Eric Richrath, son of Gary Richrath, criticized Kevin Cronin for the problems within REO Speedwagon.
Mitch Lafon shared Eric’s comments on X, where he stated, “This is such a petty, pathetic way to go out. The fans deserved to have a proper run of ‘farewell’ shows… Bruce deserved to have a proper run of ‘farewell’ shows… Perhaps Alan and Neal would have liked the chance to come back and help send off the band they founded.”
He added, “It could have ended in a way that they all could have been really proud of… Instead, it’s going to end like this. A lead singer with a God complex has decreed that his opinion is the ‘consensus opinion’… and that’s it. He’s gonna take his ball and go home…”
Eric also joked, “Can’t wait to see the announcement of his new musical endeavor ‘The Kevin Cronin Experience: featuring Kevin Cronin – All Kevin, All the Time,’ embarking on the ‘Just Kevin’ Tour in 2025. It didn’t have to end this way.”
Last week, REO Speedwagon announced they would stop touring due to ‘irreconcilable differences.’ In a statement on Facebook, the band said, “To our fans: Bruce has intended to be Back On the Road Again by now. If it were up to just him, he’d be back on tour… but it’s not up to just him. The consensus opinion was that he had not recovered sufficiently to perform at the level the fans have come to expect.”
The group continued, “Bruce respected that opinion and is grateful that Matt has been around to keep the Wagon rolling through the summer tour. Bruce never intended to retire or walk away from the band, fans, and crew he has loved for almost 50 years.”
They added, “For Kevin’s part, he too has never intended to leave the band, and the fans and crew mean the world to him. Due to this complex situation, irreconcilable differences arose between Bruce and Kevin.”
The band concluded, “So, it is with great sadness that we announce REO Speedwagon will cease touring effective January 1, 2025. Neal, Kevin, and Bruce thank their fans for their years of loyal support and for providing wonderful memories that will remain with each of them forever.”
Bruce Hall recently responded to a fan’s suggestion to continue the band without Cronin. The fan said, “Replace Kevin then. [The] rest [of the] band is more important than him. Never thought I would need [to] say that.”
Hall replied, “I would never do that to him. He’s our lead singer just as I am the bassist. Together we are REO. I can’t stop him from leaving though.”
The band decided to stop touring due to a disagreement about Hall’s return following his back surgery in November. Matt Bissonette has been filling in for him since 2024.
Eric Richrath (Gary’s son) has checked in with his PoV of the whole REO ‘drama’
“This is such a petty, pathetic way to go out. The fans deserved to have a proper run of "farewell" shows…Bruce deserved to have a proper run of "farewell" shows…perhaps Alan and Neal would have… pic.twitter.com/zFQUtCxUXA
— Mitch Lafon (@mitchlafon) September 23, 2024
