Watch REO Speedwagon Reunites With Kevin Cronin for Unexpected Live Performance
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REO Speedwagon reunited with longtime frontman Kevin Cronin for a surprise performance on March 7 in Peoria, Illinois, bringing together several past members of the band for a night dedicated to late guitarist Gary Richrath. The event marked a rare onstage reunion and drew attention from longtime fans who followed the group through decades of rock success.
Cronin joined drummer Alan Gratzer, bassist Bruce Hall, and keyboardist Neal Doughty for a short but emotional set that included classic songs such as “Ridin’ the Storm Out,” “Take It on the Run,” and “Roll With the Changes.” The musicians also performed a cover of Van Morrison’s “Gloria.” Former vocalist Mike Murphy, who fronted the band during part of the 1970s, appeared alongside the group, while Richrath’s son, Eric, also took part in the tribute performance.
A Tribute Rooted in Hometown History
The performance took place during a private gala at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, attended by roughly 200 invited guests. The gathering celebrated the opening of the first major exhibition honoring Richrath, a Peoria native whose guitar work helped shape REO Speedwagon’s sound during its rise to fame.
Local band Revel on Red also joined the festivities, with several members performing alongside the REO alumni throughout the evening. The event focused not only on music but also on honoring Richrath’s lasting influence on the local community and the broader rock scene.
Murphy and Cronin shared lead vocals during “Ridin’ the Storm Out,” creating a rare moment for fans. According to Eric Mills of the Fogelberg Foundation of Peoria, the performance ended “complete with a triumphant hug between the two at the end.” Reports indicate it was the first time the two singers had performed together onstage.
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Reflections From the Band Members
Bruce Hall later reflected on the reunion in a message shared on Facebook. He wrote that it was an “amazing tribute for Gary at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Being back on stage with Mike, Kevin, Alan and Neal was awesome. Having Gary’s son, Eric, join us made it all the more special,” he shared. “We ended the week with a private showing at the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66. Big thanks to Ron Romero for an awesome tour and lunch!! Good things are happening. Long Live REO Speedwagon!!”
The reunion came after all surviving members of the band were invited to participate. “All six remaining members of REO Speedwagon were invited to attend, and everyone said ‘yes’ immediately,” Mills says. “Original lead singer Terry Luttrell was unable to attend at the last minute. Gary’s widow, Justine, was also there and is the person that gave the museum the guitars and other artifacts for the exhibit.”
Signs of Renewed Friendship
The Peoria appearance followed another gathering in September of the previous year in Champaign, Illinois, where Gratzer, Hall, and Doughty performed alongside more than 400 members of the University of Illinois marching band. Cronin addressed fans during that event, leading some observers to believe relationships within the group were improving after years of tension.
REO Speedwagon stopped touring at the end of 2024 due to what members described as “irreconcilable differences.” Even so, the atmosphere during the tribute appeared positive. Mills noted, “I’m not sure of the future of REO, but I can say that everyone was getting along well last night and shared a lot of smiles and good memories.”
Keyboardist Neal Doughty echoed that uncertainty following the earlier Champaign performance. “You never know,” he said when asked if the appearance might be the last time the members gathered together. Gratzer added, “One never knows. We don’t know. We can’t read the future, the magic ball,” he chuckled.
Inside the Gary Richrath Exhibit
The museum exhibition opened in late February and explores Richrath’s early musical development in Peoria. Organizers described how he built his reputation performing in local venues before achieving international recognition as REO Speedwagon’s lead guitarist.
Museum officials explained that Richrath developed the melodic and aggressive guitar style associated with Midwestern rock while playing with regional groups, including the garage band Suburban 9 to 5. After joining REO Speedwagon in 1970, he helped guide the band’s shift from a touring bar act into a major arena attraction through his songwriting and musical direction.
The exhibit is part of the Peoria Plays America series, which highlights influential figures connected to the city. It features instruments used throughout Richrath’s career and offers visitors a closer look at the musician’s formative years and lasting influence on American rock music.
