REO Speedwagon bassist Bruce Hall recently shared ambitious plans for the band’s future. He discussed the possibility of incorporating the next generation into the group’s legacy. According to Harmless Dave, Hall outlined a vision that could reshape how classic rock bands transition their leadership.
When asked about avoiding an endless farewell tour, Hall explained his preference for a more definitive conclusion to the band’s touring cycle. However, he revealed that the band is exploring alternative ideas for keeping REO Speedwagon’s music alive beyond the current lineup.
“I’d love to do that,” Hall said in response to the question about a final show. “And then there’s some other ideas in the works, but I’m not sure how to go about talking about those yet. But it seems like a lot of companies they start a business and then their kids take over. I think it would be kind of interesting to see.”
Hall pointed to the family connections within the band as a potential foundation for this succession plan. “Kevin’s got two boys and I have a son and a daughter. There might be a way to actually incorporate them into this whole thing and let them continue forward. But it’s just a pipe dream. Who knows? But that’s something I’d like to see. It’s never been done that I know of, but it would be fun to see it continue forward with the music.”
The bassist emphasized the enduring appeal of REO Speedwagon’s catalog and its multi-generational fanbase. “I think the songs the people love the songs. The music has proven that it’s been accepted and it’s part of people’s lives. And I think that we see fans all the time out in the crowd that have brought their children and the children have grown up with this music too. And so I believe that they would enjoy our babies continuing forward if that’s a possibility.”
Hall noted that Kevin Cronin’s son Shane possesses vocal qualities similar to his father. This makes the concept more feasible. “Kevin has a son, Shane, who sounds just like him. It’s something that we’ve tossed around. My wife and I have definitely thought about this idea and I think, well, it’s never been tried. I mean I’ve seen where like you said it’s been done somewhat but not a whole band taken over a whole band and let them continue forward as REO Speedwagon. I think that would be fantastic.”
While Hall’s vision for a family-led continuation of REO Speedwagon represents an intriguing concept, the band’s recent history provides important context. Understanding the current state of the legendary rock group and the challenges that may lie ahead for any succession plan is essential.
REO Speedwagon announced in September 2024 that the band would cease touring as of January 2025. This decision came due to “irreconcilable differences” between longtime members Kevin Cronin and Bruce Hall, as well as health issues affecting Hall, the Los Angeles Times reported. This split marked a significant turning point for the band, which had been performing together for decades and built a devoted fanbase across multiple generations.
Despite the touring hiatus, the band’s legacy has continued in new forms. After the final show on December 21, 2024, Kevin Cronin and the remaining touring members formed the Kevin Cronin Band. They continue performing REO Speedwagon hits, thus maintaining the band’s legacy in a new configuration, AXS noted. This development suggests that while the original REO Speedwagon may have concluded its touring era, the music and the band’s influence continue to evolve.
Interestingly, despite the tensions that led to the band’s touring retirement, Cronin and Hall reunited for special events. They notably performed at the University of Illinois Homecoming in September 2025, where the classic lineup performed together for the first time since December 1988, Ultimate Classic Rock reported. This ceremonial reunion demonstrated that while the members may have moved forward with separate projects, the possibility of occasional reunions remains open.
However, Hall’s vision of a full family succession plan faces an important reality check. Currently, there is no evidence of a formal family succession plan or the introduction of next-generation family members as band members for REO Speedwagon or its offshoots, Wikipedia indicates. While Hall’s idea of passing the torch to the next generation is creative and emotionally resonant, transforming it into reality would require overcoming the current tensions within the band. It would also require establishing a clear framework for how such a transition would work.
Despite these challenges, Hall’s proposal represents a unique and forward-thinking approach to preserving a classic rock legacy. Whether the family succession plan remains a “pipe dream” or evolves into something more concrete will likely depend on how the band’s members navigate their current differences. It will also depend on whether they can find common ground on the band’s future direction.
