REO Speedwagon bassist Bruce Hall has reignited hopes for a classic lineup farewell tour. He responded to fan inquiries about a potential reunion following the band’s cessation of touring activities. In a Facebook post accompanying a video of the band’s legendary Live Aid 1985 performance, Hall addressed questions about bringing the classic lineup back to the road. He expressed that he wants nothing more than to put REO Speedwagon back on the road again. As long as he and Kevin Cronin are on stage together, Hall stated, REO stays alive.
The bassist’s comments come at a significant moment in the band’s history. REO Speedwagon officially ceased touring effective January 1, 2025, following what the band described as “irreconcilable differences” between longtime members. The decision to end the touring entity came after keyboardist Neal Doughty retired from touring during 2023 and bassist Bruce Hall sat out during 2024 due to back surgery. Both voted to bring the curtain down on the band’s touring operations. Kevin Cronin, the band’s lead singer and primary songwriter, disagreed with the decision and opted to tour under his own name as the Kevin Cronin Band instead.
A significant development occurred in late September 2025 when the classic REO Speedwagon lineup reunited for a halftime performance at the University of Illinois homecoming football game in Champaign. The performance marked the first time that Cronin, Hall, keyboardist Neal Doughty, and drummer Alan Gratzer had shared a stage together in a musical capacity since December 31, 1988. During the halftime show, the four members performed REO Speedwagon favorites including “Ridin’ the Storm Out,” “Roll With the Changes,” and “157 Riverside Avenue” alongside the 400-plus-member University of Illinois marching band. This created an emotional moment for fans who had long hoped for a reunion.
The September 2025 reunion sparked renewed conversations about the possibility of a proper farewell tour to give fans closure after decades of separation. Bruce Hall has expressed that he, keyboardist Neal Doughty, and drummer Alan Gratzer are ready and willing to tour if Kevin Cronin joins them. The classic lineup members are prepared to commit to a full-scale reunion. Despite this optimism from Hall and the other classic members, no official full-scale reunion tour has been announced. Such a tour is not guaranteed due to the unresolved tensions and logistical challenges that led to the band’s initial breakup.
The situation remains complicated by Kevin Cronin’s current touring commitments and the ongoing disagreements that fractured the band. Cronin is currently touring with Styx on the “Brotherhood of Rock” tour. He has not committed to a full REO reunion, citing what he has described as impossible demands from Hall as a barrier to reconciliation. A June 2025 charity concert in Champaign featured six former members including Hall, Doughty, and Gratzer but notably excluded Cronin. He was performing with Styx that same day, highlighting the continued scheduling and personal conflicts that complicate any potential reunion efforts.
While fans remain hopeful for a classic lineup farewell tour following the September 2025 halftime show appearance, REO Speedwagon remains in a state of uncertainty. No confirmed dates exist for a 2026 or beyond classic lineup farewell tour. The band’s legacy continues to resonate with fans who have supported them for over five decades. The possibility of a final tour featuring all four members of the classic lineup remains one of rock music’s most anticipated potential reunions, even as the practical and personal obstacles to such a reunion persist.
