Since REO Speedwagon’s retirement, fans have been asking the members to settle their differences and properly retire the band. Kevin Cronin recently addressed these requests in the comments section on his Facebook.
One user wrote, “Wish you would meet with Bruce Hall of REO Speedwagon and talk things out. This isn’t the right way to retire REO. The fans deserve better.”
Cronin agreed with the sentiment but asked not to bring it up again. “I agree that the fans deserve the nothing but the best effort from any artist they buy a ticket to see. That is what I have always striven for with REO Speedwagon. As to a farewell tour… I am simply not ready to say farewell, and I can’t control the retirement schedules of others. I have spoken to this question several times, so I would respectfully ask that you take these sentiments elsewhere.”
REO Speedwagon played their final show on December 22, with a 15-song setlist covering their ’80s hits, including their 10-time platinum album ‘Hi Infidelity.’ The band closed the show with an encore of ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling’ and ‘Roll With the Changes.’
The final shows came amid public tension, and ‘irreconcilable differences’ between Cronin and bassist Bruce Hall caused Hall to miss the performances.
However, the band continues under a new name, now billed as Kevin Cronin. “The name REO Speedwagon is being retired… the music and the spirit of REO lives on through the hard work and dedication of Dave Amato, Bryan Hitt, Derek Hilland, Matt Bissonette, and me” Cronin said in response to a fan.
He further explained that his name would now represent the next phase for the band, reassuring fans that the band and their crew are staying together. “My name now represents this awesome band, crew, and organization… all of whom are sticking together through this transition and into 2025 and beyond.” He ended his message by thanking fans for their support as they move into the future of their music journey. He thanked fans for their continued support as they enter this new chapter.
The band will be touring this year on the Brotherhood of Rock tour with Styx, starting May 28 and wrapping up on August 24.
