The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
’70s band REO Speedwagon to perform at Warner
Veteran band takes stage Sept. 20
TORRINGTON — The Warner Theatre will welcome REO Speedwagon to the Main Stage on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m.
REO Speedwagon is a band where the main constant over the decades is a never-ending desire to give their all to their fans, year in and year out.
At the center of REO’s desire to keep it rocking for the fans is Kevin Cronin, who looks as if he’s found the fountain of youth — along with the secret to penning some of the biggest hits in rock. Cronin is joined by band mates Bruce Hall on bass, keyboardist Neal Doughty, Dave Amato on lead guitar and drummer Bryan Hitt.
Formed in 1967 at college in Champaign, Ill., REO (named after the precursor to the light truck) rode to gigs in station wagons, hopping from small gigs to even tinier gigs, just to get their name out. It worked, as fans quickly realized there was much more going on here than your average college party band.
By the early ‘70s, the band’s unrelenting drive, as well as non-stop touring and recording, jump-started the burgeoning rock movement in the Midwest. Platinum albums and freeform FM radio staples such as “Ridin’ The Storm Out” followed, setting the stage for 1980’s explosive Hi Infidelity. Its success was fueled by massive hit singles such as “Keep On Loving You” and “Take It On the Run.” REO rode the top of the charts with a RIAAcertified 22 million albums sold in the U.S. and 40 million around the globe, with a string of gold and platinum records and in-
ternational hit singles.
Today, fully established with songs on the radio in every city and town they ever set foot in, REO Speedwagon still has that Midwest work ethic. The band
has gone on stage and in the studio to work - dozens of albums, thousands of concerts, and countless radio spins.
Their eyes have always been on the future and on the road - not a year has gone by where REO Speedwagon didn’t perform live, thrilling fans with hit filled
sets. They have toured with Fleetwood Mac, Pat Benatar, .38 Special, Ted Nugent, Chicago, Def Leppard, Status Quo and in 2017, Styx and Don Felder (formerly of The Eagles).
To purchase tickets, call the Warner Box Office at 860-489-7180 or visit warnertheatre.org.