Kevin Cronin Reacts to REO Speedwagon Reunion Snub

The recent announcement of REO Speedwagon's one-off reunion concert has left the band's former frontman, Kevin Cronin, feeling sidelined and deeply distressed. Scheduled to be held in their hometown, Champaign, Illinois, this June, the event intends to celebrate the band's enduring legacy with the participation of several past and present members. However, Cronin has been conspicuously excluded, leading to a public expression of his grievances and displeasure on social media. Fans were surprised by his absence, especially given his significant contributions to the band's history and success.

Cronin has been vocal about his exclusion, expressing feelings of being “deeply disturbed and hurt” by the event organizers' decision. He asserts that the date chosen for the concert clashes with his pre-existing commitment to perform with Styx and his own band in Bend, Oregon, suggesting that a more considerate approach would have been to select a date mutually available to all. Cronin points out that he has been “falsely accused of turning down the invitation,” adding insult to the injury of being left out of an event celebrating the very legacy he helped build. This public and emotional disclosure highlights the internal tensions that have apparently lingered since REO Speedwagon disbanded following their 2024 farewell tour.

Despite the public statements made by Cronin, Bruce Hall, a long-standing member of REO Speedwagon, responded by reaffirming that all former members, including Cronin, were invited to participate in the reunion. Hall mentioned that while arrangements were offered to accommodate Cronin's absence physically, through virtual participation, it appears his sentiments of exclusion have not been fully addressed. The concert aims to bring together co-founders Neal Doughty and Alan Gratzer, alongside other key members in a tribute to the band's timeless impact on rock music.

Further exacerbating Cronin’s sense of exclusion is his claim that fellow REO veterans Dave Amato and Bryan Hitt were not invited, which he perceives as a lack of respect. Amato and Hitt, who continue to perform alongside Cronin privately, seem to have been marginalized in the organization of the event. The significance of the lineup and the specific choices of participants fuel the perception of sidelining and exclusion amongst certain band members, intensifying the controversy surrounding the reunion.

The music world has watched as the dissolution of REO Speedwagon unfolded, primarily due to “irreconcilable differences” between Cronin and Hall. These personal disputes visibly affect ongoing band activities and reunions, drawing fans into a complex scenario where personal tiffs overshadow a celebrated musical legacy. This one-off concert could have been an opportunity for reconciliation and closure; instead, it has unfolded further discord.

In his parting words during REO Speedwagon’s final show, Cronin had optimistically stated that while the band’s name might retire, their spirit would persist through his solo adventures. The former frontman’s ongoing commitment to continue performing and honoring the band’s music illustrates his deep connection to REO Speedwagon’s legacy. Perhaps there is a silver lining for fans as they get to relive the nostalgia through Cronin’s continuing endeavors or, ideally, one day witness a full reconciliation among all band members, old and new. However, for now, the event instead stands as a poignant reminder of the unresolved issues unseen by the public.