← Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight
Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight
Classic Replay and Happy Birthday to Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon
00:28:38
Loading summary
Transcript38 lines
- [00:00]
Podcast Sponsor/Announcer
This is an iHeart podcast this episode of Taking a Walk is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether I'm booking my next vacation or going to a concert, Chase Sapphire Reserve is my gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. When I use my Chase Sapphire Reserve card, I get eight times points on all the purchases I make through Chase Travel and even access to one of a kind experiences like music festivals and sports events. And that's not even mentioning how the card gets me into the Sapphire Lounge by the Club at select airports nationwide. No matter where I'm walking, travel is more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Discover more@chase.com Sapphire Reserve cards issued by JP Morgan Chase Bank NA member FDIC subject to credit approval terms apply. Every music lover has that moment you hear or read something that stops you in your tracks. A forgotten B side, an offhand comment in an interview. A connection. Nobody else noticed that. Curiosity. That's where Claude comes in. Claad is AI for people who don't stop at the surface. It helps you explore the real stories behind the music, not with quick answers, but by working through the discovery with you, matching your level of curiosity. Try Claude for free at Claude AI Buzz Lexus believes in the importance of standards One of my standards I never want to be late. I always want to show up on time. For Lexus, the standard is simple experience. Amazing. Their benchmarks aren't stats or specs, they're feelings. Exhilaration. Joy. That sense your car was designed just for you. Machines built to make you feel more human. Because a car that doesn't make you feel something is a car that stops short of amazing experience. Amazing at your Lexus dealer. This episode is brought to you by 20th Century Studios New Film Springsteen Deliver Me From Nowhere don't miss the movie. Critics are raving as the real deal. An intelligent, deliberate paced journey into the soul of an artist. Scott Cooper, director of the Academy Award winning movie Crazy Hard, brings you the story of the most pivotal chapter in the life of an icon. Springsteen Deliver Me From Nowhere Only in theaters October 24th. Get your tickets now.
- [02:33]
Sacred Scandal Narrator
Sacred Scandal is Back, the hit true crime podcast that uncovers hidden truths and shattered faith. For 19 years, Alayna Sada was a nun for the Legion of Christ. This season, she's telling her story.
- [02:45]
Alayna Sada
When I first joined the Legion of Christ, I felt chosen. I was 19 years old when Marcia Almasel, the leader of the Legionaries, looked me in the eye and told me I had a calling.
- [02:54]
Sacred Scandal Narrator
Surviving meant hiding. Escaping. Took courage. Risking everything to tell her truth Listen to Sacred Scandal, the Many Secrets of Martial masiel on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [03:08]
Kevin Cronin
Taking a Walk I sat down and I have a little red Wurlitzer electric piano. And it started playing those chords for the verses of Keep On Loving you. And the lyric just came. It was about 20 minutes of a burst of creative energy and. But I didn't write the chorus. A lot of times it happens for me that way, where I write the verses and then I need to get away from it a little bit and then the chorus comes.
- [03:39]
Buzz Knight
Welcome to the Taking a Walk podcast, hosted by Buzz Knight. The podcast where Buzz talks with musicians and gets the inside stories behind their music. And today we're joined by a legend who's been serenading us with timeless rock ballads for decades. Kevin Cronin. The iconic lead vocalist and guitarist of REO Speedwagon has been a staple of American rock music since the 70s. Kevin's heading out on the road with the Kevin Cronin Band, the voice and songs of REO Speedwagon. Here's Buzz with Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon on the Taking A Walk podcast.
- [04:18]
Kevin Cronin
Hey, Buzz. Hey, how are you? Kevin? I'm good. I'm beginning to wake up. You know, we're on the west coast here, and I operate on rock and roll time a little bit. You know, I got it. My day revolves around going to work at 8, 9 o' clock at night, so it's an early morning, but it's worth it to get out and spread the word about what's going on with. With REO Speedwagon and myself and the music and the song. So I appreciate you having me.
