Bruce Hall has released new information backing up claims that Kevin Cronin’s need for control led to the end of REO Speedwagon. Music journalist Mitch Lafon asked Hall to share a letter from Cronin’s lawyer, and Hall agreed, replying with a simple “Here you go.”
The letter said that one shareholder, assumed to be Kevin Cronin, felt there was an impasse between him and the other two shareholders, Bruce Hall and Neal Doughty. “(SHAREHOLDER 1)’s just not willing to be the front man of a performing group where he doesn’t effectively have a final say over its public presentation,” it stated.
The letter also mentioned that Cronin had required his vote to be necessary for any future use of the REO Speedwagon name. “This is totally consistent with the fact that his vote is required over any ‘future use of the Group Name,’ which was insisted upon by (SHAREHOLDER 1) so that he always had the ability to maintain a standard of Group excellence and protect the value of its trademark.”
“It doesn’t have to be the only say, but he has to be able to veto anything that he sincerely believes doesn’t live up to the standards he has always maintained for this group over forty successful years,” it added.
According to the text, Cronin decided that REO Speedwagon’s 2024 tour would be its last and he would stop performing with the band on January 1, 2025. “Since all future ‘live’ activities of (BAND NAME) require (SHAREHOLDER 1)’s vote along with one other shareholder, this effectively means they’ll be no more live (BAND NAME) shows after this year.”
“In the interim, everyone, including all the spouses, should honor the confidentiality restrictions contained in the band agreements and not speak or otherwise communicate publicly about this matter until the ‘official’ announcement is made.”
These new details contradict Cronin’s earlier statements. Last month, Cronin claimed on Facebook that he never resigned from REO Speedwagon. He explained that he and Bruce Hall couldn’t agree on the band’s future direction.
Since Neal Doughty sided with Hall and the vote was 2-1 against him, the singer had no choice but to tour under the Kevin Cronin Band name starting in 2025. He stated that he wanted to continue REO Speedwagon’s legacy but was not allowed to use the band’s name. So, he wanted to keep the band’s spirit alive through his new brand.
The final REO Speedwagon concert happened on December 21, 2024, at the Venetian in Las Vegas.
The other day I asked REO SPEEDWAGON’s BRUCE HALL for a copy of the letter KEVIN / his reps sent in 2024. I got this and a “Here you go” message from Bruce. I haven’t reached out to Kevin’s people. pic.twitter.com/Ah1zOHCQ0F
— Mitch Lafon (@mitchlafon) March 2, 2025
