@@bearsmartdurango He was never ranked among the "greatest" rock guitarists. Not that he was Hendrix or Paige or Clapton, but he was up there and never got the credit that he deserved because he could make his guitar do anything and everything. He was drastically underrated by everyone except REO fans. We know how good he was. RIP Gary.
Sitting alone in my apartment after a long shift, tuned in to the Don Kirshner show and saw REO for the first time. I was hooked. Gary one of the greatest and yes, I prefer Murphy to Cronin. More natural with the band I think.
I agree. This to me is the REO Speedwagon that I like. The Kevin Cronin power ballad stuff doesn't rock for me. Everyone here shines as a good solid rockin band. Richrath is very underated especially how young he is here. Mike Murphy has a cool distinct voice that works for this band.
Thanks Ned! I've seen this before, but never all together. I'm always amazed at Gary's guitar strength and style. Gary was one of a kind and never got the respect that he deserved. One of the greatest in style and with a untouchable sound without electronic achieving it. This is the year, or the year after I discovered R.E.O.. R.E.O. was a great band and started buying their albums and going to their concerts. RIP Gary!
@@tkalbfeld1 I grew up listening to R.E.O. Speedwagon, Nazareth, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Ronny Montrose, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Eric Clapton and Occasionally some Dobie Brothers. Those were some of the first albums I bought. Then came the second wave with Foghat, Boston, ACDC, the Jay Geils Band Blue Oyster Cult Styx, Rush etc. One thing I've noticed, I've never grown tired of listening to R.EO., and I'm always waiting to hear that guitar of Gary's to bring the music to life.
I remember my older brother bringing home the Lost In a Dream album in 1976 and playing it on a SEARS stereo with these smaller speakers in our basement. My first exposer to REO. Growing up in Champaign it was a BIG deal. No one makes music like this anymore. An era gone by. Ahhh the good old days.
I've been a fan of REO forever...especially because of Gary Richrath's exceptional guitar playing. Mike Murphy is a more pleasing singer than Kevin Cronin to me. Kevi's ok but very one-dimensional in my view. Richrath is indeed probably up there with the most underrated players of all time. Just great and so cool in the day.
This REO lineup was their best ever with Mike Murphy. They played with a hard rocking bluesy sound. They also put a lot soul into their music. With Cronin, they became a one dimensional, commercialized sell out pop band in the 80's. RIP Gregg Phibin.
I respectfully disagree. I think Kevin Cronin has a better voice and took them to a new level. I like the songs of the early years, but I like them better with Kevin singing them. I also like the songs with Kevin.
One of my fave albums of all time. I have had that album on every form of media it has ever been released. Wore two LPs out. First concert I ever went to. Gary was a guitar god to me...still is.
Gregg playing the Thunderbird bass! I really liked Michael Murphy's version of this more than Kevin's. What can you say about Gary but "Wow!" Thanks for the great songs!
I love that we can listen to "157 Riverside Avenue" as sung by all three lead singers in REO's history. I enjoy each one. Mike has such a unique voice and adds a great flavor to this classic.
They are both 3rd rate, Kevin was clearly better. Do you also seek out half spoiled fruit and half wipe your butt? The same as preferring these obscure grunts over Kevin.
Top of the class See and hear for yourself First person can not get no better in the now Giving thanks again Today is another too day. Great to be riding the storm out
Wow! This was filmed 22 days after I saw them open up for the Doobie Brothers in San Antonio on my 18th birthday! It was an incredible show and I'll never forget it. I've seen REO many times over the years, but I thought this was the best line up.
🔊🎵Philbin was a excellent bassist🔊🎼 I know many people don't like Kevin Cronin, but he has twice the vocal range of Mike Murphy and probably the reason they had many radio hits.🔊🎶
I don't think that it's that they don't like Kevin, but more to do with how he took the band away from Gary. I think it started out happening slowly and progressed at a much faster pace towards the end.
@@edarnold1426 Indeed he did pretty much become the leader, but he was also the one who was writing all their hit songs in the end. It is sad that Gary couldn't beat the alcohol before it beat him💣.
