When you start second guessing yourself, thats when you get lost. During the peak of their success, the band was an almost permanent fixture on the Billboard Hot 100, racking up 13 Top 40 hits, two number 1s, and selling over 40 million records in total. 2023 Getty Images. Whether you're young or old, everyone loves a good song about memories and good times. 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. Chauvin's defense in his trial, which began March 29 with prosecution testimony, is due to start next week. Derek Chauvin's Attorney Asks Minnesota Appeals Court to Void Guilty Verdict in George Floyd's Killing, Ex-Cop Sentenced Who Kneeled on George Floyd's Back During Killing Sentenced to 3.5 Years, 2 Years After George Floyd Was Murdered by a Police Officer, His Sister Still 'Feels His Spirit', A Year After Derek Chauvin's Conviction, George Floyd's Sister Says Brother 'Truly Did Change the World', 3 Former Minneapolis Police Officers Convicted of Violating George Floyd's Civil Rights, Former Minneapolis Police Officer Thomas Lane Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in George Floyd's Killing, Former Minneapolis Police Officer Thomas Lane Gets 2.5 Years for His Role in the Killing of George Floyd, Derek Chauvin Sentenced to 21 Years in Federal Prison for Violating George Floyd's Civil Rights, Final 2 Officers Convicted in George Floyd's Death Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison, George Floyd's Sisters Miss Him 'Every Day' as Family Prepares for Officer's Murder Trial, George Floyd's Sister Smiled Watching Derek Chauvin Being Handcuffed: "He's Paying", Disturbing Video of George Floyd's Death Takes Center Stage as Murder Trial of Ex-Officer Begins, trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin for George Floyd's murder. Fortunately, I stumbled into my home studio, which was a very humble little studio back in those days. The first was a Hey, everybody, how you doing? thing. When they wrote those songs, they were just trying to write good . Theres something going on emotionally for me, usually some kind of a feeling that I either dont understand yet, or I understand and havent figured out how to express it yet. So when I came to Los Angeles I really wanted to feel the journey. "When the call came in for us to appear in, REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin on the band's surprising. It took a long time, and I wrote that song before I finally got the guts to tell her. I try to stick with the inspiration, and keep as much of that initial burst of creativity in the song as I possibly can. "AOR poll part 2: Which lead singer's voice do you like best? 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 . We wanted to see the Blue Cat [Lodge; the set is a shuttered bar on Lake Allatoona] and the strip club, Lickety Splitz. DK: Besides some of your big hits, what are some of your songs that are your favorites? 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. Stevie Wonder wrote the Rufus funk classic "Tell Me Something Good. Or maybe it was a little thing to make me feel at home? The song kind of came first. Artists and entertainers. 4 CD Lot! 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. They are Do you love animals? The band is actually mentioned two episodes before you appear. 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." It took me 10 days. I remember thinking to myselfWowCant Fight This Feelingwhat a horrible, f**king song title. It was just that I needed to really identify where the heart and soul of this piece that I was working on was. Kevin Cronin took over that role for their next effort, R.E.O./T.W.O. 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. 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 Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, September 10, 1982. I feel so sad. I felt like I had a fever and my stomach hurt. "Gregg . The Hi Infidelity album was the one that broke things loose. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. I learned something from thisthat if you pay attention to the song, the song will tell you what it needs. With Cant Fight This Feeling, I did not know what the name of that song was. I've been singing since kindergarten. The career of Antonio Vivaldi defies music industry logic. The entire REO Family mourns his death and shares in the grief of his family, friends, and fans. I didnt just want to jump on an airplaneit was too big of a move for me. Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all. I literally woke up in the middle of the night and I had these three, simple piano chords going through my head. Cronin had been inspired to write the album after his son, Paris, fell into drug addiction. I remember where I was when I wrote that song. It gave me an outlet for expressing myself when I was very young and didnt know any other way to do it. Now, hes hoping to repeat the success of that classic track, albeit on the printed page. How Marvel went big with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. 9/28/2010 1:00 PM PT With '80s hits like " Keep On Loving You " and " Can't Fight This Feeling ," Kevin. Showing Editorial results for reo speedwagon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Well, it turns out that the casino is on one lake and the Blue Cat on another. So my manager, Tom Consolo, set up a writing session with Eric Carmen, who was the lead singer of the Raspberries. But for me, I usually write the song first and then I find the title in the song. Ask me about my collection of M:TG cards! Turning 17 is a big deal. The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album. Gary Richrath, songwriter and lead guitarist for REO Speedwagon for decades, has died, the band announced on its Facebook page Sunday. Meanwhile, their 1988 compilation album, The Hits, entered the Top Rock Albums chart at 49. 