After a staggering 57 years together, the members of REO Speedwagon have played their final show as a band.
The rockers took their final bow Saturday night at the Las Vegas Venetian Theater, with frontman Kevin Cronin paying tribute to the “only real” original members of REO. “I want to pay tribute to the co-founders and only real original members of REO Speedwagon, Alan Gratzer and Neil Doughty. I feel sadness that this is the final REO Speedwagon concert, and at the same time I feel grateful to have been part of this incredible ride we’ve all been brothers on, this amazing musical journey called REO Speedwagon.”
Cronin’s heartfelt words quickly turned into a pitch for his next project, which will see him continue to perform REO Speedwagon music as a solo artist. “The REO Speedwagon name is being retired tonight, but the music, the spirit, the songs of REO Speedwagon will live on with this band and with me under the name Kevin Cronin,” he told the crowd. “We hope you join us on that adventure.”