I will say this. Is Gary Richrath ever a member of REO? Richrath joined REO Speedwagon, which formed in the late 60s, in time for its 1971 debut album. Our dedicated Editorial team verifies each of the articles published on the Biographyhost. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. In 1977, he and other members of the band took over production, which resulted in the band's first platinum album. RIP. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. Gary Richrath 9/2015. REO Speedwagons representative, Erik Stein, confirmed Gary Richraths death on Monday. He was 65 years old. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. He was 65. The entire REO Family mourns his death and shares in the grief of his family, friends and fans, Cronin wrote on Sunday. The cause of death was not given. Don't miss the big stories. These words do not come close to expressing the depth of emotions I am feeling at this timekc. WebTwo notable members of REO Speedwagon that have died are: Gary Richrath, the bands original drummer and founding member, died on September 13, 2015 due to complications from surgery. (Larry Hulst / Getty Images). Legal Statement. We'll miss you, Gary. Richrath, who had long battled alcoholism . He did not give a cause of death. Gary left REO Speedwagon due to differences in musical direction and creativity with the bands vocalist Cronin. In the runup to the 2024 election, the Sun-Times, WBEZ and the Center for Effective Government at the University of Chicago will be collaborating on a project to educate our audience about the threat to our democracy and how we can form a more perfect union.. Former Lead Guitarist and Songwriter for Illinois-based Rock Band REO Speedwagon. Richrath was 65. He also wrote songs for the band, including Ridin the Storm Out and Take It On The Run. In addition to playing guitar and writing songs, he also sang lead vocals on several songs, including Find My Fortune and Only A Summer Love.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'biographyhost_com-box-3','ezslot_1',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-box-3-0'); Gary Richrath was an American rock musician best known as the lead guitarist and songwriter for Illinois-based rock band REO Speedwagon from 1970 to 1989. When you're 14 years old, there's no forgiveness for heartache like that. REO Speedwagons representative, Erik Stein, confirmed Gary Richraths death on Monday. It was probably all I deserved. Gary Richrath, founding guitarist and songwriter of classic rock band REO Speedwagon, died on Sunday, the LA Times reports. He was a member of the band when it released its self-titled debut in 1971 and was with REO Speedwagon until 1989. Still, I'd loved to have heard his take on heartache that doesn't easily go away. Pop superstar Harry Styles would be an apt headliner to follow U2 in The Sphere. Later, he took up guitar as a teenager and learned guitar skills by himself. My longtime friend and collaborator Gary Richrath passed away earlier today. Hehadone sister named Sheri and one brother named Dennis. He had three children, namely Eric (Jen) Richrath, Bryan Richrath, and Nicole Van Tine. Erik Stein confirmed Monday that Richrath diedbut offered no details about the cause. But alas, for me, happy days have a way of working themselves inside out. "I feel so sad. By the late 70s, singles such as Ridin the Storm Out and Time for Me to Fly many written by Cronin started making the charts, preparing the band for its 1981 blockbuster, Hi Infidelity. That album sold more than 9 million copies, according to Allmusic.com, and the band became an arena-filling headline attraction. He would hole up in his home studio and just write and write, Cronin said. He is, however, still considered an official member of the band. REO Speedwagon has released a number of successful albums, including 1980's "Hi Infidelity," which sold 10 million copies in the United States. None of us would be where we are without him, Cronin said in an interview Monday with the Chicago Sun-Times. I just sat there and sang vocals about the effects of gossip and relationships breaking up, which was what was on the tube and all that was similar to what was going on in my life.". All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. U2 is adding five dates at The Sphere, where officials say 60 percent of the tickets will be priced under $300. Today (September 13th) marks the sixth anniversary of the death of former REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath who died at age 65 of undisclosed causes. Though the band didnt break through to radio until the late 70s, its constant touring earned it a solid core of fans, particularly in the groups native Midwest. To REO Speedwagon bassist Bruce Hall, Gary Richrath was more than just a bandmate. All rights reserved. REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath, who wrote the bands 1973 hit Ridin the Storm Out, has died at the age of 65, bandmate Kevin Cronin said. The Gordon Biersch Brewery is expected to close its doors this weekend, its parent company, SPB Hospitality, confirmed Friday. Richrath was a member of the band when it released its self-titled debut in 1971. she replied. NEW YORK (Reuters) - REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath, who wrote the bands 1973 hit Ridin the Storm Out, has died at the age of 65, bandmate Kevin Cronin said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Published Sep. 15, 2015. Gary Richrath, a former REO Speedwagon guitarist, died of undisclosed causes on Sunday, September 13th, marking the fifth anniversary of his death. