Current Lead Singer of REO Speedwagon
Kevin Cronin is the current lead singer of REO Speedwagon, a position he has held since rejoining the band in 1978 after a brief departure. Cronin, born on October 6, 1951, in Champaign, Illinois, is credited with shaping the band's signature sound during their peak commercial years. His vocal style and songwriting contributions defined the arena rock era for the group, which originated in Champaign, Illinois, in 1966. The band's current lineup features Cronin alongside guitarist Dave Amato, bassist Bruce Hall, drummer Bryan Hitt, and keyboardist Neal Doughty, who remains the sole original member from the classic lineup. REO Speedwagon continues to tour and perform their classic hits, maintaining a presence in the classic rock circuit as reported by Forbes.
Kevin Cronin's Role and Contributions
Kevin Cronin serves as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for REO Speedwagon, contributing to the band's most successful albums, including "Hi Infidelity" and "Good Trouble." His tenure with the band spans multiple decades, with his return in 1978 marking a turning point in their commercial trajectory. Cronin co-wrote several of the band's biggest hits, such as "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling," which topped the Billboard Hot 100. His leadership in the band's vocal arrangements and stage presence remains central to their live performances and recorded output.
REO Speedwagon Band History and Lead Singer Timeline
REO Speedwagon was formed in 1966 by Neal Doughty and Alan Gratzer at the University of Illinois, with the band name derived from the REO Speed Wagon truck. The band's early lead singers included Terry Luttrell and Kevin Cronin, who first joined in 1972 before leaving in 1976. Cronin returned as lead singer in 1978, initiating a run of commercial success that included multiple platinum albums and chart-topping singles. The band's classic lineup with Cronin, Doughty, Gratzer, bassist Gregg Philbin, and guitarist Gary Richrath defined their sound through the late 1970s and 1980s per AllMusic biography.
Key Albums and Commercial Performance
The band's album "Hi Infidelity" (1980) marked their commercial peak, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 and selling over 10 million copies in the United States. Subsequent albums "Good Trouble" (1982) and "Wheels Are Turnin'" (1984) continued the band's chart success, with multiple singles reaching the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. REO Speedwagon's total album sales exceed 40 million copies worldwide, placing them among the best-selling American rock bands of the 1980s. The band's catalog remains a staple of classic rock radio, with their songs continuing to receive significant airplay across the United States per RIAA certification data.
Kevin Cronin's Career Beyond REO Speedwagon
Kevin Cronin has maintained an active solo career alongside his work with REO Speedwagon, releasing multiple solo albums including "Eyes of a Child" (1994) and