RIP Gary Richrath

[kbot]

Sad. I remember seeing REO Speedwagon in the mid-70s while station in Omaha before the went commercial and were still originally a Midwestern regional band. Always thought Richrath didn't get his due.

REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath dies

Reo Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath has died, the band announced on its website and Facebook page Sunday. He was 65.

Band frontman Kevin Cronin said in a message that "my longtime friend and collaborator Gary Richrath passed away earlier (Sunday)." He did not disclose a cause of death.

"I feel so sad," Cronin wrote. "Gary was both a unique guitarist and songwriter, and the embodiment of the tough guy with a heart of gold."

He said he learned most of what he knows about being in a rock band from Richrath.

"The entire REO Family mourns his death and shares in the grief of his family, friends, and fans," he added.
"These words do not come close to expressing the depth of emotions I am feeling at this time."

Hi friends, kc here. My longtime friend and collaborator Gary Richrath passed away earlier today. I feel so sad... pic.twitter.com/ZFTSsV6W7h
— REO Speedwagon (@kcreospeedwagon) September 14, 2015
He added that a photo of the two on stage performing "has been on my music-room table for as long as I can remember, and will stay there."

Richrath joined Speedwagon, known for its 1980s ballad, Can't Fight This Feeling, in 1970, three years after the band was formed in Illinois. Based in Peoria, he was known as a songwriter as well as a guitarist, and helped grow the band's popularity beyond its original Midwestern stronghold.

Richrath also brought new songs to the band, including Ridin' the Storm Out. He recorded 12 albums with the band and also wrote another song, Take It On The Run.

He sang lead vocals on Find My Fortune and Only A Summer Love. The last album he recorded with the band was 1987's Life As We Know It. He left the band in 1989.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/musi ... /72252516/

[kbot]

From Midnight Special (1977) - Riding the Storm Out



Was thinking yesterday, I first saw REO Speedwagon when they were starting to go national, along with other regional bands such as Head East. Ted Nugent had already started to move beyond his mainly Midwest regional appeal and Midwestern rock bands and then California country rock bands such as Poco and The Eagles were starting to gain national appeal. Was a nice time......

[Dude111]

Very sad........ I have 5 or 6 of thier albums .. I love REO

[kbot]

I hear ya Dude - I played their first Live album continuously when I was younger. Was more of a fan of their earlier music than later, but still loved the band.....

[Malaria_Kidd II]

I've been listening more closely to Gary's fast plays/riffs lately with lot's of great memories of the iconic Illinois rock band.


My long time signature states the obvious for me liking REO Speedwagon. But I don't think it ever inspired forum members to turn my pages.

One of my favorite gas powered "big rigs" was Dad's big light green 1955 REO! You should have heard it back fire going down long hills

[kbot]

I think that Richrath is an underrated guitarist. Back in the day before speed metal and the Eddie Van Halens of the world came on the scene, Gary was performing well (I thought anyway). In the two live shows I had the chance to go to, I was amazed at the speed of the shows, generally - the guys were running all over the stage and not missing a beat.

[Malaria_Kidd II]

kbot,

That's two great REO memories for you that I wish I'd had too. But Dad's real REO livestock semi-truck will have to do in real life. It did not have a radio in it! Non of the "slow" gas rigs in those days had truck factory provided radios. The radio's self installed later were big, bulky things & AM only!

Here we go for Gary Ritchrath's biography noted at Wikipedia. It's a bit shorter than I thought it would be. But Gary's discography is a long list.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Richrath

Now I'm off to Paranormal to check the slowly moving view counts. I will take a closer read of Doka's Black Knight satellite/ancient UFO You made the last comment and that ole Black Knight's been in the news a lot!