We didnt set out to write a concept album, but the songs do hang together conceptually, because we were all going through similar things. It was the first song where I thought, Wow, I kind of like this song (laughs). "I had my eyes closed the whole time picturing my brother. "When Gregg left the band in 1977, he took with him the prog-leaning extended instrumental section aspect of the REO sound," Cronin wrote. But the records that came before it, the songs that our fans already knew about, like Keep Pushin and Roll With The Changes and Time For Me To Fly which hadnt really been hits, but our fans knew about them. As time went on, and my buddy broke up with her, we still remained friends. In 2007, REO Speedwagon released Find Your Own Way Home, their first new album in eleven years. So when I finished Cant Fight This Feeling, I realized that yeah, Ive gotta make this move. Ive gotta do what Im saying in this songIve got to make this happen. DK: Besides some of your big hits, what are some of your songs that are your favorites? [1] Ozark, a dark, violent drama about family both the crime and blood variety is not the kind of show where youd expect to hear the light classic rock stylings of REO Speedwagon. And there were some radio stations in the Midwest that were playing those songs. I think it's a combination of both. And the journey continues. But this year I think I need to start tapping into the creative side of my being, because otherwise it starts exploding (laughs) in other ways. I wrote Keep On Loving You, Cant Fight This Feeling and Roll With The Changes on the piano. Cronin: Yeah, I think so. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from Coffy to Jackie Brown. Cronin: I actually wrote that song as I was traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles, when I rejoined the band; I left the band for a couple years. Its a blessing because Ive always got myself (laughs). You have an entire episode of Ozark named after you (Kevin Cronin Was Here) and you and the band perform Time for Me to Fly in it. We were all psyched up. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. REO Speedwagon has released a number of successful albums, including 1980s Hi Infidelity,which sold 10 million copies in the United States. When they wrote those songs, they were just trying to write good . Search instead in. I remember where I was when I wrote that song. Additionally, I've been playing music for the better part of 14 years. And when I had that realization, I went down to my piano room and I wrote the B section and the chorus in about 15 minutes. Can't Fight This Feeling On Friday, as the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin for George Floyd's murder continued in Minneapolis, REO lead singer Kevin Cronin joined LaTonya and others for a vigil honoring George, 46, at The Community of Faith Church in Houston, where Cronin and LaTonya stood on stage and sang the song together. Songwriting and music has always been my savior in that way. Cronin, like the rest of the band, earned a reputation as a party animal. Gary Richrath, a former guitarist for the classic rock band REO Speedwagon who also co-wrote the group's hit song . He discovered his love for music at an early age, and spent most of his time outside of school honing his guitar skills. I just really felt like it was a two-person job [this past year] more than ever. I had a little red Wurlitzer electric piano that Id had since I was in high school. In fact, the group's best-selling album is Hi Infidelity. I didn't know what to make of it. Zelenskyy on Anniversary of Russian War. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. Well, then you're going to love this blog post! Cronin: I was kind of a late bloomer with the ladies. 'Heartland' Actor Robert Cormier Dead at 33 Lead Singer of REO Speedwagon: 'Memba Him? The song was remixed for the re-release to have more Pop appeal. Theres something going on emotionally for me, usually some kind of a feeling that I either dont understand yet, or I understand and havent figured out how to express it yet. REO remains a popular live band which tours steadily throughout the U.S. and worldwide. It just has this huge history to it. Now, hes hoping to repeat the success of that classic track, albeit on the printed page. Then on the day that Eric and I were supposed to co-write, I literally woke up that morning and I felt like I had the flu. Are you and the band working on a new studio album? Whether you're young or old, everyone loves a good song about memories and good times. He goes, [Spanish accent] This is bullst. When you were recording Hi Infidelity, did you and the band feel that this was your best album up to that point? "When the call came in for us to appear in, REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin on the band's surprising. (1972), but it was rough sledding, and while they were making their third album, Ridin' the Storm Out (1973), he left over conflict with guitarist Gary Richrath and other creative tensions . Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon performs at the Illinois Bicentennial party at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois, December 3, 2018. But then looking back on it, and now seeing the impact that Cant Fight This Feeling has had on my life, the life of everyone in the REO Speedwagon family, the lives of people whom Ive never met all over the worldpeople have played that song at their weddings. I remember that I sat down on the floor of my bedroom, and I was literally almost in tears. At that time, my [twin] sons were 19 and my daughter was 22. Honestly, when I finished that song, I was really youngI was 18 or 19 when I wrote that song. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Since starting his career at the age of 19 as the house drummer on Saturday Night Live, hes graduated into, Read More 10 Things You Didnt Know about Steve JordanContinue, If youre a fan of rap music, you might be quite familiar with the name DJ Paul. How did it come about? It gave me an outlet for expressing myself when I was very young and didnt know any other way to do it. Then I thoughtyou know what, so be it, then thats how it has to be, because thats what this songs name is. In addition to REO's jaunty 1978 hit Time for Me to Fly being used during a drug cartel kidnapping sequence, the group also makes a cameo, playing a concert at the casino and entering into a money laundering arrangement with Marty (Jason Bateman). She's thinking about what her life would be like without [Marty/Jason Bateman]. Speaking to Guitar World about his favorite piece of kit, he said: People tell me its too valuable to take on tour, but I love playing that guitar so much that I dont care. I felt like I had a fever and my stomach hurt. There was no way we would get together because she was with my friend. But my friend, Sammy Hagar, his brand name is Sammy Hagar. In our episode, my line is, Hey, are there any dentists in the crowd tonight?" 2023 Getty Images. REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. The band is actually mentioned two episodes before you appear. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. It's a time when many young people feel like they are finally becoming adults. achieved significant commercial success during the 1980s. Or maybe it was a little thing to make me feel at home? Kevin Cronin and Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, August 24, 1980. Now Central Louisiana fans will have the chance to hear those songs and more live in concert when REO Speedwagon performs at 7:30 p.m. on March 16 at the Rapides Parish Coliseum. Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, September 10, 1982. Cronin also presented LaTonya with the plaque commemorating the Billboard chart-topping single's 1981 platinum status for sales of more than 1 million copies. Afterwards, she spent time with Cronin, his daughter and his manager. Band members read about that anecdote in PEOPLE and responded by contacting Floyd family attorney, Ben Crump, to say they'd like to give LaTonya a surprise. His initial period with the band proved brief. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Well, it turns out that the casino is on one lake and the Blue Cat on another. Thats another way of doing it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. What are we doing here? I swear to you, all of a sudden from behind one of our road cases pops the ventriloquists dummy. Speedwagon ), or simply REO, is an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. From Austin Butler and Cate Blanchett to a potential Best Supporting Actress toss-up, see who EW thinks will win at the 2023 Oscars. They were told they could either bail him out or Paris would spend the next 4 days in jail. My biggest successes are songs that I write myself. [I think] co-writing is a lot of funit definitely makes the process of songwriting more enjoyable because youre not sitting there by yourself. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. These days, though, its a different story. Having accidentally begun writing his autobiography during REO Speedwagons 2016 tour with Status Quo, the enforced hiatus from touring bought about by the pandemic has made him get serious about it. To hear people say things like this is amazing, said Bruce Hall, bass guitarist and lead and harmony vocalist for REO Speedwagon. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. Its funnyeven though it was 35 years ago, it still feels like it was just yesterday to me, because I remember writing it so vividly. All Rights Reserved. 12 best REO Speedwagon songs 1. At that point, Cronin decided to dole out some tough love and stop enabling his son. [But] they sent me the first two seasons of the show and I got on the tour bus, got in my bunk and binge-watched. I named my children after they were born and I looked at them, and I saw their little bodies, and they kind of told me what their names should be to some degree. Grazing In The Grass by The Friends Of Distinction was the first big hit to use the phrase "dig it" in the lyric. Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon, and LaTonya Floyd, sister of George Floyd, sing "Keep on Loving You" together at The Community of Faith Church in Houston for a prayer vigil . I never really took any piano lessonsI just messed around with it and figured it out for myself. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Search instead in. The song kind of came first. "We laughed, we joked it was like we knew each other forever. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. I sat there on the floor of my bedroom, and I thought, Alright, what is this song all about? Why cant I name this songwhy cant I write the chorus for this song? It was really my songs that got me the gig. Directed by Arnold Levine, the black-and-white footage was shot at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri at their show on May 13, 1978. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. Cronin: Ive written songs on both, honestly. Turning 17 is a big deal. The 10 Best Ty Dolla Sign Songs of All-Time, The 10 Best Lupe Fiasco Songs of All-Time, The 10 Best 4 Non Blondes Songs of All-Time, The 10 Best Marina and the Diamonds Songs of All-Time, The 10 Best Ruben Blades Songs of All-Time. REO Speedwagon performing on Feb. 5, 1981 in Chicago, Il. George Floyd's Sister Says Trial Reminds Her of Suffering He Endured: 'He Felt Every Ounce of Pain'. I had written some songs before that were okaythey were passable. Maybe it was just the timing of when it was released. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Notably, both Cant Fight This Feeling and Keep On Loving You reached number one on Billboards Hot 100 singles chart, and became two of the most popular rock ballads of the 1980s. The MCUs tiniest heroes are kicking off its biggest phase yet, setting up the next several years of storytelling. He was a member of the band when it released its self-titled debut in 1971 and was with REO Speedwagon until 1989. This album contains four US top hits and has sold more than 10 million copies! You have entered an incorrect email address! So when theres chaos in your personal life, then you look to the band for that security. But I was looking at the discography of your hits, and I noticed that you wrote your biggest hits by yourself. Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream? Up until then, the songwriting was credited to the whole bandthat they all wrote the songs togetherbut I think the truth was that it was mostly Gary who would spark (the songs creation) and then the band would get together and jam and finish it. I gotta tell ya, I see the name REO Speedwagon all the time, but I don't often see my own name there. Its kind of a blessing and a curse. https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/cantfightthisfeeling.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/keeponlovingyou.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/takeitontherun.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/rollwiththechanges.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/timeformetofly.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/dontlethimgo.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/keepthefireburnin.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/inmydreams.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/onelonelynight.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/inyourletter.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/keeppushin.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/backontheroadagain.html, Rock Music: 49 Different Types and Their Characteristics, Loverboy Greatest Hits: The 17 Best Songs of All Time, 42 Songs About the Experience of Being 17, 48+ Songs About Good Times and Memories to Look Back On. Among other things, the memoir promises to lift the lid on Cronins troubled relationship with bandmate Gary Richrath, who died from complications following surgery in 2016. They sent me the script. Cronin: The first album that I made with them was an album called R.E.O./T.W.O., which was our second album. "Pretty In Pink" by Psychedelic Furs was released in 1981. These are ten things you didnt, Read More 10 Things You Didnt Know about Andrew BaenaContinue, Angel Vivaldi is a New Jersey-based progressive metal guitarist, composer, producer, environmentalist, and philanthropist. 