Kevin Cronin “disturbed and harm” over being excluded from one-off REO Speedwagon reunion
Former REO Speedwagon frontman Kevin Cronin has expressed his disappointment on social media over the band’s forthcoming one-off reunion.
The basic rock band shall be honoured at a live performance in Champaign, Illinois in June, the place former members – co-founders Neal Doughty and Alan Gratzer, together with long-serving bassist Bruce Corridor and early members Terry Luttrell, Mike Murphy and Steve Scorfina – will reunite for a particular celebration.
One former member that isn’t showing is Cronin, who joined the band in 1972 and left the next 12 months, earlier than returning in 1976 and staying all the best way to their 2024 farewell tour.
Final September, REO Speedwagon introduced that, although “heartbroken” to take action, they may stop touring on the finish of the 12 months, bringing an finish to the beloved rock band on account of “irreconcilable variations” between Cronin and Corridor. Cronin had beforehand revealed that he “didn’t wish to finish REO Speedwagon… I simply bought outvoted and… must cease calling it REO Speedwagon on the finish of this 12 months.”
For the reason that band’s dissolution, Cronin has been touring with the Kevin Cronin Band. In a social media post selling their reveals on the 2026 Rock Legends Cruise, a fan commented mentioning the upcoming REO Speedwagon live performance, saying: “Certain could be good when you might attend”.
Cronin replied with a prolonged assertion: “The organizers of the Champaign occasion might have picked a date when the entire former members of REO have been out there to take part,” he started, including that the chosen date clashes with a live performance he has along with his band and Styx in one other state.
He claimed that he was “requested to take part in an occasion on a date after I can’t probably be there in-person” and that he was “falsely accused of turning down the invitation”.
“I’m deeply disturbed and harm by all of this,” he acknowledged. “In spite of everything I’ve accomplished to assist construct the legacy of REO Speedwagon, I really feel I’ve earned and need to be included in any occasion honoring that legacy. As an alternative, I’ve been knowingly excluded.”
Cronin added that former REO members Dave Amato and Bryan Hitt “weren’t even proven the respect of being invited to the Champaign occasion”. Amato and Hitt presently carry out alongside Cronin in his solo band.
On the band’s last present in 2024, Cronin mentioned throughout a parting speech: “The REO Speedwagon title is being retired tonight.”
“However the music, the spirit, the songs of REO Speedwagon will dwell on with this band and with me underneath the title Kevin Cronin. We hope you be part of us on that journey.”
Main as much as REO Speedwagon’s finish, possession curiosity within the band was managed by three members: Cronin, sole remaining founding member Neal Doughty, and longtime bassist Bruce Corridor. Corridor has been absent from tour since November 2023 on account of again surgical procedure, and Doughty retired from touring final 12 months. Doughty and Corridor voted to convey an finish to REO Speedwagon, outvoting Cronin two-to-one.