REO Speedwagon to stop touring after upcoming dates due to 'irreconcilable differences'

After more than 50 years of rocking, REO Speedwagon will permanently park the tour bus at the end of the year. The longtime soft rock band known for 1980s hits like “Keep on Loving You,” “Take It On the Run” and “Can't Fight This Feeling” announced Monday (September 16) that their upcoming dates on USA will be their last due to intractable conflicts between the two longest serving members.

“Bruce was all about getting back on the road again. If it was up to him, he'd be back on tour…but it's not up to him,” read a statement from the group in regards to bassist Bruce Hall, who is recovering from back surgery. The band toured with Train this summer.

“The public opinion was that he had not recovered sufficiently to be able to perform at the level the fans expected,” they continued. “Bruce respected that opinion and is grateful for it [replacement bassist] Matt [Bissonette] was here to keep the Wagon on the summer tour. Bruce never had any intention of retiring or walking away from the band, fans and crew he has loved for nearly 50 years.”

The message also noted that singer Kevin Cronin also “never had any intention” of leaving the band, but that things came to a head due to unexplained stressors, leading to the difficult decision to call it a day.

“Due to this complicated situation, irreconcilable differences arose between Bruce and Kevin. Thus, it is with great sadness that we announce that REO Speedwagon will cease touring effective January 1, 2025,” they announced. “[Keyboardist] Neil [Doughty]Kevin and Bruce thank their fans for all the years of loyal support and for giving the band such wonderful memories that will stay with each of them forever.”

Writing up FacebookHall wrote his own goodbye, telling fans: “I never thought it would end like this and I'm heartbroken. Please know Neal and I did everything we could to try to keep the Wagon going. I am so grateful for ALL the amazing love and support. You are very vocal and clear in your wishes for me to return to the stage. Trust me… that's what I wanted too. We all deserved a farewell tour.” He noted that he wanted the band to continue touring as it had been prior to his successful, scheduled back surgery.

Last week, the band was forced to cancel shows in Chula Vista, CA and Phoenix, AZ after Cronin fell from an unknown disease. Train and REO Speedwagon kicked off their co-headlining 44-date Summer Road Trip on July 8th and concluded on September 11th. Only Train appeared at the last show in Phoenix due to Cronin's illness. The band has a final round of headlining dates scheduled to begin on September 27th at Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, CA before playing what will now be their swan song on November 23rd at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY.

After missing the last two shows, Cronin wrote a note from his hospital bed FB over the weekend in which he reminisced about his great time on the road with Train this summer and his own future. “Lying here strapped to various sound machines makes a guy think. I had plenty of free time last week to appreciate the love in the eyes of my wife and children as they gathered around me here every day. I have a lot more life to live and I've reassessed what I want to do with the rest of my time here and who I want to be surrounded by while I do it,” he said.

“I have to be lifted up by those around me and in return lift them up. I feel excited at the prospect of creating and playing the best music I have inside me, with the best artists, musicians and people who will have me. And I promise to continue to give my best and appreciate the gift of music that allowed me this life.”

REO Speedwagon formed in Champaign, IL in 1967 with an original lineup of vocalist Terry Luttrell and a rotating roster of guitarists, releasing three albums with other vocalists before Cronin joined in time for 1972. REO/TWO LP? Cronin divorced before 1973 Ridin' the Storm Out album. After releasing three more studio albums, Cronin returned for 1976 REOwhich set the stage for their 1978 mouse discovery You can tune a piano but you can't fish the tone.

The double-platinum LP – the first to feature Hall on bass – eventually broke through at radio and on the charts, peaking at No. 29 Bulletin board A total of 200 albums and landed their first hit single with “Time For Me to Fly” (No. 56 on Bulletin board Hot 100) and “Roll With the Changes” (No. 58). But it was the 1980s High infidelity who cemented their reputation as AOR soft rock radio gods with the Hot 100 chart hits 'Keep On Loving You' (No. 1), 'Take It on the Run' (No. 5), 'In Your Letter ” (No. 20 ) and “Don't let him go” (no. 24). The band released six more albums, including their last original studio effort, 2007 Find your way home; the holiday album Not So Silent Night… Christmas with REO Speedwagon released in 2009.

See the band's statement below.