@@Whitevaliantwarrior What's sadder is that after he did I think he only played with them one time in 2013. That and as far as I know, they never released a no1 hit after he left. Personally I don't think they should have left him alone, they didn't leave Neal alone after his problems. I think the taking over started in about 1979 or 80. I don't know, I liked R.E.O. clear back in late 73 or early 74 when I saw them and bought my first album of theirs T.W.O..
t's not so much Gary was underrated as a guitarist, it was just too many people didn't even know who he was. But if you did hear of him, you knew his playing was fire. His shredding on "Golden Country" from the live album was as powerful as anyone who ever strapped on a Les Paul. Look at his beautiful smile on this clip. He was soooooo happy playing. That's all he ever cared about. And that's how I'll always remember him. Rest in Peace, Gary.
Ive only re captured Gary ...From UK ..saw REO SPEEDWAGON ..on TV in 80's ..I am rock drummer ..later done stuff ..I remember thinking that guitarist shines ,,,never really liked the band ..but all time ago ...found who he was ,,real shame ..he was better than that really ..found out he died ...but always remember him ..he stood as great guitar breaks in the music ..yep ..finding wrong band etc ..rock n roll ..not easy ...RIP Gary ...I felt it ..enough for me..
I remember I bought this and was disappointed Kevin Cronin had quit the band, but really grew to like this album. The 70's were rockin' in the Quad Cities.
Thanks for uploading this. I loved REO. Then they got Cronin to sing and I really didn't like his voice at all. I know they had their biggest success with him, but I never could stand him. This version of riding the storm out is much more to my taste.
Wish there was more live recordings of this lineup. The short Long Beach Nov. 1974 audio only recording is just "OK" sounding. I hope that full video is found (or shared) one day.....
I remember meeting Mike Murphy in the early 90s, he was working as an art teacher at a local middle school in our neighborhood. He couldn't stand Kevin Cronin and he was very opinionated....
If you listen to Gary’s solo during Without Expression at 8:28 you can hear bits of the same solo from the solo in They’re On The Road which they released the same year this concert was recorded.
My first rock concert was seeing this same lineup earlier that month (4-10-74) at Purdue Univ in West Lafayette Indiana. Like REO, another regional band at the time, Styx, was to open. However they spelled Styx wrong on the ticket and apparently because of that they canceled. That was a bummer but REO was great. Riding the Storm Out had been recorded with Cronin on vocals but he left the band and Murphy overdubbed for the album and his head was also airbrushed onto Cronins body on the album cover. Of course Cronin was hired back a couple years later.
@@toddblanks agreed- & something else that amazes me as a "wanna be" guitar player is,Gary Richrath plugged straight in to a Marshall Amp- no peddles ,no effects- Eric Clapton talkes about feel and how everyone sounds little different than others for better or for worse-Richrath? That dude had an sound, a unique sound all his own, and when i listen to the live stuff from the mid 70's I cannot think of a player today who puts such a bad ass stamp on a band's sound like the one and only Mr Gary Richrath (& I'm not even that big of an REO fan) Here's to ya Brah 🎸📻🎼
A big band in the '70's for sure! Love them with Michael Murphy a bit better than with Kevin,but they were and are still a great band! Them and Robin Trower I've seen around 8 times each and always great shows! Thanks for this!!
I saw this exact lineup in New Orleans opening up for Uriah Heep when the Heep was at their peak. Uriah Heep didn’t stand a chance matching REO with Gary shredding that guitar.
Back in the day there was also a band called Mike Murphy and the One Eyed Jacks playing the bar circuits in REO local areas. Eventually Murphy migrated to REO. Don't know the story behind it. Just some FYI ... Murphy was a fairly decent guitar player himself.
Everybody back then raved about Don Kirshner's Rock Concert. I preferred ABC's Wide World of In Concert. Come to find out that ABC did not keep many videos from their show. I heard they recorded shows over shows. But we spent many Saturday nights watching Wide World of In Concert.
Gary was one of the greatest guitarist of all times and should’ve been recognized more RIP GARY LOVE YA MAN and Mike on vocals outstanding
Gary was one of the most underrated guitarists. RIP my friend.
Who underrated him? Everyone that knew guitar knew he was great.
