| Revision as of 18:34, 23 December 2019 edit2605:e000:141c:ca3a:9807:19d6:d132:8104 (talk) corrected error← Previous edit | Revision as of 18:17, 24 December 2019 edit undoInternetArchiveBot (talk | contribs)Bots, Pending changes reviewers5,388,432 edits Rescuing 1 sources and tagging 0 as dead.) #IABot (v2.0Next edit → | ||
| Line 77: | Line 77: | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * | * | ||
| * at ] | * at ] | ||
Revision as of 18:17, 24 December 2019
| 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 | pop rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, producer |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals, slide guitar |
| Years active | 1970–2015 |
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
Richrath wrote, performed on and even sang on some of REO'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 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
He left the band in 1989, 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.
Later years
On November 22, 2013, REO 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 REO for a performance of "Ridin' the Storm Out" to end REO's 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, 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; news of his death was 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
REO Speedwagon
- 1971 REO Speedwagon
- 1972 R.E.O./T.W.O.
- 1973 Ridin' the Storm Out
- 1974 Lost in a Dream
- 1975 This Time We Mean It
- 1976 R.E.O.
- 1977 Live: You Get What You Play For
- 1978 You Can Tune a Piano but You Can't Tuna Fish
- 1979 Nine Lives
- 1980 A Decade of Rock and Roll 1970 to 1980
- 1981 Hi Infidelity
- 1982 Good Trouble
- 1984 Wheels Are Turnin'
- 1985 Best Foot Forward
- 1987 Life as We Know It
- 1988 The Hits
- 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 The Ballads
- 2004 The Essential REO Speedwagon
- 2008 Playlist: The Very Best of REO Speedwagon
- 2010 Setlist: The Very Best of REO Speedwagon Live
Richrath
- 1992 Only the Strong Survive
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 2018-01-30.
- 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
| REO Speedwagon | |
|---|---|
| Studio albums |
|
| Live albums | |
| Compilation albums | |
| Singles | |
| Video albums | |
| Related articles | |