Kevin Cronin recently opened up about the challenges he’s facing while touring under his own name instead of REO Speedwagon. He shared his candid thoughts in an interview with Ultimate Classic Rock.
The REO Speedwagon frontman discussed the difficulties of performing without the band’s iconic branding. He also reflected on the uncertainty he feels about his future plans.
“This tour has been a delight, but not without its challenges,” Cronin said. “It’s not easy going out as the Kevin Cronin Band, I will tell you.”
He emphasized the significant impact of the REO Speedwagon brand recognition on ticket sales.
“You can’t overestimate the power of the name REO Speedwagon and that ubiquitous, winged logo,” he continued. “They mean a lot to people. I can sit here and say that the Kevin Cronin band is doing the same thing until I’m blue in the face, but when people see the Kevin Cronin Band, there’s a question – ‘I wonder what this is gonna be?’ – whereas if you see REO Speedwagon and the winged logo on the bill, it’s ‘I know what that is.'”
Cronin also reflected on the uncertainty he faces regarding his career direction.
“I don’t know what I want to do next,” he admitted. “I’m really kind of a goal-oriented person, so the hard part is for the past 50 years, at the end of each tour, I’m used to already know what the next tour’s going to be, or the next album or whatever. At the end of this tour it’ll be the first time that I’m not in that situation, that I don’t have a real, concrete goal that I’m working towards. So I’m trying to steel myself to that and do as much work, personally, in advance of that so that I’m ready for when it happens.”
Last year, Cronin announced he would not tour under the REO Speedwagon name due to irreconcilable differences with longtime bassist Bruce Hall. He is currently on a solo tour that includes performances with Styx.
Riverbend Music Center reported that Cronin is currently performing on the “Brotherhood of Rock” tour alongside Styx. He presents the entire 1980 album Hi Infidelity, along with other classic hits. This tour format echoes the success of his recent Las Vegas residency, allowing fans to experience the full scope of REO Speedwagon’s most commercially successful album.
Despite the branding challenges, Cronin’s performances continue to generate strong audience responses. Rock DNA Magazine noted that recent shows have demonstrated that his performances still carry the energy and enthusiasm reminiscent of REO Speedwagon’s heyday. Audiences respond with comparable excitement to the band’s peak years.
However, the current tour may mark the end of an era for Cronin’s extensive touring schedule. Ultimate Classic Rock revealed that Cronin has announced that after the current tour concludes in August 2025, the Kevin Cronin Band will largely cease touring as a full unit. While select dates may still occur, including the Rock Legends Cruise 2026 and private events, this represents a significant dismantling of the touring apparatus he has maintained for decades.
The transition from REO Speedwagon to the Kevin Cronin Band highlights the complex relationship between artist identity and brand recognition in the music industry. For Cronin, who has spent five decades building his career around the REO Speedwagon name, the challenge of establishing a new identity while maintaining his musical legacy presents both creative and commercial obstacles. These obstacles extend far beyond simple name recognition.
