Posted on 09/13/2015 10:20:10 PM PDT by Drew68
He made it look fun.
Just viewed some recent pics of him....he did not look anything like back in their heyday.
He had been pretty much a recluse since the mid 90s. Came on stage a couple of years back with REO as a guest. Nobody has seen him in ages. Played a couple of songs with his old band. Wasn't looking good at all.
It's a shame he couldn't pull it together. He was a phenomenal guitar player in his heyday.
Yet another one gone!
My favorites of theirs are:
I Can’t Fight This Feeling, Keep The Fire Burnin’, Take It On The Run, Keep On Loving You, Don’t Let Him Go
Thanks for the great tunes!
RIP!
Ping!
Saw them in concert in 75-76, they were the warmup act for Tower of Power. One of the best concerts I ever attended. Fond memories of driving on the Autobahn with “Roll with the Changes” blasting from my speakers.
Great bands bring back great memories. REO reminds me of when I started realizing girls weren’t really so yucky to look at, especially on hot summer days.
I’ve seen them at least 4 times in recent years and they are a blast every time.
Thanks for the memories Gary, Kevin, and REO!
REO Discography: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/reo-speedwagon-mn0000327735/discography
It seems they put a few albums out and then, finally hit the pop charts with some successful singles.
“Richrath wrote many of the band’s songs including “Golden Country” from 1972, “Ridin’ the Storm Out” (1973), “Only the Strong Survive” (1979) and “Take It On the Run” from 1981.[1] In 1977, he and other members of the band took over their own production, which resulted in the band’s first platinum album.
Richrath sang several REO Speedwagon songs including “Find My Fortune” (1973) and “(Only A) Summer Love” (1976). He left REO Speedwagon in 1989,[2] and released a solo album titled Only the Strong Survive in 1992 under the name “Richrath.”
On November 22, 2013, REO and Styx announced a benefit concert titled “Rock to the Rescue” to raise money for the affected families of the tornado in central Illinois. The concert was held on December 4, 2013 in Bloomington, Illinois. Gary Richrath reunited with REO for a performance of “Ridin’ the Storm Out” to end REO’s set at the sold-out concert. Gary stayed on stage to help with the encore of “With a Little Help From My Friends” along with REO, Styx, Richard Marx, and others. Gary is originally from the town of East Peoria which was damaged during the storm. Families affected by the storm and first-responders sat near the stage for this special concert and REO reunion.
On September 13th, 2015 Richrath died. Kevin Cronin posted on the REO Speedwagon facebook that day confirming the death of Richrath”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Richrath
” REO reminds me of when I started realizing girls weren’t really so yucky to look at, especially on hot summer days.
I’ve seen them at least 4 times in recent years and they are a blast every time.
“
Girls or REO?
Arena Rock?? Right. Was that the heyday of it?
Left myself open for that, didn’t I?
:)
Nice! Never knew that.
REO was founded by Ransom E. Olds the of Oldsmobile also.
REO is supposed to play in my area on the 16th. Gary Richrath was a great musician & songwriter.
the “founder”.
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
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