Gary Richrath: Difference between revisions

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			{{Short description\|American musician (1949–2015)}}
	{{Infobox musical artist		{{Infobox musical artist
	\| <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Musicians -->		\| <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Musicians -->
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	\| death_date ={{death date and age\|2015\|9\|13\|1949\|10\|18}}<ref name="legacy-pjstar"/>		\| death_date ={{death date and age\|2015\|9\|13\|1949\|10\|18}}<ref name="legacy-pjstar"/>
	\| death_place =		\| death_place =
	\| genre = ]		\| genre = ]
	\| occupation = ], ], ]		\| occupation = ], ], ]
	\| instrument = ], ], ]		\| instrument = ], ], ]
	\| years_active = ~~1970–2015~~		\| years_active = 1968–2015
	\| label =		\| label =
	\| associated_acts = ], Richrath		\| associated_acts = ], Richrath
	}}		}}
	'''Gary Dean Richrath''' (October 18, 1949 – September 13, 2015)<ref name="legacy-pjstar">{{cite web \| url = http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pjstar/obituary.aspx?pid=175883872 \| title = Gary Richrath Obituary - East Peoria, IL \| publisher = ] \| ~~accessdate~~ = 2018-01-30 }}</ref> was an American guitarist, best known as the lead guitarist and a songwriter for the band ] from 1970 until 1989.		'''Gary Dean Richrath''' (October 18, 1949 – September 13, 2015)<ref name="legacy-pjstar">{{cite web \| url = http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pjstar/obituary.aspx?pid=175883872 \| title = Gary Richrath Obituary - East Peoria, IL \| publisher = ] \| access-date = 2018-01-30 }}</ref> was an American guitarist, best known as the lead guitarist and a songwriter for the band ] from 1970 until 1989.

	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Richrath was born in ] on October 18, 1949 to Curtis and Eunice Richrath,<ref name="legacy-pjstar"/> and grew up in ].<ref name="pjstar-shock">{{cite news \| url = http://www.pjstar.com/article/20150914/ENTERTAINMENT/150919595 \| title = Promoter Jay Goldberg 'in shock' over Gary Richrath's death \| work = ] \| location = Peoria, Illinois \| first = Thomas \| last = Bruch \| date = 2015-09-15 \| ~~accessdate~~ = 2018-01-30 }}</ref> Originally playing saxophone in the school band, he took up guitar as a teenager, becoming self-taught.<ref name="pjstar-dies-luciano">{{cite news \| url = ~~http~~://www.~~pjstar~~.com/~~article~~/~~20150914~~/~~NEWS~~/~~150919703~~ \| title = Ex-REO Speedwagon guitarist and East Peoria native Gary Richrath dies at 65 \| first = Phil \| last = Luciano \| date = 2015-09-14 \| work = ] \| location = Peoria, Illinois \| ~~accessdate~~ = ~~2018~~-01-30 }}</ref> He graduated from ] in 1967.<ref name="pjstar-dies-luciano"/>		Richrath was born in ], on October 18, 1949, to Curtis and Eunice Richrath,<ref name="legacy-pjstar"/> and grew up in ].<ref name="pjstar-shock">{{cite news \| url = http://www.pjstar.com/article/20150914/ENTERTAINMENT/150919595 \| title = Promoter Jay Goldberg 'in shock' over Gary Richrath's death \| work = ] \| location = Peoria, Illinois \| first = Thomas \| last = Bruch \| date = 2015-09-15 \| access-date = 2018-01-30 }}</ref> Originally playing saxophone in the school band, he took up guitar as a teenager, becoming self-taught.<ref name="pjstar-dies-luciano">{{cite news \| url = https://www.sj-r.com/story/entertainment/local/2015/09/15/ex-reo-speedwagon-guitarist-east/33544559007/ \| title = Ex-REO Speedwagon guitarist and East Peoria native Gary Richrath dies at 65 \| first = Phil \| last = Luciano \| date = 2015-09-14 \| work = ] \| location = Peoria, Illinois \| access-date = 2024-11-26 }}</ref> He graduated from ] in 1967.<ref name="pjstar-dies-luciano"/>

	By 1968, Richrath was in a band called Suburban 9 to 5.<ref name="pjstar-dies-luciano"/>		By 1968, Richrath was in a band called Suburban 9 to 5.<ref name="pjstar-dies-luciano"/>

