Kevin Cronin Joins Bruce Hall for REO Speedwagon Comeback

Bruce Hall recently announced that REO Speedwagon will reunite with Kevin Cronin for the upcoming University of Illinois homecoming celebrations. This will be their first collaboration since the band concluded touring last year.

Hall shared the news on his Facebook page, while the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign released further details on REO Speedwagon’s involvement.

Hall explained, “REO Speedwagon is coming back to campus, the place where it all began, to lead this year’s Illinois Homecoming Parade as our grand marshals on Friday, Sept. 26. The band members will also participate in game day as the pregame Siren Sounders and will take the field with Barry Houser and the Marching Illini to collaborate on a one-of-a-kind REO-themed halftime show that will feature a medley of the band’s hit songs.”

When asked by a fan about Kevin Cronin’s participation, Hall confirmed the vocalist’s involvement: “Yep, he agreed to come a couple of days ago,” Hall replied.

The reunion follows a turbulent period for the iconic rock band, which has experienced internal struggles throughout 2024. According to American Songwriter, their farewell tour that year was prompted by “irreconcilable differences.” These tensions particularly affected Cronin’s relationship with fellow members and ultimately ended a touring career that had begun in the early 1970s at the University of Illinois.

Earlier in 2024, some former members came together for a tribute concert honoring Gary Richrath and Gregg Philbin. Cronin was absent, a fact noted by Ultimate Classic Rock. He later admitted he felt “disturbed and hurt” over being excluded: “I was disturbed and hurt that I wasn’t invited to participate in this reunion concert.”

His absence further strained the band’s relationships during an already difficult time. Hall later clarified to American Songwriter that Cronin had, in fact, been invited but was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts and other issues. Despite this, the episode underscored the underlying frictions that marked their final touring year.

Kevin Cronin, who joined REO Speedwagon in the early 1970s, is known for writing some of the band’s greatest hits, including “Keep On Loving You” and “Can’t Fight This Feeling.” He has continued performing with Styx and other acts since the group stepped back from touring. His confirmed role in the University of Illinois homecoming events signals a significant step toward renewed collaboration for the band after months of uncertainty about their future.