Gary Richrath, REO Speedwagon writer/guitarist, dies at 65

[Doomsday101]

CNN)Gary Richrath, the REO Speedwagon guitarist who wrote some of the band's biggest hits, including "Take It on the Run" and "In Your Letter," died Sunday, according to a post by REO lead singer Kevin Cronin.
"My longtime friend and collaborator Gary Richrath passed away earlier today," Cronin wrote on the band's official Facebook page. "Gary was both a unique guitarist and songwriter, and the embodiment of the tough guy with a heart of gold. I learned most of what I know about being in a rock band from Gary Richrath."

http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/14/entertainment/gary-richrath-reo-speedwagon-dies-feat/index.html

 

[Doomsday101]

 

[big dog cowboy]

This is sad news to me. I was a big REO fan back in the day. Saw them several times in concert. If you a rock music fan in the late 70's and early 80's you probably owned Hi Infidelity.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Take it on the run - one of my all time favs!!!!

Keep on lovin you

Can't fight this feeling

 

[JohnnyTheFox]

He was a good{not great guitarist} and there was no bigger band in that time period from 80-82. Didn't substance abuse issues get him kicked out of the band later In the 80s?
RIP
Here is an old favorite.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Time for him to fly

 

[MichaelWinicki]

In 1981... you heard their songs on the radio constantly... and I mean constantly.

 

[big dog cowboy]

In 1981... you heard their songs on the radio constantly... and I mean constantly.

Just for you.....

 

[lane]

Very underrated guitarist in my opinion.

he could play the hell out of that Les Paul Sunburst.

 

[JohnnyTheFox]

Very underrated guitarist in my opinion.

he could play the hell out of that Les Paul Sunburst.

Yep he could.
Those vintage les pauls are mint and are worth a mint,

 

[MichaelWinicki]

They were one of those groups that were washed-out, when the "2nd British Invasion" hit with MTV's intro in the early 80's.

You had many groups, like REO, along with the disco folks that simply went away.

Very similar to what happened to many groups, singers nearly two decades before.

 

[Jammer]

In 1981... you heard their songs on the radio constantly... and I mean constantly.

Yep, that's why I can't listen to them today. I have a few of their songs on my MP3 player and I always skip over those songs when they come up. I just don't have the heart to delete the songs.