One day, I was really frustrated because we had an album that was due, and we really needed that song that was going to pick up where Keep On Loving You left off, and we didnt have it. "I have this Forrest Gump-ian way of touching something and it becomes a hit!" ", "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" by Marvin Gaye was inspired by Jackie Gleason's saying, "How Sweet It Is!". Since starting his career at the age of 19 as the house drummer on Saturday Night Live, hes graduated into, Read More 10 Things You Didnt Know about Steve JordanContinue, If youre a fan of rap music, you might be quite familiar with the name DJ Paul. I try to keep it that way, because I think theres a certain purityI try to keep the craftsmanship to a minimum. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. REO Speedwagon, Boz Scaggs Latest To Sue Sony Music Over Digital Downloads, I feel so sad. Required fields are marked *. Kevin Cronin is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and occasional pianist for the American rock band REO Speedwagon. Se do you feel more comfortable writing the song by yourself, or do you also love the process of co-writing? The current lineup of REO Speedwagon consists of Cronin, original member Neal Doughty (keyboards), Bruce Hall (bass), Dave Amato (lead guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums). Richrath last played with the band in 2013, when the band performed a benefit concert in Bloomington, Illinois, to raise money for tornado victims. I had a little red Wurlitzer electric piano that Id had since I was in high school. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. It just has this huge history to it. When you feel the inspiration for a song, then you have to actually craft it. Maybe it was just the timing of when it was released. Visit Billboard Pro for music business news, Kodak Black Ordered Into Rehab By Florida Judge, Kodak Black Arrest Warrant Issued in Florida Over Failed Drug Test, Brad Paisley Drops Song Featuring Ukrainian Pres. Cronin: I think so. But then once I got done with the craftsmanship part of it, I thought HeyI think I could hear this song on the radiopeople might want to listen to it. Its funny, when youre just starting out as a songwriterwhen youre trying to figure things out and see what your path is and where youre headingas I reminisce and think about it, it seems I have these sweet memories of that time. How do you think Ozark meant for the song to be seen? And sure enough, it ended up working out. I couldnt figure it out, and as a result, I had a really hard time finishing that song. The band REO Speedwagon, which originated in Champaign, Illinois, in 1967, consists of original member Neal Doughty, 67; Kevin Cronin and Bruce Hall, who joined in the 1970s; and Dave Amato and Brian Hitt, who came aboard in 1989. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. Send me email updates and offers from TMZ and its Affiliates. Grazing In The Grass by The Friends Of Distinction was the first big hit to use the phrase "dig it" in the lyric. Its kind of a blessing and a curse. I was talking to someone today about how the opening line of a song is so important to me. 1 of 13. George Floyd's Sister Says Trial Reminds Her of Suffering He Endured: 'He Felt Every Ounce of Pain'. DK: I think Keep Pushin is one of the great songs from REOs early years, and maybe if it was released later in the mid-80s when the band was so hot, it could have been another big hit. achieved significant commercial success during the 1980s. . Since rejoining the band, Cronin has penned the bulk of their most successful songs, including Keep the Fire Burnin', I Do Wanna Know, Keep on Loving You, Cant Fight This Feeling, In My Dreams, and Dont Let Him Go. I sat down and started playing those chordsthat was what the song came from. I sat there on the floor of my bedroom, and I thought, Alright, what is this song all about? Why cant I name this songwhy cant I write the chorus for this song? I was really focused on my wife, my children and my homemy children are all in high school now. Yet Im thinking this song is so important to me and I think its got the potential to be a real special song in the world, but this title is going to kill it. 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards. In addition, his songs Roll With The Changes and Keep The Fire Burning have had an enduring impact, becoming rock anthems which convey positive and uplifting lyric themes. October 6, 1951 Birthplace Evanston , IL Age 71 years old Birth Sign Libra About American guitarist and lead singer for the rock band REO Speedwagon who wrote "Keep on Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling." Before Fame He was first chosen as the second lead singer of REO Speedwagon at age twenty in 1971. 2023 Getty Images. It gave me an outlet for expressing myself when I was very young and didnt know any other way to do it. Biggest hit "Sister Christian" (1984) took the band to . DK: One of my favorite songs is Roll With The ChangesI think that song has inspired a lot of people. I'm self-taught on. Another one like that is Keep Pushin, which I wrote a little after Music Man. That was another one where I felt likeit was soulfulI wrote it right from the heart. I think it's a combination of both. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. He was like, 'Oh my God, you're a true fan!' I told the writer, You know, thats not what I would normally say. What Ive been saying for I don't know how many years is, Hey Cincinnati, check yourselves out. And then our light guy puts the spots on the audience. "We laughed, we joked it was like we knew each other forever. It was kind of shocking in a way. Theyre all home (and becoming) young adults. The. