December 17th 2024.
It was a shock to fans when news broke that REO Speedwagon, the iconic US rock group, would be ending their touring career in January 2025. The decision came after frontman Kevin Cronin was outvoted by his bandmates, keyboardist Neal Doughty and drummer Bruce Hall. The band, formed in 1966, has gone through numerous lineup changes over the years, with only Neal remaining as a founding member.
REO Speedwagon rose to fame in the 80s with hits like "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling," which topped charts worldwide. But after four decades together, the band was facing a difficult decision. In a surprising move, both Neal and Bruce voted to call it quits, leaving Kevin completely blindsided. He admitted to Billboard, "Never in my wildest dreams did I ever see this coming. I didn't want to end REO Speedwagon."
Despite his disappointment, Kevin has plans to continue making music as a solo act under his own name, starting with the Brotherhood of Rock tour in late January. The split was decided in a 2-1 vote between the three band members, who all have equal ownership. Neal, now 78, announced his retirement from touring in 2023, while Bruce, 71, temporarily stepped back for back surgery. However, it seems his road to recovery has been longer than expected.
In a Facebook post, Bruce shared that he was "feeling better every day" but was still waiting for medical clearance to return to the stage. He assured fans that he had no intention of retiring or leaving the band he's been a part of for almost 50 years. Kevin also backed up his bandmate's statement, promising that Bruce would be back performing soon. But unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse between the two.
The band cited "irreconcilable differences" as a factor in their split, with both Kevin and Bruce expressing a desire to continue in REO Speedwagon. In a statement, they revealed that Bruce's health was still not at a level where he could perform to the fans' expectations. This led to a "complex situation" when tensions rose between him and Kevin. Speaking to Billboard, Kevin likened the situation to a "divorce" and wished they could have remained amicable without lawyers getting involved.
He shared, "During a divorce, things get a little muddy and things get a little sticky. It's unfortunate that fans have been brought into the fallout." Kevin hopes that one day, they can put this behind them and ask for forgiveness. He doesn't want any bad blood between them and hopes to move forward on good terms. As for REO Speedwagon, their legacy will continue to live on through their timeless music.
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