- [04:55]
Buzz Knight
It's great to have you on. And since the podcast is called Taking a Walk, I wanted to ask you if you could take a walk with somebody living or dead. Doesn't have to be in the music side of things, but maybe, preferably, who would that be and where would you take a walk with them? Kevin?
- [05:17]
Kevin Cronin
Wow. Well, you know, my. My musical heroes were the Beatles, obviously. You know, I saw them on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964 and, and I looked at the TV screen and I was like, that's what I want to do. I've been taking guitar lessons for a couple of years and didn't really know why until that day. And, but post Beatles, I just, I really gravitated toward the music of Stephen Stills, you know, with Buffalo Springfield with Crosby, Stills and Nash as a solo artist. Stephen just, he just does it for me, man. He's an amazing singer, amazing guitar player, electric and acoustic, and his songwriting speaks for itself. So I would go for a walk with Stephen. I like to walk on the beach, and I actually like to walk in the soft sand because it's just, just a better, better exercise and it's easy on the, easy on the body and, and, you know, I used to be a runner, but. But since I just realized that, that, that running, it was a great part of my life when I ran, and. But now walking on the beach kind of serves that same purpose. It just, you know, my mind just kind of frees itself and I get most of my better ideas come in a nice long beach walk. But I'll tell you what, I kind of manifested meeting Stephen Stills one day. I put on that first Crosby, Stills and Nash record and played Sweet Judy blue eyes 12 times, picked up the needle 12 times. But I write about my adventure with Stephen Stills in, in my book, which I'm still working on. But, but yeah, Stephen. Stephen has played a big part in my life and, and I owe a lot to him.
- [07:29]
Buzz Knight
So we're going to talk about the, the Brotherhood tour in a bit. I know you're super excited about that. You got your, your styx brothers and Mr. Felder as well as part of that tour and of course, your great touring band. But talk about the early days in Chicago and how did your upbringing really influence you musically?
- [07:57]
Kevin Cronin
Well, you know, I come from. From a musical household. My parents were both deep into Broadway musicals, so I, I grew up listening to, you know, because you put an album on in the, in the living room and it, and it. Small House and whatever music mom and dad were listening to. That's what I heard. So I listened to, you know, west side Story, South Pacific, you know, My Fair lady, all these great classic Broadway musicals. But then there was a musical called Bye Bye Birdie, which was the first rock and roll musical, and the lead character was Conrad Birdie, and he was. He was basically Elvis Presley. And, and, and when I heard that, I was like, whoa. That. That spoke to me in a different way. And, but, but I was encouraged to, to play music. It was my dad who suggested the guitar because he, he was like, you know, I wanted to play drums, but he was like, you know, you know, the guitar, you can take it anywhere, anywhere you go, you can bring your guitar with you. And I'll never forget that when he told me that, because the guitar has been my constant companion. It's been like a friend. It's been a vessel for me to express my emotions. And, you know, just, you know, the guitar is. Is what allows me to write songs. And so I love the guitar. I've got guitars. If you looked around this room, there's. Around our house, there are guitars everywhere, and it's just a beautiful instrument. And. And so, yeah, taking guitar lessons, man, that's where it started for me.
- [09:58]
Buzz Knight
So you joined REO shortly after their debut album. What drew you to the band? And can you talk about the. The early days of first joining reo?
