List of REO Speedwagon members

REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Formed in 1967, the group originally included guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Blair, keyboardist Neal Doughty and drummer Alan Gratzer.[1] Matt left early the next year after graduating from school, with Terry Luttrell taking his place on lead vocals.[2] Bob Crownover took over as the band's guitarist, but was replaced after a brief tenure by Bill Fiorio and later Steve Scorfina.[3] Blair left a few months after Matt, with Gregg Philbin taking his place.[4] The band also briefly added saxophonist Joe McCabe and trumpeter Marty Shepard to its lineup in 1968.[3]

REO Speedwagon performing live in 2010 (top) and 2016 (bottom).

By late 1970, REO Speedwagon had finalised its first recording lineup with the addition of guitarist Gary Richrath in place of Scorfina.[5] In early 1972, shortly after the release of the band's self-titled debut album, Luttrell left REO Speedwagon following a disagreement with Richrath.[6] The vocalist was replaced by Kevin Cronin, who performed on the group's second album R.E.O./T.W.O. before leaving during sessions for the 1973 follow-up.[7] Mike Murphy took over and recorded Ridin' the Storm Out, Lost in a Dream and This Time We Mean It, but was replaced by a returning Cronin in 1976.[8][9] Philbin left the following year, with Bruce Hall taking his place.[10]

The band's lineup remained stable thereafter for more than ten years until Gratzer decided to retire in 1988, with Graham Lear brought in as his replacement.[11] Richrath also left early the next year, with Miles Joseph filling in for a show before Dave Amato took over in May.[12][13] Also in 1989, Bryan Hitt replaced Lear on drums,[14] while Jesse Harms joined as a second keyboardist, performing on the band's 1990 album The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken.[15] Since the end of Harms's brief tenure with the group, REO Speedwagon has retained a consistent lineup of Kevin Cronin, Dave Amato, Bruce Hall, Neal Doughty and Bryan Hitt.[16]

Members

Current

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Neal Doughty	1967–present (Founding Member)	keyboards	all REO Speedwagon releases
	Kevin Cronin	1972–1973 1976–present	lead and backing vocals rhythm guitar keyboards	R.E.O./T.W.O. (1972) all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. (1976) onwards
	Bruce Hall	1977–present	bass backing and lead vocals	all REO Speedwagon releases from You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish (1978) onwards
	Dave Amato	1989–present	lead guitar backing vocals	all REO Speedwagon releases from The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990) onwards
	Bryan Hitt		drums percussion

Former

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Alan Gratzer	1967–1988	drums percussion backing vocals	all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971) to Life as We Know It (1987)
	Mike Blair	1967–1968	bass backing vocals	none
	Joe Matt		guitar lead vocals
	Terry Luttrell	1968–1972	lead vocals	R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971)
	Bob Crownover	1968–1969	guitar	none
	Gregg Philbin	1968–1977	bass backing vocals	all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971) to Live: You Get What You Play For (1977)
	Joe McCabe	1968	saxophone	none
	Marty Shepard		trumpet
	Bill Fiorio	1969	guitar
	Steve Scorfina	1969–1970
	Gary Richrath	1970–1989 (died 2015)	lead guitar backing and lead vocals	all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971) to Life as We Know It (1987)
	Mike Murphy	1973–1975	lead vocals rhythm guitar	Ridin' the Storm Out (1973) Lost in a Dream (1974) This Time We Mean It (1975)
	Graham Lear	1988–1989	drums	The Second Decade of Rock and Roll: 1981 to 1991 (1991)
	Miles Joseph	1989 (died 2012)	lead guitar	none
	Carla Day	1989	backing vocals
	Melanie Jackson
	Jesse Harms	1989–1991	keyboards	The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990)

