Kevin Cronin “Disturbed And Hurt” By Being Excluded From REO Speedwagon Hometown Reunion Concert

Kevin Cronin will be absent from the REO Speedwagon “retrospective” reunion concert in the band’s hometown of Champaign, Illinois on June 14th, citing a scheduling conflict with his current solo tour with Styx. The charity concert will feature founding member Neal Doughty, bassist Bruce Hall, early REO drummer Alan Gratzer, guitarist Steve Scorfina, rhythm guitarist Mike Murphy, and original frontman Terry Luttrell, with proceeds benefiting cancer research. In a Facebook comment, Cronin – who replaced Luttrell as REO’s frontman in 1972 – said: “I am being asked to participate in an event on a date when I can’t possibly be there in-person. I am deeply disturbed and hurt by all of this. After all I have done to help build the legacy of REO Speedwagon, I feel I have earned and deserve to be included in any event honoring that legacy. Instead, I have been knowingly excluded.” This absence comes after reported rifts caused the band to stop touring, with Cronin forced to be billed as a “former lead singer/songwriter” on his upcoming tour with Styx. (Consequence of Sound)