REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin has responded to the fan concerns about his recent message to the band and the fans.
The rocker shared he was hopeful that the band could be rescued and that he would do anything he could to keep the band going. Some fans didn’t like that Bruce Hall wasn’t performing anymore, and it caused some controversy among the supporting side of the fans.
“I don’t understand why so called REO Speedwagon fans are shaming other fans for still wanting to attend the shows even though Bruce is not performing too. I hope that the coming shows will not be ruined by this toxic negativity,” a user commented under Cronin’s Facebook post. “I believe that love and positive energy always win in the long run. I choose to take the high road, and plan to remain there. Thanks for your support,” the rocker replied.
“What does rescue REO mean? You have always been my favorite but this band drama is really breaking my heart,” another user added. Cronin shared, “It’s breaking my heart, too. Thanks for your support.”
REO Speedwagon decided to stop touring due to a disagreement about bassist Bruce Hall’s return after his back surgery in November. Matt Bissonette has been filling in for him in 2024.
Hall’s wife, Kimmie Sue said the band was a family ‘just like Disney’ and that the brotherhood among the members was real. However, there are still some people that think Cronin has a ‘God complex.’
“It could have ended in a way that they all could have been really proud of,” Gary Richrath’s son Eric wrote on social media. “Instead… it is going to end like this. A lead singer with a God complex has decreed that his opinion is the ‘consensus opinion’…and that’s it. He’s gonna take his ball and go home…”
Later came some fan comments about replacing Cronin. “Replace Kevin then. [The] rest [of the] band is more important than him. Never thought I would need [to] say that,” the fan wrote under a post of the bassist, Bruce Hall. “I would never do that to him. He’s our lead singer just as I am the bassist. Together we are REO. I can’t stop him from leaving though,” Hall replied.
REO Speedwagon has about 20 concerts lined up for 2024, and they recently added new dates. Their last show is currently scheduled to take place on December 21 at The Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas, Nevada, alongside Loverboy.