- [10:10]
Kevin Cronin
Well, you know, I was. I was born and raised in Chicago, and. And the. My. My chance meeting with Gary Richrath was. You couldn't have. You couldn't have written a. If I wrote the story and tried to turn it into. To a TV show or a play, no one would believe it because it. Because the. But basically I put a. I hung flyers in all the music stores in Chicago advertising the Musicians Referral Service. And basically the Musicians Referral Service was my idea to try to find musicians for my band. Our guitar player and our bass player both left, and I. So I needed a guitar player and a bass player. So I just thought, well, I'll. I'll start this little company and I'll be like a conduit for musicians who are looking for bands and bands that are looking for musicians, and I'll take the best musicians for my band. But I soon realized that a lot of people called in and had great stories, but I couldn't really verify whether the stories were true or whether, you know, every. Every guitar player was the next Eric Clapton. You know, every singer was the next Paul McCartney. So. But. So I was. The idea kind of went south, but the flyers were still up. And one day the phone rang, and this guy is telling me that he's the lead guitar player in a band. They're signed to Epic Records. They're getting ready to go in and make their second album in Nashville, and they needed a guy who could sing, play rhythm guitar and write songs. And I'm like, you know what? I think I've got the guy for you. I swear to God. That's how it happened. And Rich Wrath came up to. I was living on campus at Loyola University in Chicago, and he came up and, you know, I played the most recent song that I written. It was actually my kind of. My first real song, a song called Music Man. And evidently Gary liked what he heard, because next thing I knew, I was in Champaign, Illinois, on the campus of the University of Illinois, and I was the new lead singer of REO Speedwagon. Pretty crazy story. There's more to it than that, but that's the gist of it.
- [12:54]
Buzz Knight
I love it. And I also love the fact that you created like, a precursor to like band camp or whatever in terms of this networking place for musicians. I think it's pretty. Pretty amazing. Really great. So Keep On Loving you can't Fight this Feeling, Two of the most iconic songs of our generation. What is it like striking gold with songs like that? Take us into that story.
- [13:25]
Kevin Cronin
Wow. It's an indescribable feeling, I can tell you that. It's. You know, songwriting is such an amazing experience and the way it usually works for me is I'll just pick up a guitar and just, you know, just start, you know, no preconceived notion of what I'm going to do. I just pick it up and start playing. And if something's going on in my heart that needs to come out, that emotion will attach itself to. To whatever I'm playing on the guitar. And I'll start to just sing and melodies come out and words come out. I can't account for how it happens. And I write a lot of songs. I don't play all of them for people, but every once in a while I'll just fall onto something and. And kind of what you said, you kind of do have a feeling about certain songs. Like when I wrote the verses for Keep On Loving you, I kind of stumbled down the hallway of my house, my first little house. I had a little home studio. It was about 4 o' clock in the morning. And I sat down and I have a little red Wurlitzer electric piano. And it started playing those chords for the verses of Keep On Loving you. And the lyric just came. It was about 20 minutes of a burst of creative energy, but I didn't write the chorus. A lot of times it happens for me that way, where I write the verses and then I need to get away from it a little bit and then the chorus comes. Because I've never planned it this way, but looking back, I noticed that a lot of times. And Keep on Loving you is a perfect example where the, the. The verses are. Are pretty dark, you know, because songs are normally my way of kind of unraveling what's going on inside of me. And the next day I went into rehearsal and we were working on. On our upcoming album, which would become High Infidelity. We didn't know it at the time, and I was just playing the chords for the verse and just waiting for the chorus. To arrive and. And suddenly there it was. And my choruses are usually hopeful is what I kind of notice. And so you get the. You get the true, you know, vulnerability, hopefully, and an expression of a difficult situation in the verses. But then the chorus is the hopeful part. And like I said, I never planned it that way. I kind of just realized it recently. You know, in doing interviews, you kind of take a. Take a look back at things because people ask questions, and that's what I noticed. And so. But that song, Keep On Loving youg, has taken me on a journey that, you know, it was my first number one song, which, as a songwriter, you know, it doesn't get much better than that. And, you know, now, you know, people like Keith Urban, you know, I saw someone sent me a video of Keith Urban coming out for the. For his encore of. Of his show, and I'm a fan of Keith's. And he sits down at the piano and he. He says to the full arena, what does he say? Everybody feel like singing along, and they're all, yeah, yeah. And. And. And then he plays Keep On Loving you. And, you know, I just sit there and I go, this is unbelievable. You know, Keith Urban is playing this song, and 20,000 people are singing along with him. So it's. It's an. I'm humbled by it. The fact that that song has gotten into people's hearts and souls is just amazing to me, and I just love playing that song for people and just feeling the energy that they give back to me when they sing along. And I'm just. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.
