REO Speedwagon broke up this 12 months as a result of “irreconcilable variations” (and have been in fact included in our annual in memoriam video). It wasn’t Kevin Cronin’s concept. Forward of the band’s ultimate present, which can happen Dec. 21 on the Venetian in Las Vegas, the REO frontman spoke to Billboard about his future profession plans, mentioning that he by no means meant to leap off the Speedwagon.
“By no means in my wildest desires did I ever see this coming,” Cronin advised Billboard. “I didn’t wish to finish REO Speedwagon. That is unhappy, and I’d do something in my energy to proceed (as) REO Speedwagon. I by no means stop the band; I by no means will stop the band. I simply obtained outvoted and… need to cease calling it REO Speedwagon on the finish of this 12 months.” He added, “The straightforward reply is that REO Speedwagon at this level is a three-person partnership…and I’ve one vote. So if I get outvoted then I’ve to just accept that, whether or not I prefer it or not. I’ll be sincere with you — I don’t prefer it. However I’ve to just accept it…I’d do all the things in my energy to have the ability to proceed with REO Speedwagon however, when a vote is taken, you must reside with the outcomes.”
Those that outvoted Cronin have been bassist Bruce Corridor and keyboardist Neal Doughty. Doughty, REO’s sole remaining founding member, retired from touring in 2023. Corridor took a go away of absence in November of that 12 months for again surgical procedure; Matt Bissonette has stuffed in since then. Corridor and Doughty retained possession curiosity in REO together with Cronin and determined to tug the plug — which makes some sort of sense, since neither considered one of them is touring as a part of REO proper now.
Cronin will make his solo debut on Jan. 25 in Thackerville, OK and will likely be a part of subsequent summer time’s Brotherhood Of Rock tour with Styx and former Eagles guitarist Don Felder.
