I give kudos to REO for continuing to play and agree that Dave Amato is a solid, consistent player. BUt to say he is better than Gary Richrath??? No way. Whether you are talking "live" and style or even technical skills, Richrath is an awesome guitar player. I remember seeing REO when they played the clubs and bars in Champaine, Peoria and DeKalb, Illinois, and he was wicked even then...way ahead of his time. Add his song writing skills to the mix and there is no comparison.
People can say what they want. But if you look at it objectively theres no question that Dave Amato is a far more skilled guitar player. Once you go back and listen to Gary after Dave there is something missing. Dave plays those parts with his own twist and for my opinion a lot more musical and fun to listen too from a musicians point of view. Dave always gives it his all no matter how big the crowd is they are playing for. Its ok to reflect and to miss Gary as he was a big part of the band.
I love Gary and I miss hearing him, however you Cronin haters aren't being fair! These two guys helped each other and complimented each other very well for a long time! REO was going nowhere until Kevin joined and after he quit for a period of time and a trial run of a few more lead vocalists it was Gary who called Kevin back in! I miss Gary being with the band! I loved his style and energy and how creative he was but unfortunately partnerships don't last forever!
Here's this guy talking about a history he wasn't a part of. He needs to talk to Gary, and genuflect. The only reason I ever stuck with REO after Cronin joined was Gary's guitar. I really don't like the hate trip so many people are on now days, but this Cronin needs to pay respect to the man who put him where he is. Start your OWN BAND, or pay due to the man whose coattails he is riding on.....Nuff Said!!!
@DiarioPiscinese Just the simple fact that none of REO's albums (after Richrath) even made the charts proove's that Gary could weave horse sh*t into gold!
REO makes a comeback??? Not without Gary Richrath. When was the last time REO sold-out a 20,000 seat arena? - Not since Richrath. When was the last top 40 hit? Oh, that's right - not since Gary Richrath. Kevin Cronin drove REO into the ditch when he kicked Gary out. Kevin is the reason Epic records droped REO from their label. This is some comeback!!!
@ExDemocrat64 Amen!! If not for the "Arch Allies" tour with Styx, REO (or "the Kevin Cronin Band" as my dad disgustedly called it after Gary left) would have been dead in the water much sooner.
KEVIN is such a liar~! I am from Peoria ILL and Gary R. was a good friend of my cousin growing up in south Peoria. He played guitar w/ Dan Fogelberg on my aunts front porch. There is a video from PBS broadcast of REO before Kevin was in the band. Type 157 Riverside Ave and look at it, the song was written by Gary off a blues riff. I don't see Kevin anywhere in that video. Kevin was asked to join the band by Gary while Kevin struggled as a folk singer in Chicago ILL.
The question is , is Gary off the "sauce" so he can perform, that's the reason he was cut loose in the first place, I'll admit Gary really made "REO" a familiar name in rock but the band had to do what was in the best interest of "Reo"
@theeodds gary was good but screwed his chances.. they voted him out. his loss REO is still great... Gary is a thing of the past but his music will live forever he just doesnt have it anymore
A comeback without Gary would be like a Van Halen Halen comeback without Dave...Michael or One Dog Night without Chuck! Wait we have done that. Please try to be the first to get it right for the fans and INCLUDE GARY and forget the past and current corporate endeavors. We will probably pay for anything thing you sell. Im fust saying what we want. Did I spell endeavors correctly? bc out
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
wow, has Kevin's voice gotten more "feminine" over time? He seems a bit more girlish these days. I'm tempted to ask him to come over to my house and paint my nails! Lol!
Actucally, Kevin isn't even an orginal member. His first record w/ the band was REO T.W.O. I think the only orginal memeber in the band is Neal Doughty. But, orginal members or not, REO still rocks in concert. If you get a chance to see them, they will blow you away.
Alright, who's who in the band?...are the original fellas still around or Kevin is the only one left? If that's the case, then RS is over---straight up!!!...
I give kudos to REO for continuing to play and agree that Dave Amato is a solid, consistent player. BUt to say he is better than Gary Richrath??? No way. Whether you are talking "live" and style or even technical skills, Richrath is an awesome guitar player. I remember seeing REO when they played the clubs and bars in Champaine, Peoria and DeKalb, Illinois, and he was wicked even then...way ahead of his time. Add his song writing skills to the mix and there is no comparison.
MrMike9158 4 days ago
Pretty shitty to go w/ out Gary considering he was in the band BEFORE KEVIN CRONIN
ten8goa 6 days ago
People can say what they want. But if you look at it objectively theres no question that Dave Amato is a far more skilled guitar player. Once you go back and listen to Gary after Dave there is something missing. Dave plays those parts with his own twist and for my opinion a lot more musical and fun to listen too from a musicians point of view. Dave always gives it his all no matter how big the crowd is they are playing for. Its ok to reflect and to miss Gary as he was a big part of the band.
