REO Speedwagon has officially stopped touring, but this doesn’t mean they are permanently stopping themselves from making music.
In response to fan concerns about the band’s future, Kevin Cronin took to Facebook to clear things up. In the comments section of a lengthy post he made two weeks ago about the band’s new direction, a fan shared their gratitude. “Rock on. REO has been an inspiration (positive vibes) for me for 50 years. Thank you,” the fan commented.
Cronin replied by addressing the fan’s comment and giving insight into the band’s future. “The name REO Speedwagon is being retired… the music and the spirit of REO lives on through the hard work and dedication of Dave Amato, Bryan Hitt, Derek Hilland, Matt Bissonette, and me,” he said.
He went on to explain that his name will now represent the new phase for the band, and he reassured fans that the group, along with their crew, is sticking together. “My name now represents this awesome band, crew, and organization… all of whom are sticking together through this transition and into 2025 and beyond.” He ended his message by thanking fans for their support as they move into the future of their music journey.
REO Speedwagon has played their final show under the band’s name on December 22. The 15-song setlist covered their entire 1980s, including the 10-time platinum-certified album ‘Hi Infidelity,’ featuring the hit ‘Keep On Loving You.’ The band ended their career with an encore performance of ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling’ and ‘Roll With the Changes.’
The final shows have taken place amid public tension, with ‘irreconcilable differences’ between Cronin and bassist Bruce Hall causing Hall to miss this year’s performances.
Hall recently shared in another Facebook comment that no one forced Cronin to rebrand and explained why Cronin left the band. “Get the facts straight please. He did not found this band. No one forced him to rebrand. He decided he wanted to tour with the sub bassist instead of me. The other two owners said ‘no’ and I was scheduled to return in 2025…so he quit. He and he alone did this. I wanted nothing more than to continue to tour after my scheduled, successful back surgery. I’ve been cleared to play since January,” he explained.
Hall joined the band in 1977 and played on their breakthrough album ‘You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish.’ He had hoped to return after recovering from back surgery. However, he was replaced on the final tour by session bassist Matt Bissonette.
The band will tour this year on the Brotherhood of Rock tour with Styx and former Eagles guitarist Don Felder.
