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

By late 1970, REO Speedwagon had finalized its first recording lineup with the addition of guitarist Gary Richrath in place of Scorfina. In early 1972, shortly after the release of the band's self-titled debut album, Luttrell left REO Speedwagon following a disagreement with Richrath. 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. 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. Philbin left the following year, with Bruce Hall taking his place.

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. Richrath also left early the next year, with Miles Joseph filling in for a show before Dave Amato took over in May. Also in 1989, Bryan Hitt replaced Lear on drums, 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. Following the end of Harms's brief tenure with the group, REO Speedwagon retained a consistent lineup of Neal Doughty, Kevin Cronin, Dave Amato, Bruce Hall, and Bryan Hitt until February 2023 when Doughty announced he was retiring from touring. His touring replacement was announced as former Iron Butterfly and Whitesnake member Derek Hilland.

In November 2023, Hall was replaced on tour by Matt Bissonette as the bassist had injured his back. Bissonette continued to play with REO Speedwagon until the group disbanded in December 2024, due to Cronin's dispute with Doughty and Hall regarding Hall's recovery. (In 2025, Cronin performed with Amato, Hitt, Hilland, and Bissonette as the Kevin Cronin Band, co-headlining a tour with Styx and featuring Don Felder as the opening act.)

On June 14, 2025, REO Speedwagon reunited for a one-off show in its hometown, Champaign, Illinois. The show featured Doughty, Hall, and original drummer Alan Gratzer, alongside early members Terry Luttrell (vocals), Steve Scorfina (guitar), and Mike Murphy (vocals). Richrath's son, Eric, also participated. Cronin, Amato, and Hitt did not appear due to their tour overlapping with the date.

On September 28, 2025, the band's classic lineup (minus the late Gary Richrath) reunited onstage for a performance alongside the University of Illinois Marching Illini for the 2025 Illinois homecoming halftime show. The performance included Hall, Gratzer and Doughty performing "Ridin' the Storm Out", "Roll With The Changes", and "157 Riverside Avenue", backed by the marching band. While Cronin did not sing (as the melodies were provided by the marching band), it was the first time Cronin, Hall, Doughty, and Gratzer shared a stage since December 31, 1988. The band members officially reunited the previous day as Grand Marshals in the University's homecoming parade. The band members were reportedly unsure about any potential future reunions.

Members ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsNeal Doughtyall REO Speedwagon releasesAlan Gratzer1967–1988, 2025 all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971) to The Hits (1988)Mike Blair1967–1968noneJoe MattTerry Luttrell lead vocalsR.E.O. Speedwagon (1971)Bob Crownover1968–1969guitarnoneGregg Philbin1968–1977 all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971) to Live: You Get What You Play For (1977)Joe McCabe1968saxophonenoneMarty ShepardtrumpetBill Fiorio1969guitarSteve Scorfina Gary Richrath1970–1989 all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971) to The Hits (1988)Kevin CroninMike Murphy1973–1975 Bruce Hallall REO Speedwagon releases from You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish (1978) to Not So Silent Night ... Christmas with REO Speedwagon (2009)Graham Lear1988–1989drumsThe Second Decade of Rock and Roll: 1981 to 1991 (1991)Miles Joseph1989 lead guitarnoneCarla Day1989backing vocalsMelanie JacksonDave Amato1989–2024all REO Speedwagon releases from The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990) to Not So Silent Night ... Christmas with REO Speedwagon (2009)Bryan HittJesse Harms1989–1991The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990)

Touring ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsJohn Aldridge2005–2024John Aldridge, Bryan Hitt's drum tech since July 2005, performed additional percussion parts live from around July 2005 until the band broke up in 2024. He also performed drums at soundchecks when Bryan was running late.Joe Vannelli2007 Doughty was absent from the REO Speedwagon Unplugged Live in Washington XM Radio show in early April 2007, with producer Joe Vannelli filling-in on keyboards. Vannelli also performed piano, Hammond organ, and synthesizer on the 2007 album Find Your Own Way Home.Derek Hilland 2023–2024 With Doughty's retirement from touring being announced in January 2023, Derek Hilland filled-in for Doughty live from January 2023 until the group ceased touring in December 2024.Matt BissonetteWith Hall's hiatus to have back surgery in November 2023, Matt Bissonette has been filling in for Hall. He continued to do so until the band ceased touring in December 2024.

Timeline

Lineups PeriodMembersReleasesFall 1967 – early 1968Joe Matt – lead vocals, guitar Mike Blair – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocalsnoneEarly – summer 1968Terry Luttrell – lead vocals Bob Crownover – guitar Mike Blair – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocalsSummer – late 1968Terry Luttrell – lead vocals Bob Crownover – guitar Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocals Joe McCabe – saxophone Marty Shepard – trumpetLate 1968 – summer 1969Terry Luttrell – lead vocals Bob Crownover – guitar Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocalsSummer – late 1969Terry Luttrell – lead vocals Bill Fiorio – guitar Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocalsLate 1969 – late 1970Terry Luttrell – lead vocals Steve Scorfina – guitar Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocalsLate 1970 – early 1972Terry Luttrell – lead vocals Gary Richrath – guitar Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocalsR.E.O. Speedwagon (1971)Early 1972 – mid-1973Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Gary Richrath – lead guitar, backing vocals Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocalsR.E.O./T.W.O. (1972)Mid-1973 – January 1976Mike Murphy – lead and backing vocals Gary Richrath – guitar, backing and lead vocals Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocalsRidin' the Storm Out (1973) Lost in a Dream (1974) This Time We Mean It (1975)January 1976 – early 1977Kevin Cronin – lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar Gary Richrath – lead guitar, lead and backing vocals Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocalsR.E.O. (1976) Live: You Get What You Play For (1977)Early 1977 – September 1988Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano Gary Richrath – lead guitar, backing vocals Bruce Hall – bass, vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocalsYou Can Tune a Piano, but YouCan'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 1989Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano Gary Richrath – lead guitar, backing vocals Bruce Hall – bass, vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Graham Lear – drumsnoneEarly – spring 1989Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano Miles Joseph – lead guitar Bruce Hall – bass, vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Graham Lear – drums Carla Day – backing vocals Melanie Jackson – backing vocalsSummer 1989 – early 1991Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Dave Amato – lead guitar, backing vocals Bruce Hall – bass, vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Jesse Harms – keyboards, piano, backing vocals Bryan Hitt – drums, percussionThe Earth, a Small Man, His Dogand a Chicken (1990)Early 1991 – December 2024 Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano Dave Amato – lead guitar, backing vocals Bruce Hall – bass, vocals Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano Bryan Hitt – drums, percussion Notes: Derek Hilland substituted for Doughty 2023-2024. Matt Bissonette replaced Bruce Hall in early 2024.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 ... Christmaswith REO Speedwagon (2009)

References

External links REO Speedwagon official website