writing a song, you have no idea where that songs going to end upyou dont know whats going to happen. I wrote Time For Me To Fly on the guitarmost of my songs I write on the acoustic guitar. After the stage performance, we sang, 'I Can't Fight This Feeling' and a couple of his other songs. He goes, [Spanish accent] This is bullst. The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned. But I was looking at the discography of your hits, and I noticed that you wrote your biggest hits by yourself. Up until then, the songwriting was credited to the whole bandthat they all wrote the songs togetherbut I think the truth was that it was mostly Gary who would spark (the songs creation) and then the band would get together and jam and finish it. When you start second guessing yourself, thats when you get lost. The band made a music video for this song in 1978, three years before MTV went on the air. Bay Area. He was a member of the band when it released its self-titled debut in 1971 and was with REO Speedwagon until 1989. REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. She's thinking about what her life would be like without [Marty/Jason Bateman]. ". Get TMZ breaking news sent right to your browser! We are pleased to do a new interview with Cronin, about how he wrote his classic REO songs, and his creative songwriting process. We were all psyched up. Here is the Q&A interview with Kevin Cronin: DK: When did you join REO Speedwagon, andhow did you developa key role as the bands singer & songwriter? If you catch Linda at a wedding be sure to check out the dance floor. 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. Back in the day of the album, that was very important. It's a time when many young people feel like they are finally becoming adults. The memoir (which is tentatively titled Roll With the Changes: My Life Within and Without REO Speedwagon) is now in its final stages -according to Cronin, it should be finished in time for a 2022 release. 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. 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.". I can always pick up a guitar or sit down at the piano. Kevin Cronin and Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, August 24, 1980. REO Speedwagon's official music video for 'Take It On The Run'. Its kind of a blessing and a curse. Who do you think is listening: old fans who were reminded of REO by the show, or young listeners just discovering the band? [But] they sent me the first two seasons of the show and I got on the tour bus, got in my bunk and binge-watched. "Pretty In Pink" by Psychedelic Furs was released in 1981. Does anyone call you The Wagon? But my friend, Sammy Hagar, his brand name is Sammy Hagar. Are you and the band working on a new studio album? So the songs come in all different shapes and forms. I try to stick with the inspiration, and keep as much of that initial burst of creativity in the song as I possibly can. The album contained four Top 40 hits: Keep On Loving You and Dont Let Him Go (written by Cronin), plus Take It On The Run and In Your Letter (written by lead guitarist Gary Richrath, who left REO in 1989 and sadly passed away in 2015). Or maybe it was a little thing to make me feel at home? "It means so much," LaTonya said. You know, I went through some fictional years there in the past! Directed by Arnold Levine, the black-and-white footage was shot at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri at their show on May 13, 1978. Who is the lead singer in REO Speedwagon? 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 I was writing [the words] on this brown paper bag as I was rolling down the road. Cronin also presented LaTonya with the plaque commemorating the Billboard chart-topping single's 1981 platinum status for sales of more than 1 million copies. What inspired you to write this song? I didn't know what to make of it. When you were recording Hi Infidelity, did you and the band feel that this was your best album up to that point? The first time I was introduced to her, when I saw herit was that love at first sight feeling. Offers may be subject to change without notice. REO Speedwagon (originally stylized as R.E.O. Robert Smith doesn't license Cure songs for commercials, but he made an exception in 2004 when he let Hewlett-Packard use "Pictures Of You." Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Trivia Meanwhile, their 1988 compilation album, The Hits, entered the Top Rock Albums chart at 49. At that point, Cronin decided to dole out some tough love and stop enabling his son. I am an avid Mac-user, nerd, musician, freelancer, and gamer. REO Speedwagon is back on the Billboard charts for songs that are many decades old. Formed in 1966, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. Send me email updates and offers from TMZ and its Affiliates. Have you ever played a dental convention or equally oddball gig? I saw both seasons, all the way through, and I was like, Im ready to go. Even our (REO) song Take It On The Run which Gary Richrath wrote, Heard it from a friend, who heard it from a friend, who heard it from another youve been messin aroundwhen I heard that line that Gary wrote, I said this song is amazing. I was determined to do everything I could possibly do to get that song finished and help Gary in any way, so we could record that song, because that opening line just killed me. Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. The episode also featured one of the bands most popular tunes, Time for Me to Fly. Its fair to say they hadnt troubled the charts for some years, but the show seemed to remind people of just how good they could be. