[msb-alumni] REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath dies

From: Steve <pipeguy920@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <msb-alumni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 20 Sep 2015 11:48:40 -0400

BlankREO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath dies Maria Puente , USA TODAY Reo
Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath has died, the band announced on its website
and Facebook page Sunday. He was 65. Band frontman Kevin Cronin said in a
message that "my longtime friend and collaborator Gary Richrath passed away
earlier (Sunday). He did not disclose a cause of death. "I feel so sad," Cronin
wrote. "Gary was both a unique guitarist and songwriter, and the embodiment of
the tough guy with a heart of gold. He said he learned most of what he knows
about being in a rock band from Richrath. "The entire REO Family mourns his
death and shares in the grief of his family, friends, and fans," he added.
"These words do not come close to expressing the depth of emotions I am feeling
at this time. Hi friends, kc here. My longtime friend and collaborator Gary
Richrath passed away earlier today. I feel so sad... pic.twitter.com/ZFTSsV6W7h
He added that a photo of the two on stage performing "has been on my music-room
table for as long as I can remember, and will stay there. Richrath joined
Speedwagon, known for its 1980s ballad, Can't Fight This Feeling , in 1970,
three years after the band was formed in Illinois. Based in Peoria, he was
known as a songwriter as well as a guitarist, and helped grow the band's
popularity beyond its original Midwestern stronghold. Richrath also brought new
songs to the band, including Ridin' the Storm Out . He recorded 12 albums with
the band and also wrote another song, Take It On The Run . He sang lead vocals
on Find My Fortune and Only A Summer Love . The last album he recorded with the
band was 1987's Life As We Know It . He left the band in 1989. According to
UltimateClassicRock.com , Richrath released one solo album, in 1992, Only the
Strong Survive , but reunited briefly with the band in 2013 when they staged a
benefit concert for residents of central Illinois displaced by a series of
powerful storms in the area. "Gary was in great spirits when he walked into the
dressing room. We hugged one another, I told him how happy I was that he came,
and he expressed his gratitude for the invitation," wrote Cronin at the time.
"When I introduced 'the guy who this band wouldn't be here without' and
Richrath came up for 'Ridin' the Storm Out,' 7,000 people went crazy. The
response was arm-hair raising We all felt it. It was fun to look over to my
left and see Richrath digging in and playing like only he can. It was a night
for the ages. He reunited with the group briefly in 2013, joining his former
bandmates for a concert staged to aid residents of central Illinois who were
displaced or had their homes damaged by a series of powerful storms in the
area. "Gary was in great spirits when he walked into the dressing room. We
hugged one another, I told him how happy I was that he came, and he expressed
his gratitude for the invitation," wrote Cronin at the time. "When I introduced
'the guy who this band wouldn't be here without' and Richrath came up for
'Ridin' the Storm Out,' 7,000 people went crazy. The response was arm-hair
raising We all felt it. It was fun to look over to my left and see Richrath
digging in and playing like only he can. It was a night for the ages. Tribute
tweets for Richrath started posting almost immediately. RIP, Gary Richrath.
I'll have the guitar solo from Ridin' the Storm Out in my head all day. #REO .
http://t.co/k6VT2mbrbV @JamesRosenFNC Very sad to hear of Gary Richrath passing
today. He was one of the most underrated guitarists of the 70's. RIP RIP Gary
Richrath. A shred master and a gentleman. http://t.co/9TXJwaDx8z One of the
signature songs of REO guitarist Gary Richrath, the pride of Peoria who died
today https://t.co/v2Re7qOIjE @kcreospeedwagon

[msb-alumni] REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath dies

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