MrJonguess 1 month ago
I love Gary and I miss hearing him, however you Cronin haters aren't being fair! These two guys helped each other and complimented each other very well for a long time! REO was going nowhere until Kevin joined and after he quit for a period of time and a trial run of a few more lead vocalists it was Gary who called Kevin back in! I miss Gary being with the band! I loved his style and energy and how creative he was but unfortunately partnerships don't last forever!
BobbyDale4363 3 months ago
Here's this guy talking about a history he wasn't a part of. He needs to talk to Gary, and genuflect. The only reason I ever stuck with REO after Cronin joined was Gary's guitar. I really don't like the hate trip so many people are on now days, but this Cronin needs to pay respect to the man who put him where he is. Start your OWN BAND, or pay due to the man whose coattails he is riding on.....Nuff Said!!!
saxmidiman 4 months ago
i bet u r hving more fun;} lol
IKissmydogonthelips 5 months ago
To bad Kevin doesn't have the vocals he once had.
edbigtruck 6 months ago
U r A FAG SICK biatch boy
IKissmydogonthelips 5 months ago
THAT MESSAGE WAS TO EDBIGTRUCK not Kevin.:) I had to make that clear.
IKissmydogonthelips 5 months ago
Hey, when did Scott Bakula start playing lead guitar for REO?
FreedomZealot 8 months ago
Kevin, you're so full of shit. The band had the name long before you showed up. Thank Alan and Neal for coming up with that name.
artheriford 11 months ago
@DiarioPiscinese Just the simple fact that none of REO's albums (after Richrath) even made the charts proove's that Gary could weave horse sh*t into gold!
ExDemocrat64 1 year ago
REO makes a comeback??? Not without Gary Richrath. When was the last time REO sold-out a 20,000 seat arena? - Not since Richrath. When was the last top 40 hit? Oh, that's right - not since Gary Richrath. Kevin Cronin drove REO into the ditch when he kicked Gary out. Kevin is the reason Epic records droped REO from their label. This is some comeback!!!
ExDemocrat64 1 year ago
@ExDemocrat64 Amen!! If not for the "Arch Allies" tour with Styx, REO (or "the Kevin Cronin Band" as my dad disgustedly called it after Gary left) would have been dead in the water much sooner.
GuitarChickSG1 10 months ago
he so nice just like his son
knbbranic 1 year ago
I want things like they were in the old days like when Kevin was straight. Just kidding.
dannyg120 1 year ago
KEVIN is such a liar~! I am from Peoria ILL and Gary R. was a good friend of my cousin growing up in south Peoria. He played guitar w/ Dan Fogelberg on my aunts front porch. There is a video from PBS broadcast of REO before Kevin was in the band. Type 157 Riverside Ave and look at it, the song was written by Gary off a blues riff. I don't see Kevin anywhere in that video. Kevin was asked to join the band by Gary while Kevin struggled as a folk singer in Chicago ILL.
r2112lee 1 year ago
richrath is a cokehead drunk !!
getchasumm 2 years ago
The question is , is Gary off the "sauce" so he can perform, that's the reason he was cut loose in the first place, I'll admit Gary really made "REO" a familiar name in rock but the band had to do what was in the best interest of "Reo"
oldrumer4u 2 years ago
Gary is REO he needs to be in it period!!!!
theeodds 2 years ago
@theeodds gary was good but screwed his chances.. they voted him out. his loss REO is still great... Gary is a thing of the past but his music will live forever he just doesnt have it anymore
fucia11 1 year ago
A comeback without Gary would be like a Van Halen Halen comeback without Dave...Michael or One Dog Night without Chuck! Wait we have done that. Please try to be the first to get it right for the fans and INCLUDE GARY and forget the past and current corporate endeavors. We will probably pay for anything thing you sell. Im fust saying what we want. Did I spell endeavors correctly? bc out
805comtech 2 years ago
@805comtech Actually, it would be like a Van Halen comeback without EDDIE...just sayin'
saxmidiman 4 months ago
It would be so FREAKIN BAD if Gary Richrath would join the band for some tour dates. I guarantee those would sell out!!
ezymk69 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
wow, has Kevin's voice gotten more "feminine" over time? He seems a bit more girlish these days. I'm tempted to ask him to come over to my house and paint my nails! Lol!
Dylanfanh61 3 years ago
hey i have a video post cause it is him back in champaign illinois talking about the assembly hall and the red lion
TwistedSisterVideos 3 years ago
Alright, who's still the original members?...if Kevin is the only original member, then, RS is over---straight up!!!...
phambo101 3 years ago
Actucally, Kevin isn't even an orginal member. His first record w/ the band was REO T.W.O. I think the only orginal memeber in the band is Neal Doughty. But, orginal members or not, REO still rocks in concert. If you get a chance to see them, they will blow you away.
rocker7969 3 years ago 2
Actually, Kevin, Neal and Bruce still remain from their hay day's. Bryan Hitt-drums, and Dave Amato-lead G joined in 1990.
xpsdonny28 2 years ago 2
Alright, who's who in the band?...are the original fellas still around or Kevin is the only one left? If that's the case, then RS is over---straight up!!!...
phambo101 3 years ago
REO speedwagon es una banda talentosa, y arriba del escenario son los mejores!
anchelicht 3 years ago