REO Speedwagon To Cease Touring Citing ‘Irreconcilable Differences’
by Best Classic Bands Staff
This band photo accompanied the announcement on September 16, 2024
REO Speedwagon has announced that they will cease touring, effective January 1, 2025. The surprising announcement today (September 16, 2024) at around 1 p.m. ET came after the band had been unable to perform at the final two concerts of their “Summer Road Trip 2024” with Train due to emergency surgery for their longtime leader Kevin Cronin. In the unsigned statement on their Facebook page, the cited “irreconcilable differences” between bass guitarist / vocalist Bruce Hall, who himself is recovering from back surgery, and Cronin.
The complete statement from September 16: “To our fans: Bruce has intended to be Back On the Road Again by now. If it were up to just him, he’d be back on tour… but it’s not up to just him. The consensus opinion was that he had not recovered sufficiently to be able to perform at the level the fans have come to expect. Bruce respected that opinion and is grateful that Matt has been around to keep the Wagon rolling through the summer tour. Bruce never had any intention of retiring or walking away from the band, fans, and crew he has loved for almost 50 years.
“For Kevin’s part, he too has never had any intention of leaving the band, and the fans and crew mean the world to him, as well.
“Due to this complex situation, irreconcilable differences arose between Bruce and Kevin. So, it is with great sadness that we announce REO Speedwagon will cease touring effective January 1, 2025. Neal, Kevin, and Bruce thank their fans for all their years of loyal support and for giving back to the band such wonderful memories that will remain with each of them forever.”
Minutes after the band’s announcement, Hall wrote on his own Facebook page, “Hey Everyone, Never ever thought it would end like this and I’m heartbroken. Please know Neal [Doughty] and I did everything in our power to try and keep the Wagon rolling. I am so appreciative of ALL the amazing love & support. You guys have been very vocal and clear in your wishes for me to return to the stage. Trust me…that’s all I wanted too. We all deserved a farewell tour.
“For the record, I wanted REO Speedwagon to continue to tour with the lineup of Kevin, myself, Dave [Amato], Bryan [Hitt] and Derek [Hilland]. Just as it was prior to my necessary, planned and successful back surgery.
“I love and will miss you all, Bruce”
One day earlier, Cronin had written, “2024 has been equally joyful and challenging, and although I didn’t quite make it to the finish line, I have loved the journey. The Summer Road Trip with Train and REO Speedwagon was a courageous idea and an amazing success story. As I said every night when I joined Jerry, Hector, Matt M, and Taylor for Train’s interlude of ‘The Joker’… ‘I love this man Pat Monahan, and I love everyone in his band.’ I will Keep On Loving Pat and the Train Gang, my awesome band, and both of our crews. I have no doubt that we will all rock together again.
“Thanks to everyone for your messages of love and healing energy. I recently had an emergency surgery and it was a complete success. I am on the mend and will be up and rockin’ as soon as the good docs here say it’s okay. Until then, I am 100% focused on recuperating.
“Meanwhile, lying here tethered to various beeping machines, makes a guy think. I have had plenty of free time this past week to appreciate the love in the eyes of my wife and kids, as they have gathered around me here every single day. I have so much more life to live, and have re-examined what I want to do with the rest of my time here, and who I want to be surrounded by while I do it. I need to be lifted by those around me, and in return, to lift them. I feel excited at the prospect of creating and playing the best music I have in me, with the best artists, musicians, and people who will have me. And I promise to continue giving my best, and appreciating the gift of music which has allowed me this life.
“Your unwavering support means the world to me… kc”
Watch REO Speedwagon perform “Take It On the Run” at their final concert of the tour
The band has many dates on their 2024 calendar and the wording of their Sept. 16 statement implies that they intend to keep those commitments. Tickets are available here and here.
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5 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationI hope everyone can put things aside and provide a great farewell tour for their fans and those with the band since the beginning. Been a fan for 46 years.
They should have hung it up after Gary left the band. He was the heart and soul. Never was the same.
It’s hard to imagine a world without REO Speedwagon on tour. Their music carried us through decades of memories. As they step back, we’re reminded that even legends must eventually call it a day, but the songs and moments will live on.
Having been in many bands and types of bands throughout my life, I can well understand this situation. One would think when a band becomes successful and there’s money on the line that the rest can be put aside. But human interactions and relationships just don’t work that way. And next to a marriage, the relationships one has in a band are probably the most intimate one can have, perhaps next to the ones that develop between people in combat. I always felt that REO Speedwagon’s music was trite, and the most vanilla kind of American Rock at its worst. I’m sorry for their fans who feel this loss, but personally I will not miss them.