RIP Gary Richrath (REO Speedwagon)

Gary has passed away. No details other than what Kevin posted:

Hi friends, kc here. My longtime friend and collaborator Gary Richrath passed away earlier today. I feel so sad. Gary was both a unique guitarist and songwriter, and the embodiment of the tough guy with a heart of gold. I learned most of what I know about being in a rock band from Gary Richrath. The entire REO Family mourns his death and shares in the grief of his family, friends, and fans. These words do not come close to expressing the depth of emotions I am feeling at this time...kc
PS. This photo has been on my music room table for as long as I can remember, and will stay there.

R.I.P.

A longtime admired player, one of those guys who had a tone you'd instantly knew as him. (RIP)

I have been exploring the hard rock period of Reo Speedwagon in the last couple of years and I must say that I am impressed.

Another one gone!

Well, that's a bummer. R.I.P.

Quote :

I have been exploring the hard rock period of Reo Speedwagon in the last couple of years and I must say that I am impressed.

Same here. On a whim I picked up a 2-CD set of their early stuff (A Decade of Rock & Roll: 1970-1980) a year or so ago at a thrift shop, and I ended up digging it a lot more than I'd anticipated. ("Wow, these guys actually kicked ass once upon a time. Who knew?" Haha)

Just learned about this today after a radio station played "Riding The Storm" as a tribute, so sad:http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2015/09/14/reo-speedwagon-guitarist-gary-richrath-dies/72252516/

He was a good player, RIP.

Already being discussed here:
http://www.heartofmetal.net/t22829-rip-gary-richrath-reo-speedwagon

Like was said, a great player with his own tone. Sad.

Crap, that sucks.  I always liked his guitar playing because you could easily distinguish him from anybody else around at the time.  

RIP.

RIP

Fat Freddy wrote:

Well, that's a bummer. R.I.P.

Quote :

I have been exploring the hard rock period of Reo Speedwagon in the last couple of years and I must say that I am impressed.

Same here. On a whim I picked up a 2-CD set of their early stuff (A Decade of Rock & Roll: 1970-1980) a year or so ago at a thrift shop, and I ended up digging it a lot more than I'd anticipated. ("Wow, these guys actually kicked ass once upon a time. Who knew?" Haha)

My two favorites from REO are You Can Tune A Piano But You Can't Tune A Fish and Nine Lives.  They started wimping out with Hi Infidelity but even that one has some great tracks on it:



As usual 2 or 3 notes into it you can recognize Richrath's guitar.

And while "Time For Me To Fly" from Tuna Fish was played to death, as "ballads" go I think it's one of my favorites.

It's high time I investigated their earlier studio albums. I was familiar with the 80s hits...which is why I never bothered looking further. Aside from a couple songs like Riding The Storm Out and Golden Country I'm unfamiliar with their earlier work.

Time to hit Apple Music this evening and check out some of those records...

I agree, Time For Me To Fly never gets old for me. Prob my favorite too of the slower songs. And check out this version:




And to clear the palate after Dolly, he's a Gary guitar solo

Such a killer guitar player and may he RIP!

Listened to the debut album last night and there's definitely some good rock and roll guitar playing on display. I must admit that the lack of Kevin Cronin on vocals was a refreshing change (he annoys me to no end).

Damn. Too bad. I have a best of which I play on a regular basis. Rip.

رحمك الله

S.D. wrote:

Listened to the debut album last night and there's definitely some good rock and roll guitar playing on display.  I must admit that the lack of Kevin Cronin on vocals was a refreshing change (he annoys me to no end).

That's the future Starcastle singer on the debut album!

Cronin is actually pretty good on their heavier/rocking songs. Does sound a bit annoying on ballads, though.

I really like everything up to Live You Get What You Play For. R.E.O. from 1976 which IMO is their best album.