Due to “irreconcilable differences,” REO Speedwagon will no longer be touring

A sudden tour stop has been announced by REO Speedwagon, who have cited “irreconcilable differences.” The argument seems to centre on bassist Bruce Hall’s postponed comeback to the stage. Following his back surgery in November of last year, frontman Kevin Cronin pledged to get back together as soon as possible with Hall, but that never happened. With Hall gone, Cronin was the only touring member from their golden age. Neal Doughty, the other founding keyboardist, left the road in 2023; the other members joined in the late ’80s. Former Elton John sideman Matt Bissonette replaced Hall for the remainder of the summer tour, which ended in Phoenix, Arizona, on September 11th. But on September 8th, at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, the last REO performance took place following Cronin’s illness. After joining REO Speedwagon in time for their second album, “R.E.O./T.W.O.” (1972), Cronin departed the band for about four years. On the albums “Ridin’ the Storm Out” (1973), “Lost in a Dream” (1974), and “This Time We Mean It” (1975), Mike Murphy sang lead vocals. Cronin made a comeback before “R.E.O.” in 1976, and he joined the cast of the ground-breaking “You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can’t Tuna Fish” in 1978. There was no indication from REO Speedwagon about any upcoming music recordings.