Kevin Cronin has been the lead singer of REO Speedwagon since 1971. While he is not the original, he is the singer of some of their best-known hits, including "Keep on Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling." Cronin and the band will be playing at Assembly Hall on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
DI: How has the live show evolved to what it is now?
KC: Our live show has got a core of around 10 songs that if we don't play those songs every night, there is a pretty good chance there will be an angry mob outside of the tour bus. Unfortunately those were songs that were big hits for the band, but we still love to play them. We love playing "Ridin' the Storm Out," "Take It on the Run," and "I Can't Fight This Feeling." People identify with the songs, and we know what people want to hear. We also play two or three songs from (the 2007 album) "Find Your Own Way Home." Those are the newest and freshest, and they are always fun to play live.
Then the third category is audibles. It comes from a pool of songs that we used to call album cuts. They were not really hit singles, but fan favorites. They vary in different regions, different parts of the world, so we vibe out the situation and pick them out.
In Champaign, being a very special town for us, we'll be playing some songs like "Golden Country" and "Son of a Poor Man" where a lot of other parts of the country may not be familiar with it. They can be songs we played at the Red Lion Inn in the early '70s.
In Champaign, we have just so much history. I wrote "Golden Country" sitting on the Quad. I used to sneak into the music building, and sneak into the piano studio. The whole campus area is a really fertile ground for us.
DI: You are from Evanston, Ill., but the rest of the band is from Champaign. What kind of connection do you feel with the community?
KC: The band kind of accidentally heard about me when they played up in Chicago. I moved to Champaign when I joined the band. I went from being a folk singer to being in a rock band. REO Speedwagon were rock stars, the kings of Champaign. I was thrust into that role,
I lived right near campus and hung out on Green Street. Also at Red Lion Inn, if we didn't play there, we were hanging out there.
There is a connection. Every night, I mention Champaign, Ill., because that's our roots. Without students of U of I and Champaign, we wouldn't be where we are.
DI: Is there any way to prevent the band from becoming a nostalgia act? How do you as musicians try to fight that feeling, if there is a feeling at all?
KC: We're vigilant about that. There is a part of what we do that is nostalgia, and any band from the '70s or '80s that denies that is a fool. The majority of the people are coming to hear those songs from the '80s that we love. We have no problem with that, we love singing those songs.
Still, if we strictly go out there and regurgitate the '80s, I would be bored still - couldn't do that. Continuing to write and record is essential, but I know I'm realistic. When we released "Find Your Own Way Home," it was definitely one of the best albums we have ever made, but I have to understand it's not going to sell 10 million copies. But it's important to continue to make them.
Music is a living breathing art form, it evolves. I walked into a bar in Indiana accidentally, and a tribute band for us was playing. Their trip is to listen to the old records and mimic them precisely. I thought that was horrible. Hopefully we've improved on that a little bit. To hear someone sing it the way I sang it 30 years ago is like looking at an old high school yearbook.
DI: How do you feel about your songs being used in films and commercials?
KC: I think it's great, fortunately we have control over it. Anyone who wants to use our songs has to first get our permission. We are very protective of our songs - they are our children in a way.
We like it to be something we relate to. "Can't Fight This Feeling" was in "Horton Hears a Who." It was cool to hear Jim Carrey, Steve Carell and Carol Burnett, and sang the song as Dr. Seuss characters. I have three little kids, so we went to the premiere.
DI: What is one thing you would like to accomplish as a band before your time is up?
KC: I think for me, I want to be the last guy standing. I look at a guy like Tony Bennett, one of the great singers of all time, and as time has gone on, his contemporaries have stopped singing. I see that with my contemporaries. I think that as time goes on, maybe the fact that we are still doing it will cause people to take another look and give us a chance.
That's what keeps me going, to exceed people's expectations.
DI: What are you listening to these days?
KC: I love the latest Foo Fighters record, and I am just starting to get into the new Metallica record. I just bought the new Randy Newman record, and it's wonderful. I put this record on and it makes me smile, he is such an amazing writer. There's a little bit of a political undertone, not overt, but he's just so clever with his wordplay.
Also, with an 11-year-old, do you think I haven't heard The Jonas Brothers?
