(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Illinois-based rock band REO Speedwagon has made a major donation to help offset tornado damage at the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum in Joliet.
The tornado swept through downtown Joliet on July 15 and caused major damage to the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum's roof, as well as minor damage to the iconic guitar mounted to the front.
“We got a call from the bass player from REO Speedwagon, who said that he had been watching the news on the damage … and was going to reach out to management and the other guys in the band to see what they could do to help us out,” said museum CEO Ron Romero.
REO Speedwagon’s donation is among many that have come in through the museum’s “Getting Back in the Groove” campaign to help offset the cost of operations, Romero said.
“When I saw the damage to the building, it was crushing,” he said. “When I got the news from REO, it couldn’t have been anything more uplifting.”
Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon said the band is “proud of our Illinois roots.”
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