I was wanting to learn to play guitar when l was in first grade in 1971. My much older cousin told my mom about a place in Santa Ana, California, l believe, where l could get some good lessons from a great instructor. So, we went down one evening dropped some cash on a metronome "old style tick toc" a music stand and a how to read and play music book. Then my instructor can in the small room. It was Gary Richrath. I did not figure out who he was till l saw him perform on MTV much later. Well l remember he sat down in the old metal folding chair and leaned back like he was Mr. Cool with his curly rock hair acting like he really didn't want to be there. He was just having to put up with me. Well l learned my lesson well and surly thought l would really impress the hell out of him with how well l did. We came in the room again next time the same as before and listened. He didn't complain about my playing, so l guess l did ok. Then he looked at me and said kid if you want to do this it's a one in a million chance that you'll make it. Not quite the pep talk. Mabe he was just sharing his opinion, or maybe my mom put him up to it. She really didn't want to spend the money on my lessons. Well, that was my last lesson anyway because l slammed my fingers in the car door the day of my third lesson. "Those old cars had very heavy doors." My mom said maybe it wasn't meant to be for now. I learned to play by ear later on so it's all good. But wait there's more. ln 1985 my little brother-in-law was night surfing at Newport or Huntington beach when a white limo pulled up and a drunk guy gets out and puts his arm around his shoulders. David wasn't down with that, so he flipped him to the ground. He said, hey, don't you know who l am? l am the guitarist for REO Speedwagon! David said never heard of him. I said dude you didn't know who he was? That's so hilarious. RIP dude.
I've seen REO 6 times and I gotta tell you when I think of them it's. Golden country or riding the storm out or 157 riverside avenue. And many others. It's not the power ballets that Kevin brought to the mix. Gary was and will always be the real key to REOs success.
By example across the light rock spectrum, if you want to keep drawing crowds and secondarily remain relevant, go light country. Look at all who have done just that..
does anyone else feel that kevin, as the frontman, was a bit to flamboyent back in the day especially for a midwestern rock band? very good singer otherwise. i imagine gary wanted the band to rock harder but they went full pop balled which has diminished their reputation to today.
I stopped REO when they dropped " HiInfidelity". I bought the first record at a Tower Records. Listened to it twice and sent it to my 12 year old sister. She missed the ROCK too. I'm happy they made their well deserved 🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑 But I feel they tanked.
well, after what 8 or 9 albums and years and years of rocking - blood sweat and tears - give em a break for deciding money is nice too- AND, Hi Infidelity is a GREAT album- u just think its cool to not like it- DONT LET HIM GO rocks- u telling me i DONT like take it on the run- garys song??
Thanks for this. 😢 Gary.
I was wanting to learn to play guitar when l was in first grade in 1971. My much older cousin told my mom about a place in Santa Ana, California, l believe, where l could get some good lessons from a great instructor. So, we went down one evening dropped some cash on a metronome "old style tick toc" a music stand and a how to read and play music book. Then my instructor can in the small room. It was Gary Richrath. I did not figure out who he was till l saw him perform on MTV much later. Well l remember he sat down in the old metal folding chair and leaned back like he was Mr. Cool with his curly rock hair acting like he really didn't want to be there. He was just having to put up with me. Well l learned my lesson well and surly thought l would really impress the hell out of him with how well l did. We came in the room again next time the same as before and listened. He didn't complain about my playing, so l guess l did ok. Then he looked at me and said kid if you want to do this it's a one in a million chance that you'll make it. Not quite the pep talk. Mabe he was just sharing his opinion, or maybe my mom put him up to it. She really didn't want to spend the money on my lessons. Well, that was my last lesson anyway because l slammed my fingers in the car door the day of my third lesson. "Those old cars had very heavy doors." My mom said maybe it wasn't meant to be for now. I learned to play by ear later on so it's all good. But wait there's more. ln 1985 my little brother-in-law was night surfing at Newport or Huntington beach when a white limo pulled up and a drunk guy gets out and puts his arm around his shoulders. David wasn't down with that, so he flipped him to the ground. He said, hey, don't you know who l am? l am the guitarist for REO Speedwagon! David said never heard of him. I said dude you didn't know who he was? That's so hilarious. RIP dude.
There is no REO without Gary Richrath
I've seen REO 6 times and I gotta tell you when I think of them it's. Golden country or riding the storm out or 157 riverside avenue. And many others. It's not the power ballets that Kevin brought to the mix. Gary was and will always be the real key to REOs success.
R.I.P. Gary👍✌️🙏
This man was great fn great
The bass player they showed is not Bruce Hall
Greg Philbin
Isn't this pretty much a copy of RiverDocs story of REO?
By example across the light rock spectrum, if you want to keep drawing crowds and secondarily remain relevant, go light country. Look at all who have done just that..
Did you just change a few words from the "River Docs" videos on the same subject? This is plagiarism.
does anyone else feel that kevin, as the frontman, was a bit to flamboyent back in the day especially for a midwestern rock band? very good singer otherwise. i imagine gary wanted the band to rock harder but they went full pop balled which has diminished their reputation to today.
He did act a bit flamboyant even from their standards.
No one played like Gary and can ever be emulated or copied hes playing with Jim Morrison now im sure
The picture of Greg Philbin was actually Michael Lang the man behind the original Woodstock festival.
Your photos are all wrong. Who are some of this . . . oh wait. AI strikes again.
I stopped REO when they dropped " HiInfidelity". I bought the first record at a Tower Records. Listened to it twice and sent it to my 12 year old sister. She missed the ROCK too.
I'm happy they made their well deserved 🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑
But I feel they tanked.
well, after what 8 or 9 albums and years and years of rocking - blood sweat and tears - give em a break for deciding money is nice too- AND, Hi Infidelity is a GREAT album- u just think its cool to not like it- DONT LET HIM GO rocks- u telling me i DONT like take it on the run- garys song??
@@patrickferrara6668 I had issues with them changing from Rock and Roll to silly pop music.
Steve Perry, Never like the guy, The Filipino Guy has been with Journey far longer and has a much better voice
He sounds like he's trying too hard to sound like Steve Perry. Hes a cover band. Steve Perry is the best.