Timeline

Lineups

Period	Members	Releases
Fall 1967 – early 1968	Joe Matt – lead vocals, guitar Mike Blair – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals	none
Early – summer 1968	Terry Luttrell – lead vocals Bob Crownover – guitar Mike Blair – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals
Summer – late 1968	Terry Luttrell – lead vocals Bob Crownover – guitar Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals Joe McCabe – saxophone Marty Shepard – trumpet
Late 1968 – summer 1969	Terry Luttrell – lead vocals Bob Crownover – guitar Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals
Summer – late 1969	Terry Luttrell – lead vocals Bill Fiorio – guitar Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals
Late 1969 – late 1970	Terry Luttrell – lead vocals Steve Scorfina – guitar Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals
Late 1970 – early 1972	Terry Luttrell – lead vocals Gary Richrath – guitar, backing vocals Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals	R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971)
Early 1972 – mid-1973	Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Gary Richrath – lead guitar, backing vocals Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals	R.E.O./T.W.O. (1972)
Mid-1973 – January 1976	Mike Murphy – lead vocals Gary Richrath – guitar, backing vocals Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals	Ridin' the Storm Out (1973) Lost in a Dream (1974) This Time We Mean It (1975)
January 1976 – early 1977	Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Gary Richrath – lead guitar, backing vocals Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals	R.E.O. (1976) Live: You Get What You Play For (1977)
Early 1977 – September 1988	Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Gary Richrath – lead guitar, backing vocals Bruce Hall – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals	You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish (1978) Nine Lives (1979) Hi Infidelity (1980) Good Trouble (1982) Wheels Are Turnin' (1984) Life as We Know It (1987) Live in Germany 1982 (2013) Live Chicago 1979 (2013) Metro Center Rockford Illinois (2015)
September 1988 – early 1989	Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Gary Richrath – lead guitar, backing vocals Bruce Hall – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Graham Lear – drums	none
Early – spring 1989	Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Miles Joseph – lead guitar Bruce Hall – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Graham Lear – drums Carla Day – backing vocals Melanie Jackson – backing vocals
Summer 1989 – early 1991	Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Dave Amato – lead guitar, backing vocals Bruce Hall – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Jesse Harms – keyboards, piano Bryan Hitt – drums, percussion	The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990)
Early 1991 – present	Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Dave Amato – lead guitar, backing vocals Bruce Hall – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Bryan Hitt – drums, percussion	Building the Bridge (1996) Arch Allies: Live at Riverport (2000) Live Plus (2001) Find Your Own Way Home (2007) "Can't Stop Rockin'" (2009) Not So Silent Night ... Christmas with REO Speedwagon (2009)

References

1. Allen, Craig (July 27, 2013). "Meet REO Speedwagon (Photos, Videos)". New Jersey 101.5. Townsquare Media. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
2. Wright, Jeb. "REO's Neal Doughty: Back on the Road Again". Classic Rock Revisited. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
3. "REO Speedwagon: Niagara Falls Events". Facebook. November 14, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
4. Graff, Gary (October 23, 2014). "10 Bands that Changed Bass Players..." For Bass Players Only. Notehead Media Group. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
5. "Gary Richrath, guitarist - obituary". The Daily Telegraph. September 21, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
6. Burke, David (September 10, 2013). "Former REO singer has Tons O'Fun". Quad-City Times. Lee Enterprises. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
7. Sheff, David (March 23, 1981). "Now It's Cheat to the Beat, as Reo Speedwagon Finally Arrives with 'hi Infidelity'". People. Time Inc. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
8. Graham, Samuel (November 28, 1981). "The REO Speedwagon Story" (Scan). Record World. Vol. 18 no. 1791. New York City, New York: Record World Publishing. p. 14 (Section II). Retrieved December 30, 2017.
9. Sharp, Ken (December 2, 2013). "A Chat with Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon". Rock Cellar Magazine. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
10. Henke, James (March 19, 1981). "REO Speedwagon's Big Breakout". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
11. Fell, Ron (August 26, 1988). "Biofeedback" (Scan). Gavin Report. No. 1721. San Francisco, California: Gavin Report, Inc. p. 21. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
12. Fell, Ron (April 14, 1989). "Biofeedback" (Scan). Gavin Report. No. 1752. San Francisco, California: Gavin Report, Inc. p. 23. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
13. Erickson, Anne (October 13, 2016). "REO Speedwagon Guitarist Dave Amato on His New Gibson Custom". Gibson. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
14. "Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon Talks About His Classic Hits and His Songwriting". REO Speedwagon. January 22, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
15. Giles, Jeff (August 30, 2015). "25 Years Ago: REO Speedwagon Regroup with 'The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
16. "The Band". REO Speedwagon. Retrieved December 30, 2017.

External links

• REO Speedwagon official website