ROCK GROUP REO Speedwagon will share the musical spotlight with singer Rick Springfield and Vertical Horizon, hailed as one of the best new rock bands in years, in one of this country’s biggest concert events tomorrow night at the Queen’s Park Oval.
This is the third triple bill concert to be presented by International Concert Events following Air Supply/ Richard Marx/Christopher Cross in May 2007 and Peter Cetera/Jon Secada and John Waite last June 28.
Over the past five years, REO Speedwagon has been selling out stadiums and co-headlining tours with Def Leppard and Journey. With a new album and two new singles, the group is currently on a world tour! Some of their tour dates include Aruba, Santo Domingo, Panama and Puerto Rico.
This is their a second visit to TT since their unstoppable performance in the early nineties.
REO Speedwagon - Kevin Cronin (lead vocals, guitar), Bruce Hall (bass), Neal Doughty (keyboards), Dave Amato (lead guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums) - rolled into 2008 full throttle with their brand new album Find Your Own Way Home, their first studio collection of new material in more than a decade.
The band will be performing all their greatest hits such as "Can’t Fight This Feeling" "Keep On Loving You," as well as the classics "Roll With the Changes, "Time for Me to Fly," "Take It On the Run" "In My Dreams" and "Here With Me".
Music critics noted that REO had "kept their standards extremely high," and were "thrilling their fans night after night with their incredible power, sheer energy, and songs that will live forever".
With the release of Find Your Own Way Home, the band feels its energy rekindled and its purpose renewed. This is not an ending at all - rather a new beginning.
Eighties heartthrob Rick Springfield is back on the music scene with his highest charting album debut in more than 20 years.
Springfield’s 17th CD, Venus in Overdrive, came in at No 28 on the Billboard in early August. The Australian native, who found fame on the US soap opera General Hospital in 1980 and then followed with his song hit "Jessie’s Girl" in 1981, has sold more than 19 million albums over his career and has over 17 top 40 hits under his belt.
Last year, the actor returned to General Hospital as Dr Noah Drake, as well as Drake’s alter-ego, a rocker named Eli Love. Springfield performed his new single, "What’s Victoria’s Secret?" in character on the popular daytime drama.
Springfield’s thrilled that he’s developing a new audience.
"There are a lot of people who were fans when they were little kids. They’ve grown up and are bringing their kids, and women are bringing their husbands," he says.
But the women still make their presence known. Thanks to the new single (whose title was inspired by the Victoria’s Secret lingerie chain), "I’m seeing more underwear on stage," says Springfield.
Vertical Horizon was formed in 1990, by Georgetown University undergrads Matthew Scannell and Keith Kane. After graduation in 1992 the duo relocated to Boston and, in 1992, self-released their debut album There and Back Again.
In 1996, with Matt and Keith joined by Ed Toth on drums and Ryan Fisher on bass, a live album, Live Stages, was released at the end of the year, featuring more of an emphasis on electric guitar. Also, by this time, the band was explicit in their intent to find a major record label; band members have said that it was no accident that the first track of Live Stages opens with the sounds of a large cheering audience. Their wishes came true, and the band was signed to Sony BMG Music Entertainment/RCA Records.
Fisher had never intended to join the band permanently and left in mid-1997. Seth Horan took up bass duties for the rest of that year. (Horan had previously played with Toth in the Miami-based funk/rock band, Jennifer Culture.)
In 1998, Matt, Keith and Ed held auditions for their next bassist. Their first audition was Sean Hurley, and everyone liked him immediately. There were many more auditions, but they eventually came back to Sean, and he officially joined Vertical Horizon.
The band’s first effort with RCA was 1999’s Everything You Want. The first single, "We Are", made some impact with fans. The second single, "Everything You Want", skyrocketed to the top of the charts, and became one of the most played songs on the radio in 2000.
A third single, "You’re a God", also did very well and was released as a live performance on the charity album Live in the X Lounge III. It also features in the movie Bruce Almighty. The fourth single, "Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)", also generated a lot of airplay on radio.
The band, which had been touring constantly since the album was released, continued touring until well into 2001. They then took a break, and came back to the studio to record their follow-up, which they hoped would be released soon enough to take advantage of the huge popularity of Everything You Want.