- [17:44]
Buzz Knight
We'll be right back with more of the Taking a Walk podcast. Welcome back to the Taking a Walk podcast.
- [17:56]
Well, to quote one of my favorite REO songs, roll with the Changes. You are rolling with the changes. You've announced the end of REO's touring under that name. Can you talk about what inspired that.
- [18:09]
Podcast Sponsor/Announcer
Decision, what was involved with it, and.
- [18:12]
Buzz Knight
What the fans can expect to see coming to see you on the road in 2025?
- [18:19]
Kevin Cronin
Well, you know, I am honestly devastated by the fact that I can't tour under the name REO Speedwagon, because I've spent my entire adult life, you know, putting all my energy, all my heart and soul into building up the concept of REO Speedwagon and what REO Speedwagon stands for, which is, you know, hard work, having fun, positive energy. Even though I'm not permitted to use the name Ario Speedwagon anymore. No one is, but no one can stop me from playing those songs, and no one can stop me from spreading that same REO Speedwagon energy. And that's what I'm going to be doing this year. I'm so happy that Dave Amato and Brian Hittin, who played in REO for 36 years, they've been by my side since 1989, and they will, and they're sticking with me. Derek Hillen and Matt Bissonnette, who joined the band in 2023, they're staying with me. The entire road crew is staying with me. The agents, the managers, everybody is sticking with me. And there was just some. There were just disputes with, you know, bands. Bands are intricate, unique organisms. And Bruce hall and I played together for 47 years, which is a pretty amazing run. And we accomplished a lot as bandmates, but things change and people grow up. And as we grow up, sometimes we get closer, sometimes we surround ourselves with different people that influence us in different ways. And I'm proud of everything that I accomplished with REO Speedwagon. And as I say, it's. It's going to be. It's going to be an Ariel Speedwagon experience. When you come and see the Kevin Cronin Band, that's just. That's what I'm all about. I'm all about playing those songs that we're going to be playing the entire High Infidelity album in sequence, plus all the other hits, you know, can't Fight this Feeling and Roll the Changes, Time for Me To Fly, Keep Pushing, and of course, all the. The songs from High Infidelity, you know, Keeping Loving you, taking on the run, you know, tough guys, you know, wish you were there in your letter. Don't let him go. We're playing every song, every album cut. It's really fun, man. It's really fun to play that whole album because I was so invested in that record. I just love that album. And I put many so, so much love into it. And, you know, the name High Infidelity just kind of dropped into my lap one day, and I believed in that album and believed in those songs so strongly. And, you know who. You never know when you're making an album, what kind of a journey that album is going to take you on. And High Infidelity has taken me to places all over the world that. That I never would have seen. And I've met people that I never would have met, you know, through that music. And. And even though I can't tour Zario Speedwagon, I'm going to keep that music alive. Nobody can stop me from doing that.
- [21:46]
Buzz Knight
I wouldn't try, that's for sure. Because you're hell bent on bringing it to people and you love bringing it to people. It's so obvious and you're so passionate about it.
- [21:54]
Podcast Sponsor/Announcer
How does it make you feel when you see the multi generations that are.
- [21:58]
Buzz Knight
Just loving all the music at these shows?
