REO Speedwagon

The Formation of REO Speedwagon was in 1967 as an American Rock band. Their name, REO Speedwagon, originated from a Flatbed truck and a Fire Engine made by the REO Motor Company. REO came together in Champaign, Illinois at the University of Illinois. The group in 1967 kicked off by playing in campus bars and only allowing themselves to play cover songs. The original band line up consisted of Neal Doughty playing key boards, Mike Blair as bassist and vocalist, Alan Gratzer on drums, and Joe Matt on guitar and vocals. in 1971 REO signed a deal to Epic Records to begin their first original album. 1980 comes around and REO Speedwagon records their most successful album ever, "Hi Infidelity", selling a high of ten million copies commercially. "Keep on Loving You", "Take it on The Run", "In Your Letter", and "Don't Let Him Go" were found on the charts for sixty five weeks running, and for thirty two of those weeks they remained on the top ten. "Hi Infidelity was a true rock and roll masterpiece. In all Speedwagon recorded sixteen albums.

My biggest concern with REO Speedwagon was their band members. Throughout the years from 1967 to 2007 they have changed every original band member from the beginning. REO has made a total of seventeen replacements. I have a hard time believing that the band could stay together for the time that they did. The only band member who was willing to stay was Neal Doughty on key boards. Their main reason why they had a declining popularity during their latest years was because of their variety of band member replacements, but, at the same time, i believe this added  a diversity in their music, for that reason I believe they make a great group. Their greatest song would have to be their 1973 Ridin' The Storm Out.