REO Speedwagon broke up this yr as a result of “irreconcilable variations” (and have been after all included in our annual in memoriam video). It wasn’t Kevin Cronin’s concept. Forward of the band’s last present, which is able to happen Dec. 21 on the Venetian in Las Vegas, the REO frontman spoke to Billboard about his future profession plans, mentioning that he by no means supposed to leap off the Speedwagon.
“By no means in my wildest desires did I ever see this coming,” Cronin instructed Billboard. “I didn’t need to finish REO Speedwagon. That is unhappy, and I might do something in my energy to proceed (as) REO Speedwagon. I by no means give up the band; I by no means will give up the band. I simply acquired outvoted and… should cease calling it REO Speedwagon on the finish of this yr.” He added, “The easy reply is that REO Speedwagon at this level is a three-person partnership…and I’ve one vote. So if I get outvoted then I’ve to simply accept that, whether or not I prefer it or not. I’ll be trustworthy with you — I don’t prefer it. However I’ve to simply accept it…I might do every part in my energy to have the ability to proceed with REO Speedwagon however, when a vote is taken, you need to reside with the outcomes.”
Those that outvoted Cronin have been bassist Bruce Corridor and keyboardist Neal Doughty. Doughty, REO’s sole remaining founding member, retired from touring in 2023. Corridor took a depart of absence in November of that yr for again surgical procedure; Matt Bissonette has crammed in since then. Corridor and Doughty retained possession curiosity in REO together with Cronin and determined to tug the plug — which makes some form of sense, since neither considered one of them is touring as a part of REO proper now.
Cronin will make his solo debut on Jan. 25 in Thackerville, OK and can be a part of subsequent summer time’s Brotherhood Of Rock tour with Styx and former Eagles guitarist Don Felder.