	==As lead guitarist and songwriter for REO==		==As lead guitarist and songwriter for REO Speedwagon==
	Richrath wrote, performed on and ~~even~~ sang on some of REO's early hits, including "Golden Country" (1972), "]" (1973), "Find My Fortune" (1973), "Son of a Poor Man" (1973), "Wild as the Western Wind" (1974), "(Only A) Summer Love" (1976), "Flying Turkey Trot" (1976), "Only the Strong Survive" (1979) “In Your Letter” (1980) and "]" (1981).<ref name="Ledger">{{cite news \|url=https://news.google.ca/newspapers?id=B-kSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hvsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6773,4378789&dq=gary-richrath&hl=en \|title=REO Speedwagon climbing back to No. 1 \|date=January 28, 1983 \|work=] \|author=Steve Turner \|~~accessdate~~=2010-07-21}}</ref>		Richrath wrote, performed on and sang on some of REO Speedwagon's early hits, including "Golden Country" (1972), "]" (1973), "Find My Fortune" (1973), "Son of a Poor Man" (1973), "Wild as the Western Wind" (1974), "(Only A) Summer Love" (1976), "Flying Turkey Trot" (1976), "Only the Strong Survive" (1979) “In Your Letter” (1980) and "]" (1981).<ref name="Ledger">{{cite news \|url=https://news.google.ca/newspapers?id=B-kSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hvsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6773,4378789&dq=gary-richrath&hl=en \|title=REO Speedwagon climbing back to No. 1 \|date=January 28, 1983 \|work=] \|author=Steve Turner \|access-date=2010-07-21}}</ref> In 1977, he and other members of the band took over ], which resulted in the band's first ] album. Along with playing lead guitar, Richrath sang lead vocals on "Find My Fortune" (1973), "Wild as the Western Wind" (1974), "Dance" (1975), "Any Kind of Love" (1976), "Only a Summer Love" (1976), "Breakaway" (1976) and "Tonight" (1976).
	In 1977, he and other members of the band took over ], which resulted in the band's first ] album.
	Along with playing lead guitar, Richrath also sang lead vocals on "Find My Fortune" (1973), "Wild as the Western Wind" (1974), "Dance" (1975), "Any Kind of Love" (1976), "Only a Summer Love" (1976), "Breakaway" (1976) and "Tonight" (1976).

	==Solo career==		==Solo career==
	He left the band in 1989,<ref name="pjstar-dies-luciano"/><ref>{{cite news \|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/content/living/stories/0613LVbands.html \|title=Where are they now?\|date=June 13, 2006 \|work=] \|author=Shane Harrison \|~~accessdate~~=2010-07-21}}</ref> and, with his new band named Richrath, released the album ''Only the Strong Survive'' ~~featuring Michael Jahnz on vocals released on GNP Crescendo Records~~ in 1992.<ref name="pjstar-dies-luciano"/>		Richrath left the band in 1989,<ref name="pjstar-dies-luciano"/><ref>{{cite news \|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/content/living/stories/0613LVbands.html \|title=Where are they now?\|date=June 13, 2006 \|work=] \|author=Shane Harrison \|access-date=2010-07-21}}</ref> and with his new band named Richrath, released the album ''Only the Strong Survive'' in 1992.<ref name="pjstar-dies-luciano"/>

	==Later years==		==Later years==
	On November 22, 2013, REO and ] announced a benefit concert titled "Rock to the Rescue" to raise money for families affected by a tornado in central Illinois. The concert was held on December 4, 2013 in ]. Richrath reunited with ~~REO~~ for a performance of "Ridin' the Storm Out" to end ~~REO's~~ set at the sold-out concert.<ref> Retrieved 9-19-2015.</ref> Richrath stayed on stage to help with the encore of "]" along with REO, Styx, Richard Marx and others.<ref> Retrieved 9-26-2015.</ref> Families affected by the storm and first-responders sat near the stage at this concert.		On November 22, 2013, REO Speedwagon and ] announced a benefit concert titled "Rock to the Rescue" to raise money for families affected by a tornado in central Illinois. The concert was held on December 4, 2013 in ]. Richrath reunited with the band for a performance of "Ridin' the Storm Out" to end their set at the sold-out concert.<ref> Retrieved 9-19-2015.</ref> Richrath stayed on stage to help with the encore of "]" along with REO Speedwagon, Styx, Richard Marx and others.<ref> Retrieved 9-26-2015.</ref> Families affected by the storm and first-responders sat near the stage at this concert.

