reo speedwagon

On this episode Scott and Jack discuss Styx, Grand Funk Railroad, Foreigner, Counting Crowes and more. Maybe you'll agree, maybe you'll disagree. Listen in and find out.

Hi Infidelity would be the biggest selling rock album of 1981, and would be the high water mark for REO Speedwagon.  The band at the time was Kevin Chronin on lead vocals, Gary Richrath on lead guitars, Neal Doughty on keyboards, Bruce Hall on bass, and Alan Gratzer on drums.

REO Speedwagon started out in 1967, and the name comes from a 1915 truck called the REO Speed Wagon.  Neal Doughty saw the name on the blackboard in his History of Transportation class as an electrical engineering major at the University of Illinois in Champaign, and thought the name was cool.  The original lead singer for their 1971 debut album was Terry Luttrell, who would go on to be the vocalist for Starcastle after a breakup that involved Luttrell being left in a cornfield after a bad gig.  Kevin Cronin came in for their second album, would leave during the recording sessions on their third album, then return in 1976 for their sixth album.  

Cronin and Richrath wrote a lot of the music from 1977 on, and around this time long time bassist Greg Philbin left the band, either because of the changing split in money as the band became more commercially successful, or because of his lifestyle issues affecting the music (depending on who you ask).  Bruce Hall joined thereafter for the recording of the album "You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish."  That was their first top 40 album, including the singles "Roll with the Changes" and "Time for Me to Fly."

Hi Infidelity put them over the top.  This was a pop-rock crossover, with more commercial appeal than previous rock-oriented efforts.  The big song was the ballad "Keep On Loving You," which was everywhere in early 1981.  High Infidelity would be the biggest selling rock album of 1981, taking the top spot on the Billboard 200, and certified 10 times platinum over time.

Thought they had a number of hits through the 1980's, Hi Infidelity would never be topped.  Gary Richrath would leave the band in 1989.  He reunited with the band in a concert in 1998, in 2000, and again in 2013 for a benefit concert.  REO Speedwagon tours today with Doughty, Cronin, and Hall still in the lineup, joined by Dave Amato on guitar (formerly with Ted Nugent) and Bryan Hitt on percussion (formerly of Wang Chung).

Don't Let Him Go
This track opens the album, and was the third single released.  Kevin Cronin wrote this hard driving song with a Bo Diddley beat.  The song is based on the experiences of all the band members and is basically a plea to all their girlfriends to have patience with them.

Follow My Heart
This is a deeper cut, not one of the singles.  It's basically about a girl that the guy knows is bad news, but he can't decide whether to follow his head or follow his heart.  Gary Richrath wrote this song with songwriter Tom Kelly.

Tough Guys
Kevin Cronin wrote this as a bit of a rebuttal to the "nice guys finish last" trope.  "She doesn't like the tough guys, she doesn't like the rough guys.  She's gonna call your bluff guys, and you better believe it's true - she don't like you."  The opening clip is from a 1937 "Our Gang" (aka "The Little Rascals") episode.  This song wasn't released as a single, but made the mainstream rock chart anyway.

Take It on the Run
The second single from the album was written by Gary Richrath and went to number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The song takes on the rumor mill in an interesting way:  "Now, I'm telling you, babe, that I don't think its true, babe, and even if it is, keep this in mind."  The music video to this song was the ninth video played on MTV's first day in August 1981, but technical difficulties resulted in only 12 seconds of the video airing.  

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

9 to 5 by Dolly Parton (from the motion picture 9 to 5)
Working women exact revenge on their boss in this satire starring Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, and Dolly Parton.

STAFF PICKS:

Dreamin' by Cliff Richard
Brian's staff pick takes us to a famous British singer.  Leo Sayer helped write this upbeat song.  Richard stated that this was an unusual song for him because it is in a higher range than is typical for Richard.  The song was accumulated in the studio, as a verse would be recorded, then the next written.   

(Just Like) Starting Over by John Lennon
Rob features a song that took off the charts shortly after Lennon was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman.  Lennon was trying to create a sound that he called his "Elvis-Orbison track," and it had a definite 50's feel to it.  The song was released in October but took off on the charts after his death.

I Will Follow by U2
Wayne brings us the first single from the debut album by U2.  This single was a staple of fraternity parties across the nation at the time.  Bono wrote this song as a tribute to his mom who died when he was young.  Unusual instruments were used for percussive effect including silverware and breaking bottles.

The Turn of a Friendly Card, part 1 by The Alan Parsons Project
Bruce finishes the staff picks with the first part of a 16-minute suite bearing the same name as the album.  The Turn of a Friendly Card was a concept album revolving around gambling, gambling addiction, and what happens to a person who turns to gambling in the midst of a mid-life crisis.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

The Gold Bug by The Alan Parson's Project
An instrumental from "The Turn of a Friendly Card," this song was inspired by a short story of the same name by Edgar Allen Poe.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” 

NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

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**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

REO Speedwagon frontman Kevin Cronin joins Eddie for an extended chat on this episode! The frontman discusses his upcoming 50th anniversary of being in the band, his upcoming book, the band's cameo on the series 'Ozark,' and 40 years since the release of the band's seminal album, 'Hi Infidelity.'

Catch Eddie Trunk every M-F from 3:00-5:00pm ET on Trunk Nation on SiriusXM Faction Talk Channel 103.

And don’t forget to follow Eddie on Twitter  and Instagram!

