List of REO Speedwagon members

REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Formed in 1967, the group originally included guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Blair, keyboardist Neal Doughty and drummer Alan Gratzer.[1] Matt left early the next year after graduating from school, with Terry Luttrell taking his place on lead vocals.[2] Bob Crownover took over as the band's guitarist, but was replaced after a brief tenure by Bill Fiorio and later Steve Scorfina.[3] Blair left a few months after Matt, with Gregg Philbin taking his place.[4] The band also briefly added saxophonist Joe McCabe and trumpeter Marty Shepard to its lineup in 1968.[3]

REO Speedwagon performing live in 2010 (top) and 2016 (bottom).

By late 1970, REO Speedwagon had finalised its first recording lineup with the addition of guitarist Gary Richrath in place of Scorfina.[5] In early 1972, shortly after the release of the band's self-titled debut album, Luttrell left REO Speedwagon following a disagreement with Richrath.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8][9] Philbin left the following year, with Bruce Hall taking his place.[10]

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.[11] Richrath also left early the next year, with Miles Joseph filling in for a show before Dave Amato took over in May.[12][13] Also in 1989, Bryan Hitt replaced Lear on drums,[14] 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.[15] Since the end of Harms's brief tenure with the group, REO Speedwagon has retained a consistent lineup of Kevin Cronin, Dave Amato, Bruce Hall, Neal Doughty and Bryan Hitt.[16]

Members

Current
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
 Neal Doughty 1967–present (Founding Member)
  • keyboards
 all REO Speedwagon releases
 Kevin Cronin
  • 1972–1973
  • 1976–present
  • lead and backing vocals
  • rhythm guitar
  • keyboards
Bruce Hall 1977–present
  • bass
  • backing and lead vocals
 all REO Speedwagon releases from You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish (1978) onwards
Dave Amato 1989–present
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
 all REO Speedwagon releases from The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990) onwards
Bryan Hitt
  • drums
  • percussion

Former
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Alan Gratzer 1967–1988
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
 all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971) to Life as We Know It (1987)
Mike Blair 1967–1968
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 none
Joe Matt
  • guitar
  • lead vocals
Terry Luttrell 1968–1972 lead vocals R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971)
Bob Crownover 1968–1969 guitar none
Gregg Philbin 1968–1977
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971) to Live: You Get What You Play For (1977)
Joe McCabe 1968 saxophone none
Marty Shepard trumpet
 Bill Fiorio 1969 guitar
Steve Scorfina 1969–1970
Gary Richrath 1970–1989
(died 2015)
  • lead guitar
  • backing and lead vocals
 all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971) to Life as We Know It (1987)
Mike Murphy 1973–1975
  • lead vocals
  • rhythm guitar
Graham Lear 1988–1989 drums The Second Decade of Rock and Roll: 1981 to 1991 (1991)
Miles Joseph 1989 (died 2012) lead guitar none
Carla Day 1989 backing vocals
Melanie Jackson
Jesse Harms 1989–1991
  • keyboards
 The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990)

Timeline

Lineups
Period Members Releases
Fall 1967 – early 1968
  • Joe Matt – lead vocals, guitar
  • Mike Blair – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals
 none
Early – summer 1968
  • Terry Luttrell – lead vocals
  • Bob Crownover – guitar
  • Mike Blair – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals
Summer – late 1968
  • Terry Luttrell – lead vocals
  • Bob Crownover – guitar
  • Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals
  • Joe McCabe – saxophone
  • Marty Shepard – trumpet
Late 1968 – summer 1969
  • Terry Luttrell – lead vocals
  • Bob Crownover – guitar
  • Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals
Summer – late 1969
  • Terry Luttrell – lead vocals
  • Bill Fiorio – guitar
  • Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals
Late 1969 – late 1970
  • Terry Luttrell – lead vocals
  • Steve Scorfina – guitar
  • Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals
Late 1970 – early 1972
  • Terry Luttrell – lead vocals
  • Gary Richrath – guitar, backing vocals
  • Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals
Early 1972 – mid-1973
  • Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Gary Richrath – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals
Mid-1973 – January 1976
  • Mike Murphy – lead vocals
  • Gary Richrath – guitar, backing vocals
  • Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals
January 1976 – early 1977
  • Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Gary Richrath – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals
Early 1977 – September 1988
  • Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Gary Richrath – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Bruce Hall – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Alan Gratzner – drums, backing vocals
September 1988 – early 1989
  • Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Gary Richrath – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Bruce Hall – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Graham Lear – drums
 none
Early – spring 1989
  • Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Miles Joseph – lead guitar
  • Bruce Hall – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Graham Lear – drums
  • Carla Day – backing vocals
  • Melanie Jackson – backing vocals
Summer 1989 – early 1991
  • Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Dave Amato – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Bruce Hall – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Jesse Harms – keyboards, piano
  • Bryan Hitt – drums, percussion
Early 1991 – present
  • Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Dave Amato – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Bruce Hall – bass, backing vocals
  • Neal Doughty – keyboards, piano
  • Bryan Hitt – drums, percussion

References
  1. Allen, Craig (July 27, 2013). "Meet REO Speedwagon (Photos, Videos)". New Jersey 101.5. Townsquare Media. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  2. Wright, Jeb. "REO's Neal Doughty: Back on the Road Again". Classic Rock Revisited. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  3. "REO Speedwagon: Niagara Falls Events". Facebook. November 14, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  4. Graff, Gary (October 23, 2014). "10 Bands that Changed Bass Players..." For Bass Players Only. Notehead Media Group. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  5. "Gary Richrath, guitarist - obituary". The Daily Telegraph. September 21, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  6. Burke, David (September 10, 2013). "Former REO singer has Tons O'Fun". Quad-City Times. Lee Enterprises. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  7. Sheff, David (March 23, 1981). "Now It's Cheat to the Beat, as Reo Speedwagon Finally Arrives with 'hi Infidelity'". People. Time Inc. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  8. Graham, Samuel (November 28, 1981). "The REO Speedwagon Story" (Scan). Record World. Vol. 18 no. 1791. New York City, New York: Record World Publishing. p. 14 (Section II). Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  9. Sharp, Ken (December 2, 2013). "A Chat with Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon". Rock Cellar Magazine. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  10. Henke, James (March 19, 1981). "REO Speedwagon's Big Breakout". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  11. Fell, Ron (August 26, 1988). "Biofeedback" (Scan). Gavin Report. No. 1721. San Francisco, California: Gavin Report, Inc. p. 21. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  12. Fell, Ron (April 14, 1989). "Biofeedback" (Scan). Gavin Report. No. 1752. San Francisco, California: Gavin Report, Inc. p. 23. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  13. Erickson, Anne (October 13, 2016). "REO Speedwagon Guitarist Dave Amato on His New Gibson Custom". Gibson. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  14. "Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon Talks About His Classic Hits and His Songwriting". REO Speedwagon. January 22, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  15. Giles, Jeff (August 30, 2015). "25 Years Ago: REO Speedwagon Regroup with 'The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  16. "The Band". REO Speedwagon. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
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