	==Death==		==Death==
	Richrath died on September 13, 2015; news of his death ~~was~~ confirmed by his former REO Speedwagon bandmate ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.music-news.com/ShowNews.asp?nItemID=92204 \|title=Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon dies \|publisher=Music-News.com \|date~~= \|accessdate~~=2015-09-18}}</ref> He was 65 years old. Speaking to the Songfacts website in 2017, Cronin disclosed the cause of Richrath's death - "He had some stomach problem or something, and he went in the hospital to get treated for a stomach ailment, and there were complications and he didn't make it."<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/kevin_cronin_of_reo_speedwagon/ \|title=Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon \|publisher=Songfacts.com \|date=2017-06-16\|~~accessdate~~=2017-08-24}}</ref>		Richrath died on September 13, 2015, with news of his death confirmed by his former REO Speedwagon bandmate ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.music-news.com/ShowNews.asp?nItemID=92204 \|title=Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon dies \|publisher=Music-News.com \|access-date=2015-09-18}}</ref> He was 65 years old. Speaking to the Songfacts website in 2017, Cronin disclosed the cause of Richrath's death: "He had some stomach problem or something and he went in the hospital to get treated for a stomach ailment and there were complications and he didn't make it."<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/kevin_cronin_of_reo_speedwagon/ \|title=Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon \|publisher=Songfacts.com \|date=2017-06-16\|access-date=2017-08-24}}</ref>

	==Discography==		==Discography==
		⚫	===with Richrath===
		⚫	* ''Only the Strong Survive'' (1992)

	===REO Speedwagon===		===with REO Speedwagon===
	* ~~1971~~ '']''		* '']'' (1971)
	* ~~1972~~ '']''		* '']'' (1972)
	* ~~1973~~ '']''		* '']'' (1973)
	* ~~1974~~ '']''		* '']'' (1974)
	* ~~1975~~ '']''		* '']'' (1975)
	* ~~1976~~ '']''		* '']'' (1976)
	* ~~1977~~ '']''		* '']'' (1977)
	* ~~1978~~ '']''		* '']'' (1978)
	* ~~1979~~ '']''		* '']'' (1979)
		⚫	* '']'' (1980)
	* 1980 ''A Decade of Rock and Roll 1970 to 1980''
			* '']'' (1982)
⚫	* ~~1981~~ '']''
	* ~~1982~~ '']''		* '']'' (1984)
		⚫	* '']'' (1987)
	* 1984 '']''
		⚫	* '']'' (1988) (2 new songs: "I Don't Want to Lose You", "Here with Me")
	* 1985 ''Best Foot Forward''
⚫	* ~~1987~~ '']''
⚫	* ~~1988~~ '']''
	* 1991 ''The Second Decade of Rock and Roll 1981 to 1991''
	* 1993 ''Star Box''
	* 1995 ''Believe in Rock And Roll''
	* 1995 ''High Infidelity Gold''
	* 1995 ''Subway in Tokyo''
	* 1998 ''Only the Strong Survive - REO''
	* 1998 ''Premium Best''
	* 1999 '']''
	* 2004 '']''
	* 2008 ''Playlist: The Very Best of REO Speedwagon''
	* 2010 ''Setlist: The Very Best of REO Speedwagon Live''

⚫	===Richrath===
⚫	* ~~1992~~ ''Only the Strong Survive''

	==References==		==References==
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Latest revision as of 12:50, 26 November 2024

American musician (1949–2015)

Gary Richrath
Gary Richrath, 1980.
Background information
Birth name	Gary Dean Richrath
Born	(1949-10-18)October 18, 1949 Peoria, Illinois
Died	September 13, 2015(2015-09-13) (aged 65)
Genres	Hard rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter, producer
Instrument(s)	Guitar, vocals, slide guitar
Years active	1968–2015

Musical artist

Gary Dean Richrath (October 18, 1949 – September 13, 2015) was an American guitarist, best known as the lead guitarist and a songwriter for the band REO Speedwagon from 1970 until 1989.

Early life

Richrath was born in Peoria, Illinois, on October 18, 1949, to Curtis and Eunice Richrath, and grew up in East Peoria, Illinois. Originally playing saxophone in the school band, he took up guitar as a teenager, becoming self-taught. He graduated from East Peoria Community High School in 1967.

By 1968, Richrath was in a band called Suburban 9 to 5.

