REO Speedwagon graced the Venetian Theater in Las Vegas on December 21 for their final show, which marks the effect of their announcement earlier this year that they will not tour together going forward due to irreconcilable differences between singer Kevin Cronin and bassist Bruce Hall.
Despite the end of their touring together, Cronin will perform with the same members of REO Speedwagon: Bruce, Deal Doughty, Dave Amato, Bryan Hitt, and Derek Hilland to co-headline Styx’s 2025 North American tour.
Bruce Hall did not join their recent tour
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Bruce stopped hitting the road with REO Speedwagon last year, so he did not partake in their recent tour. Though the same set of musicians, they will not be playing at Styx’s show under the name REO Speedwagon, which Cronin and company are reportedly restricted from using.
Their final show in Las Vegas featured a set list of 19 songs, including all of the tracks from their High Fidelity album of 1980, and classics like “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and “Roll With the Changes.” Another highlight of the night was Cronin’s appreciation speech, where he said he would have done nothing without his bandmates.
Kevin Cronin announced REO Speedwagon’s retirement
Cronin admitted to being sad and grateful at the same time for the group’s retirement, after nearly six decades of their wholesome existence. He added that the name REO Speedwagon, the music, the spirit, and their songs will now be under his name.
Clips of Cronin’s acceptance speech made it to social media, sparking reactions among furious fans. “I feel for Bruce more than Kevin. You don’t have to like every member of your favorite group to like the group,” someone said, while many were simply glad, they would be seeing them play again in a while.
