The Final Encore: Unpacking The 5 Current REO Speedwagon Band Members And Their Shocking 2025 Split
The legendary rock band REO Speedwagon is facing a dramatic turning point in its nearly six-decade history. As of late December 2025, the group is at the center of a major news story, not for a new album, but for the shocking announcement that they will cease touring indefinitely, effective January 1, 2025. This decision stems from a highly publicized conflict between two of the band’s longest-serving members, creating a bittersweet and uncertain future for the American rock icons who gave the world hits like "Can't Fight This Feeling" and "Keep on Loving You."
The core of the issue lies in "irreconcilable differences" that arose between frontman Kevin Cronin and bassist Bruce Hall regarding health matters and the rigorous demands of life on the road. This dramatic internal rift has put an unexpected end to their non-stop touring schedule. Before we dive into the details of the conflict and the band’s legacy, here is a complete look at the five musicians who comprise the current and final touring lineup of REO Speedwagon.
Complete and Current REO Speedwagon Band Members (The Final Touring Lineup)
The current iteration of REO Speedwagon consists of five members, two of whom have been with the band for over 45 years, and two others who have been integral parts of the lineup since 1989. This lineup is responsible for carrying the band's legacy through decades of touring and is the group that will be remembered as the last on the road.
Kevin Cronin - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards (1972–1973, 1976–2024)
- Full Name: Kevin Patrick Cronin Jr.
- Born: October 6, 1951 (Evanston, Illinois)
- Role: The enduring face and voice of REO Speedwagon. Cronin is the primary songwriter behind the band’s biggest power ballads and hits, including "Keep on Loving You," "Can't Fight This Feeling," and "Take It on the Run."
- Key Fact: He joined the band in 1972, left after one album (*R.E.O./T.W.O.*), and returned in 1976 to lead the band into their most commercially successful era, particularly with the 1980 album *Hi Infidelity*.
Bruce Hall - Bass, Vocals (1977–2024)
- Role: Long-time bassist who replaced Gregg Philbin in 1977. Hall is known for his powerful bass lines and his distinct lead vocals on tracks like "Back on the Road Again" and "Girl With the Heart of Gold."
- Key Fact: Hall grew up with and played in a band with original REO guitarist Gary Richrath. His deep ties to the band's Illinois roots and his long tenure make him a foundational pillar of the classic lineup.
Neal Doughty - Keyboards (1966–2024)
- Role: The sole original founding member of REO Speedwagon. Doughty formed the band with drummer Alan Gratzer in 1967 while attending the University of Illinois.
- Key Fact: Doughty is credited with naming the band after a model of fire truck, the REO Speed Wagon, which he saw written on a blackboard in an engineering class. He was also one of the first rock musicians to adopt the Moog synthesizer. He has been listed as 'not touring' since 2023, signaling his gradual retirement from the road before the band's official touring end.
Dave Amato - Lead Guitar, Vocals (1989–2024)
- Full Name: David Paul Amato
- Born: March 3, 1953 (Framingham, Massachusetts)
- Role: Lead guitarist since 1989, replacing the iconic Gary Richrath. Amato has been a crucial member for over 35 years, providing the shredding guitar solos and powerful stage presence for the band’s later era.
- Key Fact: Before joining REO Speedwagon, Amato toured and recorded with other major acts, including Ted Nugent and Cher, bringing a wealth of arena rock experience to the group.
Bryan Hitt - Drums (1989–2024)
- Full Name: Bryan Keith Hitt
- Born: January 5, 1954 (Center, Texas)
- Role: The band’s drummer since 1989, joining alongside Dave Amato. Hitt provides the powerful, steady rhythm that drives the band's live shows.
- Key Fact: He was selected after a two-day audition process that included some of the finest drummers in Los Angeles and previously toured with acts like Wang Chung and The Spencer Davis Group.
The Heartbreaking Reason: Irreconcilable Differences and the End of Touring
In September 2024, the music world was stunned by the announcement that REO Speedwagon would cease touring operations as of January 1, 2025. The reason was not a collective retirement, but a painful internal conflict described as "irreconcilable differences" between Kevin Cronin and Bruce Hall.
The core of the disagreement reportedly centered around health issues. While the specific details remain private, the band’s official statement indicated a complex situation had arisen, leading to a rift between the two long-time friends and bandmates. Cronin, the band’s primary creative force, was quoted as being "sad and angry" about the situation, acknowledging the heartbreak of ending their decades-long run of non-stop touring.
For a band famous for its relentless road schedule and co-headlining treks with genre heavyweights like Styx and Chicago, the abrupt end to touring marks the closure of a major chapter in classic rock history. The last scheduled tour dates in late 2024 and early 2025 are now highly anticipated, serving as a final goodbye to fans who have supported their music and their legendary live performances for generations.
The REO Speedwagon Legacy: Classic Lineup, Hit Albums, and Future
The band’s enduring legacy is cemented by their transition from a hard-driving, album-oriented rock (AOR) act in the 1970s to a commercial powerhouse in the 1980s. This shift was largely driven by the songwriting of Kevin Cronin and the consistent core lineup, often referred to as the "classic lineup."
The Iconic Classic Lineup and Key Former Members
The most famous and commercially successful REO Speedwagon lineup, often cited as the "classic era" (1977–1988), featured the four surviving members who recently reunited, plus the late guitarist Gary Richrath:
- Kevin Cronin (Vocals/Guitar)
- Bruce Hall (Bass)
- Neal Doughty (Keyboards)
- Alan Gratzer (Drums, 1967–1988): A co-founding member who left before the current lineup solidified. Gratzer was the engine room for the band's early and peak success.
- Gary Richrath (Lead Guitar, 1970–1989): The legendary guitarist and songwriter behind the band’s early AOR anthems like "Ridin' the Storm Out." Richrath was instrumental in the band's sound until his departure in 1989 and his passing in 2015.
A Surprising Reunion and What Comes Next
Despite the drama of the touring split, fans were treated to an unexpected highlight in September 2025. The four surviving members of the classic lineup—Cronin, Doughty, Hall, and Alan Gratzer—reunited for a special performance. This reunion, the first of its kind in decades, stirred massive emotional response and provided a moment of unity amidst the conflict.
The band’s discography is filled with multi-platinum albums that define the era. The 1980 masterpiece, *Hi Infidelity*, remains their best-selling album, spawning four huge singles and establishing them as arena rock royalty. Other seminal albums like *You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish* and *Wheels Are Turnin'* ensured their place in rock history.
While touring will end in 2025, the band has hinted that they may continue as a recording act. Although their last full-length non-holiday studio album was released over 15 years ago, the possibility of new music or special one-off appearances, like the recent reunion, remains. The legacy of the REO Speedwagon band members—from the founding vision of Neal Doughty to the conflicting final years of Cronin and Hall—will forever be etched in the annals of classic rock.
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