REO Speedwagon Played Their Final Show as REO Speedwagon — and Will Continue with a Different Name
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/REO-Speedwagon-at-the-Summerfest-Music-Festival-2024-091724-1-2579f7dbce5b433ab05dac61ec770091.jpg)
12/23/2024 05:04 PM
In September, the band announced they would stop touring due to "irreconcilable differences" between frontman Kevin Cronin and bassist Bruce Hall
Weston Rich/Billboard via Getty Images
REO Speedwagon in June 2024- REO Speedwagon played their final show on Saturday, Dec. 21
- The name "REO Speedwagon" is being retired
- However, the band will continue to play under Kevin Cronin, aside from bassist Bruce Hall
The REO Speedwagon name is no more.
On Saturday, Dec. 21, the legendary rock band played their final show as REO Speedwagon at the Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas. At the concert, frontman Kevin Cronin addressed the crowd and thanked fans for all of the support since they first formed in 1967.
"I feel sadness that this is the final REO Speedwagon concert and at the same time I feel grateful to have been part of this incredible ride we've all been brothers on, this amazing musical journey called REO Speedwagon," Cronin, 73, told the crowd, per Louder Sound.
He continued, "The REO Speedwagon name is being retired tonight, but the music, the spirit, the songs of REO Speedwagon will live on with this band and with me under the name Kevin Cronin. We hope you join us on that adventure."
In September, REO Speedwagon, which is comprised of Neal Doughty, Cronin, Bruce Hall, Dave Amato, Bryan Hitt and Matt Bissonnette, announced in a Facebook post that they would stop touring in 2025 due to "irreconcilable differences" between frontman Cronin and Hall. The bassist has been absent from touring since November 2023 due to back surgery and was replaced with Bissonette. The announcement came just after the band concluded their summer tour with Train.
"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 be able to perform at the level the fans have come to expect," the post began. "Bruce respected that opinion and is grateful that Matt has been around to keep the Wagon rolling through the summer tour. Bruce never had any intention of retiring or walking away from the band, fans, and crew he has loved for almost 50 years."
Steve Jennings/Getty Images
REO Speedwagon in July 2022It continued: "For Kevin's part, he too has never had any intention of leaving the band, and the fans and crew mean the world to him, as well."
"Due to this complex situation, irreconcilable differences arose between Bruce and Kevin," read the post. "So, it is with great sadness that we announce REO Speedwagon will cease touring effective January 1, 2025."
In his own Facebook post, Hall said he was "heartbroken" about the decision to cease touring.
"Please know Neal and I did everything in our power to try and keep the Wagon rolling," he wrote. "I am so appreciative of ALL the amazing love & support. You guys have been very vocal and clear in your wishes for me to return to the stage. Trust me...that's all I wanted too. We all deserved a farewell tour."
Still, he wished for the band to continue "with the lineup of Kevin, myself, Dave, Bryan and Derek."
Then, on Dec. 17, Cronin revealed that he didn't want to end REO Speedwagon — whose ownership interest is controlled by Cronin, Doughty and Hall — but he was outvoted.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I ever see this coming. I didn't want to end REO Speedwagon. This is sad, and I would do anything in my power to continue [as] REO Speedwagon. I never quit the band; I never will quit the band. I just got outvoted and… have to stop calling it REO Speedwagon at the end of this year," he told Billboard.
He added, "The simple answer is that REO Speedwagon at this point is a three-person partnership… and I have one vote. So if I get outvoted then I have to accept that, whether I like it or not. I'll be honest with you — I don't like it. But I have to accept it… I would do everything in my power to be able to continue with REO Speedwagon but, when a vote is taken, you have to live with the results."
Up next, Cronin's band will go on tour with Styx and former Eagles guitarist Don Felder on the Brotherhood of Rock tour in 2025.