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The current lineup of REO Speedwagon consists of Cronin, original member Neal Doughty (keyboards), Bruce Hall (bass), Dave Amato (lead guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums). REO Speedwagon performing on Feb. 5, 1981 in Chicago, Il. Cronin managed to reach $350,000 before being eliminated after forgetting the lyrics to Donna Summers Last Dance.. 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? The career of Antonio Vivaldi defies music industry logic. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. It was one of those albums which was definitely top-heavy with songs that people, to this daythey come to our concerts and we play at least five or six songs from Hi Infidelity every night. Please subscribe. 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. But at the end of the episode, Marty gets dragged out of our concert and you don't know what happens to him until the next episode, where he's in Mexico. REO Speedwagon has a net worth of $46 million. She was actually going out with one of my buddies. But the whole thing about the dentists, that happened in episode one. Since rejoining the band, Cronin has penned the bulk of their most successful songs, including Keep the Fire Burnin', I Do Wanna Know, Keep on Loving You, Cant Fight This Feeling, In My Dreams, and Dont Let Him Go. Linda has been writing professionally since November 2012. Search instead in. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. Click to listen to REO Speedwagon on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/REOspot?IQid=RUNAs featured on The Essential REO Speedwagon. REO Speedwagon's 1971 debut album was with their original lead singer, Terry Luttrell. For our episode, they had me on stage delivering a couple of lines. 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. The songs for that album had a certain cohesive nature to them. I kind of operate under the brand name of REO Speedwagon. Gary was both a unique guitarist and songwriter, and the embodiment of the tough guy with a heart of gold. "I had my eyes closed the whole time picturing my brother. This album contains four US top hits and has sold more than 10 million copies! 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. I was really focused on my wife, my children and my homemy children are all in high school now. Yes! Its funnyeven though it was 35 years ago, it still feels like it was just yesterday to me, because I remember writing it so vividly. We thought it was all going to be right next to each other, like on the show. Ask me about my collection of M:TG cards! "The lead singer of REO Speedwagon, Kevin he's a rock-n-roll Hall of Famer he said, 'How about that LaTonya, your first live performance, and you've got a platinum record already.' Its like the stars lining up. In 2008, Cronin took a break from the recording studio to appear as a celebrity contestant on Dont Forget the Lyrics! The premise of the show revolved around contestants competing for a prize pot of $1million by selecting songs to sing along to alongside a karaoke-style video screen. When they wrote those songs, they were just trying to write good . Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream? Theyre all home (and becoming) young adults. Thats another way of doing it. DK: Which album was it, where you started to write a good amount of the songs for the group? Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from, Paul McCartney was in too much 'emotional pain' to keep the Beatles going after John Lennon left. Some of the greatest songs ever have been written by songwriting partnerships. "If I want to see if . I wrote Keep On Loving You, Cant Fight This Feeling and Roll With The Changes on the piano. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Chauvin, 44, has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of George seen on bystander video as Chauvin pressed his knee to George's neck for nearly nine minutes while George lay handcuffed on the ground during his arrest for allegedly spending a counterfeit $20 bill. Cronin: We talked about Music Manthat song has a very special place for me because it kind of got me the gig. Sold in excess of 17 million records worldwide. Gary Richrath, songwriter and lead guitarist for REO Speedwagon for decades, has died, the band announced on its Facebook page Sunday. 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. Now, hes hoping to repeat the success of that classic track, albeit on the printed page. Cronin: I was kind of a late bloomer with the ladies. Notably, these five band members have been together since 1989. Tell me about being on set to film your scene. Cronin: That song, coincidentally, was number one 35 years ago from right now. I literally woke up in the middle of the night and I had these three, simple piano chords going through my head. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. I had written some songs before that were okaythey were passable. I had the verses already written. When Gary (Richrath) heard that song, it signaled to him that I had some ability as a songwriter. 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards. Scott Weiland, lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, died December 3 at age 48. says the actress. Maybe it was just the timing of when it was released. Cronin: Ive written songs on both, honestly. These are ten things you didnt, Read More 10 Things You Didnt Know about Andrew BaenaContinue, Angel Vivaldi is a New Jersey-based progressive metal guitarist, composer, producer, environmentalist, and philanthropist. Free shipping for many products! They are Do you love animals? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Recording-history.org is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program. The lead singer of REO Speedwagon is Kevin Cronin and Terry Luttrell respectively. In fact, the group's best-selling album is Hi Infidelity. 