Lead singer of iconic rock band claims he was deliberately left out of reunion
The frontman of a legendary rock band expressed feeling “upset and offended” for knowingly being excluded from the upcoming band reunion. REO Speedwagon’s lead singer, Kevin Cronin, will not be part of a special “retrospective” concert due to a scheduling conflict. In a recent Facebook post, Cronin expressed his disappointment with event organizers for selecting a date, June 14, 2025, that clashed with a prior commitment to perform with Styx and his own band in Bend, Oregon.
Cronin voiced his frustration at being invited to an event he physically could not attend, only to be falsely accused of rejecting the invitation. The singer felt deeply hurt by the exclusion, especially considering his significant contributions to the band’s legacy. Cronin emphasized the unfairness of being left out despite his longstanding involvement in building the REO Speedwagon brand.
Notably, REO Speedwagon’s reunion event in Champaign will feature original members Neal Doughty, Bruce Hall, Terry Luttrell, Mike Murphy, Steve Scorfina, and Alan Gratzer, alongside special guests. The concert will also include a segment dedicated to honoring the memories of the late Gary Richrath and Gregg Philbin, former band members.
The band’s recent breakup stemmed from conflicts between Hall and Cronin, primarily related to Hall’s proposal for a farewell tour following his recovery from back surgery. Despite this, Hall mentioned that the Champaign event was organized to support cancer research through the REO Speedwagon Foundation, with proceeds earmarked for rare GU Cancer research at the Moffitt Cancer Center.
In response to Cronin’s accusations, Hall clarified that the founding fathers were not receiving payment for their participation. Instead, they saw this concert as an opportunity to reunite for a final performance, pay tribute to their late bandmates, and raise funds for a noble cause. Hall expressed hope for Cronin’s virtual participation in the event, emphasizing the importance of honoring the band’s history and contributing to cancer research.
Kevin Cronin has been a pivotal figure in REO Speedwagon since joining the band in 1972, contributing his vocals and songwriting to numerous hits over five decades. While the singer expressed his disappointment at being excluded from the reunion event, the remaining members look forward to coming together for “Honoring the Legacy of REO Speedwagon – A Concert Event – Back Where it All Began” at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois, on June 14, 2025. Tickets for the event are currently available for purchase.