The news follows the band’s decision to end due to a dispute
REO Speedwagon frontman Kevin Cronin has announced his first solo show of 2025, performing “The Songs of REO Speedwagon.” The classic rocker will perform on January 25th at Lucas Oil Live at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
“During the late 70s and through the 1980s, Alan Gratzer, Neal Doughty, Bruce Hall, the late great Gary Richrath, and I all formed what our loyal REO Speedwagon fans have come to call the Classic REO line-up,” Cronin shares in a statement. “These current bumps in the road cannot alter our legacy, take away any of what we accomplished together, or change what that music means to our fans. As I go full speed ahead into the REO shows for the next couple of months, and exciting adventures in the new year, I know I have much more music to make, many more songs to sing… and who knows what else the future may bring. Meanwhile, I will continue to do my part in making sure Gary’s songs live on forever. And as the rest of us head off down our own separate paths, I wish everyone only the best in their future adventures and endeavors.”
It’s unclear who will join Cronin on stage following the September announcement that the band will cease touring at the end of 2024. The band says the decision was prompted by a disagreement on when bassist Bruce Hall would return after having back surgery last fall. Matt Bissonette has been on bass throughout this year’s co-headlining trek with Train.
“To our fans: Bruce has intended to be Back On the Road Again by now. If it were up to just him, he’d be back on tour… but it’s not up to just him. The consensus opinion was that he had not recovered sufficiently to be able to perform at the level the fans have come to expect. Bruce respected that opinion and is grateful that Matt has been around to keep the Wagon rolling through the summer tour. Bruce never had any intention of retiring or walking away from the band, fans, and crew he has loved for almost 50 years,” the statement reads.
It continues, “For Kevin’s part, he too has never had any intention of leaving the band, and the fans and crew mean the world to him, as well.
“Due to this complex situation, irreconcilable differences arose between Bruce and Kevin. So, it is with great sadness that we announce REO Speedwagon will cease touring effective January 1, 2025. Neal, Kevin, and Bruce thank their fans for all their years of loyal support and for giving back to the band such wonderful memories that will remain with each of them forever.”
Hall contradicted part of the band’s public statement, stating he’s ready to return, but the band couldn’t come to terms with an agreement.
“Kevin is absolutely the voice. They will have toured a year without me. I’m healed, cleared by my dr and ready to rock. People go on medical leave all the time and return to their jobs. It has nothing to do with money. It would be easy to ‘sell out,’ but I have to respect the wishes of the two founding members (as well as Gary’s family) and protect the brand and legacy. Bottom line is, l’d love nothing more than for REO to continue on…but if Kevin wants to leave, I can’t keep him from doing so,” Hall says.
Hall had also stated independently, “Never ever thought it would end like this and I’m heartbroken. Please know Neal and I did everything in our power to try and keep the Wagon rolling. I am so appreciative of ALL the amazing love & support. You guys have been very vocal and clear in your wishes for me to return to the stage. Trust me…that’s all I wanted too. We all deserved a farewell tour. For the record, I wanted REO Speedwagon to continue to tour with the lineup of Kevin, myself, Dave, Bryan and Derek. Just as it was prior to my necessary, planned and successful back surgery.”
Formed in 1967, signed in 1971, and fronted by iconic vocalist Kevin Cronin since 1972, REO Speedwagon’s unrelenting drive, and non-stop touring and recording jump-started the burgeoning rock movement in the Midwest. Platinum albums and radio staples soon followed, setting the stage for the band’s explosive Hi Infidelity in 1980, which contained the massive hit singles “Keep On Loving You” and “Take It On the Run.” That landmark album spent 15 weeks in the No. 1 slot and has since earned the RIAA’s coveted Diamond Award for surpassing sales of ten million units in the United States..
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.
The group recently wrapped the co-headlining Summer Road Trip with Train last month earlier than expected after Cronin had an emergency surgery that forced the band to cancel two shows.