As lead guitarist and songwriter for REO Speedwagon

Richrath wrote, performed on and sang on some of REO Speedwagon's early hits, including "Golden Country" (1972), "Ridin' the Storm Out" (1973), "Find My Fortune" (1973), "Son of a Poor Man" (1973), "Wild as the Western Wind" (1974), "(Only A) Summer Love" (1976), "Flying Turkey Trot" (1976), "Only the Strong Survive" (1979) “In Your Letter” (1980) and "Take It on the Run" (1981). In 1977, he and other members of the band took over production, which resulted in the band's first platinum album. Along with playing lead guitar, Richrath sang lead vocals on "Find My Fortune" (1973), "Wild as the Western Wind" (1974), "Dance" (1975), "Any Kind of Love" (1976), "Only a Summer Love" (1976), "Breakaway" (1976) and "Tonight" (1976).

Solo career

Richrath left the band in 1989, and with his new band named Richrath, released the album Only the Strong Survive in 1992.

Later years

On November 22, 2013, REO Speedwagon and Styx announced a benefit concert titled "Rock to the Rescue" to raise money for families affected by a tornado in central Illinois. The concert was held on December 4, 2013 in Bloomington, Illinois. Richrath reunited with the band for a performance of "Ridin' the Storm Out" to end their set at the sold-out concert. Richrath stayed on stage to help with the encore of "With a Little Help from My Friends" along with REO Speedwagon, Styx, Richard Marx and others. Families affected by the storm and first-responders sat near the stage at this concert.

Death

Richrath died on September 13, 2015, with news of his death confirmed by his former REO Speedwagon bandmate Kevin Cronin. He was 65 years old. Speaking to the Songfacts website in 2017, Cronin disclosed the cause of Richrath's death: "He had some stomach problem or something and he went in the hospital to get treated for a stomach ailment and there were complications and he didn't make it."

Discography

with Richrath

Only the Strong Survive (1992)

with REO Speedwagon

R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971)
R.E.O./T.W.O. (1972)
Ridin' the Storm Out (1973)
Lost in a Dream (1974)
This Time We Mean It (1975)
R.E.O. (1976)
Live: You Get What You Play For (1977)
You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish (1978)
Nine Lives (1979)
Hi Infidelity (1980)
Good Trouble (1982)
Wheels Are Turnin' (1984)
Life as We Know It (1987)
The Hits (1988) (2 new songs: "I Don't Want to Lose You", "Here with Me")

References

^ "Gary Richrath Obituary - East Peoria, IL". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
Bruch, Thomas (2015-09-15). "Promoter Jay Goldberg 'in shock' over Gary Richrath's death". PJStar.com. Peoria, Illinois. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
^ Luciano, Phil (2015-09-14). "Ex-REO Speedwagon guitarist and East Peoria native Gary Richrath dies at 65". PJStar.com. Peoria, Illinois. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
Steve Turner (January 28, 1983). "REO Speedwagon climbing back to No. 1". The Ledger. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
Shane Harrison (June 13, 2006). "Where are they now?". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
Video of Gary Richrath's performance with REO Speedwagon in December 2013 Retrieved 9-19-2015.
Video "Rock to the Rescue Benefit Concert" Retrieved 9-26-2015.
"Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon dies". Music-News.com. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
"Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon". Songfacts.com. 2017-06-16. Retrieved 2017-08-24.

External links

v t e REO Speedwagon
Neal Doughty Kevin Cronin Bruce Hall Dave Amato Bryan Hitt Former members
Studio albums	R.E.O. Speedwagon R.E.O./T.W.O. Ridin' the Storm Out Lost in a Dream This Time We Mean It R.E.O. You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish Nine Lives Hi Infidelity Good Trouble Wheels Are Turnin' Life as We Know It The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken Building the Bridge Find Your Own Way Home Not So Silent Night ... Christmas with REO Speedwagon
Live albums	Live: You Get What You Play For Arch Allies: Live at Riverport Hi Infidelity Then Again...Live
Compilation albums	The Hits The Ballads The Essential REO Speedwagon
Singles	"157 Riverside Avenue" "Time for Me to Fly" "Keep On Loving You" "Take It on the Run" "Don't Let Him Go" "In Your Letter" "Keep the Fire Burnin'" "I Do' Wanna Know" "Can't Fight This Feeling" "One Lonely Night" "Live Every Moment" "In My Dreams" "I Needed to Fall"
Video albums	FM Arch Allies: Live at Riverport Live Aid (1985) XM Artists Confidential Not So Silent Night...Christmas with REO Speedwagon, The Yule Log DVD
Related articles	Discography Members

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