AboutKathy Expertise History of the band, their music, lyrics, instrumentation, touring, hits, chart activities, and just about everything else in between.
Experience
REO Speedwagon fan for over 35 years, having attended hundreds of concerts all over the world
Organizations belong to: President of REO FANS, the band's largest fan club with members in all 50 states and 26 countries overseas. Check us out at SPEEDWAGON.INFO and REO-FANS.COM!
Other great REO sites? SPEEDWAGON.INFO: http://Speedwagon.info
REO FANS eGroup: http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/REOFANS
Gary Richrath: http://GaryRichrath.com Gary Richrath eGroup: http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Gary_Richrath
Publications: REO FANS NEWS, Editor & Publisher for the last 15 years
Education/Credentials: Attorney
Awards and Honors: With a 30+ year photographic history of the band, one of her photos was selected to appear on the band's 25th anniversary t-shirts. She was also featured on VH-1's "Rock Collectors" program in January 2000 where her rock photography was displayed.
Question Hi KATHY,
I met my present wife a little before the Champaign County Fair in Fall of 1971 and we both attended the fair and saw both groups...I loved REO and my wife now loved the All Star Frogs :) :)
I remember REO being listed as REO EXPRESS & the All Star Frogs...Am I wrong with this?? I can not find them(REO) called anything but Speedwagon:(
I generally have a great memory for music groups but I may be wrong this time.
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However, I and my wife are sure of this fact that we saw a VAN with **REO's name** on it parked possibly on HILL or Washington ST. area. My wife lived on Harris & Sherwood Terr.(across from Spaulding Park & Franklin Jr. High)...just North-Northwest of van's location on Hill or Wash.
Nancy was born and raised there since 1950. We were curious if this is where Kevin Grew up in Champaign.
We both love REO...
Been down in South Florida, just West of Ft. Lauderdale since early 1986 and have seen REO twice...once at the South Florida Fair Grounds(West Palm Bch.w/o Kevin Cronin) circa 1989/90 & again at Gulfstream racetrack(w. Kevin C.) in Hallendale Bch in the later 90s.
I would please like answers to the couple questions posed about the Champaign Fair calling them REO EXPRESS when they played there in Fall of 1971(w. The A-S Frogs) plus was Kevin living(or another group member) living around the streets where my wife grew up.
Thanks,
Stewart & Nancy H.
BOTH times the guys put on a super stupendous show!!!
Answer Hi Stewart & Nancy!
REO's official name has always been "REO Speedwagon." Founding member and keyboardist Neal Doughty was taking a "History of Transportation" class at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1967, and saw the words "REO Speedwagon" written on a chalk board. He brought it back to the band shortly before their first gig, and it has remained their name ever since. I have actual posters from 1971 when REO played with the All-Star Frogs. Take a look:
As for the second part of your question, REO singer Kevin Cronin was born in Evanston, IL on October 6, 1951. He grew up in Oak Lawn, graduating from Brother Rice High School in 1969. He never lived in Champaign, IL.
Bruce Hall is the only band member born and raised in Champaign, graduating from Centennial High in 1971, but he did not join REO Speedwagon until after the band released their "Live: You Get What You Play For" album in 1977.
The only other member you could be referring to was REO's original lead singer, Terry Luttrell, who grew up in Urbana, IL. Here's our interview with him:
You mentioned that you saw REO at the South Florida Fair Grounds in West Palm Beach without Kevin Cronin "circa 1989-90." I believe that was actually the Gary Richrath Band, not REO Speedwagon. Here's a link to an article where Gary talks about his early years with REO and his new band:
I hope these links will help you put the pieces together from your early days in Champaign. Thanks for some really great questions about the history of REO Speedwagon!