I know what u mean..He just wasn't ever put at the top of the so called "experts" lists when it came to guitar greats..
He was on top of mine.
Roll w the changes
@@bearsmartdurango He was never ranked among the "greatest" rock guitarists. Not that he was Hendrix or Paige or Clapton, but he was up there and never got the credit that he deserved because he could make his guitar do anything and everything. He was drastically underrated by everyone except REO fans. We know how good he was. RIP Gary.
Gary Richrath is a beast on guitar
was a beast
was....indeed on Roll with the Changes,etc
Pro trick: watch series on Flixzone. Been using it for watching a lot of movies during the lockdown.
@Sebastian Ryder Yup, have been using Flixzone} for years myself :D
@Sebastian Ryder yup, I have been using Flixzone} for years myself =)
No one could make a Les Paul scream like Gary Richrath! 🎼🎸🎼
Neil Doughty never got the recognition he deserves
Or Alan Kratzer
For not drumming and singing Alan Gratzer didn't gt the recognition at all. He and Bruce Hall had great backup vodals.@@mikelair9144
He still doesn't. There is a list of the top 50 rock keyboardists on TH-cam and he wasn't even mentioned.
He was their secret weapon, that Hammond B3 driven through a Leslie !
Back when times and music was good. Today most everything is totaly shit. Miss the 70's and the 80's.
This is the REO I know and love.
Badass party music back in the day, keggers that go all nite, love them memories
Everyone needs to pray for the Gregg Philbin and his family please!
Gregg did a great job playing Bass for R.E.O. before he left the band!
❤
Sitting alone in my apartment after a long shift, tuned in to the Don Kirshner show and saw REO for the first time. I was hooked. Gary one of the greatest and yes, I prefer Murphy to Cronin. More natural with the band I think.
I agree. This to me is the REO Speedwagon that I like.
The Kevin Cronin power ballad stuff doesn't rock for me. Everyone here shines as a good solid rockin band.
Richrath is very underated especially how young he is here. Mike Murphy has a cool distinct voice that works for this band.
Murphy lacked the key ingredients...that's why after REO he was never heard from again.
Thanks Ned!
I've seen this before, but never all together. I'm always amazed at Gary's guitar strength and style. Gary was one of a kind and never got the respect that he deserved. One of the greatest in style and with a untouchable sound without electronic achieving it. This is the year, or the year after I discovered R.E.O.. R.E.O. was a great band and started buying their albums and going to their concerts.
RIP Gary!
Ed, us guitar players totally dug Gary's chops. He's one of the greats!! Playing his songs are a tribute and an honor now!!
@@tkalbfeld1 I grew up listening to R.E.O. Speedwagon, Nazareth, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Ronny Montrose, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Eric Clapton and Occasionally some Dobie Brothers. Those were some of the first albums I bought. Then came the second wave with Foghat, Boston, ACDC, the Jay Geils Band Blue Oyster Cult Styx, Rush etc. One thing I've noticed, I've never grown tired of listening to R.EO., and I'm always waiting to hear that guitar of Gary's to bring the music to life.
Gregg Philbin has passed away and is now up there with Gary! I imagine that they have a great line up by now!
This is the my favorite REO lineup.
I recall as a 15 year old teenager watching this on my portable TV in my bedroom in mom & dad's house. Time fly's! Now, I'm 62...
Such a different time and vib. Loved the album Riding the Storm Out. I Will be 61 in a couple weeks.
With this lineup Gary really got a chance to shine and show his worth and his work ,Kevin kind of pushed him aside
Just as well, see what he became, dude had issues.
mediocre cover band without Gary
I remember my older brother bringing home the Lost In a Dream album in 1976 and playing it on a SEARS stereo with these smaller speakers in our basement. My first exposer to REO. Growing up in Champaign it was a BIG deal. No one makes music like this anymore. An era gone by. Ahhh the good old days.
great memories staying up late to watch these shows and Midnight Special
I've been a fan of REO forever...especially because of Gary Richrath's exceptional guitar playing. Mike Murphy is a more pleasing singer than Kevin Cronin to me. Kevi's ok but very one-dimensional in my view. Richrath is indeed probably up there with the most underrated players of all time. Just great and so cool in the day.