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). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Download the TMZ App on the Apple App Store, Download the TMZ App on the Google Play Store. 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). Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. Have you ever played a dental convention or equally oddball gig? Cronin: Yeah, I think so. For our episode, they had me on stage delivering a couple of lines. Maybe it was just the timing of when it was released. Thats another way of doing it. The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned. After realizing his lifestyle was starting to overshadow his work and family life, he made a 180-degree turn. REO Speedwagon's 1971 debut album was with their original lead singer, Terry Luttrell. I wrote Keep On Loving You, Cant Fight This Feeling and Roll With The Changes on the piano. From Austin Butler and Cate Blanchett to a potential Best Supporting Actress toss-up, see who EW thinks will win at the 2023 Oscars. Trivia Who do you think is listening: old fans who were reminded of REO by the show, or young listeners just discovering the band? Kevin Patrick Cronin (born October 6, 1951) is an American singer and songwriter, who is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and pianist for the rock band REO Speedwagon. I sat there on the floor of my bedroom, and I thought, Alright, what is this song all about? Why cant I name this songwhy cant I write the chorus for this song? If they made a home-version of the LHC, I'd have 2. Even though it wasnt a hit, its a REO fan favorite. When my children were born, I didnt name my children when my wife was pregnant. So I think that really helped for the album, that it felt like all the songs belonged together. 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 Cronin: Well, I will tell youI was thinking about this todaythis year (2016) will be the year that I get back to knucklin down. George Floyd (center) with LaTonya Floyd and her stepson Treyshawn Barker. Cronin: Ive written songs on both, honestly. The song was remixed for the re-release to have more Pop appeal. I can always pick up a guitar or sit down at the piano. Its a blessing because Ive always got myself (laughs). Kevin Cronin is a member of REO Speedwagon, one of the most popular rock bands of the 1980s. The lead singer of REO Speedwagon is Kevin Cronin and Terry Luttrell respectively. So if the viewer remembers that this is a dental convention, that line is kind of funny. Who knows what came first, the chicken or the egg there. 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. [I think] co-writing is a lot of funit definitely makes the process of songwriting more enjoyable because youre not sitting there by yourself. And my immediate reaction was, Wait a minute, all the other characters are fictional, except for us. I'm strictly nonfiction at this point in my life. All the energy that came back to me was, You might want to think about doing this.. Basically, the only songs I can play on piano are those that I wrote (he laughs). I can tell when a song is too much craftsmanship and not enough inspiration. Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon performs at the Illinois Bicentennial party at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois, December 3, 2018. 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? 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. After the stage performance, we sang, 'I Can't Fight This Feeling' and a couple of his other songs. . Richrath last played with the band in 2013, when the band performed a benefit concert in Bloomington, Illinois, to raise money for tornado victims. Paul Natkin/WireImage. He discovered his love for music at an early age, and spent most of his time outside of school honing his guitar skills. 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. He refers to the band as The Wagon, when fans actually call you REO. How much is REO Speedwagon worth? I learned most of what I know about being in a rock band from Gary Richrath, REO Speedwagons lead singer, Kevin Cronin, wrote on the bands website and Facebook page. 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. Yes! Cronin: I would hope that the point [of this story is], when youre writing a song, you have to stick with your gut. I was an unknown, unproven commodity as far as performingGary never really saw me play anywherehe just came up to my apartment and we got out a couple acoustic guitars, and I played some of my songs. Is the lead singer of REO Speedwagon married? 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. When we play those songs, you can just feel the energy in the room light up. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Michael Bryan Murphy took his place, and remained with the band until Cronin stepped back up to the mic in January 1976. These words do not come close to expressing the depth of emotions I am feeling at this time.. They sent me the script. "When Gregg left the band in 1977, he took with him the prog-leaning extended instrumental section aspect of the REO sound," Cronin wrote. 2023 Getty Images. 