Getty Images
REO Speedwagon has broken down.
The group announced they will stop touring effective Jan. 1, 2025, owing to “irreconcilable differences” between frontman Kevin Cronin and bassist Bruce Hall.
The band shared the news via Facebook on Monday, Sept. 16, just days after they wrapped their Summer Road Trip co-headline tour with Train, during which Hall was absent as he has been recovering from back surgery. He was replaced by Matt Bissonette on the summer tour dates.
Cronin has also been battling an undisclosed health issue and revealed he had emergency surgery earlier this month, which led to the cancellation of shows in Chula Vista, Calif., and Phoenix, Ariz., on Sept. 10 and Sept. 11, respectively.
However, band members Neal Doughty, Dave Amato, Bryan Hitt performed across all the tour dates.
“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 band’s Facebook post read. “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,” the statement went on. “Bruce never had any intention of retiring or walking away from the band, fans, and crew he has loved for almost 50 years.”
They added, “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.”
The band concluded their post by writing, “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.”
Hall shared a statement of his own on his Facebook page shortly after the band made its official announcement.
“Never ever thought it would end like this and I’m heartbroken,” Hall wrote. “Please know Neal 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,” he added. “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, Bryan and Derek. Just as it was prior to my necessary, planned and successful back surgery.”
“I love and will miss you all,” he signed off.
REO Speedwagon last took the stage at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif., on Sept. 8. They are scheduled to perform next at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on September 27.
The band was formed in 1967 and found commercial success in the ’70s and ’80s. Their most famous album, “Hi Infidelity” (1980), produced four US Top 40 hits and sold over 10 million copies.
REO has sold more than 40 million records, with countless hits, including “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and “Keep On Loving You.”