I forgot to note that Gary Richrath, founding member of REO Speedwagon died last Sunday. He was only 65. After he left REO in 1989 (that long ago?) the group sucked because the jerkweed who replaced him was nowhere near the guitarist that he was. I saw them at a Braves game a couple of years ago and left before their set was over. That’s how bad they were without Gary. Gary could really make his guitar sing. I saw them live back in the ’80’s in St. Louis, at the height of their popularity. Since they came from Champagne Illinois they got a lot of airplay in St. Louis on KSHE before they hit it big nationally. I still maintain that their second album was their best. RIP Gary. You now get to jam with a lot of greats in the afterlife.
Little Queenie from their second album R.E.O/T.W.O. Boots Randolph on Sax.
Damn shame. I also saw them several times in the late 70’s & early 80’s
when I was young and living in the KCMO area.
The man could really play. RIP.
I just saw a YouTube video where he did a reunion with them in 2013 for a benefit concert. He was really, really fat. Talk about letting oneself go.
I saw that too. He was really obese. I didn’t believe my eyes.
I was at that concert and if they had not introduced him I would not have known who it was. I saw them several times in the 70’s and 80’s.
Gary and Kevin are the iconic faces of an iconic American band from the golden age of rock guitar. He played some great licks and had a great stage persona, but I just saw some images of him from recent years and obviously his health was not very good.
The years are catching up to us ’70s rockers and I’m no exception. I better get back on that exercise bike and clean up my act!