Kevin Cronen “deeply disturbed and hurt” after being left out of REO Speedwagon one-off show
The former singer of rock band REO Speedwagon, Kevin Cronin, has said he is “deeply disturbed and hurt” to be missing the band’s recent hometown show in Champaign, Illinois.
The show will take place on June 14th and raise funds for the REO Speedwagon Foundation. The foundation’s money will be used to battle a rare GU cancer. Cancer research is being conducted at Moffitt Cancer Centre, a non-profit organisation in Tampa, Florida.
Additionally, the show is being put on as a tribute to some of the late REO Speedwagon members, Gary Richrath and Gregg Philbin, who previously joined the band while they were residents in Champaign.
A number of former members of REO Speedwagon will also be taking part in the show, including Neal Doughty, Bruce Hall, Terry Luttrell, Alan Ghratzer, Steve Scorfina and Mike Murphy. However, Cronin has been left out of the line-up due to scheduling conflicts.
Cronin was deeply disappointed about being left out of the reunion. He said that it would have been easy for the band to find a date that everybody could do, but instead, claimed they decided to intentionally leave him out.
“The organisers of the Champaign event could have picked a date when all of the former members of REO were available to participate,” he wrote on Facebook when a fan asked about his absence, “Instead they chose June 14, 2025, a date where it was public knowledge that I was previously committed to perform with Styx and Kevin Cronin Band in Bend, Oregon.”
Additionally, Cronin is upset by how the event was organised because he believes that everyone knew he wouldn’t be able to attend the show, and then he was made to look like a villain by not attending.
“Bottom line, I am being asked to participate in an event on a date when I can’t possibly be there in person,” he said, “And then being falsely accused of turning down the invitation. I am deeply disturbed and hurt by all of this.”
Cronin confirmed he believes he has earned the right to be included in upcoming reunion shows, given his dedication to the band.
Cronin’s tour with Styx and Don Felder will begin in May 2025.
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