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. 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. Foreigner: Lou Gramm Styx: Dennis DeYoung Journey: Steve Perry REO Speedwagon: Kevin Cronin" Cronin: I actually wrote that song as I was traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles, when I rejoined the band; I left the band for a couple years. If they made a home-version of the LHC, I'd have 2. 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. Cronin, like the rest of the band, earned a reputation as a party animal. 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. 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. Can't Fight This Feeling The MCUs tiniest heroes are kicking off its biggest phase yet, setting up the next several years of storytelling. When we play those songs, you can just feel the energy in the room light up. As we all know, those memories are Who is the lead singer in REO Speedwagon? REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Collect, curate and comment on your files. How did it come about? Anyway, Smooth would chase them down. 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. Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. Three other now-former officers on the scene face related charges in George's death, and will be tried later this summer. 12 best REO Speedwagon songs 1. I was in a tough position. There was no way we would get together because she was with my friend. They sent me the script. There was this girl in Chicago who Im still in touch with to this daywere still friends. Im finding myself waking up in the middle of the night with ideas, and writing them down and recording them. So when I finished Cant Fight This Feeling, I realized that yeah, Ive gotta make this move. Ive gotta do what Im saying in this songIve got to make this happen. Showing Editorial results for kevin cronin of reo speedwagon. The cause of death has not yet been. So it all kind of came true. (1972), but it was rough sledding, and while they were making their third album, Ridin' the Storm Out (1973), he left over conflict with guitarist Gary Richrath and other creative tensions . 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. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. So I called up and cancelled the songwriting session. He left education after graduating from Chicagos Brother Rice High School, having already become convinced that his future lay in music, not business. 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. 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. Its a blessing because Ive always got myself (laughs). Yet Im thinking this song is so important to me and I think its got the potential to be a real special song in the world, but this title is going to kill it. Kevin Cronin took over that role for their next effort, R.E.O./T.W.O. As time went on, and my buddy broke up with her, we still remained friends. On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with. It was kind of shocking in a way. REOSpeedwagonPlans HiInfidelty30thAnniversary Reissue, Tour. No. When MTV launched in 1981, they played the video, as REO Speedwagon were huge at the time, with a string of hits from their, Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band). Currently seeking: Band to Join, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar and more.Hi my name is Luke Bolen! 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. REO Speedwagon has recorded 16 studio albums which have sold a total of more than 40 million units. 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! From Austin Butler and Cate Blanchett to a potential Best Supporting Actress toss-up, see who EW thinks will win at the 2023 Oscars. Kevin Cronin is a member of REO Speedwagon, one of the most popular rock bands of the 1980s. 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 . I gotta tell ya, I see the name REO Speedwagon all the time, but I don't often see my own name there. DK: So what were you thinking about, when you wrote Cant Fight This Feeling? ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Do you love music? Im trained on the guitarI took guitar lessons for years when I was a kid. My biggest successes are songs that I write myself. In the original script there was a shot of a banner that has a big REO Speedwagon logo and says "Welcome to the Missouri Dental Association Convention." Hes a real sweet guy and hes written some big hit ballads, and we were supposed to co-write. 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. https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/cantfightthisfeeling.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/keeponlovingyou.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/takeitontherun.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/rollwiththechanges.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/timeformetofly.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/dontlethimgo.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/keepthefireburnin.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/inmydreams.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/onelonelynight.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/inyourletter.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/keeppushin.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/backontheroadagain.html, Rock Music: 49 Different Types and Their Characteristics, Loverboy Greatest Hits: The 17 Best Songs of All Time, 42 Songs About the Experience of Being 17, 48+ Songs About Good Times and Memories to Look Back On. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. 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