It was announced that Go their next album would be released in September 2003. A larger tour started in August, leading up to the release of the album. The album generated two singles "Forever" and "I’m Still Here". The song "Goodbye Again" is also played quite often in episodes of Smallville.
Tickets for this mega concert are on sale at all Pizza Boys outlets; all Ruby Tuesday restaurants; leading Francis Fashions outlets; Caribbean Jewellers’ outlets; BM Electronics, Long Circular Mall; Cleaves, Port-of-Spain; Crosby’s and Sound Research North and South; Xtra Foods, Grand Bazaar; Video Tronix, Valpark; SAG Trading, Trincity Mall; Food Masters Western Union, Tunapuna; Bee’s, Chaguanas; Ramsingh’s, Couva; MS Food City, Debe; Crown Pharmacy, San Juan; and Maraj Grand Foods, Sangre Grande.
For VIP information call 729 -2321, 748 -8686, or 385-3655.
by Scott Iwasaki
With the onslaught of new bands and music coming, some older and established bands have found themselves at the wayside.
If an older band isn't the Rolling Stones or U2, chances are it won't find a lot of radio play. Even then, when was the last time a new Rolling Stones tune was heard on a station other than the ones in Satellite Radio?
And with the way radio has treated instrumental music in the past decade, it seems that the only way people can hear great contemporary instrumental composers is to rummage through their own personal collections.
Sometimes people forget how good a band or artist is because of the lack of radio play.
However, three recent DVD releases aim to get the audience back.
And before anyone disses these older musicians, they need to watch, listen and learn.
FIRST UP IS REO SPEEDWAGON. Yep, the band from the '70s who hit the charts with "Ridin' the Storm Out," "Keep On Lovin' You" and "Roll With the Changes" is still making albums and touring the world.
The Illinois-based rock band took time out to film a show for the Chicago-based "Soundstage" PBS program.
The band's "Live in the Heartland" episode is now on DVD, released by Koch Vision.
And the DVD contains the full concert that shows the band - lead singer Kevin Cronin, bassist Bruce Hall, keyboardist Neal Doughty, drummer Bryan "the Hitt Man" Hitt and guitarist Dave Amato - pushing it up a few notches with energetic performances of the aforementioned songs. The only complain is the fact that sometimes the camera ignores the musicians playing solos.
Also on the list is "Keep Pushin'," "Take It on the Run," "Time for Me to Fly" and "157 Riverside Avenue."
One highlight is "Golden Country," which Cronin originally wrote after the fall of Saigon, that still is pertinent today.
Among the older hits, the band throws in four songs from its most recent CD, "Find Your Way Home." And if those songs are any indication, the band still has the hooks, the chops and the energy to continue rocking in the future.
by John Fay
PITTSBURGH - If Chris Dickerson plays like this every night, people will be saying "Adam who?" before long.
But nobody plays every night the way Dickerson did Thursday.
He went 3-for-5 with two doubles and a triple in the Reds' 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday night before a crowd of 35,439 at PNC Park. (The game was the opening act for REO Speedwagon and a fireworks display.)
Dickerson drove in the go-ahead run with a two-out double in the sixth inning. He scored the insurance run after tripling in the ninth.
"I'm kind of speechless," Dickerson said. "I felt really comfortable tonight. I think I worked the jitters out. I got good pitches to hit."
Dickerson is one of those players who adds energy.
"He's young; that's what young players do," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "They add speed. It was fun watching him run around those bases."
Johnny Cueto (8-11) pitched five innings of one-run ball for his first win since July 9.
His outing was abbreviated but effective. He went five innings, allowing one run on four hits. He walked three and struck out seven.
Cueto had a rough start. He gave up hits to the first two batters he faced and allowed a run in the first inning.
"We got to get him a 1-2-3 first," Baker said. "No telling how long he could go if he did that."
Javier Valentin tied it in the third with his second home run in as many starts.
The Reds wasted a big opportunity in the third. Dickerson led off with a double. He moved to third on a groundout by Jeff Keppinger.
But he was left stranded.
The Reds cashed in on a similar opportunity in the sixth - in spite of themselves. Corey Patterson led off with a double. He went to third on Paul Bako's groundout. The Reds sent Andy Phillips up to hit for Cueto.
