1/12/2019

Sights And Sounds From REO Speedwagon Tour

By Shirley Allen


When it comes to rock and roll, there are a number of different types of rock. When it comes to attending a REO Speedwagon tour, fans can often hear influences of pop, rock, hard rock, adult contemporary and blues in the music. It should be noted that while the group includes traditional blues rifts in some songs, the bluesy rock stylings of REO is far different than that of Delta or Deep Southern Blues.

Originally forming in Champaign Illinois in 1967, it has been a hard though successful journey for the band. While first becoming popular in the early 1970s and having achieved major commercial success, popularity waned in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Although, one album titled Infidelity which features four top rated hits has remained the best selling album by the group after selling over 10 million copies.

Named for a character in the E. O. Speedwagon story JoJo's Big Adventure, the band definitely takes fans on a musical adventure whether listening at home, in the car or attending a live show. For, the band puts on some of the best light shows which align with lyrics and sound throughout each concert. In addition, as the band tends to tour with groups such as . 38 Special, Styx and Foreigner, the sound is often top quality as well.

In the beginning, REO would haul equipment to and from show dates in a station wagon belonging to a friend. During that time, most shows were held at bars, clubs and restaurants around the greater Midwest area of the United States. Then, once becoming more well known, the group released a self-titled album in 1972. After which, the song 157 Riverside Avenue became one of the most played songs of all time.

While most of the band remained stable over the years, there were three switches to the vocal line-up three times while recording the first three albums. Then, in 1977, REO convinced Epic Records that the strength of the band was in playing live shows. As a result, the group released a live album You Get What You Play For which later achieved platinum status. Having received such acclaim and success, the band moved to Los Angeles later that year.

The band has sold over 40 million recordings and boasts over thirteen top forty hits on the Billboard charts. The most popular and well known songs are often considered to be Roll With The Changes, Can't Fight This Feeling and Keep On Loving You, all of which are still played at live shows. As with other bands, while record sales are down, the group still remains a popular live musical act.

More recently, in April of 2007, the band self-financed and released Find You Own Way Home. While the album did not make the charts, two singles appeared on the Adult Contemporary Chart produced by Billboard. As such, the group appears to have a fan base of young and old alike.

Currently, the band is on a Winter tour traveling from the West Coast throughout the Midwest and up and down the East Coast. The group often plays a number of classics as well as new material in each and every concert. Most often, music from Can't Stop Rockin, an album released in 2009, as well as music from the 80s and 90s are on the set list at each show.




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