List of REO Speedwagon members

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REO Speedwagon performing live in 2010 (top) and 2016 (bottom).

REO Speedwagon was an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Formed in 1967, the group originally included drummer and backing vocalist Alan Gratzer, guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and vocalist Mike Blair, and keyboardist Neal Doughty.[1] Matt left early the next year after graduating from school, with Terry Luttrell taking his place on lead vocals.[2] Bob Crownover took over as the band's guitarist, but was replaced after a brief tenure by Bill Fiorio and later Steve Scorfina.[3] Blair left a few months after Matt, with Gregg Philbin taking his place.[4] The band also briefly added saxophonist Joe McCabe and trumpeter Marty Shepard to its lineup in 1968.[3]

By late 1970, REO Speedwagon had finalized its first recording lineup with the addition of guitarist Gary Richrath in place of Scorfina.[5] In early 1972, shortly after the release of the band's self-titled debut album, Luttrell left REO Speedwagon following a disagreement with Richrath.[6] The vocalist was replaced by Kevin Cronin, who performed on the group's second album R.E.O./T.W.O. before leaving during sessions for the 1973 follow-up.[7] Mike Murphy took over and recorded Ridin' the Storm Out, Lost in a Dream and This Time We Mean It, but was replaced by a returning Cronin in 1976.[8][9] Philbin left the following year, with Bruce Hall taking his place.[10]

The band's lineup remained stable thereafter for more than ten years until Gratzer decided to retire in 1988, with Graham Lear brought in as his replacement.[11] Richrath also left early the next year, with Miles Joseph filling in for a show before Dave Amato took over in May.[12][13] Also in 1989, Bryan Hitt replaced Lear on drums,[14] while Jesse Harms joined as a second keyboardist, performing on the band's 1990 album The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken.[15] Following the end of Harms's brief tenure with the group, REO Speedwagon retained a consistent lineup of Neal Doughty, Kevin Cronin, Dave Amato, Bruce Hall, and Bryan Hitt[16] until February 2023 when Doughty announced he was retiring from touring. His touring replacement was announced as former Iron Butterfly and Whitesnake member Derek Hilland.[17]

In November 2023, Hall was replaced on tour by Matt Bissonette as the bassist had injured his back.[18] Bissonette continued to play with REO Speedwagon until the group disbanded in December 2024,[19] due to Cronin's dispute with Doughty and Hall regarding Hall's recovery.[20] (In 2025, Cronin performed with Amato, Hitt, Hilland, and Bissonette as the Kevin Cronin Band, co-headlining a tour with Styx and featuring Don Felder as the opening act.[21])

On June 14, 2025, REO Speedwagon reunited for a one-off show in its hometown, Champaign, Illinois. The show featured Doughty, Hall, and original drummer Alan Gratzer, alongside early members Terry Luttrell (vocals), Steve Scorfina (guitar), and Mike Murphy (vocals).[22][23] Richrath's son, Eric, also participated. Cronin, Amato, and Hitt did not appear due to their tour overlapping with the date.

On September 28, 2025, the band's classic lineup (minus the late Gary Richrath) reunited onstage for a performance alongside the University of Illinois Marching Illini for the 2025 Illinois homecoming halftime show. The performance included Hall, Gratzer and Doughty performing "Ridin' the Storm Out", "Roll With The Changes", and "157 Riverside Avenue", backed by the marching band.[24] While Cronin did not sing (as the melodies were provided by the marching band), it was the first time Cronin, Hall, Doughty, and Gratzer shared a stage since December 31, 1988. The band members officially reunited the previous day as Grand Marshals in the University's homecoming parade. The band members were reportedly unsure about any potential future reunions.[25]


Touring

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Neal Doughty[17]
  • 1967–2025 (did not tour in 2023 and 2024)
  • keyboards
  • organ
  • piano
  • synthesizer
all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971) to Not So Silent Night ... Christmas with REO Speedwagon (2009)
Alan Gratzer 1967–1988, 2025 (occasional live guest, 2005-2017)[26]
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971) to The Hits (1988)
Mike Blair[27] 1967–1968
  • bass
  • vocals
none
Joe Matt[28]
  • guitar
  • lead vocals
Terry Luttrell
(one-off guest 2025)
lead vocals R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971)
Bob Crownover 1968–1969[29] guitar none
Gregg Philbin 1968–1977[30] (died 2022)
  • bass
  • backing vocals
all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971) to Live: You Get What You Play For (1977)
Joe McCabe 1968[31] saxophone none
Marty Shepard trumpet
Bill Fiorio 1969[32] guitar
Steve Scorfina
(one-off guest in 2025)
Gary Richrath 1970–1989[33] (died 2015)
  • lead guitar
  • backing and lead vocals
all REO Speedwagon releases from R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971) to The Hits (1988)
Kevin Cronin
  • 1972–1973
  • 1976–2024
  • 2025
[34]
  • lead and backing vocals
  • rhythm guitar
  • piano
Mike Murphy 1973–1975[35] (one-off guest in 2025)
  • lead and backing vocals
  • rhythm guitar
[36]
Bruce Hall
  • 1977–2024 (not touring from 2023)[37][38]
  • bass
  • backing and lead vocals
all REO Speedwagon releases from You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish (1978) to Not So Silent Night ... Christmas with REO Speedwagon (2009)
Graham Lear 1988–1989[39] drums The Second Decade of Rock and Roll: 1981 to 1991 (1991)
Miles Joseph 1989[40] (died 2012)[41] lead guitar none
Carla Day 1989[42][43] backing vocals
Melanie Jackson
Dave Amato[44] 1989–2024
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
all REO Speedwagon releases from The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990) to Not So Silent Night ... Christmas with REO Speedwagon (2009)
Bryan Hitt[45]
  • drums
  • percussion
Jesse Harms 1989–1991[15]
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990)
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
John Aldridge 2005–2024
  • percussion
  • occasional drums
John Aldridge, Bryan Hitt's drum tech since July 2005, performed additional percussion parts live from around July 2005 until[46] the band broke up in 2024. He also performed drums at soundchecks when Bryan was running late.
Joe Vannelli 2007 (substitute)
  • keyboards
  • organ
  • piano
  • synthesizer
Doughty was absent from the REO Speedwagon Unplugged Live in Washington XM Radio show in early April 2007, with producer Joe Vannelli filling-in on keyboards.[47] Vannelli also performed piano, Hammond organ, and synthesizer on the 2007 album Find Your Own Way Home.[48]
Derek Hilland 2023–2024 (substitute) With Doughty's retirement from touring being announced in January 2023, Derek Hilland filled-in for Doughty live from January 2023[49] until the group ceased touring in December 2024.[50]
Matt Bissonette
  • bass
  • vocals
With Hall's hiatus to have back surgery in November 2023, Matt Bissonette has been filling in for Hall.[18] He continued to do so until the band ceased touring in December 2024.[50]

Timeline

Lineups

References

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