Legendary rockers restarting Las Vegas Strip residency
at The Venetian Resort, or by calling 702-414-9000 or 866-641-7469.
LAS VEGAS — REO SpeedCronin was in fine voice wagon had never played all and storytelling mode during of its “Hi Infidelity” album the shows last month at The in concert, until this year at Venetian.
The Venetian Theatre. “Honestly up until a few
Similar to the top-selling years ago, since I’ve been 1981 album, the two-night working with my new vocal production in November coach, I don’t know that I was a hit. “An Evening of could have sung that whole Hi Infidelity … And More” album live,” Cronin said. “It’s is back for six shows over a mouthful, man.” two runs, May 8, 10 and 11; That coach was introduced and Oct. 2, 4 and 5. to Cronin through Cronin’s
“The idea of, of the whole son, Shane, a recent gradthing was to do something uate of the USC School of that was not what you would Music as a Pop Vocal major. hear us play in concert,” “Shane is an amazing REO front man Kevin Cro- young singer. He’s 24 years nin said last week. “And we old, he would come home had never performed the and tell me about his vocal ‘Hi Infidelity’ record live.” professor, the head of the
Tickets start at $45, plus department named Jeffrey fees. and will go on sale to Allen,” Cronin said. “He said, the general public 10 a.m. ‘He’ll change your life, he Friday Pacific time at Tick- wants to work with you, you etmaster.com, VenetianL- love him.’ And it occurred asVegas.com, any box office to me, how many times as parents do we tell our kids, customized to a Vegas resi- ‘Listen, you might not under- dency crowd by using such stand this, but I love you and time-stamped effects as vin- am trying to help.’ That’s tage clips from KLOS-FM in what this is.” L.A. as the album was being
The “Hi Infidelity” show is released. Cronin tells the story of how he met the late gui ar great Gary Richrath and joined the band in the ‘70s.
“We go back to what it was like for a young guy in the 1970s to front a rock band,”
Cronin said. “I’ve always liked the idea of connecting the songs with the audience, giving them a little story about how the song was written or maybe something that happened in the studio. It kind of helps the audience get inside the song.”
The 72-year-old Cronin remembers the Vegas of yesteryear, fueled by the Rat Pack and showroom headliners. He loves the idea of being a catalyst for its continued expansion to rock residencies.
“Las Vegas has grown so exponentially, and, and the theaters that the various resorts have built are so incredible,” Cronin said. “At this point, the idea of having a having a room upstairs on the 36th floor at The Venetian, you know, ‘Oh, it’s time for soundcheck?’ And I just jump on the elevator and come down. It’s really pretty cool.”