I could not agree more, I love the early years.
@Lunatic Fringe Damn, that would have been awesome, but during that time i was only bout 15, and no concert venues in my area.
I totally agree w you
No
There’s absolutely no comparison between Murphy and Kronin . This band would not have gone as far as they did with this line up .
Now that was GARY'S REO Speedwagon !
The Riding the Storm Out album with this line up is a must have.
Their best album!
...yes,,,,,,the REO we all really know and love so long ago......so good,,,,,and then along came styx,boston...............wow....
absolutely, the 1st REO i bought.
What was once called "Corporate Rock?"
Debbie, Mike Murphy sung
the studio version of the song
" Ridin' The Storm Out"
Always enjoyed the Philbin/Gratzer rythm section..Rock solid.
Good call
This REO lineup was their best ever with Mike Murphy. They played with a hard rocking bluesy sound. They also put a lot soul into their music. With Cronin, they became a one dimensional, commercialized sell out pop band in the 80's. RIP Gregg Phibin.
A bit harsh, but yeah the Mike Murphy years were great very underrated time for the band.
I respectfully disagree. I think Kevin Cronin has a better voice and took them to a new level. I like the songs of the early years, but I like them better with Kevin singing them. I also like the songs with Kevin.
Concerts in the 70's were magical!
Ahhh, The great Gary in his youth. This is the best REO lineup...
Daaaam Gary!
Damn! Gary Richrath is jamming here!!! R.I.P. 😞
You get what you play for! Great live album RIP GARY
One of my fave albums of all time. I have had that album on every form of media it has ever been released. Wore two LPs out. First concert I ever went to. Gary was a guitar god to me...still is.
@@billhelmerich4295 And the bass playing by Gregg Philbin on this album is stellar!
This makes it really difficult to watch Gary's last performance with REO.
Damn he sure could play !
Last performance?Didn't he perform with them on Don Kirchner's Rock Concert in '77, '78 and '80? Check it out!!!
You think this was Gary's last performance?
Thank you for posting this gem. My favorite REO lineup and 3 of my favorite REO songs.. RIP Gary Richrath ♥♥♥ RIP Gregg Philbin
Gregg playing the Thunderbird bass! I really liked Michael Murphy's version of this more than Kevin's. What can you say about Gary but "Wow!" Thanks for the great songs!
I love that we can listen to "157 Riverside Avenue" as sung by all three lead singers in REO's history. I enjoy each one. Mike has such a unique voice and adds a great flavor to this classic.
Damn I miss Gary. Greg too. RIP fellas.
I wish I could go back to this time and place ❤🎸🎵🎵🎼,R I P, GARY RICHRATH ❤
Gary was on top of his game here, RIP
I would do ANYTHING TO HAVE THESE TIMES BACK
I love this era! Murphy and Philben... "Reelin". "Lost in a Dream"
I will think nothing less of Gary than one of the top 5 rock and roll guitarists of all time.
he was mister smooth master. never able to replace him..
Amen Mom was front row w him from Peoria all the way till she passed bc he loved her!
This by far is the Best REO Lineup . Mike Murphy's Vocals really shine . Lost in a Dream and Riding the Storm Out are must have REO Lp's
He was terrible, glad he left
@@tram84mvpAgreed.
This is the sound that drove Glenn Frey to hire Joe Walsh.
This was so tasty to see and hear. Thanks for posting !
My second favorite line up.
(Terry Luttrell as lead vocal being first)
Amen
They are both 3rd rate, Kevin was clearly better. Do you also seek out half spoiled fruit and half wipe your butt? The same as preferring these obscure grunts over Kevin.
Top of the class See and hear for yourself First person can not get no better in the now Giving thanks again Today is another too day. Great to be riding the storm out
Who would of ever thought The Great USA has fallen so fast so far......Makes me cry...............
Wow! This was filmed 22 days after I saw them open up for the Doobie Brothers in San Antonio on my 18th birthday! It was an incredible show and I'll never forget it. I've seen REO many times over the years, but I thought this was the best line up.