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. It was the first song where I thought, Wow, I kind of like this song (laughs). We thought it was all going to be right next to each other, like on the show. When fans of the Netflix show Ozark tuned in to its third season, they were treated to a surprise appearance from Cronin and the rest of REO Speedwagon during episode three. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. About The Lead Singer Of REO Speedwagon Now, hes all about healthy eating and working out. The 10 Best Ty Dolla Sign Songs of All-Time, The 10 Best Lupe Fiasco Songs of All-Time, The 10 Best 4 Non Blondes Songs of All-Time, The 10 Best Marina and the Diamonds Songs of All-Time, The 10 Best Ruben Blades Songs of All-Time. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Luckily, I had the sense to stick with my gut and sure enough, Cant Fight This Feeling ends up being the most popular song Ive ever written. When I rejoined, the band had moved from Champaign, Illinois to Los Angeles. She was actually going out with one of my buddies. You have an entire episode of Ozark named after you (Kevin Cronin Was Here) and you and the band perform Time for Me to Fly in it. For example, In 2011, He worked on Universal Language with producer Will, Read More 10 Things You Didnt Know about Angel VivaldiContinue, Ice Nine Kills is a metal band that hails from from about an hour from where I grew up: Boston, MA. The band made a music video for this song in 1978, three years before MTV went on the air. Richrath released a solo album, Only the Strong Survive,in 1992. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. REO Speedwagon performing on Feb. 5, 1981 in Chicago, Il. She's thinking about what her life would be like without [Marty/Jason Bateman]. Turning 17 is a big deal. "It's amazing when I walk out on stage and start playing one of the songs . Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. Stevie Wonder wrote the Rufus funk classic "Tell Me Something Good. Time for Me to Fly has taken me on an amazing musical journey that started when I wrote it in 1970. Showing Editorial results for reo speedwagon. As we all know, those memories are Who is the lead singer in REO Speedwagon? You know, I went through some fictional years there in the past! It's one of my favorite moments, because when I play those opening guitar chords, everybody in the place stands, everybody's got their lighters or cell phones up. Cronin: Yeah, I think so. I gotta tell ya, I see the name REO Speedwagon all the time, but I don't often see my own name there. In 2007, REO Speedwagon released Find Your Own Way Home, their first new album in eleven years. Even our (REO) song Take It On The Run which Gary Richrath wrote, Heard it from a friend, who heard it from a friend, who heard it from another youve been messin aroundwhen I heard that line that Gary wrote, I said this song is amazing. I was determined to do everything I could possibly do to get that song finished and help Gary in any way, so we could record that song, because that opening line just killed me. I remember where I was when I wrote that song. But this year I think I need to start tapping into the creative side of my being, because otherwise it starts exploding (laughs) in other ways. He was 65. These are ten things you didnt, Read More 10 Things You Didnt Know about Andrew BaenaContinue, Angel Vivaldi is a New Jersey-based progressive metal guitarist, composer, producer, environmentalist, and philanthropist. Cronin had been inspired to write the album after his son, Paris, fell into drug addiction. Busted After Ariana Found Sexual Texts to Raquel. What was it that inspired you to write it? The current lineup of REO Speedwagon consists of Cronin, original member Neal Doughty (keyboards), Bruce Hall (bass), Dave Amato (lead guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums). In fact, the group's best-selling album is Hi Infidelity. REO Speedwagon's 1971 debut album was with their original lead singer, Terry Luttrell. Cronin is known to play Ovations on tour, and even has his own signature guitar from the brand. The subjects that we were writing about were what was going on in our lives, since we were all in the same boat in a lot of ways. Cronin: The first album that I made with them was an album called R.E.O./T.W.O., which was our second album. Fortunately, I stumbled into my home studio, which was a very humble little studio back in those days. The neck fits my left hand perfectly, and it sounds exactly how I think an electric guitar should sound. Chauvin, 44, has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of George seen on bystander video as Chauvin pressed his knee to George's neck for nearly nine minutes while George lay handcuffed on the ground during his arrest for allegedly spending a counterfeit $20 bill. Cronin managed to reach $350,000 before being eliminated after forgetting the lyrics to Donna Summers Last Dance.. Which instrument do you prefer to write songs on? Youre with another person, youre bouncing ideas around and I enjoy that. But I was probably over halfway finished with Cant Fight This Feeling, and I felt that it was something special. Songwriting and music has always been my savior in that way. DK: Which album was it, where you started to write a good amount of the songs for the group? The lead singer of REO Speedwagon is Kevin Cronin and Terry Luttrell respectively. Robert Smith doesn't license Cure songs for commercials, but he made an exception in 2004 when he let Hewlett-Packard use "Pictures Of You."