Over the course of its career, the band has sold more than 40 million records and has charted thirteen Top 40 hits, including the number ones "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling". REO Speedwagon's mainstream popularity waned in the late 1980s, but the band remains a popular live act.
In the fall of 1966, Neal Doughty entered the electrical engineering program at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois, coming in as a junior. On his first night, he met another student, Alan Gratzer. They held an impromptu jam session in the basement of their Illinois Street Residence Hall dormitory, and soon started a rock band. Gratzer had been a drummer since high school, and was playing in a local group on the weekends, while Doughty had learned some Beatles songs on his parents' piano.
Doughty started to follow around Gratzer's band, eventually sitting in on a song or two. The keyboard player was the leader, but several other band members were unhappy with the situation. On the last day of the university's spring semester, guitarist Joe Matt called the band's leader and told him that he, drummer Gratzer, and bassist Mike Blair had decided to leave the band and start a new one with Doughty.
They made a list of songs to learn over the summer break, and Doughty landed a summer job to buy his first keyboard. On his Farfisa organ, he learned "Light My Fire" by The Doors. The members returned to school in the fall of 1967, and had their first rehearsal before classes even started. They named the band REO Speedwagon, from the REO Speed Wagon, a flatbed truck Doughty had studied in transportation history, and the initials are those of its founder Ransom E. Olds. Rather than pronouncing REO as a single word as the motor company did, they chose to spell out the name with the individual letters each pronounced ("R-E-O"). An ad in the school newspaper produced their first job, a fraternity party that turned into a food fight. They continued to perform cover songs in campus bars, fraternity parties, and university events. The first lineup consisted of Doughty on keyboards, Gratzer on drums and vocals, Joe Matt on guitar and vocals, Mike Blair on bass and vocals.
In early 1968, Terry Luttrell became lead singer, and Bob Crownover joined as the guitar player, replacing Matt. When Mike Blair left the band in the summer of 1968, Gregg Philbin replaced Blair, Marty Shepard played trumpet and Joe McCabe played sax until McCabe moved to Southern Illinois University. Crownover played guitar for the group until the summer of 1969 when Bill Fiorio replaced him. Fiorio then departed in late 1969, eventually assuming the name Duke Tumatoe, and went on to form the All Star Frogs. Steve Scorfina (who would go on to found progressive rock/album-oriented rock band Pavlov's Dog) came aboard for over a year, composing with the band and performing live, before being replaced by Gary Richrath in late 1970.
Richrath was a Peoria, Illinois-based guitarist and prolific songwriter who brought fresh original material to the band. With Richrath on board, the regional popularity of the band grew tremendously. The Midwestern United States was the original REO Speedwagon fan stronghold and is pivotal in this period of the band's history.
The band signed to Epic Records in 1971. Paul Leka, an East Coast record producer, brought the band to his recording studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut where it recorded original material for its first album. The lineup on the first album consisted of Richrath, Gratzer, Doughty, Philbin, and Luttrell.
Richrath was a Peoria, Illinois-based guitar player and prolific songwriter who brought original material to the band including REO's signature song "Ridin' the Storm Out". With Richrath on board, the regional popularity of the band grew tremendously. The Midwestern United States was the original REO Speedwagon fan stronghold and is pivotal in this period of the band's history.
The band signed to Epic Records in 1971. Paul Leka, an East Coast record producer, brought the band to his recording studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut where it recorded original material for its first album. The lineup on the first album consisted of Richrath, Gratzer, Doughty, Philbin, and Luttrell.
The band toured relentlessly under guidance from early manager Irving Azoff. The band's most successful period featured lead vocalist Kevin Cronin who joined the band briefly for their second album T.W.O in 1972, and left in the middle of recording the Album "Ridin' The Storm Out" and returned in 1976, co-producing with Richrath their landmark Live: You Get What You Play For. Ridin' the Storm Out was completed with Michael Bryan Murphy on the microphone. Murphy stayed on for two more albums, "Lost in a Dream" and "This Time We Mean It", before Cronin returned to the fold in January 1976 and recorded "R.E.O.", which was released that same year.