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Gary Richrath, the REO Speedwagon guitarist who wrote some of the bands biggest hits, including Take It on the Run and In Your Letter, died Sunday, according to Offers may be subject to change without notice. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'biographyhost_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Richrath showed interest in music at a young age. He would stand up there with his guitar slung low and just rock, Cronin said. Richrath recorded some 12 albums with the band, writing their 1980 hit Take it On the Run and singing lead vocals on tracks including Find My Fortune and Wild as the Western Wind. He left the band in 1989 and released a solo album in 1992. The callous Florida Legislature should check it out. In recent years, he returned to the Peoria area to be closer to his mother, Eunice, a hospital worker who died last year. Richrath, who joined the U.S. rock band in 1970, died on Sunday, Cronin said in a message on the bands official website. I was perusing the Internet the other day and saw Gary Richrath had died. REO Speedwagon has released a number of successful albums, including 1980s Hi Infidelity,which sold 10 million copies in the United States. I was going to tell him the painful love triangle of Janette, Harold and me and see if I could conjur some sage wisdom from my rock 'n' hero. Family Life Gary was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois. I feel so sad. Gary Richrath, who co-wrote some of REO Speedwagons greatest hits such as Take It On The Run and Time for Me to Fly, died at age 65, according to public records. [4] Sure, we were only in eighth grade at the time, but you remember how great first love felt, right? REO Speedwagon gained a solid fanbase through constant touring, especially in the Midwest area where the band originated. East Peoria is the birthplace of the late great Gary Richrath, and home to the iron bench placed on the banks of the Illinois River in his honor and memory. He was 65. In 1972, he was fired from the group, and was only reinstated four years later. I had a plan. We can do more to protect workers, a labor executive writes. Gary Dean Richrath (October 18, 1949 September 13, 2015)[1] was an American guitarist, best known as the lead guitarist and a songwriter for the band REO Speedwagon from 1970 until 1989. Even today, Hi Fidelity still stands as one of rock musics most influential albums, topping the Billboards albums chart for a record 15 weeks. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. I learned most of what I know about being in a rock band from Gary Richrath.. It was in VH1's "Behind The Music" on REO Speedwagon that Gary pleaded with Kevin to let him rejoin the band. REO Speedwagons frontman Kevin Cronin revealed the cause of Richraths death to theBillboardwebsite in 2015, stating that Richraths wife told him that Richrath had abdominal surgery a few days before his death. The group had a string of hits that combined bombast with ballad rock, including Time for Me to Fly and songs Mr. Richrath wrote or co-wrote: Ridin the Storm Out, Keep on Lovin You, Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight, and Take it on the Run.. In addition to playing guitar and writing songs, he also sang lead vocals on several songs, including Find My Fortune and Only A Summer Love. Gary Richrath was an American rock musician best known as the lead guitarist and songwriter for Illinois-based rock band REO Speedwagon from 1970 to 1989. Richrath co-wrote some of the band's songs, including "Take It on the Run," which became a Top 5 pop hit on the Billboard charts. He played saxophone in the school band as a child. Just a few weeks ago, I messaged my old friend Janette and told her the story about the conversation with Kevin Cronin. The cause of death was not given. Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. Erik Stein confirmed on Monday that Richrath passed away but offered no details about the cause of death. He was 65. Legal Statement. When we reunited for a benefit concert in 2013, the bad feelings which had surrounded his departure from REO had finally evaporated. Richrath left REO Speedwagon in 1989 amid some acrimony, but he rejoined the band for a 2013 benefit concert in Bloomington, Illinois, for tornado victims. The Punk Rock Musuem passes Gogol Bordellos Eugene Htzs test. The longtime talk show host, who died Thursday at age 79, sang as the King, for real, while hosting The Price Is Right Live!. These words do not come close to expressing the depth of emotions I am feeling at this time.. Cronin was advertising through a Musicians Referral Service that he created. Again and again. Gary Richrath, songwriter and lead guitarist for REO Speedwagon for decades, has died, the band announced on its Facebook page Sunday. How did Gary Richrath Die? Former REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath dies at 65 Pocket Flipboard In the 1970s and 1980s, REO Speedwagons Gary Richrath was the epitome of a golden [8] He was 65 years old. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I remember not too long after 9/11, GM put out a long TV commercial that used REO's "Roll With The Changes". Gary Richrath, a former guitarist for the classic rock band REO Speedwagon who also co-wrote the group's hit song "Take It on the Run," died Sunday, according to a Or, perhaps, I should just listen to the song and the answers will reveal themselves. REO Speedwagon has become a major concert attraction, filling up every arena in their tours. Gary Richrath, the longtime guitarist for REO Speedwagon, died Sunday, Sept. 13, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Former REO Speedwagon lead guitarist Gary Richrath (left), frontman Kevin Cronin (foreground). I say "technically" because it was a concert performance more than a video and because it cut out a few seconds into the song and didn't finish. How do I keep bugs off my patio this spring? When he first met Mr. Richrath in 1972, He was a total rock star, Cronin said. NEW YORK REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath, who wrote the bands 1973 hit Ridin the Storm Out, has died at the age of 65, bandmate Kevin Cronin said. Gary Richrath, a former guitarist for the classic rock band REO Speedwagon who also co-wrote the groups hit song Take It on the Run, died Sunday, according to a publicist for the band. Former guitarist and songwriter for rock band REO Speedwagon from 1970 to 1989. "When I wrote that, I woke up one night, half asleep, and sat down in front of the TV," Gary once explained to an interviewer. Elmhurst Blotter: Man charged with battery for allegedly punching a security guard at a bar, Hinsdale police blotter: multiple thefts reported by patients at Hinsdale Hospital, Glenview police blotter: Harwood Heights woman charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Richrath last played with REO Speedwagon in 2013, when the band performed a benefit concert in Bloomington, Ill., to raise money for tornado victims. All Rights Reserved. Kevin listened to the story politely and then chuckled. Speedwagon was taken from a make of an old truck, and REO stood for Ransom Eli Olds, who designed the Oldsmobile. Visit Billboard Pro for music business news, Len Goodman, Dancing With the Stars Judge Dies at78, Dragon Bursts Into Flames During Disneylands Fantasmic! Show, Fugees Rapper Pras Launches Defense in Campaign FinanceTrial. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Bruce Hall, REO Speedwagons bass guitarist, recounted in his Facebook tribute post how Gary encouraged and inspired him to join the band. Frontman Kevin Cronin announced the death of REOs former lead guitarist, who was from the Peoria area, on the bands Facebook page Sunday. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! You're thinking up your white lies.You're putting on your bedroom eyes.You say you're coming home but you won't say when.But I can feel it coming.If you leave tonight keep running.And you need never look back again. He had a rock star look and could really play the guitar, keyboardist Neal Doughty told www.classicrockrevisited.com. Gary Richrath, the REO Speedwagon guitarist who wrote some of the bands biggest hits, including Take It on the Run and In Your Letter, died Sunday, according to a post by REO lead singer Kevin Cronin. Richrath died on 13 September 2015 at age 65. REO Speedwagons frontman Kevin Cronin revealed the cause of Richraths death to the Billboard website in 2015, stating that Richraths wife told him that Richrath had abdominal surgery a few days before his death. The cause of death was not given. But REO Speedwagon was more than a hair band. The group had a string of hits that combined bombast with ballad rock, including Time for Me to Fly and songs Mr. Richrath wrote or co-wrote: Ridin the Storm Out, Keep on Lovin You, Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight, and Take it on the Run. Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Will Dunham. Gary's solo was just sooooo inspiring. Jeff Beck was Mr. Richraths idol, but his earliest guitar influence was his Uncle Leroy a country picker, Cronin said. When the founding members first went to see young Gary play, they liked his licks. Best gifts for the graduate with travel plans, Mothers Day inspo: This foot massager has 20,000, Local animal rescues observeNational Adopt a Shelter, You Paid For It: Help for mother of 4 in dilapidated, Missouri lawsuit isnt the only defamation case against, Remains found last week identified as missing Mo. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. I learned most of what I know about being in a rock band from Gary Richrath, REO Speedwagons lead singer, Kevin Cronin, wrote on the bands website and Facebook page. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. He co-wrote some of the band's songs, including "Take It on the Run," which became a Top 5 pop hit on the Billboard charts. On November 22, 2013, REO Speedwagon and Styx announced a benefit concert titled "Rock to the Rescue" to raise money for families affected by a tornado in central Illinois. The group formed in 1967 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Then one day, Gary decided to plug his Les Paul into a double stack of Marshalls. I feel so sad. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. We joked around like no time had passed. The RENPHO Foot Massager Machine may be just the gift to make Mothers Day extra special for your mom this year. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Richrath released a solo album, Only the Strong Survive,in 1992. Gary Richrath (left), formerly of REO Speedwagon. Gary Richraths guitar work was a signature element of REO Speedwagon 's sound throughout the Illinois bands glory years, and he remained a favorite even after his departure in 1989. , Charges filed in MetroLink train homicide, Police: 2 dead in suspected murder-suicide in STL, 3 teens, 1 adult killed in Hwy 79 collision in Lincoln, When states limit care, some trans people do it themselves, Cities with the worst commute in Illinois, 2 people hospitalized after house fire in south St., Sip wine in a cave at this stunning Missouri vineyard, BestReviews.com - Top gifts to make everyone happy this spring, Drew Barrymores Walmart collection is perfect for, Best Mothers Day gifts for the budding plant mom, Best Mothers Day Gifts for moms obsessed with books, Newborn reported missing, endangered person advisory, Argument leads to deadly shooting on MetroLink train, Fatal rural Missouri teen shooting after online fight, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Sadly Gary passed away in 2015 and his singer and co-writer from that time, Michael Jahnz and his new band Richrath Project 3:13 is releasing a tribute/posthumous collaboration featuring several of Gary and Michaels unreleased songs, as well as some of his own songs and a couple reworked REO songs. Gary Richrath, former REO Speedwagon lead guitarist (left), and Kevin Cronin, frontman (foreground). Gary, Posted by REO Speedwagon onSunday, 13 September 2015, Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. 5 on the charts. Hi friends, kc here. Tampa Bay home sales are down. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Harold?!? If were in the studio or rehearsing for too long, my fingers get all tender and I dont play as loud., In a 1991 interview with the Sun-Times, Cronin said, I was a melodic folk singer; Gary likes to turn up the guitar as loud as possible.. Gary Richrath was 65. Legislature considers flooding our streets with cancer-causing chemicals | Column, Heres why the Weeki Wachee River needs stronger protections | Editorial, Floridas dental deserts leave millions without access to oral care. Richrath reunited with REO Speedwagon for a performance of the song Ridin the Storm Out in 2013. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'biographyhost_com-box-4','ezslot_5',146,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-box-4-0'); Richrathwasmarried to Justine. Erik Stein confirmed on Monday that Richrath passed away but offered no details about the cause of death. As of this writing, nothing has been released regarding the cause of death, and thats okay by me. [3], By 1968, Richrath was in a band called Suburban 9 to 5.[3]. Decades later, I interviewed Kevin Cronin a few weeks before REO was set to play in Tampa Bay. Along with playing lead guitar, Richrath sang lead vocals on "Find My Fortune" (1973), "Wild as the Western Wind" (1974), "Dance" (1975), "Any Kind of Love" (1976), "Only a Summer Love" (1976), "Breakaway" (1976) and "Tonight" (1976). To report about any issues in our articles, please feel free toContact Us. Richrath died on September 13, 2015, with news of his death confirmed by his former REO Speedwagon bandmate Kevin Cronin. By 1968, he was a lead guitarist and songwriter in his hometown garage band Suburban 9 to 5. REO Speedwagon, Boz Scaggs Latest To Sue Sony Music Over Digital Downloads, I feel so sad. He was a member of the band when it released its self-titled debut in 1971 and was with REO Speedwagon until 1989. He also wrote songs for the band, including Ridin the Storm Out and Take It On The Run. In addition to playing guitar and writing songs, he also sang lead vocals on several songs, including Find My Fortune and Only A Summer Love. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'biographyhost_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Richrath recorded 12 albums with the band. The U2s Las Vegas shows were supposed to be affordable, but you need to dig deep to attend. He was 65. As lead guitarist and songwriter for REO Speedwagon. Three years later, he released his solo album titledOnly the Strong Survivein 1992. Gary was both a unique guitarist and songwriter, and the embodiment of the tough guy with a heart of gold. Drag is awesome. Richrath reunited with the band for a performance of "Ridin' the Storm Out" to end their set at the sold-out concert. The band enjoyed heavy radio airplay around the late 70s, thanks to major hit singles such as Ridin the Storm Out and Time for Me to Fly (both co-written by Gary Richrath). Mr. Richrath reunited with his former band in December 2013, when REO and Styx played a Rock to the Rescue benefit in Bloomington to raise funds for tornado victims. Born Oct. 18, 1949, Richrath "The entire REO Family mourns his death and shares in the grief of his family, friends, and fans. The entire REO Family mourns his death and shares in the grief of his family, friends and fans, Cronin wrote on Sunday. WebSpeaking to the Songfacts website in 2017, Cronin disclosed the cause of Richrath's death - "He had some stomach problem or something and he went in the hospital to get treated for a stomach ailment and there were complications and he didn't make it." REO Speedwagons frontman Kevin Cronin revealed the cause of Richraths death to the "Sorry, dude!" Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. DailyPress.com. All Rights Reserved. We commit to cover sensible issues responsibly through the principles of neutrality. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. He turned it up as loud and nasty as possible and started playing along with me trying to drown me out. I learned most of what I know about being in a rock band from Gary Richrath. Radioactive roads? Gary was both a unique guitarist and songwriter, and the embodiment of the tough guy with a heart of gold. What are we back in the 1920s? Just so happened that the anniversary of 9/11 passed. Doughty retired from touring in 2023. The bands keyboardist Neal Doughty recalls in his Facebook post a happy moment with Gary around the time when the band re-united for a benefit show in 2013. Gary Richrath (REO Speedwagon) was born on October 18, 1949. Both songs were written at a time when the friends were going through hard times with their marriages. He joined the band for its debut album and served the band as the lead guitarist. He joined the band for its debut album and served the band as the lead guitarist. Former REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath dies at 65, Netflix looks to curb password sharing, considers ads, Aiming to predict COVID, future pandemics better, CDC opens infectious diseases forecasting center, Joliet farmers wrangle cows thrown from semitrailer after crash on Interstate 80, 1 killed, 3 wounded in shootings Tuesday in Chicago, Obama relatives sue Milwaukee school alleging racial bias, Unmasked transit: Pritzker ends mask mandates in public transportation, airports, The Edgar haircut is one more thing kids, parents can disagree on, Dear Abby: When I travel, friend checking my home also snoops through my things, Shoplifter stabs Loop Target employee, leading to store closure, The heart of labor is beating strong in Chicago and Illinois, Why were launching The Democracy Solutions Project, Opioid crisis cant be tackled without better pain management training for doctors, A workplace shouldnt be hazardous to anyones health. The concert was held on December 4, 2013 in Bloomington, Illinois. [3] He graduated from East Peoria Community High School in 1967. New Gary Richrath music has been released, almost six years after the death of the East Peoria native. REO Speedwagons representative, Erik Stein, confirmed Gary Richraths death on Monday. Gary Richrath joined REO Speedwagon as the bands guitarist in 1971, just in time for the bands self-titled debut release. Born Oct. 18, 1949, Richrath joined REO Speedwagon in 1970 Gary Richrath, former lead guitarist for REO Speedwagon, died September 13th, 2015. Sep 18, 2015 at 10:10 pm. Dwyane Wade says he left Florida because family would not be accepted, Assembly line of Triple-A arms somehow has kept Rays atop the standings. Richrath last played