REO Speedwagon Reunion Left Kevin Cronin Deeply Moved

Kevin Cronin recently opened up about reconnecting with his former bandmates from REO Speedwagon, expressing optimism that the group might eventually resolve its internal tensions and find a path back together.

Speaking on an episode of Rock & Roll High School With Pete Ganbarg, the longtime frontman suggested that time may ultimately ease the rift that has divided members of the veteran rock band.

“The ice has got to melt,” Cronin said. “Because to have REO Speedwagon sitting there with people that really want to come out and see an REO Speedwagon show and to not be able to do it, there’s just going to have to be some meeting in the middle somewhere. Some melting of some ice, some getting over some hurdles.”

Touring Without the REO Speedwagon Name

REO Speedwagon officially stopped touring at the end of 2024 following what were described as “irreconcilable differences” between Cronin and longtime bassist Bruce Hall. Since then, Cronin has continued performing with the same core lineup under a new banner, the Kevin Cronin Band — a shift he admits has been a complicated experience.

Cronin emphasized how much the REO Speedwagon name means not only to fans but also to the identity of the band itself.

“I feel proud of and blessed by the fact that REO Speedwagon has become an American institution,” Cronin explained. “When people see that wing logo and they hear the name REO Speedwagon, it kind of tells them all they need to know. They know that REO delivers, and I’m really proud of the fact that if you come to an REO Speedwagon show, your expectations will be exceeded. That’s always been my intention.”

However, performing without the famous name has highlighted how strongly audiences associate the music with the brand.

“On the other hand,” Cronin continued, “what I learned since the disputes that arose between a few of us of the kind of quote-unquote original lineup, [is] that boy, oh boy, that name, REO Speedwagon — you can have the same guys, the same songs, the same crew, the same production, but the name REO Speedwagon is so important. People relate to it.”

A Reunion That Rekindled Hope

Despite the disagreements that have divided the classic lineup, fans recently witnessed signs of reconciliation. Last September, Cronin joined Bruce Hall, keyboardist Neal Doughty, and drummer Alan Gratzer in their hometown of Champaign, Illinois for a special appearance.

The four musicians served as grand marshals of the Illinois Homecoming Parade and performed alongside the University of Illinois marching band, the Marching Illini, during halftime at an Illinois football game.

For Cronin, the moment felt surprisingly natural.

“I’m not sure exactly how things are going to shake out,” he said. “I know that Bruce and Neil and Alan and I all gathered in Champaign, Illinois… to be honored by the Marching Illini at the halftime of the Illinois football game. … We did prove that our history and all that we shared and the friendship between us kind of [overrode] the issues that we’ve been having.”

He added that the experience felt remarkably familiar.

“It exceeded my expectations. We kind of fell into the roles that we all had back in the day, and we didn’t really get hung up on what’s happened over the past couple of years, the problems that have arisen, and everybody got along fine. I take that as a win.”

The group reunited again soon afterward in Peoria, Illinois for a tribute honoring late REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath. After the event, Hall hinted at renewed optimism, writing on Facebook that “good things are happening. Long Live REO Speedwagon!!”

Looking Toward the Future

While no official reunion plans have been announced, Cronin admitted that recent projects have only intensified his desire to see the band come together again.

He revealed that he has been working on a New Year’s Eve television special with his current group, the Kevin Cronin Band, which will feature several classic REO Speedwagon hits.

“I was working this past week on a TV special that will air on New Year’s Eve on the Nexstar network of local TV stations as the Kevin Cronin Band, but it’s six of the big REO Speedwagon hits,” he said.

Watching footage from the performance stirred deeper emotions, particularly while revisiting one of the band’s signature songs.

“And just seeing that video — ‘Time for Me to Fly,’ especially — I was just looking at that and I’m like, ‘This can’t be the last time people see me sing “Time for Me To Fly” in a big room with a big crowd and a big band.’ Something’s gotta give.”

For now, Cronin says he’s leaving the outcome up to time and circumstance.

“And as they say, I can’t press the river. I gotta just see what happens.”

Whether the road eventually leads to a full REO Speedwagon reunion remains uncertain, but recent appearances suggest that the bonds formed during the band’s decades-long history may still hold the potential to bring its members back together.