They grew in popularity in the Midwestern United States during the early 1970s and peaked in popularity in the early 1980s. The band's first mid 70s FM hit was the Richrath composed concert fave "Ridin' The Storm Out", and their first gold record was a live album, 1977's "Live: You Get What You Play For". Their hard rocking live show was so integral to their success, their label released another live album in 1978, "More Live".
In 1977, Philbin was replaced with Bruce Hall to record the first studio album that reached platinum, "You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish", released in 1978 which received FM radio airplay but fell short of the Top 40. In 1979, the band took a turn back to hard rock with the release of Nine Lives.
By 1981's "Hi Infidelity" they had reached a new peak, and the LP spawned several major radio hits including "Keep On Loving You", "Don't Let Him Go" and "Take It on the Run" which went to #5 on the US charts, and the Cronin composed "Time For Me To Fly, released on the "Tuna" album.
REO Speedwagon followed up the "Hi Infidelity" LP with the power ballad "Can't Fight This Feeling" from Good Trouble in 1982, and dented the charts again with 1984's "Wheels Are Turning" album, 1987's "Life as We Know It" was the last new release to go gold, before popularity waned, and their long winning streak subsided. Founding members Richrath & Gratzer left the band, essentially ending a 20 year arena rocking run, but the band's collections continued to sell and earn classic rock & retro power pop airplay. Richrath and Gratzer was replaced by Miles Joseph and Graham Lear, Cronin's band members from jazz ensemble called "The Strolling Dudes". And soon Lear and Joseph was replaced by Bryan Hitt (formerly of Wang Chung) and Dave Amato.
Nowadays Reo Speedwagon remains a U.S concert circuit staple, mostly known as a crowd pleasing classic AOR genre rock band. Still fronted by longtime vocalist Cronin, currently the only original member in the 21st century touring lineup is keyboardist Neil Doughty. The hired guns brought in since have had stints in band's like Ted Nugent and Wang Chung. Spurred on by numerous re-packagings of their back catalog, and successful newer live recordings, in 2007 they released "Find Your Own Way Home" the group's first new studio album in more than ten years. Though it did not chart as an album, it produced two singles which appeared on Billboard's Adult Contemporary radio chart.
REO Speedwagon continues to tour regularly, performing mostly their classic hits. They are popular on the fair and casino circuits, but still team with other acts to play larger venues.
REO Speedwagon's birth place was reportedly a Red Lion Inn, on Green Street near the U of I campus (Champaign-Urbana, IL).
Principal Members (1971)
Gary Richrath - Guitar
Alan Gratzer - Drums
Gregg Philbin - Bass
Terry Luttrell - Vocals
Mike Murphy - Vocals
Current Lineup
Kevin Cronin - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Dave Amato - Lead Guitar, Vocals
Bruce Hall - Bass Guitar, Vocals
Neal Doughty - Keyboards
Bryan Hitt - Drums, Percussion
http://www.speedwagon.com
Tough Guys
REO Speedwagon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They think that they can do anything they please
But they're gonna get a surprise
When she brings them to their knees
'Cause she doesn't like the rough guys
They think they can have any girl they choose
They've got tricks but my baby got wise
She doesn't like the tough guys
She doesn't like the rough guys
So find some one you own size
'Cause she's not afraid of you
She doesn't like the tough guys
She says that they've got brains all where they sit
They think they're full of fire
She thinks they're full of shit
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
She doesn't like the tough guys
They think that they can do anything they please
But they're gonna get a surprise
When she brings them to their knees
'Cause she doesn't like the rough guys
They think they can have any girl they choose
They've got tricks but my baby got wise
So in case you haven't heard the news
She doesn't like the tough guys
She doesn't like the rough guys
So find some one you own size
'Cause she's not afraid of you
She doesn't like the rough guys
She said she heard enough lies
She's gonna call your bluff guys
And you better believe it's true
Tough guys tough guys
Ooh get along tough guys
You might has gone forget it
Tough guys
Oh you know you know she love me better
Tough guys tough guys
The lyrics to REO Speedwagon's song "Tough Guys" speak of a woman who does not like men who believe they are tough and can do anything they want. The song seems to be a warning to these men that they will ultimately meet their match when they encounter this woman who will bring them down on their knees. The woman in the song is described as being smart, wise to men's tricks and not intimidated by their tough guy personas. The singer clearly admires this woman for her strength and confidence in dealing with these types of men. The lyrics suggest that these tough guys are all talk and no action, and the woman in the song is not interested in their bluster.
