Transcript

Kevin Cronin (0:00)

I'll never forget. I stood up the piano and I looked at him, and we looked at each other and it was like we kind of knew.

Billy (0:07)

I think you have something that's super rare, which is an earnest quality. I believe what you're seeing.

Kevin Cronin (0:13)

Well, I mean, you know, some people would say I was fired. Other people would say that we had creative differences arose.

Billy (0:19)

Okay, you tell me. You were in the room.

Kevin Cronin (0:21)

I was fired. The plane was found with no seats, full of Quaaludes, pile pot and guns. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

Billy (0:35)

I. I heard them all, but that's a new one. Kevin Cronin, thank you so much. I'm so honored to talk to you today. I've literally been listening to you my. Almost my entire life. So you couldn't have.

Kevin Cronin (0:47)

You were from Chicago.

Billy (0:48)

Chicago. In Chicago. We'll talk about that, but I want to start here. Born in Evanston, Illinois. Is that accurate? So I was born in Chicago, in the lake. So essentially, we were born about 20 miles apart. And although we're a slightly different generation, we grew up in the same world, Catholic world of Chicago. And. And back then, Chicago was heavily Catholic, heavily working class. It's changed a bit. So I feel like there's an understanding there where maybe people outside of the Midwest maybe wouldn't understand what made your band, REO Speedwagon, important, what you guys were talking about. Important. It certainly resonated with the world that I grew up in. So let's sort of start there. If you want to talk about sort of your upbringing and kind of. Because I found. And I don't know if you found this through the years, you know, American culture is so dominated by New York and Los Angeles, but they oftentimes overlook how valuable artists from other parts of the country are in contributing to the greater conversation of what we experience.

Kevin Cronin (1:51)

I agree.

Billy (1:52)

Where. Whether it's artists that came up out of the bayou singing those types of songs with a little bit of French flavor, and of course, the Midwest. We grew up in the shadow of the great blues artists. You can't not grow up in Chicago and not be affected by the blues. So if you can kind of start there, please.

Kevin Cronin (2:09)

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan

Episode: Kevin Cronin | January 21, 2026

Episode Overview

In this in-depth and emotionally resonant episode, Billy Corgan sits down with Kevin Cronin, lead singer and songwriter of REO Speedwagon. The conversation spans Kevin's upbringing in Chicago's Catholic, working-class world, his early musical influences, the formation and evolution of REO Speedwagon, family and personal growth, artistic identity, and the pressures and rewards of fame. Both reflect on the distinctive spirit of Midwestern music, band dynamics, and what it means to seek meaning and happiness after decades at the apex of the rock world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Upbringing, Family, and Chicago Roots

[00:47–03:32]

Both Billy and Kevin share Chicago roots twenty miles apart, reminiscing about Catholic, working-class upbringings.
Kevin discusses feeling insulated in an all-Catholic suburb and seeking broader experience by moving to Chicago’s North Side for college and music.
"I grew up thinking that there were Catholics and non-Catholics and, you know, where all the non-Catholics go at the end of the road..." — Kevin Cronin [02:10]
Kevin’s mother was a pioneering social worker and caseworker for Catholic Charities; his parents adopted three children when he was seven, a formative experience that contributed to his artistic drive.
“I was told what to feel. And, and that's tough on a kid. ... If I trace back my, maybe my artistic bent ... it kind of goes to there.” — Kevin Cronin [14:21]

Musical Awakening & Influences

[16:15–24:15]

Early attraction to music: wanted to play drums, compromised on guitar; early influences were Elvis, Beatles, Buffalo Springfield, and folk-rock.
The Beatles’ Ed Sullivan performance was “liberating” for his generation and made guitar cool overnight:
- “Those same guys, of course, wanted to be in a band with me because I was the only kid in the neighborhood who played guitar. So the Beatles changed my life in so many ways.” — Kevin Cronin [16:21]
Genuine admiration for songcraft: obsessed over learning and creating songs, idolized singer-songwriters like James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg.
Early bands (Fuchsia, Late Late Show) did covers and snuck in original songs—journeying from folk to folk-rock to harmonic bands reminiscent of The Byrds and Buffalo Springfield.

Entering REO Speedwagon: Band Formation and Early Dynamics

[03:32–07:25, 37:29–43:03]

Kevin’s entry into REO Speedwagon was thanks to a chance meeting with Gary Richrath via a musicians’ wanted ad—Gary was a formative force for the band.
Band dynamics were challenging: Kevin describes being the “new guy” and tensions due to communication breakdowns (losing his voice and not telling the band), which led to his being fired after about a year.
- “In typical Irish, Catholic, Midwest fashion, I keep it all to myself ... And what they thought is that I was just being an asshole.” — Kevin Cronin [43:13]

War Generation Legacy, Emotional Repression, and Artistic Expression

[06:31–11:20, 31:17–33:10]

Discusses the emotional stoicism of parents’ generation, particularly fathers returning from WWII; the hidden trauma and culture of “not talking about it.”
Connection drawn between that legacy and the explosion of artistic voices in the ‘60s; repressed feelings seeking liberation in music.
- “The Beatles freaking blew the lid off.” — Kevin Cronin [11:20]
Both agree many artists went inward to cope with and transform these tensions; Kevin traces his own drive for authenticity and communication to childhood circumstances.

Evolving Band Identity and The Midwestern Ethos

[28:14–31:55]

Deep dive into what makes Midwestern music distinctive: an earnest, working-class ethos, pride in honest labor and aspiration, and a willingness to express hope and longing.
- “There was no shame in being straightforward about what working people go through and the dreams ...” — Billy Corgan [28:14]
The contrast with coastal attitudes (LA/NY) that prized detachment or irony, and how “coastal” scenes could be dismissive of Midwestern earnestness.
Kevin credits this background with their tendency toward “positive” songs—even the darkest had hopeful endings.

