Back in September 2024, REO Speedwagon announced that they “will cease touring effective January 1, 2025.”
The band shared the following message:
“To our fans: [Bassist] Bruce [Hall] has intended to be Back On the Road Again by now [he underwent back surgery last November]. If it were up to just him, he’d be back on tour… but it’s not up to just him. The consensus opinion was that he had not recovered sufficiently to be able to perform at the level the fans have come to expect. Bruce respected that opinion and is grateful that Matt [Bissonette] has been around to keep the Wagon rolling through the summer tour. Bruce never had any intention of retiring or walking away from the band, fans, and crew he has loved for almost 50 years.
“For Kevin [Cronin]’s part, he too has never had any intention of leaving the band, and the fans and crew mean the world to him, as well.
“Due to this complex situation, irreconcilable differences arose between Bruce and Kevin. So, it is with great sadness that we announce REO Speedwagon will cease touring effective January 1, 2025. Neal, Kevin, and Bruce thank their fans for all their years of loyal support and for giving back to the band such wonderful memories that will remain with each of them forever.”
Kevin Cronin recently spoke with Eddie Trunk on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation. During their conversation he talks about doing a final REO Speedwagon show and the current status of the band.
SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation, hosted by Eddie Trunk, airs daily at 3 PM, ET on SiriusXM’s Faction Talk. Audio clips and transcription below courtesy of SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation.
On doing a final REO Speedwagon show:
Eddie Trunk: :One of the things that’s been a talking point the last week is Sabbath attempting to do this final show with the original four guys, including Bill Ward. No one knows that they can actually pull it off, but they’re gonna try. Is there a scenario in your mind where, for REO, like when that day comes, would you like to potentially be able to do that or do you just think that’s not possible now?”
Kevin Cronin: “Anything’s possible for REO Speedwagon. Part of the problem is that Gary Richrath passed away and you know, if Gary were still with us that, you know, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. But there was a clamouring that I got when of a desire to do a farewell tour like now. And I’m like, ‘Well, but I don’t wanna say farewell.’ You know, I’m not ready to say farewell. I want to continue to build into the future, you know, but as you say, there will come a time, it’s inevitable. We all reach a point and it, you know, and you don’t know until it happens what the reason will be. But I mean to do a celebration of REO Speedwagon at that time, that would be something that could be fun. That could be a big fricking party and, you know, I’m just not, I feel like I’m even close to that.”
On not touring as REO Speedwagon:
Kevin Cronin: “I wish it was a simple answer. I wish it was, but you know how it is, bands, shit happens in bands, especially bands that have been together as long as we have. And you know, there had been a little trouble brewing internally. And then well, Bruce needed to get surgery on his back, which we all supported, and we figured that he would be out for a few months. But there were shows that we had to do. So we called our buddy Matt Bissonette to sub in. We were lucky that Matt just had gotten off the road with Elton John. And, you know, Bruce was supposed to come back on March 1st, and that didn’t happen. And then he was supposed to come back on June 1st.
“And then I understood through an attorney that Bruce had chosen to sit out the 2024 tour as long as he got paid in full as if he was touring. And that’s what we did, and that’s what he accepted. And 2024 was an amazing year. I mean, we toured with Train and with Loverboy and with Rick Springfield. It was probably the most success, well, it was the most successful year we’ve had in 30 years. And a chemistry just kind of erupted among the band, which Dave Amato, who’s been with us for 35 years, same thing with Brian Hitt on drums, Derrick Hilland, who had played in Whitesnake for a minute, and Rick Springfield took over on keyboards when Neil retired. And the five of us just, it just felt really good.
“And, you know, but at the same time I was working out a set list where it would be a six piece band so that Bruce could have come back. Matt would’ve stayed just in, just to be sure that Bruce was up for it, you know? And you know, I was working on, you know, I had Bruce and Matt switching off between bass and acoustic guitars. But then I heard that Bruce was gonna sit out the whole tour, and I never heard anything different. And what I’ve heard has been circulated, you know, online or whatever is that I somehow prevented Bruce from touring, from coming out on the road last year. And that’s just, it’s just inaccurate. It’s just not the truth. So you know, I had no right to do that. So anyway, so that’s where we stand right now.”
This summer, Styx and Kevin Cronin will join forces for their “Brotherhood Of Rock” tour, along with special guest Don Felder (a former lead guitarist for the Eagles), that will kick off May 28 in Greenville, SC at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. General tickets for the trek, produced by Live Nation, are on sale now at LiveNation.com.
Check out the “Brotherhood Of Rock” tour at any of stops listed below.
Tour dates:
May
28 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
31 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
June
2 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
4 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
6 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
7 – Ridgedale, MO – Thunder Ridge Nature Arena
9 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre *
11 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
13 – Concord, CA – Toyota Pavilion at Concord
14 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater
15 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
28 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
30 – Colorado Springs, CO – Ford Amphitheatre *
July
2 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
5 – Birmingham, AL – Coca-Cola Amphitheater
6 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
8 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
9 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
11 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
12 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
14 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview
15 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
18 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion
19 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
20 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
August
1 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
2 – Brandon, MS – Brandon Amphitheater
4 – Franklin, TN – FirstBank Amphitheater
6 – Richmond, VA – Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront
8 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
10 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
12 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Broadview Stage at SPAC
13 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
15 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
16 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
19 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
20 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
22 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
23 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
24 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater
* Promoted by AEG Presents
The post KEVIN CRONIN On Potentially Doing A Final REO SPEEDWAGON Show – “Anything’s Possible”; Audio appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
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The band shared the following message:
“To our fans: [Bassist] Bruce [Hall] has intended to be Back On the Road Again by now [he underwent back surgery last November]. If it were up to just him, he’d be back on tour… but it’s not up to just him. The consensus opinion was that he had not recovered sufficiently to be able to perform at the level the fans have come to expect. Bruce respected that opinion and is grateful that Matt [Bissonette] has been around to keep the Wagon rolling through the summer tour. Bruce never had any intention of retiring or walking away from the band, fans, and crew he has loved for almost 50 years.
“For Kevin [Cronin]’s part, he too has never had any intention of leaving the band, and the fans and crew mean the world to him, as well.
“Due to this complex situation, irreconcilable differences arose between Bruce and Kevin. So, it is with great sadness that we announce REO Speedwagon will cease touring effective January 1, 2025. Neal, Kevin, and Bruce thank their fans for all their years of loyal support and for giving back to the band such wonderful memories that will remain with each of them forever.”
Kevin Cronin recently spoke with Eddie Trunk on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation. During their conversation he talks about doing a final REO Speedwagon show and the current status of the band.
SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation, hosted by Eddie Trunk, airs daily at 3 PM, ET on SiriusXM’s Faction Talk. Audio clips and transcription below courtesy of SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation.
On doing a final REO Speedwagon show:
Eddie Trunk: :One of the things that’s been a talking point the last week is Sabbath attempting to do this final show with the original four guys, including Bill Ward. No one knows that they can actually pull it off, but they’re gonna try. Is there a scenario in your mind where, for REO, like when that day comes, would you like to potentially be able to do that or do you just think that’s not possible now?”
Kevin Cronin: “Anything’s possible for REO Speedwagon. Part of the problem is that Gary Richrath passed away and you know, if Gary were still with us that, you know, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. But there was a clamouring that I got when of a desire to do a farewell tour like now. And I’m like, ‘Well, but I don’t wanna say farewell.’ You know, I’m not ready to say farewell. I want to continue to build into the future, you know, but as you say, there will come a time, it’s inevitable. We all reach a point and it, you know, and you don’t know until it happens what the reason will be. But I mean to do a celebration of REO Speedwagon at that time, that would be something that could be fun. That could be a big fricking party and, you know, I’m just not, I feel like I’m even close to that.”
On not touring as REO Speedwagon:
Kevin Cronin: “I wish it was a simple answer. I wish it was, but you know how it is, bands, shit happens in bands, especially bands that have been together as long as we have. And you know, there had been a little trouble brewing internally. And then well, Bruce needed to get surgery on his back, which we all supported, and we figured that he would be out for a few months. But there were shows that we had to do. So we called our buddy Matt Bissonette to sub in. We were lucky that Matt just had gotten off the road with Elton John. And, you know, Bruce was supposed to come back on March 1st, and that didn’t happen. And then he was supposed to come back on June 1st.
“And then I understood through an attorney that Bruce had chosen to sit out the 2024 tour as long as he got paid in full as if he was touring. And that’s what we did, and that’s what he accepted. And 2024 was an amazing year. I mean, we toured with Train and with Loverboy and with Rick Springfield. It was probably the most success, well, it was the most successful year we’ve had in 30 years. And a chemistry just kind of erupted among the band, which Dave Amato, who’s been with us for 35 years, same thing with Brian Hitt on drums, Derrick Hilland, who had played in Whitesnake for a minute, and Rick Springfield took over on keyboards when Neil retired. And the five of us just, it just felt really good.
“And, you know, but at the same time I was working out a set list where it would be a six piece band so that Bruce could have come back. Matt would’ve stayed just in, just to be sure that Bruce was up for it, you know? And you know, I was working on, you know, I had Bruce and Matt switching off between bass and acoustic guitars. But then I heard that Bruce was gonna sit out the whole tour, and I never heard anything different. And what I’ve heard has been circulated, you know, online or whatever is that I somehow prevented Bruce from touring, from coming out on the road last year. And that’s just, it’s just inaccurate. It’s just not the truth. So you know, I had no right to do that. So anyway, so that’s where we stand right now.”
This summer, Styx and Kevin Cronin will join forces for their “Brotherhood Of Rock” tour, along with special guest Don Felder (a former lead guitarist for the Eagles), that will kick off May 28 in Greenville, SC at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. General tickets for the trek, produced by Live Nation, are on sale now at LiveNation.com.
Check out the “Brotherhood Of Rock” tour at any of stops listed below.
Tour dates:
May
28 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
31 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
June
2 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
4 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
6 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
7 – Ridgedale, MO – Thunder Ridge Nature Arena
9 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre *
11 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
13 – Concord, CA – Toyota Pavilion at Concord
14 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater
15 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
28 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
30 – Colorado Springs, CO – Ford Amphitheatre *
July
2 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
5 – Birmingham, AL – Coca-Cola Amphitheater
6 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
8 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
9 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
11 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
12 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
14 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview
15 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
18 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion
19 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
20 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
August
1 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
2 – Brandon, MS – Brandon Amphitheater
4 – Franklin, TN – FirstBank Amphitheater
6 – Richmond, VA – Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront
8 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
10 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
12 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Broadview Stage at SPAC
13 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
15 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
16 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
19 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
20 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
22 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
23 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
24 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater
* Promoted by AEG Presents
The post KEVIN CRONIN On Potentially Doing A Final REO SPEEDWAGON Show – “Anything’s Possible”; Audio appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
Continue reading...
