Monday August 3, 2020 “Riding the Storm Out” REO Speedwagon
Those of us on the east coast are awaiting the arrival of hurricane Isaias, and will likely be ‘ridin the the storm out’.
REO Speedwagon, a name taken from a truck, was formed in downstate Illinois, in the other twin city of Champaign-Urbana, and became campus favorites at the University of Illinois where the band members attended classes, sometimes.
Although not a critics choice, REO is at least a guilty pleasure for many of us and since they have thirteen top forty hits, have sold more than forty million records and when they tour continue to fill arena size audiences so they may have a few other fans as well. Their best selling album/CD “Hi Infidelity” would occupy the number one spot for six weeks the summer of 1981 and they would be the first live concert featured on MTV.
This particular song was written by lead guitarist Gary Ricrath based on a winter storm the band encountered in their bus during one of their tours.
REO’s debut album “R.E.O Speedwagon” was produced by Phil Leka who co-wrote and produced “Green Tambourine” and “Na Na Na Na Hey Hey, Goodbye”, the latter for the band Steam, which didn’t exist until that song became a hit. Also worthy of note, REO lead singer Kevin Cronin was offered a spot as an MTV VJ before the station went live but passed on it. His job would go to Mark Goodman.
Stay well and safe...especially if you do have to ride the storm out.
