Legendary rock band REO Speedwagon will be playing at the Celebrity Theatre on Friday, May 5 to mark the band’s 50th anniversary of its inception.
Formed in 1967, signed in 1971, and fronted by iconic vocalist Kevin Cronin since 1972, REO Speedwagon’s unrelenting drive, as well as non-stop touring and recording, jump-started the burgeoning rock movement in the Midwest.
Platinum albums and freeform FM radio staples followed, setting the stage for the release of the band’s explosive Hi Infidelity in 1980, which contained the massive hit singles “Keep On Loving You” and “Take It On the Run,” and spent 15 weeks in the No. 1 slot.
To date, REO Speedwagon has sold 40 million albums around the globe, with Hi Infidelity approaching ten times platinum status in the U.S. After nearly five decades since forming, Cronin and bandmates Bruce Hall (bass), Neal Doughty (keyboards), Dave Amato (guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums) are still electrifying audiences worldwide with concerts featuring their timeless, two number one singles, “Keep on Loving You” and “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” along with hits and fan-favorites including, “Take It on the Run,” “Time for Me to Fly,” “Roll With the Changes,” “Ridin’ The Storm Out,” and more.
Opening the show will be Paul Gurvitz & the New Army. In 1964 he embarked on his touring and performing career as a guitarist with his bands The Londoners, The Knack, Parrish & Gurvitz (which was produced by the infamous Sir George Martin) and then switched to bass with Gun, Three Man Army, The Graeme Edge Band, and The Baker Gurvitz Army which featured Cream drummer Ginger Baker. Now living in Arizona, Gurvitz is still an active song writer and has released several solo albums and is now embarking on another journey with his new band The New Army.
Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Tickets ($85, $65 and $45) are on sale at the Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., in Phoenix, or online at www.celebritytheatre.com. To charge by phone, call 602-267-1600 ext. 1. All tickets are subject to facility and ticketing surcharges. All ages welcome.