- [22:03]
Kevin Cronin
It's amazing. What music? The power of music. The power of music to bring people together. And you can't duplicate the live concert experience in any way. It's amazing for us on stage to be playing these songs. And I'll play the opening chords of Time for Me to Fly and everybody's up on their feet singing along. Just I'm taken back to, you know. You know, in the case of Time for Me to Fly, I remember exactly where I was when I wrote it. You know, I was on a friend's porch in Boulder, Colorado again, you know, that's. That song is three chords. It's literally three chords. But it doesn't matter, man. It's not how many chords it is. It's. It's about the feeling of the song and that people took it, took that song and so many of my songs and Gary Rich rat songs into their hearts. And you know, Gary and I, we had our ups and downs over the years. We were brothers and musical partners and you know, we never really co wrote in the traditional sense, but Gary's influence on my songs made my songs better. And I'd like to think that my influence and Gary's songs made his songs better. So. So our stank is all over each other's songs. So. So when I play any of those songs, whether they're my, mine or Gary's, they're REO Speedwagon songs and we collaborated on them in our own way. Sadly, Gary's no longer with us, but I feel like it's my responsibility to kind of keep an eye on Gary's songs, make sure that they continue to be performed and. And I love singing Gary songs. I. I feel like they're my own and I'm their caretaker, so. And that's what the Kevin Cronin Band is going to be doing. We're going to be keeping that music alive and, and playing those songs and respecting those songs and you know, I can't remember what the question was.
- [24:20]
Buzz Knight
Oh, it's just the joy of being out there connecting with the multi generations of fans who love the music.
- [24:28]
Kevin Cronin
You know what, and you're right that. And I see that happening and you know, I'm a dad, you know, I love my kids, and music has been a bond between myself and my children. And to see people bringing their kids to our shows, it's a beautiful thing. And we've always been kind of a family friendly band. You know, our songs are songs that, that are accessible. They're kind of, you know, I look at them as being kind of rocked up folk songs and, you know, they're. They're story songs. They're there. You can sing along to them. And to see young people. There was a show we played recently where there was a group of six or seven kids in college. Kids, they had to be right in the front row. And we walked out on stage and I was like, oh, boy, you know, I hope these people know the songs, you know, whatever. And sure enough, they were singing along with every song. And we kind of had a running joke through the whole show about how young they were and about how awesome it was that they grew up with their parents playing REO Speedwagon records. And there they were at the concert. And I think probably mom and dad were in the crowd somewhere, but the kids were right up front.
- [25:50]
Buzz Knight
Well, you have six kids. How do you balance, you know, work life and personal life with your family?
- [25:57]
Kevin Cronin
Wow. You know, I didn't realize that I have six kids, but. But, you know, I've. It's a complicated extended family that I have. I have a. I raised my first wife's son, Chris, and. And we had a son together, Paris. And then I remarried, and Lisa and I have been together for 36 years, and we have three kids, Holly, Josh and Shane. And my wife Lisa was a big part of both Chris and Paris's life too, because they were young at the time. So I think she did a great job. She's just an amazing woman. She's beautiful and brilliant and fun and everything that a guy could. Could want in a woman. I definitely married up. But she, she raised our kids to have a. Have a respect for what I do. And. But when I'm home, I'm dad, you know, I'm. I'm taking out the garbage. I'm, you know, picking up the furniture when it gets blown down the hill when the Santa Ana winds hit us. And, and my children and I are all close, and as far as they're concerned, I'm just Dad. And it's funny because as they've gotten older, they've started coming to concerts and kind of have a better understanding of my music, and it's really fun, but they're, well rounded young people, and I couldn't be more proud of them. And my wife did an amazing job. I was around a little bit, but I give it up to. To my wife, Lisa. She did the heavy lifting.
- [27:47]
Buzz Knight
So, in closing, Kevin, how do you want your legacy to be thought of in the music industry?