1 of 13. But at the end of the episode, Marty gets dragged out of our concert and you don't know what happens to him until the next episode, where he's in Mexico. Does anyone call you The Wagon? If someone swipes it, that would be total bad karma for them. Basically, the only songs I can play on piano are those that I wrote (he laughs). Yet Im thinking this song is so important to me and I think its got the potential to be a real special song in the world, but this title is going to kill it. So if the viewer remembers that this is a dental convention, that line is kind of funny. According to legend, Cronin thrashed out the lyrics to REO Speedwagons Roll With the Changes on the back of a trash bag. Have you ever played a dental convention or equally oddball gig? Then as many of my songs do, I write them and then I kind of learn about myself when Im finished with them. The first time I was introduced to her, when I saw herit was that love at first sight feeling. says the actress. Because I had a couple lines, they gave me the script, and it didn't dawn on me at first, but then I noticed the name of the episode was Kevin Cronin Was Here. I thought that was just a working title. We started out as friends. Showing Editorial results for kevin cronin of reo speedwagon. The album contained four Top 40 hits: Keep On Loving You and Dont Let Him Go (written by Cronin), plus Take It On The Run and In Your Letter (written by lead guitarist Gary Richrath, who left REO in 1989 and sadly passed away in 2015). For our episode, they had me on stage delivering a couple of lines. Guess what he looks like now! In addition to being in the band Carcosa, he has also been in Galactic Pegasus and One More Slice. It was monumental.". In addition, his songs Roll With The Changes and Keep The Fire Burning have had an enduring impact, becoming rock anthems which convey positive and uplifting lyric themes. Who do you think is listening: old fans who were reminded of REO by the show, or young listeners just discovering the band? He guards that guitar with his life., The COVID lockdowns havent exactly been pleasant, but through adversity, comes opportunity, and in Cronins case, hes relished the chance to reconnect with his family. Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon performs at the Illinois Bicentennial party at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois, December 3, 2018. The band REO Speedwagon, which originated in Champaign, Illinois, in 1967, consists of original member Neal Doughty, 67; Kevin Cronin and Bruce Hall, who joined in the 1970s; and Dave Amato and Brian Hitt, who came aboard in 1989. REOSpeedwagonPlans HiInfidelty30thAnniversary Reissue, Tour. Warning: This article contains spoilers forOzarkseason 3. When we play Time for Me to Fly in concert, it's always one of those songs that gets a big response. 1980 - Present43 years. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for REO Speedwagon CD Lot! REO Speedwagon's 1971 debut album was with their original lead singer, Terry Luttrell. Michael Bryan Murphy took his place, and remained with the band until Cronin stepped back up to the mic in January 1976. So when I came to Los Angeles I really wanted to feel the journey. Scott Weiland, lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, died December 3 at age 48. Cronin managed to reach $350,000 before being eliminated after forgetting the lyrics to Donna Summers Last Dance.. Thanks to their appearance, REO songs "Keep On Loving You," "Can't Fight This Feeling," "Time for Me to Fly," and "Take It On the Run" have all re-entered Billboard's Hot Rock Songs chart. "Gregg . "If I want to see if . When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. How a gym teacher, a janitor, and a junkie became part of some very famous band names. By subscribing, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. In addition to REO's jaunty 1978 hit 'Time for Me . Fortunately, I stumbled into my home studio, which was a very humble little studio back in those days. Cronin: We talked about Music Manthat song has a very special place for me because it kind of got me the gig. There was this girl in Chicago who Im still in touch with to this daywere still friends. He might still occasionally enjoy the odd glass of wine at dinner, but he makes sure to drink it by the glass rather than the bottle. Michael Murphy (actor) (born 1938), American actor Mike Murphy (musician) (1946-2006), American drummer for the Bee Gees and Chicago Michael Bryan Murphy, lead singer of REO Speedwagon; Michael John Murphy, American folk musician; Mike L. Murphy (born 1975), American film maker and animator; Michael Murphy (singer) (born 1986), New Zealand Idol runner up This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. When you write a song, you have no idea the journey that song may or may not take you on. 10 Things You Didnt Know about Andrew Baena, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Angel Vivaldi, The Top 10 Ice Nine Kills Songs From The Silver Scream, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Steve Jordan. 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards. This song, even though it wasnt finished yet, meant so much to me and it was such a big part of who I am, that I just knew that I wanted to finish this song myself. 2023 Getty Images. So we wrote that into the script. Kevin Cronin is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and occasional pianist for the American rock band REO Speedwagon.