The story of Reo Speedwagon’s first two hits, the 70s classic rock staples Roll With the Changes and Time for Me to Fly. Kevin Cronin tells the story of writing these songs with Gary Richrath and how they put the band on the fast track of success from their iconic 1978 album You Can Tune A Piano but you Can’t Tuna Fish.

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​#70s #NewWave #Story

Hey music junkies and vinyl junkies Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest 70s vinyl songs of all time for the music community and vinyl community.
If you’ve ever owned records, cassettes and CD’s at different times in you life or still do this is your place Subscribe below right now to be a part of our daily celebration of the rock era with exclusive stories from straight from the artists and click on our patreon link in the description to see our brand new show there.

It’s time for another edition of our show BREAKTHROUGH where we
where we breakdown the singular, song, album or event that kicked open the door to an artist or band’s career and gave them the momentum to rocket to long term success..

Before Reo Speedwagon exploded to number one on the singles chart with Keep On loving you and Can’t Fight This Feeling… he and Gary Richrath and the band were trying to build some momentum… They had languished as a band for years, and had certainly paid their dues building an audience through touring. Reo Speedwagon came out of an impromptu jam session between Neal doughty and Alan Gratzer in 1966. Band member came and went and in 1970 a guitarist Name Gary Richrath came aboard. With their equipment being hauled to dates in a friend's station wagon, the band frequented bars and clubs all over the Midwest. They released their debut album, REO Speedwagon on epic records in 1971.
From the time that Gary Richrath came into the band, the lineup remained pretty stable, with the exception of lead vocalist over their first three albums. Vocalist Terry Luttrell left the band in the first part of 1972, He would go onto to sing for the band Starcastle. He was replaced by a one Kevin Cronin. Cronin recorded one album with the band, REO/ T.W.O but ended up leaving the band during the sessions for 1973’s Ridin the storm out because of conflicts within the band] Ridin' the Storm Out was completed with Michael Bryan Murphy on lead vocal, He would stay on with REO for two more records. Murphy stayed on for two more albums, lost in a dream and this time we mean it. From there Kevin Cronin returned in January 1976 and recorded R.E.O., which was released that same year.

From their they started to bubble up as they started work on their new album that they hoped would take them to higher ground. It was a memorable album cover and name… You can Can Tune A Piano but you can’t tune a fish This was the album that would change everything for them released in 1978 over the years two song from the record have become true classics of rock and roll radio "Roll with the Changes" and Time for Me to Fly”. The strength of the singles took the album to new heights as it was REO's first to make the Top 40, peaking at #29 and has gone double Platinum… I was fortunate to sit down with lead singer Kevin Cronin and he gave me the story behind this classic album and the songs Roll With the changes.. my personal favorite Speedwagon song and Time For Me To Fly.. What follows is the break through story As we go into this interview...