Phillips hit a grounder to third, but Patterson broke on contact. He was caught in a rundown. Phillips managed to get to second. Dickerson eased the pain of the blunder by doubling Phillips in.
"I took a couple of deep breaths," Dickerson said. "I didn't want to put too much pressure on myself."
It was Dickerson's first career RBI.
Nick Masset replaced Cueto. He pitched a scoreless sixth. But he gave up back-to-back hits to start the seventh. Bill Bray came in and gave up a bunt single to Nate McLouth to load the bases.
Bray struck out Adam LaRoche. The Reds then brought on Gary Majewski to face Andy LaRoche.
Majewski delivered a 4-6-3 double-play ball.
"That's just what you want from your sinker baller," Baker said.
Dickerson tripled in the ninth. Keppinger got him in with a perfect suicide squeeze.
"Kepp's a great bunter," Dickerson said. "I knew that was an automatic run."
Francisco Cordero pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 220th career save.
by Hal McCoy
PITTSBURGH - There were 35,439 in PNC Park - most of them there to see the postgame REO Speedwagon concert and fireworks.
The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates do not draw 35,439, and what does it say when a 1970s-early '80s rock band nearly packs the place?
Back in the 1980s, whenever Reds pitcher Mario Soto recorded a strikeout, the scoreboard flashed: "Mario Speedwagon."
Some believe that Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto might eventually morph into a current Mario Speedwagon, if he can figure out how to reduce his pitch counts.
One of REO Speedwagon's hits, "Keep Pushin,' " could be Cueto's theme song these days, and that's certainly what he did Thursday night, Aug. 14, to finally get a victory, 3-1. In six previous starts, he was 0-3.
Cueto held the Pirates to one run and four hits, but as REO Speedwagon sings, he had to "Take it on the Run" after only five innings because he needed 107 pitches to get there.
He turned a 2-1 lead over to the bullpen, and Nick Massek, Bill Bray, Gary Majewski, David Weathers and Francisco Cordero held the Pirates to no runs and four hits over the final four innings. Cordero's 1-2-3 ninth earned him his 200th career save.
"We have to get Cueto out of that first inning with a lower pitch count," manager Dusty Baker said. Cueto needed 27 in this first inning, giving up one run, after using 26 in the first inning of his previous start.
"That's like pitching two innings in the first inning," Baker said. "And their lineup rolls around quicker, and you face the big boys again in the second or third instead of the fourth.
"If he has as 1-2-3 first inning, who knows how deep he might go into a game," Baker added. "I'm just glad he got the win because he has been pitching great.
"This guy is a competitor - he competes, he wants it," Baker said. "It is refreshing to see him on the mound, and he is controlling his emotions a little better, and I'm excited for him and us and his future."
Javier Valentin homered in the second to tie it 1-1, Chris Dickerson doubled in the second run, and then Dickerson tripled and scored the third run on Jeff Keppinger's suicide squeeze bunt.
"He brings in energy," Baker said of Dickerson. "That's what young people are supposed to do. And he brought some speed - the way he covers ground and runs the bases."
Dickerson, who has four hits in his last two games, three doubles and a triple, was nearly speechless after the game.
"I'm kind of speechless, so bear with me," he said. "It was so exciting. I just don't know what to say. I felt really comfortable and worked out all the jitters."
Dickerson was happy he caught the suicide squeeze sign from third-base coach Mark Berry for an insurance run in the ninth.
"We have a little verbal confirmation, and at the time Berry didn't know if I understood what he said," Dickerson said. "I got the sign from the git-go, and I was geared up because I know Keppinger is a good bunter. As soon as he made the call, I knew we'd get an automatic run."
And hitting?
"I got good pitches to hit, and that's all you can ask for," he said. "I was able to put a pretty good swing on things."
There was one game-saving escape in the seventh when the Reds led 2-1, but the Pirates filled the bases with no outs.
Bill Bray struck out Adam LaRoche, and Gary Majewski came on to coax an inning-ending ground ball double play out of Andy LaRoche.
"Play of the game was when Bray struck out a tough hitter in (Adam) LaRoche and then Majewski threw up that double play, which is what you want out of your sinkerballer, throw up a ground ball to give you a chance," Baker said.
