The Illinois Fighting Illini will honor the band
The classic REO Speedwagon lineup of Kevin Cronin, Bruce Hall, Neal Doughty, and Alan Gratzer will reunite for a special show in their home state of Illinois. On September 27th, the Illinois Marching Illini will honor the group in Champaign, where they formed the band in 1967.
“REO Speedwagon is coming back to campus, the place where it all began, to lead this year’s Illinois Homecoming Parade as our grand marshals on Friday, Sept. 26,” Hall shares on Facebook. “The band members will also participate in game day as the pregame Siren Sounders and will take the field with Barry Houser and the Marching Illini to collaborate on a one-of-a-kind REO-themed halftime show that will feature a medley of the band’s hit songs.”
When a fan commented about Terry Luttrell and Mike Murphy appearing, Hall says, “[N]ot at this time. They requested the classic lineup. It’s really all about Neal and Alan being alumni and starting our amazing band at the university in 1967! What a homecoming for them!!! As the only owner born and raised in Champaign….I’m so proud to return to my hometown!!”
Cronin says, despite their recent differences, he’s looking forward to appearing at the event.
“I am honored to have been approached by representatives of the University of Illinois and invited to appear on the field for the Homecoming Game halftime show on September 27. The Marching Illini will be performing three REO Speedwagon songs, as Alan, Neal, and Bruce play along; it has been too many years to count since the four of us have all been together!” Cronin writes on Facebook. “As a songwriter, there are few greater honors than to hear other artists and musicians perform my songs. I know I will be looking on in awe as the four hundred-plus Marching Illini pay tribute to the music of REO Speedwagon with an all-REO halftime presentation.”
The band members will also participate in game day as the pregame Siren Sounders and will take the field with Barry Houser and the Marching Illini to collaborate on a one-of-a-kind REO-themed halftime show featuring a medley of the band’s hit songs.
The Homecoming parade begins at 6 pm on Friday, September 26th, at the corner of Fourth Street and Kirby Avenue. It will head west on Gregory Drive and turn south on First Street. Immediately following the parade, a post-parade party featuring food, music, and fireworks will take place in Lot 31.
In late 2024, REO Speedwagon announced that they would be ceasing their touring career due to “irreconcilable differences” between Cronin and Hall.
This “feud” was different from the earlier creative tensions between Cronin and guitarist Gary Richrath. It stemmed from a complex situation involving Hall’s recovery from back surgery.
Hall had back surgery and was recovering, with a fill-in bassist, Matt Bissonette, taking his place on tour. While Hall was expected to return to the road, a consensus among some band members, including Cronin, was that he had not recovered sufficiently to perform at the level the band and fans expected.
Hall wanted to return to the band, but Cronin reportedly advised him to sit out the rest of the year. This disagreement led to the “irreconcilable differences” that were cited in the band’s official announcement. According to Cronin, he was “outvoted” on the decision to end the touring career of REO Speedwagon.
The band’s touring effectively ended at the beginning of 2025. Cronin announced that he would continue to tour with the same lineup that had been performing as REO Speedwagon (minus Hall), but under the name The Kevin Cronin Band. This new project would carry on the legacy of REO Speedwagon’s songs.
Earlier this year, the group reunited for a charity concert in Champaign without Cronin. Doughty, Gratzer, Hall, Luttrell, Murphy, and Scorfina said a “proper goodbye” during a one-night-only event in June. Cronin was absent as he was on tour at the time on the Brotherhood of Rock Tour with Styx.
From 1977 to 1989, REO Speedwagon released nine consecutive albums all certified platinum or higher. To date, REO Speedwagon has sold more than 40 million albums around the globe.
