1980s Rock Band Reunites for Farewell Concert, But Lead Singer Remains Absent—“Irreconcilable Differences”

One Last Show Without a Familiar Voice

REO Speedwagon, the popular rock band from the 1980s, had one final concert over the weekend. Known for hits like “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and “Keep On Loving You,” the band had been performing for nearly 60 years. During that time, they recorded 16 studio albums and sold over 40 million records.

Although the band officially stopped touring in 2024, several former members reunited for one farewell performance. The lineup included Neal Doughty, Alan Gratzer, Mike Murphy, Bruce Hall, Terry Luttrell, and Steve Scorfina. However, longtime lead singer Kevin Cronin was missing from the event.

 

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A Missing Frontman Sparks Questions

For many fans, Cronin’s absence stood out. He had been the frontman for decades and was one of the band’s most recognizable voices. When the band decided to stop touring in 2024, it was partly due to “irreconcilable differences.” That phrase was never fully explained, but it now seems to have played a role in Cronin staying away from the reunion.

The group still performed fan favorites like “Time for Me to Fly” and “Roll With the Changes.” Between songs, they also shared stories from their time as a band and spoke about their early days, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at their long career.

Remembering Bandmates and Passing the Torch

One part of the show focused on remembering former members who passed away, including Gregg Philbin and Gary Richrath. To honor Richrath’s legacy, the band invited his son, Eric, onstage. They presented him with a plaque and let him join in for a performance of “Ridin’ the Storm Out.”

Eric gave a short speech before performing, saying, “We’ve got a lot of music to get to. I think in this moment, my dad would probably say, ‘Let’s get back to the rock,’ so let’s do that.”

The moment added an emotional layer to the concert, connecting the past with the present in front of longtime fans who knew the band’s full history.

Fans Respond to Cronin’s Absence

While many enjoyed the show, some fans were disappointed not to see Kevin Cronin take the stage. One person wrote, “Terrible without Kevin Cronin.. it’s his voice that identifies REO SPEEDWAGON.. Disappointed with the reunion.. not happening.”

Another fan mentioned seeing Cronin elsewhere, saying, “I saw The Kevin Cronin Band with Styx in Denver last week at Fiddler’s Green and they played the REO hits. Great concert.”