with the band in 2013, when the band performed a benefit concert in Bloomington, Illinois, to raise money for tornado victims. She was my first real kiss, first real crush, first real love? WebRichrath, who joined the band in 1970 and recorded 12 albums with the band before splitting with the group in 1989, is best known for writing REOs second Top 10 hit, the Top Five Hi Infidelity classic, Take It On The Run, and the bands early favorite Ridin The Storm Out.. His trademark soulfulness came from his upbringing and that he always wanted to get the approval of his dad, and his dad was a tough character, Cronin said. [2] Originally playing saxophone in the school band, he took up guitar as a teenager, becoming self-taught. Gary Richrath, the longtime guitarist for REO Speedwagon, died Sunday, Sept. 13, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Richrath died on September 13, 2015, with news of his death confirmed by his former REO Speedwagon bandmate Kevin Cronin. The entire REO Family mourns his death and shares in the grief of his family, friends, and fans. The guitarist Gary Richrath passed away at age 65, this age of death has to be considered respectable.What was the cause of death? REO Speedwagon reached the apex of their popularity by the time they released their 1980 album Hi Infidelity, which sold more than 10 million copies. Seriously. In 1992, Mr. Richrath released a solo LP, Only the Strong Survive.. Mr. Richrath loved to play live. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Breaking News: Press conferences & events, TKO: Looking back at the life of Mike Shannon, Fox 2 Sports Final | Remembering Mike Shannon, Tributes from friends, fans of Mike Shannon, Syndergaard gets first Dodgers win in sweep of Cardinals, Mike Shannon, beloved Cardinals broadcaster, dies, Bring the family to see Derek Hough at Stifel Theatre, LL Cool J comes to St. Louis with a celebration of, Rude, crude or in a bad mood? REO Speedwagons lead singer, Kevin Cronin, posted a heartfelt tribute on the bands official website and Facebook page. My longtime friend and collaborator Gary Richrath passed away earlier today. He tore into Ridin the Storm Out., I feel so sad, Cronin said in the Facebook post announcing his death. Richrath co-wrote some of the band's songs, including "Take It on the Run," which became a Top 5 pop hit on the Billboard charts. He taught me a lot of what I know about being in a rock band, because I was a folk singer up until then. Upcoming Birthday Why do I remember these things? He and his Gibson Les Paul deserved kudos for the sound of REOs hits, according to Guitar World. Gary Richrath provided much of the creative and driving force in the Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. I'm sorry. I feel so sad. (The groups manager then was Irving Azoff, who would later take on the Eagles and become a concert and label mogul.). Richrath was born in Peoria, Illinois, on October 18, 1949, to Curtis and Eunice Richrath,[1] and grew up in East Peoria, Illinois. Gary Richrath, a former guitarist for the classic rock band REO Speedwagon who also co-wrote the groups hit song Take It on the Run, died The last album he recorded with the band wasLife As We Know(1987). Eighties nation is still a little stunned at the sudden death of REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath, who passed away Sunday at age 65. Kevin Cronin wrote this notethe bands official Facebook page. Known for chair-throwing and bleep-filled arguments, the daytime talk show was a favorite American guilty pleasure over its 27-year run. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. 0:05. There are very few memories I have from the early '80s that don't follow along with an REO Speedwagon soundtrack, especially the Richrath-penned hit, Take It On The Run. Gary Richrath playing with REO Speedwagon in 1980. That touch he had on the guitar, and the vibrato in his left hand, it was sensual. Manage Settings "I'm flattered I was mentioned but I wish it was on a better note!" Well, it felt like it at the time. Another brother, Dennis, a worker at Caterpillar, died in 2013. Speaking to the Songfacts website in 2017, Cronin disclosed the cause of Richrath's death: "He had some stomach problem or something and he went in the hospital to get treated for a stomach ailment and there were complications and he didn't make it." Punk-rock star dives into new Las Vegas museum, Demand for U2s Sphere production rocks Ticketmaster, Brewery closing after nearly 27 years: This place was like Cheers for us, Wedding Capital of the World: Las Vegas plans 70th anniversary party, Jerry Springers Elvis bit on the Las Vegas Strip revisited, You dont give up: George Foreman refused to be counted out, As demand at The Sphere skyrockets, U2 adds more dates, Top 10 things to do in Las Vegas this week, Politician-turned-TV ringmaster Jerry Springer dies at 79.