REO Speedwagon, the classic rock legends formed in Champaign, Illinois in 1967, have concluded their historic run. Their final performance, under the iconic REO Speedwagon name, took place on December 21st at the Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas. Lead singer Kevin Cronin addressed the crowd, thanking the band’s management and original members Alan Gratzer and Neil Doughty. He expressed both sadness and gratitude, acknowledging the incredible journey and the brotherhood shared within the band. Cronin announced that the REO Speedwagon name was being retired, but the music would live on under his own name.
Cronin also extended his thanks to the packed house and the tour crew, emphasizing their crucial contributions behind the scenes. He informed the audience that he would continue performing solo concerts with the same touring lineup, continuing to play REO Speedwagon songs. A clip shared on the band’s official Facebook page showed Cronin telling the crowd, “We’ll see you next year as ‘Kevin Cronin.’ This music is not gonna die, my friends.”
The band’s September announcement on social media cited “irreconcilable differences” between Cronin and bassist Bruce Hall as the reason for ceasing performances. A statement on Instagram clarified that while Hall had intended to return to touring, his recovery from back surgery (undergone in late 2023) had not progressed sufficiently to meet the performance standards expected by fans. The statement emphasized that neither Cronin nor Hall intended to leave the band, but the differences proved insurmountable. The statement concluded with thanks to fans for their years of loyal support.
Bassist Bruce Hall, in a separate Facebook post, expressed his heartbreak over the band’s ending and his desire to continue touring with the original lineup. He stated that he and Neal Doughty did everything possible to keep the band together. The Grammy-nominated group’s final lineup included Cronin, guitarist Dave Amato, Hall, keyboardist Doughty, and drummer Bryan Hitt. They sold over 40 million records, with hits including “Keep On Loving You,” “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Take It on the Run,” and “Keep the Fire Burnin’.”