By Shirley Allen


While there are a number of rock and roll concerts which occur in America each year, some are better than others. When it comes to a REO Speedwagon tour, the shows are often some of the most well attended, especially for classic rock bands. Most likely, this is because of the different types of rock which include pop, rock and roll, American Contemporary and Blues the group includes on various albums and live shows.

Originally forming in Champaign Illinois in 1967, it has been a hard though successful journey for the band. While first becoming popular in the early 1970s and having achieved major commercial success, popularity waned in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Although, one album titled Infidelity which features four top rated hits has remained the best selling album by the group after selling over 10 million copies.

The band was named in honor of the character, E. O. Speedwagon from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. While this is the case, the band definitely takes audiences on a musical journey with great light shows along with a trip through many different musical experiences along the way. Most often, bands such as Styx, Foreigner and . 38 Special will accompany REO on what have recently become annual or bi-annual tours.

In the beginning, REO would haul equipment to and from show dates in a station wagon belonging to a friend. During that time, most shows were held at bars, clubs and restaurants around the greater Midwest area of the United States. Then, once becoming more well known, the group released a self-titled album in 1972. After which, the song 157 Riverside Avenue became one of the most played songs of all time.

While most of the band has remained stable over the years, there were three changes to the vocalist at the time the first three albums were recorded. After which, the band informed Epic Records that playing live shows was a strong suit. In response, Epic agreed to allow the band to record You Get What You Play For which was recorded during a live show. The album, having made platinum status was a huge success.

Since forming in 1967, the band has sold over 40 million recordings while having had over 13 Top 40 hits. The most well known and popular of which is most likely Can't Fight This Feeling. For, the song can still be heard on a number of classic rock stations and during live shows.

While the self-financed release, Find Your Own Way Home in April of 2007 did not make the Billboard Rock and Roll charts, two singles from the album appeared on the Billboard American Contemporary chart. As such, it appears REO Speedwagon is a band that has new and old fans alike.

Currently, the band is on a Winter tour traveling from the West Coast throughout the Midwest and up and down the East Coast. The group often plays a number of classics as well as new material in each and every concert. Most often, music from Can't Stop Rockin, an album released in 2009, as well as music from the 80s and 90s are on the set list at each show.




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