You’ve heard the piano intro to "Keep On Loving You" probably a thousand times. It’s the sonic wallpaper of every grocery store, wedding reception, and classic rock station on the planet. But if you actually looked at the stage during their final tours, you might’ve noticed things look a bit different than they did in 1981. The band members of REO Speedwagon have been through a literal half-century of friction, massive success, and eventually, a breakup that caught a lot of fans off guard.
It’s weird to think about, but REO Speedwagon wasn’t always the ballad machine they became. They started as a gritty, loud bar band from Champaign, Illinois. They were named after a truck. Not a fast car, but a flatbed truck designed by Ransom Eli Olds. That rugged, midwestern work ethic defined them for decades, even when the lineup started spinning like a revolving door.
The Core That Built the Legend
For most fans, "the" lineup is the one from the Hi Infidelity era. You had Kevin Cronin on lead vocals, Gary Richrath on lead guitar, Neal Doughty on keyboards, Alan Gratzer on drums, and Bruce Hall on bass. This was the "Big Five." They weren’t just coworkers; they were the architects of the arena rock sound.
Kevin Cronin wasn't even the original singer. He joined, left because of "creative differences" (which is rock-speak for arguing), and then came back to lead them to multi-platinum status. His voice is the one everyone recognizes, that earnest, slightly nasal vibrato that made songs like "Can't Fight This Feeling" work. But the soul of the band, at least in the early days, was Gary Richrath.
Gary was a guitar hero’s guitar hero. He played a sunburst Les Paul and had a tone that could take your head off. If Kevin was the "pop" influence, Gary was the "rock." That tension is exactly why those 80s records were so good. It wasn't just sweet melodies; there was a bite to it. When Gary left in 1989, the band changed forever. It was a messy split. Fans spent years hoping for a reunion that never fully materialized, though Gary did make a surprise appearance with them in 2013 for a benefit concert before he passed away in 2015.
The Anchor Who Never Left
Then there's Neal Doughty. Neal is a bit of an anomaly in the world of rock and roll. He founded the band in a dorm room in 1967 and stayed until 2023. Think about that. He saw the transition from psychedelic rock to stadium anthems to the nostalgia circuit. He’s the only member to appear on every single REO Speedwagon album.
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When Neal announced his retirement from touring a couple of years ago, it felt like the end of an era. And honestly, it was. Without Neal, the link to the 1960s was gone.
The Modern Lineup and the 2024 Bombshell
Up until very recently, the band members of REO Speedwagon consisted of Cronin, Bruce Hall on bass, Dave Amato on guitar, Bryan Hitt on drums, and Derek Hilland taking over keys for Neal. This lineup was incredibly stable. Amato and Hitt joined in the late 80s and early 90s, meaning they actually spent more time in the band than some of the "classic" members.
But things got complicated.
In late 2024, the band dropped a massive bombshell: they were finished touring. Not because they didn't want to play, but because of an internal rift that couldn't be healed. It largely centered around Kevin Cronin and Bruce Hall.
Bruce Hall had been the bassist since 1977. He sang lead on "Back on the Road Again," a fan favorite. Recently, Bruce had to step away for back surgery. While he was recovering, he wanted to come back, but there was a disagreement over whether he was ready or how the band should proceed. Kevin and Bruce couldn't see eye-to-eye. Instead of continuing with a fill-in or forcing a situation that didn't feel right, the band decided to pull the plug on touring as of January 2025.
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It’s a bittersweet ending. You have these guys who have played together for decades, yet the pressures of health, legacy, and personal "irreconcilable differences" finally caught up.
Why the Lineup Changes Matter
You might wonder why people care so much about who is playing bass or guitar. In REO’s case, it’s about the "Midwest Rock" identity.
- The Richrath Factor: Without Gary’s songwriting and heavy riffs, the band leaned harder into the ballads.
- The Bruce Hall Vocals: Bruce provided a rougher, rockier edge that balanced Kevin’s pop sensibilities.
- The Stability: For 30 years, they didn't change members. That’s unheard of in rock. It gave them a chemistry that made their live shows incredibly tight.
Sorting Through the Former Members
If you look at the full list of band members of REO Speedwagon over the years, it’s actually pretty long. Before Kevin Cronin became the face of the band, there was Terry Luttrell. He sang on the debut album. It was much more of a progressive, blues-rock vibe. When Terry left (he later joined Starcastle), the band had to find a new identity.
Then you had various drummers and bassists in the very early 70s like Gregg Philbin and Mike Murphy. Murphy actually sang on three albums in the mid-70s while Kevin was away. If you listen to Lost in a Dream or This Time We Mean It, it sounds like a different band. It’s good, but it’s not the REO that conquered the charts.
The Legacy of the Final Five
The final touring version of the band—Cronin, Amato, Hitt, Hall, and Hilland—carried the torch for a long time. Dave Amato, in particular, had the impossible job of filling Gary Richrath’s shoes. He did it by not trying to be a clone. He brought his own high-energy style, which he honed playing with Ted Nugent and Richie Sambora.
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Bryan Hitt, coming from a background with Wang Chung (yes, really), provided a powerhouse backbeat that kept the old songs feeling modern. They weren't just a tribute act. They were a living, breathing version of the band that still drew thousands of people to sheds and arenas every summer.
What’s Next for the Members?
Even though the band has stopped touring as a unit, these guys aren't just disappearing. Kevin Cronin has hinted at solo projects and potentially some form of storytelling shows. He’s a guy who loves the spotlight and loves his songs.
Bruce Hall is focusing on his health. The fans have been incredibly supportive, often taking sides in the "Kevin vs. Bruce" debate that flared up on social media, but ultimately, most just want to see the guys healthy.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're trying to navigate the discography based on the band members of REO Speedwagon, here is how you should approach it:
- For the Hard Rock Fan: Stick to the early 70s stuff with Gary Richrath and Terry Luttrell. The self-titled debut is a gem of Illinois rock.
- For the Hits: Hi Infidelity is the obvious choice, but Good Trouble and Wheels Are Turnin' are the peak of the Cronin/Richrath/Hall/Doughty/Gratzer era.
- For the Live Experience: Check out You Get What You Play For. It captures the band right before they became superstars, and the chemistry between Gary and Kevin is electric.
- Check Official Channels: Since the touring hiatus began in 2025, keep an eye on KevinCronin.com and the official REO social media. They often post archival footage or updates on individual projects that aren't widely publicized in the news.
The story of REO Speedwagon is really the story of American rock. It’s about guys from the suburbs who practiced in basements, hit the road in a van, and eventually wrote the songs that defined an era. While the lineup changed and eventually fractured, the music remains a staple of the American songbook. Whether you're a "Gary guy" or a "Kevin fan," there's no denying the impact these musicians had on the landscape of popular music.
To get the most out of their legacy now, go back and listen to the deep cuts on R.E.O. (1976) or You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish. You'll hear a band that was more than just their power ballads—they were one of the tightest rock outfits to ever come out of the Midwest.