Bassist Matt Bissonette has opened up about the unexpected turn of events that brought him into REO Speedwagon’s lineup. He was fresh off touring with Elton John and looking forward to a period of rest at home when Dave Amato, the band’s guitarist, called with an urgent request to step in as a temporary replacement.
“I had just come off the road with Elton John and I was in my studio and kind of going, ‘I’m never going to go on the road again. This is great. I’m home.’ And then one day, Dave Amato, the guitar player for R.E.O., called me, goes, call me, call me, call me. He left me like 10 texts, call me,” Bissonette recalled. Bruce Hall, REO Speedwagon’s longtime bassist, required back surgery. The band needed coverage for upcoming performances, particularly a Vegas gig.
The situation that seemed temporary at first evolved into something more permanent. After rehearsing with the band and completing the initial Vegas engagement, REO Speedwagon asked Bissonette to remain with them for their continued touring schedule. What began as a favor to fill a gap in the lineup became an ongoing role that would define the next chapter of his career.
For Bissonette, joining REO Speedwagon carried deep personal significance. He had grown up listening to the band as a kid, using a tennis racket as a makeshift guitar while playing along to classics like “Golden Country” and “Riding the Storm.” Now, performing these same songs night after night alongside the original artists who recorded them created a surreal full-circle moment in his professional journey.
Bruce Hall underwent back surgery in November 2023 and entered a recovery and rehabilitation period that extended well beyond initial expectations. Bissonette became the touring bassist for REO Speedwagon’s 2024 summer run and subsequent performances during Hall’s absence. Hall eventually stated that he was healed and cleared by his doctor to return to touring. However, disagreements emerged within the band regarding the timeline for his reintegration into the lineup.
The band’s decision to cease touring at the end of 2024 was connected to these internal tensions over when Hall would rejoin the active roster. This marked a significant turning point for REO Speedwagon, a band that had maintained a touring presence for decades. The circumstances highlighted the complexities of managing lineup changes in established acts, where both the health and well-being of longtime members and the continuity of the touring operation must be carefully balanced.
Despite the eventual outcome, Bissonette’s time with REO Speedwagon reflected the camaraderie and professionalism of the band. “Everybody’s really cool and really friendly and fun. And we go to movies on off days. And it’s just like a family, really, really good, good people,” he shared. His experience underscored how unexpected opportunities in the music industry can emerge from crisis situations, transforming what was meant to be a temporary solution into a meaningful chapter in an artist’s career.