A different version of Riding The Storm Out. I like it.
Damn you ruined my day when I saw your profile pic. I suffer from coulrophobia. Lol
I LOVE GARY RICHRATH 💙 ❤
God bless GARY RICHRATH 🙏
Probably the best opening to Don Kirshner's Rock Concert ever.
Best REO, IMO.
Awesome band, one of the best🎸
🔊🎵Philbin was a excellent bassist🔊🎼 I know many people don't like Kevin Cronin, but he has twice the vocal range of Mike Murphy and probably the reason they had many radio hits.🔊🎶
I don't think that it's that they don't like Kevin, but more to do with how he took the band away from Gary. I think it started out happening slowly and progressed at a much faster pace towards the end.
@@edarnold1426 Indeed he did pretty much become the leader, but he was also the one who was writing all their hit songs in the end. It is sad that Gary couldn't beat the alcohol before it beat him💣.
@@Whitevaliantwarrior What's sadder is that after he did I think he only played with them one time in 2013. That and as far as I know, they never released a no1 hit after he left. Personally I don't think they should have left him alone, they didn't leave Neal alone after his problems.
I think the taking over started in about 1979 or 80. I don't know, I liked R.E.O. clear back in late 73 or early 74 when I saw them and bought my first album of theirs T.W.O..
I totally agree with that. That's why they had to bring Kevin back in the band.
love the early Reo Speedwagon
Miss watching this back in the day on a BW TV up past my bedtime!
t's not so much Gary was underrated as a guitarist, it was just too many people didn't even know who he was. But if you did hear of him, you knew his playing was fire. His shredding on "Golden Country" from the live album was as powerful as anyone who ever strapped on a Les Paul. Look at his beautiful smile on this clip. He was soooooo happy playing. That's all he ever cared about. And that's how I'll always remember him. Rest in Peace, Gary.
Ive only re captured Gary ...From UK ..saw REO SPEEDWAGON ..on TV in 80's ..I am rock drummer ..later done stuff ..I remember thinking that guitarist shines ,,,never really liked the band ..but all time ago ...found who he was ,,real shame ..he was better than that really ..found out he died ...but always remember him ..he stood as great guitar breaks in the music ..yep ..finding wrong band etc ..rock n roll ..not easy ...RIP Gary ...I felt it ..enough for me..
I remember I bought this and was disappointed Kevin Cronin had quit the band, but really grew to like this album. The 70's were rockin' in the Quad Cities.
This was before Kevin.
@@OttoByOgraffey . No, Kevin was there in 72-73, then hit the bricks, then came back in 1976. Mike Murphy was his replacement in '73.
@@uncleandyguitarherbst1157 You are correct!
My favorite era...the Mike Murphy years. How good was Gary? Let's just say he defined the "Les Paul/Marshall sound".
Thanks for uploading this. I loved REO. Then they got Cronin to sing and I really didn't like his voice at all. I know they had their biggest success with him, but I never could stand him. This version of riding the storm out is much more to my taste.
They had Kevin before Mike Murphy. Thank god the Murphy Albums didn't sell and they brought back KC
They had Steve Scorfina on lead too. He eventually joined Pavlov's Dog. th-cam.com/video/plvui-IG8jA/w-d-xo.html
@@addagwenlyn9662 He was lead guitar before Gary.
@@Tomchichi1975 Yes, you are correct. I know him personally.
I believe Murphy was only with them for RTSO tour.
Wish there was more live recordings of this lineup. The short Long Beach Nov. 1974 audio only recording is just "OK" sounding. I hope that full video is found (or shared) one day.....
Greg looks unenthused at the beginning of Riding the Storm Out (9:38) Awesome that we can hear Alan, Greg and Gary sing on this.
‘73 Jacksonville Coliseum Jacksonville Florida with Skynyrd and Marshall Tucker band.
Helluva lineup
I would LOVE to see this entire episode.
Me, too.
I remember meeting Mike Murphy in the early 90s, he was working as an art teacher at a local middle school in our neighborhood. He couldn't stand Kevin Cronin and he was very opinionated....
No wonder Cronin is the lamest ever
@@Adept179 I fully agree with you!!
If you listen to Gary’s solo during Without Expression at 8:28 you can hear bits of the same solo from the solo in They’re On The Road which they released the same year this concert was recorded.
best REO lineup of all time. With they could have kept this going.
Gary was no FUCKIN' joke
Everybody on their feet.
Gary was hot this night.
The whole band really.
Yes, Kevin went for the money but it didn’t stay without Gary.
The Brothers n Sisters be gettin down!
They were great way back when. The lead vocalist is really earning his cake.
Gregg Philbin (★ - 24 October 2022) was a American Bassist.
RIP Gregg Philbin
Gary was savage AF.
holy crap that was good
original reo the best.....kevin ruined a good thing and sent gary to an early grave......rip gary i love ya bro......thank you
heartbreaking 💔 RIP Gary
Gary did that to himself, you ever hear of personal responsibility? Yeah, he ruined living in near poverty and brought in millions.
Wow....
You have to sell records and to be a commercial success Reo and Styx both changed direction can't blame them .
My first rock concert was seeing this same lineup earlier that month (4-10-74) at Purdue Univ in West Lafayette Indiana. Like REO, another regional band at the time, Styx, was to open. However they spelled Styx wrong on the ticket and apparently because of that they canceled. That was a bummer but REO was great. Riding the Storm Out had been recorded with Cronin on vocals but he left the band and Murphy overdubbed for the album and his head was also airbrushed onto Cronins body on the album cover. Of course Cronin was hired back a couple years later.
Love it.
If God played guitar this is how he would have sounded.
They went through 3 lead singers in their first 3 albums
Gary Richrath is the American Gary Moore
How good was Gary Richrath-good grief
@@toddblanks agreed- & something else that amazes me as a "wanna be" guitar player is,Gary Richrath plugged straight in to a Marshall Amp- no peddles ,no effects- Eric Clapton talkes about feel and how everyone sounds little different than others for better or for worse-Richrath? That dude had an sound, a unique sound all his own, and when i listen to the live stuff from the mid 70's I cannot think of a player today who puts such a bad ass stamp on a band's sound like the one and only Mr Gary Richrath (& I'm not even that big of an REO fan)
Here's to ya Brah 🎸📻🎼
never seen this version, fkn. amazing!
A big band in the '70's for sure! Love them with Michael Murphy a bit better than with Kevin,but they were and are still a great band! Them and Robin Trower I've seen around 8 times each and always great shows! Thanks for this!!
Agreed
I saw this exact lineup in New Orleans opening up for Uriah Heep when the Heep was at their peak. Uriah Heep didn’t stand a chance matching REO with Gary shredding that guitar.
In my rotation. Thank you
totally forgot about this song … what a great song 😎
Saw REO on their 1st west coast tour when ‘Riding the storm out’-- hit the air waves🇺🇸
WOW. Thats a great line up .
Gary is one of the best top 10 players
Can't wait to see them July 25 Iroquois Park Louisville KY
Back in the day there was also a band called Mike Murphy and the One Eyed Jacks playing the bar circuits in REO local areas. Eventually Murphy migrated to REO. Don't know the story behind it. Just some FYI ... Murphy was a fairly decent guitar player himself.
Mike is my second cousin.
They were great in concert back in the day 😍
R.E.O. Speedwagon had its
share of vocalists over the years.
AWESOME 👍🎸🎵🎶🎼
Grew up watching Don Kershern and why I became a bass player. 35 year career thanks to many who influences me
,,,,I remember when......................my older brother playing this over and over,,,,,,long long time ago.........epic.
Everybody back then raved about Don Kirshner's Rock Concert. I preferred ABC's Wide World of In Concert. Come to find out that ABC did not keep many videos from their show. I heard they recorded shows over shows. But we spent many Saturday nights watching Wide World of In Concert.
Love this reo Rock in it
Boogie woogie, Blues Rock chugging along at it's best here....
Where have all the good times gone 😪
That’s it I’m trading my epiphone in for a Gibson...R.I.P.. Gary.
Best tone ever out of a Les Paul and a Marshall!!!!
Gary Richrath was born in Peoria,Illinois.