Posted on 09/13/2015 10:20:10 PM PDT by Drew68
"Hi friends, kc here. My longtime friend and collaborator Gary Richrath passed away earlier today. I feel so sad. Gary was both a unique guitarist and songwriter, and the embodiment of the tough guy with a heart of gold. I learned most of what I know about being in a rock band from Gary Richrath. The entire REO Family mourns his death and shares in the grief of his family, friends, and fans. These words do not come close to expressing the depth of emotions I am feeling at this time...kc"
Oh you saw, he looks like he had heart disease?
I was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan and used to see the old REO building on the south side of town. I wonder if it is still there as it was an iconic building.
REO also built fire trucks.
I always considered REO Speedwagon more of a "chick band" but I do have fond memories of the "Hi Infidelity" album from 1981. That was the number one album in the country the week I graduated from Marine boot camp on Parris Island. I bought the cassette tape and it stayed in my tape deck most of that summer.
Those song will always remind me of that time in my life. Getting out of boot camp. President Reagan. Going to 29 Palms, California for my advanced MOS training.
They went “soft” around the beginning of the 80’s.
I liked their earlier stuff.
The Guitar on “Riding the Storm Out” is amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHu-SqUqoak
To be honest, though I love the 5 or 6 songs I earlier linked to, particularly the 5 in the post you are replying to, I've yet found any others of theirs that I really like. Then again, I haven't tried looking for others until now. But I went through a good number last night via YouTube. Anyway, I'll give this one you mentioned (Golden Country) a shot. Thanks. :)
Probably, I think drugs and booze played a part, so sad.
Just gave it a listen and wasn’t too crazy about it. Sounded too hard rock coming from them. I prefer their style on the tunes I linked to earlier. Not that I don't like hard rock, I definitely do. But, for some reason, just not coming from them.
R.E.O Speedwagon - (Golden Country) Check it out! Gary eats frets for breakfast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR8CnXn8LY0
That vid is better than the one I posted above.
Reposting yours:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVFgEBq0EKM
REO TWO is still one of my all time favorite road trip albums. Richrath tears it up through out.
Most of the groups of this sort and others had that look. Some wore women's makeup!
REO Speedwagon - Keep The Fire Burnin’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gY_SbSIG0U
REO Speedwagon - Don’t Let Him Go
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5lBzKGSxNA
REO Speedwagon - Can’t Fight This Feeling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpOULjyy-n8
REO Speedwagon - Keep on Loving You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJzNZ1c5C9c
REO Speedwagon - Take It On The Run
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l9ZbnzUUKg
This one, not as much, but still good...
REO Speedwagon - Roll With The Changes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8u4R4VZp1o
RIP Gary
Hopefully you are rockin’ up that heavenly chorus at this very moment!
ETL, how could you forget Ridin’ the storm out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVFgEBq0EKM
I was always (still am) more of a metal fan and so were most of my friends. REO was one of my diversions from my own norm... and it wasn’t cool to like mainstream music at that time. This guy had just excellent models, his setup was something to envy. Even more today, that wailing/feedback and grungy distortion.. and most especially his transitions were just freekin awesome, he was an artist when it came to transitions. I never get tired of listening to REO and it is mostly because of him. It’s very energetic
Please pardon me ETL.
I see now, it had already been posted.
It was one of those that I hadn't heard until yesterday. I gave it a try. Didn't care too much for it.
Not by me. I wasn't too crazy about it, as it wasn't in the style (of theirs) that I like.
Wasn't much to it, really. Les Paul, wah pedal, Marshall JMP. But his playing was tasteful and melodic, powerful when it needed to be, even in the ballads. He was nailing Slash's tone a decade before Slash ever hit the scene.
That is a stretch
Sadly, Richrath will be remembered by many for the band's worst, last (and most popular) hit song, the sappy ballad, "I Can't Fight this Feeling."
It was the song that drove Richrath from the band he started. He wanted to play rock. Vocalist Kevin Cronin wanted to cash big checks. Cronin won.
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