One interpretation of the song is that it speaks to the issue of toxic masculinity. The message of the song is that these men who believe they are tough and can dominate others are ultimately not as powerful as they think. The woman in the song represents a different kind of strength, one that is not based on physical power or the ability to intimidate others. Instead, her power lies in her intelligence, independence, and refusal to be intimidated by these men. The chorus of the song is a rallying cry for men to find someone their own size, someone who will take them down a peg and show them that their tough guy persona is not enough.
Line by Line Meaning
She doesn't like the tough guys
She disapproves of the guys who think they are tough and powerful
They think that they can do anything they please
These guys feel they have the freedom to act in any way they desire
But they're gonna get a surprise
Their confidence will be challenged by something unexpected
When she brings them to their knees
She will bring them down from their high horse
'Cause she doesn't like the rough guys
She despises the guys who think they can have their pick of girls
They think they can have any girl they choose
These guys believe they have the power to attract and gain the affections of any girl
They've got tricks but my baby got wise
These guys have some tricks up their sleeves but her lover is smarter and can see through them
So in case you haven't heard the news
In case you're uninformed
She doesn't like the tough guys
She doesn't approve of guys who are boastful about their power and strength
She doesn't like the rough guys
She doesn't like the guys who play rough
So find some one you own size
You should look for someone who is more your match
'Cause she's not afraid of you
She isn't intimidated by these guys
She says that they've got brains all where they sit
She thinks these guys have nothing but sexual desires on the brain
They think they're full of fire
These guys think they are powerful and intimidating
She thinks they're full of shit
She believes these guys are all talk and no substance
She's gonna call your bluff guys
She will challenge their pretense and expose their true selves
And you better believe it's true
And you should be prepared to accept the reality
She said she heard enough lies
She is tired of hearing their lies
Tough guys tough guys
Guys who think they are tough
Ooh get along tough guys
These tough guys should move along
You might has gone forget it
You will regret it if you don't move on
Tough guys
These guys who believe they are tough and powerful
Oh you know you know she love me better
She prefers her lover over these tough guys
Tough guys tough guys
Guys who think they are tough
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KEVIN PATRICK CRONIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mark kauffman
I haven't heard this song in probably 30 years, and I'm singing along like it's 1982 again. Amazing how a song can be with you the whole time. Unbelievable how amazing this album was/is.
FarmgirlFriday
My dad had this album (and a turntable) when I was a kid. He got rid of all his albums a few years ago - without asking his kids if they wanted any of them! - but this song and it’s opening will forever be stamped in my memory!
Blind Straight
Lol, me 2
Tony II
1982 What a year!
Ken D
I was in Jr. High when this album dropped....some of the best memories I have growing up....back when you had to have actual TALENT.
God
You certainly did!! And I liked the music, but had to fight my way thru Jr. High because I was in the Badlands. Girls gone wild beating the $#I! out of all the other girls, especially the poor girls from the south side- they were like prison dykes that HATED pretty girls with her two original parents, like me... and even the vice principal beat me with a boat ore back then. But, I chose the swats so I could get out of detention for cutting classes.... I had no choice, had to catch up with my cheer leading squad to keep the morale of the basketball team up!!! LOL!!!
Clayton Oakley
Kevin sure had a hell of a voice and killer lyrics he filled my childhood with amazing melodies
Kimberly Rosario
REO is one of my favorite bands and I love the whole album greatest hits. They don't make music like this anymore. I have all the old music, I don't like the new stuff. Love you REO
Pat Springs
I LOVE that opening riff.....Richrath rocked
James Pontnack
You nailed it! Great riff!