In a recent Facebook post, Bruce Hall talked about REO Speedwagon’s origins.
“Hey guys. There’s a whole lotta misinformation getting thrown out there and one thing l’ve got to address is how I joined REO Speedwagon,” the bassist said, sharing a photo from his early music career. “Long before either one of us were in REO, Gary joined the band I was in called ‘Feather Train.'”
He continued, “This is that band. (I’m sitting on the far left and Gary’s sitting on the far right) It’s actually how Gary ended up moving to Champaign. REO was the biggest band on campus and when Steve Scorfina quit, Gary immediately joined.”
“When he left Feather Train, he promised me we’d play again. I was in high school when Gary and I recorded demos for REO. I also co-wrote the title track ‘Lost in a Dream’ in 1974 BEFORE Kevin replaced Mike Murphy,” Hall explained.
The rocker added, again referring to Gary Richrath, “Make no mistake, Gary brought BOTH Kevin and I into REO Speedwagon. We both should honor his legacy with the truth and continue to be grateful.”
A fan wrote in the comments, “I hope the best for Bruce and I wish they can make their differences work in REO Speedwagon. If not, then, Bruce himself can have a solo career as he has proven that he’s a great singer, a great guitarist and has great potential to launch his own solo career.”
“I don’t have any desire to go solo at this point,” the musician revealed in his response. “We all deserve the real REO Speedwagon and that includes Kevin as our lead singer. I won’t stop hoping he has a change of heart. Our legacy deserves a better ending.”
When asked by music journalist Mitch Lafon about starting a new REO and touring without Kevin Cronin last month, Hall replied, “Mitch, I don’t want to honestly. REO is our band and Kevin should always be our lead singer. Fans deserve the real deal, not another tribute band.”
Hall was set to return in 2025 after health issues, but Cronin opposed it. This led to a deadlock, and the band decided to retire the REO Speedwagon name after a final show on December 21. Since Hall and Neal Doughty outvoted him, Cronin chose to tour under his own name with the band’s final lineup.