- [27:55]
Kevin Cronin
Wow. You know, honestly, I've never thought about that. You know, I guess I would want to be remembered as someone who kept it real, who always strove to build on the minimal natural ability that I have and make the most of my talent and to be an example that no one would have ever accused me of being most likely to succeed in high school. But I believed and I worked really hard and I kept it real. And I love what I do. Music has allowed me to bloom as a human being. Without my guitar, I don't know where I would be today. And so if I can be an example of hard work paying off and just an unquenchable thirst for improvement and a love of music and. Wow. Yeah. I don't know, that's. If I was going to put it in a nutshell, gosh, I guess I would say that. That I serve the songs and. And as a musician, I think that's. That's your job. The song is what it's all about. And it's the songs that. That have taken me on this amazing journey. And it's these songs that I love that I'm fortunate enough to have written and recorded and sung on records and gotten into people's hearts and souls. And I'm going to continue to bring that music with me and the Kevin Cronin Band. And even though we can't call it REO Speaker Speedwagon, it's the REO Speedwagon Experience. And. And we'll be bringing it to a city near you this summer. The whole High Infidelity record in sequence, cover to cover, bunch of. Bunch of the other hits, you know, roll it to change it's time for me to fly Riding the storm out can't fight this feeling, you know. So I appreciate you having me on Buzz and allowing me to kind of spread the word because that's what I've got to do. I've got. I've got to let people know that. That the Kevin Cronin Band is basically the REO Speedwagon Experience. And if you want that experience, that positive energy, if you want to hear those songs played live by. By an awesome band, Dave, Brian, Derek and Matt, and sung by the guy that sang them on the records, it's not called REO Speedwagon, it's called the Kevin Cronin Band. But between you and me, it's REO Speedwagon. I love it.
- [30:58]
Buzz Knight
Thanks for the joy of all the music that you continue to give us and thanks for spreading the word. Kevin Cronin, it's great to have you on Taking a Walk.
- [31:09]
Kevin Cronin
Well, thank you and I will think about you when I take my walk later this afternoon. Buzz, good luck to you and thank you for keeping the music alive and giving us a place to go to spread the word. So thank you very much for having me.
- [31:27]
Buzz Knight
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Taking a Walk podcast. Share this and other episodes with your friends and follow us so you never miss an episode. Taking a Walk is available on the iHeartrading app, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.
- [31:46]
Podcast Sponsor/Announcer
This episode of Taking a Walk is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether I'm booking my next vacation or going to a concert, Chase Sapphire Reserve is my gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. When I use my Chase Sapphire Reserve card, I get eight times points on all the purchases I make through Chase Travel and even access to one of a kind experiences like music festivals and sports events. And that's not even mentioning how the card gets me into the Sapphire Lounge by the Club at select airports nationwide. No matter where I'm walking, travel is more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Discover more@chase.com Sapphire Reserve cards issued by JP Morgan Chase Bank NA member FDIC member subject to credit approval terms apply Music history is full of hidden connections, just like everything else. Worth understanding if you're someone who can't help but dig deeper, who sees problems as puzzles worth solving, Claude is for you. It's built for people that don't settle for surface level answers. Claude works with you on whatever you're curious about, helping you explore ideas and connect dots in ways that might surprise you. Not by thinking for you, but with you. See why the world's best problem solvers choose Claude as their thinking partner and try Claude for free at Claude AI Buzz Lexus believes in the importance of standards. One of my standards I never want to be late. I always want to show up on time. For Lexus, the standard is simple experience. Amazing. Their benchmarks aren't stats or specs, they're feelings and exhilaration. Joy. That sense your car was designed just for you. Machines built to make you feel more human. Because a car that doesn't make you feel something is a car that stops short of amazing experience. Amazing. At your Lexus dealer.
- [33:49]
Sacred Scandal Narrator
Sacred Scandal is back, the hit true crime podcast that uncovers hidden truths and shattered faith. For 19 years, Elena Sada was a nun for the Legion of Christ. This season, she's telling her story.
- [34:02]
Alayna Sada
When I first joined the Legion of Christ, I felt chosen. I was 19 years old when Marciel Macel, the leader of the Legionaries, looked me in the eye and told me I had a calling.
- [34:11]
Sacred Scandal Narrator
Surviving meant hiding. Escaping. Took courage. Risking everything to tell her truth. Listen to Sacred Scandal, the many secrets of Martial masiel on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [34:24]
Podcast Sponsor/Announcer
This is an iHeart podcast.