I admit it, when I thought of REO Speedwagon before, I used to think 80's power ballads. After all, that's all the radio stations ever played of them back then and now, which isn't necessarily such a bad thing. It put them on the map and who doesn't like to hear a good sappy song to be brought back to a more sentimental time? (I know for me that "Can't Fight This Feeling" will forever remind me of the time my best friend cranked up my mother's eight track version of this song at the exact moment the paperboy knocked on my front door, as I was sure he really came to see me and not to collect the weekly fees.) However, after seeing these legends perform, I can see that they are more than meets the eye and I have officially been shut up.
You see, REO Speedwagon, like Sears has two sides. There's the softer side that warms you like a down comforter from the bedding section and another side that drives it home like a power drill from the hardware section. Who knew that this band wielded some edge? So much so that that when the band does pull out it's killer riffs and pounding beats, it magically transforms it's lead singer into an almost demigod like status. One minute Kevin Cronin seems to be serenading a newly married couple during their first dance and the next this man, who looks like and older version of Ellen Degeneres, moves like a sprite, and sounds like sweet hippie is turned around. With his guns a blazing and slight grit in his voice, he tears through the melody and stage with more energy than a 60 year old should be allowed. In one word, he's (kinda)- badass.
These Midwest boys might be grandpas now but they did and still can rock. They helped jump start the rock movement nearly forty years ago and have been touring every year since 1972! Hell, Kevin could probably run a marathon and the drummer sports a six pack for crying out loud. Even Eddie Money can't understand why they haven't been inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and I agree. They may not have spurred Greg Harris to win me a teddy bear at the end of sixth grade field trip to the amusement park, but they have more than paid their dues and it's about time that they were remembered and given a much deserved membership.
Proof- Ridin' the Storm Out