Follow the link to get your free 3-month trial of SiriusXM: http://siriusxm.com/eddietrunk 

After doing well with their 1980 self-titled album, Canadian rock band Loverboy would head into the stratosphere with their second studio album entitled Get Lucky. Benefiting from a photogenic lead singer (Mike Reno) clad in read leather pants, Loverboy would ride the MTV wave to the top of the rock and pop charts. Loverboy was founded in 1979 by front man Mike Reno and guitarist Paul Dean, who met when Reno was working at a steakhouse and heard Dean playing guitar in a bus station behind the restaurant. Success came quickly, with hits like "Turn Me Loose” and "The Kid is Hot Tonite” from their first album.

The name Loverboy came from Paul Dean's dream inspired by the Cover Girl fashion magazine. “Cover Boy” then became “Loverboy,” and the name stuck.

Loverboy is still out performing, and Reno still wears the headband. While it made a fashion statement at the time, he claims it was to keep the sweat from getting in his eyes. The band is the same in its entirety today, except for Scott Smith, their original bass player, who was lost at sea when a rogue wave hit his sailboat. He was replaced by bassist Ken "Spider" Sinnaeve in 2001.

Grab your red leather pants and sing along with this hit album.

When It's Over
This their second single, and the second track on the album. It made it to number 26 on the charts. It tells the story of a guy waiting for the failure of a bad relationship so he can get the girl.

Working for the Weekend
You will recognize this track from the starting cowbell if you ever heard 96 Rock's “5 O'Clock Whistle” back in the day. This is the lead single from the album, and went to number 29. Paul Dean was walking on the beach on a Wednesday afternoon, thinking about how everyone was busy at work, waiting for the weekend. With the band’s feedback, the line "waiting for the weekend" became "working for the weekend."

Lucky Ones
A hopeful track, this song gives the album its name. “Don't ask me how, but guess who hit the big time?”

Take Me To the Top
A deeper cut - though still a hit single on a single-heavy album. The synthesizer intro is distinctive. This track was actually a demo that made it right onto the album without a studio version.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Theme from the Motion Picture “Halloween II”
You have to have a creepy theme from a spooky movie if your profiling music from October, right? Villain Michael Myers also debuted on television for the first time in October 1981, as the original "Halloween" appeared on the networks - heavily edited.

STAFF PICKS:

“Talk Dirty” by John Entwistle
Wayne's staff pick brings us a solo outing from “The Ox,” John Entwistle, bassist from The Who. This song was a minor hit at the time, when members of The Who were engaged in solo projects. Joe Walsh takes lead guitar duties on this one.

“Destroyer” by The Kinks
Bruce features a hit off their 19th album that was incredibly popular for a rock song at the time. The Kinks make reference to two previous songs, "Lola" and "All Day and All of the Night." Stop! Hold on! Stay in control...

“Tryin' to Live My Life Without You” by Bob Segar
Brian's staff pick is a live rendition of a song originally written by Larry Williams and released by Otis Clay in late 1972. Segar's version went to number 5, so it was much more popular than the original.

“In Your Letter” by REO Speedwagon
Rob features a do-wop song from REO Speedwagon's hit album “Hi Infidelity.” Despite the 60's sound, this song is not a cover. Keyboardist Gary Richrath wrote this song after finding a letter from his ex-wife indicating that his wife had left him...for their drug dealer.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Theme from the Television Show “Hill Street Blues” by Mike Post
This instrumental theme was on the charts at the time.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” 

NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock worthy memes we can share.

Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!

**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

Part One:   (Total Time:     11:25)

• Karen’s journey growing up in Detroit and going to school at Wayne State. The collage years working at WAYN, WDTE and WWWW. Karen’s four years at W4 and three at WABX leading to her spot at WRIF. 

Part Two:   (Total Time:     25:27)

• Working in the old broadcast trailer and the 80s all-star lineup at the Riff. Karen’s long relationship with Bob Seger, having dinner with Queen and seeing The Who at the Silverdome.

Part Three:   (Total Time:     38:11)

• Working with J., George, Ken Calvert, Arthur P. and Steve Kostan. A short run doing the morning show on WRIF with Lynne Woodison. Seeing Eric Clapton and Joe Cocker at the old Eastown and being recruited to WCSX. 

Part Four:   (Total Time:     42:44)

• The Van Halen interview that included the whole band and a few strippers.

NOVEMBER 1980 -  Henry and Chris break down records for November 1980! 
Some reckonings include: Were Steely Dan total dicks?  Motorhead or Motörhead?  Was REO Speedwagon actually a band made for your mom?  Albums reviewed: Gaucho -  Steely Dan, Ace of Spades -  Motörhead, Autoamerica - Blondie, Double Fantasy - John Lennon, Hi Infidelity - REO Speedwagon

REO Speedwagon frontman Kevin Cronin joins Eddie Trunk to discuss the band's forthcoming tour with Styx. He also talks about the band's relationship with Styx, moving to Los Angeles, being called a heavy metal band, Third Street Record Plant, writing 'High Fidelity,' and more!

Catch Eddie Trunk every M-F from 3:00-5:00pm ET on Trunk Nation on SiriusXM Faction Talk Channel 103.

And don’t forget to follow Eddie on Twitter  and Instagram!

Follow the link to get your free 3-month trial of SiriusXM: http://siriusxm.com/eddietrunk