REO Speedwagon has formally announced their retirement from touring beginning 2025.
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The group, consisting of Kevin Cronin (lead singer), Dave Amato (guitarist), Bruce Hall (bassist), Neal Doughty (keyboardist) and Bryan Hitt (drummer), took to social media Monday (9/16) to share the news with fans as well as offer some insight into why.
According to the statement, the group cites “irreconcilable differences,” between bandmates Cronin and Hall for the premature retirement, which center around Hall’s difficulty recovering from back surgery.
“To our fans: Bruce has intended to be Back On the Road Again by now. If it were up to just him, he’d be back on tour… but it's not up to just him,” the statement reads before detailing he can not return to the “level the fans have come to expect.” Due to this, Hall decided to make the difficult decision to retire, something he “never intended to do with the band, fans, and crew has loved for almost 50 years.”
The statement also makes clear frontman, Cronin, “never had any intention of leaving the band, and the fans and crew mean the world to him as well” however, with the departure of Hall, things have changed.
“Due to this complex situation, irreconcilable differences arose between Bruce and Kevin,” the statement reads. “So, it is with great sadness that we announce REO Speedwagon will cease touring effective January 1, 2025. Neal, Kevin, and Bruce thank their fans for all their years of loyal support and for giving back to the band such wonderful memories that will remain with each of them forever.”