It’s time for The Villages to get aboard the Speedwagon.
For those of you who survived the 1980s, that can only mean one thing – REO Speedwagon is coming to town.
The classic rockers are here Feb. 7 in the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. Tickets are on sale now for the band that was an FM radio and MTV staple with such hits as: “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Keep On Loving You” and “Take It On the Run.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-10Gy6xc-WM
The band’s landmark album, “High Infidelity,” came out in 1980 and sold over 10 million copies.
“The idea that 10 million people know those songs is such an honor and equally humbling,” lead singer Kevin Cronin told the Chicago Tribune.
Cronin is still going strong and joined in the current line-up with Bruce Hall, bass; Neal Doughty, keyboards; Dave Amato, guitar and Bryan Hitt on drums.
REO has been playing and touring for nearly five decades and Cronin – now in his late 60s – is determined to never grow up and keep on rocking.
“I’ve been doing music since I was 12 years old and I’m still really in touch with that 12-year-old,” he told Parade magazine. “I’ve never considered doing anything else. The concept of when to stop doing this hasn’t been an issue for me yet.
“I always thought that if I start feeling like this tour somehow is not better than the last, that I’m not still changing in a positive way, then that will be the signal to me I need to consider an alternative. So far, the feedback is, ‘Wow. You are better this year than last.’”
Cronin still enjoys singing the old songs but tries to keep them fresh.
“The truth is I still enjoy singing those songs now more than ever,” he told Parade magazine. “See, when you make a record, you have to remember those songs are brand new. And when you record a song, you barely know it. You just wrote it. That’s the irony of the whole thing.
“About those songs that become big hits, in my mind, it’s almost like having your high school yearbook picture being the definitive picture of yourself. Then it becomes embarrassing as the years go by.”
Cronin added that the fans inspire him.
“It makes me feel good when I connect with the audience on a certain level. People spend their hard-earned money to see us perform so we do everything we can to create a memorable and enjoyable experience.”
Tony Violanti is a veteran journalist and writes for Villages-News.com.