Songwriting, Vocal Style, and Artistic Authenticity

[24:11–36:03; 46:53–47:49]

Kevin’s journey from just writing songs to expressing authenticity through singing, not just pitch.
- “There was a little manifestation in there ... in the third verse, I actually sing as if I had already attained some sort of thing, even though I hadn’t.” — Kevin Cronin [47:18]
Addresses his “earnest” vocal quality, which Billy observes as rare and deeply believable.
- “I think you have something that's super rare, which is an earnest quality. I believe what you're singing.” — Billy Corgan [26:16]
Kevin’s humility and self-doubt about his singing voice, and understanding much later in his career the value of an evocative vocal performance.

REO’s Road Warrior Years: Touring and Line-up Changes

[41:03–44:46]

Details the relentless live circuit in the Midwest, opening for regional giants and absorbing lessons from bands like Black Oak Arkansas, Grand Funk Railroad.
Key turning points: losing his voice, being fired, and later rejoining the band after sending the demo for “Keep Pushing.”
- "I thought I could hear REO doing this song.” — Kevin Cronin [55:47]

The Era of Breakthrough Success & Band Dynamics

[59:34–83:01]

The role of self-production in the band’s transformation: REO’s insistence on producing their own records created a unique, more authentic sound.
- “Nobody knows this band better than us.” — Kevin Cronin [61:22]
The band’s live album—sparked by Frampton Comes Alive’s success—breaks them in Chicago, and the signature song “Ridin’ the Storm Out” becomes a defining anthem.
Signature moment: “I had this incredible memory of listening to you sing as I'm racing the actual storm ... I timed it where I got home exactly at the end of the song. Now I'm sitting with you. So it's a fantastic memory.” — Billy Corgan [66:55]

Fame, the Power Ballad, and Personal Impact of Success

[83:01–92:22]

Recording “High Infidelity” and “Keep On Loving You”—the process had no guarantee of success; many of the album’s tracks were actually demos.
- “I liked the fact that it started so organically...” — Kevin Cronin [84:13]
The unanticipated success of “Keep On Loving You” and the band’s embrace of power ballads, which became a genre touchstone (and a record label demand).
The pressures and psychological effects of chart-topping success: fame didn’t erase insecurity, it amplified it.

The End of Touring, Band Transitions, and Personal Reckoning

[95:25–106:19]

Kevin recounts the pandemic’s effect—time at home made him reassess his priorities and led to renewed self-improvement focused on vocal mastery.
The departure of beloved bandmates, upheaval, and the bittersweet symmetry of finding “his” band peaking and then officially ending its touring era.
Kevin’s post-band journey: seeking new friendships, redefining happiness, pushing outside habitual routines, and finishing his memoir.
- “I'm not going to be living between tour legs for the first time in 50 years....” — Kevin Cronin [106:19]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“I put so much of myself and so much of my emotion into the writing the lyrics to my songs ... but as I said earlier, to kind of shield myself a little bit in the process.” — Kevin Cronin [25:09]
“The beauty of great teachers is that they inspire people. But, you know, we don't always see the fruits of their labors.” — Billy Corgan [15:57]
“Bands have an arc, and Gary and I. Our arc ... kind of met right after this period we're talking about now.” — Kevin Cronin [59:03]
About their infamous tour plane:
- “The plane was found with no seats, full of Quaaludes, pile pot, and guns. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.” — Kevin Cronin [77:34]
- “That's a new one. I've heard them all, but that's a new one.” — Billy Corgan [58:16]
“I felt my job ... was to keep REO Speedwagon moving forward.” — Kevin Cronin [101:01]
“It's like, who am I? What am I, what am I doing?” — Kevin Cronin [104:07]
“I feel like I'm fighting for my happiness.” — Kevin Cronin [106:39]
- “That sounds kind of negative, fighting and happiness.” — Lisa Cronin (Kevin’s wife, paraphrased) [106:41]

Important Timestamps & Segments

[00:47–03:32] — Kevin’s Chicago upbringing, cultural context
[11:20] — First artistic inspiration: The Beatles’ Ed Sullivan show
[14:21] — Adopting siblings, developing emotional skills through adversity
[26:16] — Billy on Kevin’s authentic vocal style
[33:31–34:55] — Key venues and musical landscape before REO
[42:54–44:46] — The first firing from REO, communication breakdown
[55:47] — The “Keep Pushing” demo that brought Kevin back
[62:28] — The live album breaks REO in Chicago
[66:55] — Billy’s childhood memory: “racing the storm” to “Ridin’ the Storm Out”
[70:17–73:01] — Emergence and production of signature hits; trust and conflict over artist direction with producers
[83:01–84:19] — The making and surprise success of “High Infidelity”
[92:22] — The psychological impact of major fame
[95:25–106:19] — Post-pandemic: personal reckoning, transition away from REO, redefining happiness

Tone & Final Impressions

The episode is candid, humorous, and deeply personal. Both Billy and Kevin are unguarded, reflective, and sweep across decades of cultural and personal change. There is a strong sense of hard-won wisdom, camaraderie, and respect for the work of artists who come from humble beginnings and leave a lasting mark. The episode is filled with warmth, Midwestern humility, and the bittersweetness of transition—anchored in a search for personal meaning after success.

For listeners seeking insights into classic rock history, the roots of Midwestern authenticity, or the human afterlife of fronting a legendary band, this episode is a treasure trove.

wavePod

Kevin Cronin | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan