REO Speedwagon bassist Bruce Hall paid an emotional tribute to the band’s late lead guitarist, Gary Richrath, marking 11 years since his passing.
The tribute reflected on the impact Richrath had on Hall’s life and career, expressing gratitude for their years together in the band.
“11 years gone. Sure do miss him,” Bruce Hall said. “You meet a lot of people during your lifetime…some come and go….some are incredibly special….some change the course of your life. Forever grateful.”
Fans quickly responded to the post with their own memories of Richrath’s contributions to the band. One commenter wrote, “The charisma from Gary is unmatched by any other guitarist! Bruce, you & Gary were an insane force together!” Another fan added, “Gary was incredibly underrated as a guitar player. REO Speedwagon has been my favorite band since I first heard Roll With the Changes back in ’78, and it was Gary’s sound that got me hooked.”
Richrath’s legacy as one of rock’s most influential yet underappreciated guitarists runs deep, rooted in nearly two decades of work that shaped REO Speedwagon’s signature sound.
Richrath joined REO Speedwagon in 1970. He remained the band’s lead guitarist and a primary songwriter until 1989. During that nearly 20-year run, he wrote or co-wrote many of the group’s biggest hits, including “Ridin’ the Storm Out,” “Keep on Lovin’ You,” “Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight,” and “Take It on the Run.” That song reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981.
Those songs, drawn largely from the band’s 1980 album “Hi Infidelity,” helped propel REO Speedwagon to the height of its commercial success. They also cemented Richrath’s reputation as the creative force behind the band’s signature blend of hard-edged rock and radio-friendly hooks.
Richrath left REO Speedwagon in 1989 following long-standing personality conflicts within the band. He then launched a solo career, forming the Gary Richrath Band and continuing to write music largely outside the spotlight.
He died on September 13, 2015, at the age of 65. His passing prompted the surviving members of REO Speedwagon to dedicate future performances to his memory. The band has said it intends to continue the tradition indefinitely, in recognition of his lasting influence on their music.
