Bruce Hall shared his thoughts on REO Speedwagon after Kevin Cronin chose to go solo.
The bassist reflected on the band’s past by posting photos from previous shows, writing, “Wish we could just press rewind! 2 years ago, grateful for each and every memory.”
REO Speedwagon has faced some internal struggles recently. Hall seemed to reminisce about better times when the band got along well. In 2023, Neal Doughty retired from touring after 55 years, and Hall later took a break for back surgery. Matt Bissonette stepped in for him during the tour. In September 2024, the band announced they would cease touring in 2025 due to Hall’s recovery and growing tensions between him and Cronin.
In October, Hall shared his thoughts on the situation, referring to the band’s breakup as an ‘ugly mess.’ “I’ve worked really hard trying to do what I can to get back in there, talking to the people and all this stuff,” Hall explained in an interview with Eubanks Reality Check. “Kevin’s the one who’s made up his mind. I’m trying to get him to change his mind for some reason, but what if this is going to be the end and it should be? I think we’ve done this a long time and we’re still capable of putting on a good show.”
The bassist continued, “It’s time to say goodbye, it’s a farewell time and that would be the right way to end the band instead of like this. This is just an ugly mess and it’d be a perfect time to go out. It wouldn’t take maybe a year to hit all the good spots and say goodbye and thank you everybody for being so wonderful to take care of us this long. Then we could go home and KC could do whatever he wanted to do with his life after that, but the way he’s splitting like this now is not it’s not the right way to go.”
Cronin recently announced he will tour with Styx next summer for 40 concerts. The “Brotherhood of Rock” tour starts on May 28 in Greenville, SC, and ends on August 24 in Milwaukee, WI. Tickets will be available for sale starting December 13, with Don Felder as a special guest.
