Birth name Gary Dean Richrath Years active 1970–2015 | Name Gary Richrath Role Guitarist | |
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Spouse Justine Richrath (m. 1985–2015) Albums Died September 13, 2015 (aged 65), Bloomington, Illinois, United States Similar Bruce Hall (musician) , Neal Doughty , Kevin Cronin | ||
Gary richrath s guitar solo reo speedwagon
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 R.E.O. Speedwagon from 1970 until 1989.
Contents
- Gary richrath s guitar solo reo speedwagon
- Kevin cronin and gary richrath
- As lead guitarist and songwriter for REO
- Solo career
- Later years
- Death
- REO Speedwagon
- Richrath
- References
Kevin cronin and gary richrath
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 Gary also sang lead vocals on "Five Men Were Killed Today" (1971), "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 released a solo album titled Only the Strong Survive in 1992 under the name "Richrath."
Later years
On November 22, 2013, REO and Styx announced a benefit concert titled "Rock to the Rescue" to raise money for the affected families of the tornado in central Illinois. The concert was held on December 4, 2013 in Bloomington, Illinois and produced by Jay Goldberg Events & Entertainment. 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. Richrath was originally from the town of East Peoria which was damaged during the storm. Families affected by the storm and first-responders sat near the stage for this special concert and REO reunion.
Death
Richrath died on September 13, 2015; news of his death was confirmed by his former REO Speedwagon bandmate Kevin Cronin. He was 65. 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."
REO Speedwagon
Richrath
