Michael Jahnz on How He Met Gary Richrath

In this clip, Michael Jahnz talks about how he met (and then started working with) former REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath. He talks about how they produced their first album together, the struggles Gary faced in his post-REO career, and what he's doing to keep the spirit of Gary's music alive today.
This is an excerpt from Play That Rock'n'Roll's interview with MICHAEL JAHNZ from RICHRATH PROJECT 3:13.
Videocast here: • Interview w/ MICHAEL J...
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[@Beverley-yf5ec]

Hey Michael, thanks for posting this! ( Reading 7th July 2024). Gary had an awesome talent in playing the guitar 🎸 ( plus self taught) and his guitar work was nothing short of inspirational on many of REO's tracks. Distinctive and mind blowing! Sadly, gone too soon. What a star ⭐

[@MaySecond07]

Thank you, Michael...I'm from Illinois, I had been a Gary fan since 1977. Gary and REO were a big deal in my town.

[@edarnold1426]

Michael you are 100% correct o Gary being one of the best! I've often heard what they call the greatest be played and duplicated by other players. I've never heard anyone duplicate Gary's playing! He definitely had his own sound, and he had it honed in!
It was a pleasure watching this video!

[@jamesseverin]

Im a chicago boy! Gary richrath was the man! Miss his guitar playing so much

[@romanm9718]

What a great interview. It definitely must have took a toll on Gary to keep hearing about REO and what happened with him and Kevin.

[@patrickferrara6668]

i love Gary, my favorite guitarist. But it bothers me when people who did interviews anything concerning REO would call Gary a founding member ... I would just think they didn't bother to do any research. Not to jab at you as I love anyone who is in Gary's corner, but you should really know better ...

[@PlayThatPodcast]

Gary is on REO's debut album. Talk about missing the forest for the trees, man. I'm just trying to present a conversation about one Rock's most talented (and underrated) guitar players... with a guy who worked with him! And where did I even say this? I'm pretty sure this is just a clip of Michael speaking.

[@patrickferrara6668]

@@PlayThatPodcast my bad, i was responding to michael- he said it in this clip and i would consider him to be one of the closest people to gary … but to your point - yes, a crimimally underrated guitarist - imo has tons and tons of great things to be said about him - why make something up. Simply not a founding member - fact, end of story… and no need to call him that, his true merits are enough…

[@PlayThatPodcast]

@@patrickferrara6668 I sincerely doubt Michael intended to mislead anybody by referring to him as a founding member. If anything, he misspoke. And it's a not a particularly grievous error.

[@patrickferrara6668]

@@PlayThatPodcast completely agree and i do not think i implied that (misleading) and if i did it was not intended. My point is it happens ALL the time where people just simply say what they think - or, in this situation, i am either dumbfounded that he wouldnt know OR if he does why feel the need to say it - gary was awesome, the sound of reo, wrote many of their best songs on and on - but.no a founding member - sorry just a pet peeve - dan marino was a great QB who has all sorts of great accolades- but dont say super bowl winner - not accurate …

[@PlayThatPodcast]

@@patrickferrara6668I get it. And you are correct. But it's such a trivial point that I do not believe it is at the forefront of Michael's (or anybody's) mind. If it's a pet peeve of yours, fine -- but I don't think you should be dumbfounded that people might get this piece of trivia wrong. Harmless mistake.