REO Speedwagon took its name from the Reo Speed-Wagon, a truck manufactured by the REO automobile company. ("REO" are initials the company’s founder, Ransom Eli Olds, who also lent his name to the Oldsmobile division of General Motors.) The name was suggested to fellow bandmates by keyboard player Neal Doughty, who was enrolled as an engineering student at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois, and who learned about the truck in a history of transportation class.
REO Speedwagon was formed in the fall of 1967 by Doughty and dormmate drummer, Alan Gratzer to play cover tunes in campus bars. Numerous early personnel changes eventually resulted in Gary Richrath joining the band. Richrath was a Peoria, Illinois-based guitar player and prolific songwriter who brought original material to the band. With Richrath on board, the regional popularity of the band grew tremendously. The midwestern United States remains an REO fan stronghold and has its roots in this period of the band's history.
Paul Leka, an east coast-based record producer, brought the band to a recording studio where they recorded original material for their first album. The line-up on the first album was Doughty on keyboards, Gratzer on drums, Richrath on guitar, Gregg Philbin on bass, and singer Terry Luttrell. The band's debut album was self-titled and released on Epic Records in 1971. One of the most popular tracks on this record was 157 Riverside Avenue. The title refers to the Westport, Connecticut address where the band stayed while in the studio, and remains an in-concert favorite with fans to this day. Although the rest of the band's line-up remained stable, REO switched lead vocalists three times for their first three albums. Luttrell left the band shortly after recording its debut album, and was replaced with singer/songwriter/guitarist Kevin Cronin. Cronin recorded one album with the band, 1972’s REO/TWO, but left the band soon after over creative isagreements. Ridin’ The Storm Out was the band’s third release with as many singers; this time Mike Murphy. ...more REO Speedwagon concert tickets are available right here! These preferred REO Speedwagon ticket brokers are listed for you to compare and shop for your REO Speedwagon concert tickets. The ticket brokers below often have the hard to find REO Speedwagon concert tickets you can't find anywhere else. The ticket brokers listed below can also provide you access to most other concert tickets, NFL football, MLB baseball, NBA basketball, NHL hockey, College Basketball, College Football tickets and special event tickets within the United States.
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