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. In fact, the group's best-selling album is Hi Infidelity. After releasing one album (1972s R.E.O./T.W.O,), he left the band during the recording of 1973s Ridin the Storm Out over creative differences. DK: Thats a great story about how you wrote Cant Fight This Feeling. Thank you. When Mike Blair left the band in the summer of 1968, Gregg Philbin replaced . 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. REO Speedwagon Even after more than 40 years of success, Kevin Cronin, lead singer of arena rock specialists REO Speedwagon, never takes the band's status for granted. The songs for that album had a certain cohesive nature to them. Still now, this band is remarked and will be noted for its best performance in rock kinds of music. 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. He was 65. Band members read about that anecdote in PEOPLE and responded by contacting Floyd family attorney, Ben Crump, to say they'd like to give LaTonya a surprise. Richrath co-wrote some of the bands songs, including Take It on the Run, which became a Top 5 pop hit on the Billboard charts. 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. But I think it served its purpose because people at the record company heard it, REO Speedwagon fans heard itif they didnt hear it on the radio they heard us playing it live. But my friend, Sammy Hagar, his brand name is Sammy Hagar. My longtime friend and collaborator Gary Richrath passed away earlier today. ", "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" by Marvin Gaye was inspired by Jackie Gleason's saying, "How Sweet It Is!". Cronin: That song, coincidentally, was number one 35 years ago from right now. Songwriting and music has always been my savior in that way. I named my children after they were born and I looked at them, and I saw their little bodies, and they kind of told me what their names should be to some degree. 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. All Rights Reserved. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Cronin: The first album that I made with them was an album called R.E.O./T.W.O., which was our second album. We are pleased to do a new interview with Cronin, about how he wrote his classic REO songs, and his creative songwriting process. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Some of the greatest songs ever have been written by songwriting partnerships. DK: A couple years later REO released Hi Infidelity, which became your biggest album. Additionally, I've been playing music for the better part of 14 years. REO Speedwagon's official music video for 'Take It On The Run'. After all, hes been a mainstay in the world of rap music since the late 1980s. Midway through the song, the words disappeared from the screen and the singer had to rely on memory to get through the rest. "Pretty In Pink" by Psychedelic Furs was released in 1981. Cronin: Well for me, songwriting has been kind of a solitary journey. 1 of 13. As time went on, and my buddy broke up with her, we still remained friends. Kevin Cronin is a member of REO Speedwagon, one of the most popular rock bands of the 1980s. I remember that I sat down on the floor of my bedroom, and I was literally almost in tears. For the good ones, the inspiration is usually a pretty big piece of the song. It just has this huge history to it. They might not be bothering the charts quite as much these days, but they still know how to pull in the crowds at their live sets. 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. Honestly, when I finished that song, I was really youngI was 18 or 19 when I wrote that song. It was number one (on the Hot 100 chart) for I think three weeks, which back in the 80s was quite an accomplishment. However, there, Read More 10 Things You Didnt Know about DJ PaulContinue, Your email address will not be published. So I wanted to drive. I'm self-taught on. Cronin is known to play Ovations on tour, and even has his own signature guitar from the brand. I told the writer, You know, thats not what I would normally say. What Ive been saying for I don't know how many years is, Hey Cincinnati, check yourselves out. And then our light guy puts the spots on the audience. 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. REO Speedwagon's 1971 debut album was with their original lead singer, Terry Luttrell. 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. It was the first song where I thought, Wow, I kind of like this song (laughs). 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. Thats not to say they never willsongs have a way of surfacing in the future sometimes. 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 Billboard Media, LLC. They perform about 100 dates a year. Send me email updates and offers from TMZ and its Affiliates. DK: I know you play both guitar and piano onstage. Thats my titlethats what this song is about. 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. I had just stopped at a truck stop in New MexicoI had a brown paper bag that was sitting on the seat next to me, when the thoughts of the lyrics started coming to me. According to legend, Cronin thrashed out the lyrics to REO Speedwagons Roll With the Changes on the back of a trash bag. He was 65. He needed the money to buy the group's back catalogue. Get TMZ breaking news sent right to your browser! He was there with me.". This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. 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? 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.