I was so blessed to meet Gary at the supermarket by our houses and had no clue who he was because of his weight gain. He had on a Gibson shirt and said to him you like Gibsons and he laughed and said you could say that and I said me too!! Next thing we where talking for well over an hour about our guitars and then he said well we should get to together and play and great so next day Im at his place right down the street from my house and we start jamming with our Les Pauls but his was a 59 and mine a 78 reissue and then I started playing some Led Zep and he started playing REO stuff and was killing it!!! Then I saw that smile of his and I said Oh Shit!! By the way Im Gary and I said my name is Mud!! Hehe laughed so hard he started to cry!! I got to play with my Guitar Hero for about a yr. There where 2 guys on Les Pauls that I Loved Him and Ace Frehley from Kiss. Both very feel players that just made the guitar part of them!! Then we lost him in 2015 to Stomach Cancer!! Such a Great Humble Man!! I Miss Gary!! See you In Heaven Brother!!
Great story. Must have been awesome. One of my all time favs. He had such a great feel and was very melodic. Guitar players now days are very technically great, but many lack the feel.
I love to hear about the genuine humanity of great yet humble musicians, and Gary was one of the best. You are blessed to have passed time with this man.
@brad zybola It was a balmy 60 degrees today, with dangerous winds and lots of rain, i even had the windows open, lol! Glad i didn't have to go in to work till the evening! Oh wow The J. Giles Band, i love them! Have to mention it to Filip! Yes i saw R E O S P E E D WAGON twice, they were AWESOME!
@brad zybola It was't a hurricane, and not a drop of water got in , do you actually think i'm that ignorant? Shame on you dude! Don't think i really want to engage in any more conversations with you, good bye and peace out, go insult someone else...
@@suefields4254 The call and response between Kevin and Gary in that is fantastic. I seen REO 4 times I believe and it was always one of the highlights for me.
Fil, I appreciate the recognition for Gary. Amazing player and made it look effortless on stage always with a smile on his face. He is missed but the music lives on. Love EARLY REO
Gary Richrath is right up there as one of the greatest of all time, no question. Completely unique and uncopiable. Very dynamic on stage but also always in such incredible to control of everything he played. You'll seldom see a musician who fits the old adage of "born to play/perform" better than Gary Richrath. RIP 🌹
Gary was such an intuitive guitarist. His instrument was part of him; playing for him was as natural as breathing. Your sheer joy in listening to and talking about great musicians such as Gary is truly insightful and informative.
I always liked Gary's playing. You hear him, you know it's him. A lot of guitarists knock him because he doesnt blow through scales. He doesnt have to, which is a testament to how great a player he is.
Hands down the best guitarist of the early 80s. Seen REO four times and wasn't let down once. In 1982 they had airplane troubles and they were about an hour and a half late. REO gave a free album to every ticket holder from that show.
Bryan signature of great artists. In 2007; Keith Urban started his Love, Pain, and This Whole Crazy Thing Tour after his final stint in rehab. Upon arriving to the arena, it took forever to get in because we had fill out our name and address on a tablet. 8 months after the show, I received a package in the mail. Keith had the tour and concert made into a DVD and all attendees of the tour receive a copy with a note from Keith thanking his fans for their support through his difficult time...he is amazing.
i have a similar story to that one back in 1978 they were scheduled to do a concert and it sold out in 90 minutes so what did reo do they scheduled another concert for the next night i stood line for two hours for tickets and was blessed enough to get one of the last pair of tickets they had. and let me tell you they put on a hell of a show. about 10 years later i was living in arizona and they performed the the state fair between the four of us we paid a total of 12 dollars to get in 3.00 per person and not only did they give us more then our moneys worth they actually came out and met their fans back stage my wife got to meet gary and the rest of them i got to meet kevin and alan and bruce they couldn't have been nice my wife toill the day she died was so impressed with how nice gary was it was a thirll because she had a crush on him during her teen years.
Gary was brilliant. He just knew what would be unique, what would enhance the song. And he was so effortless. So many of REO’s song were put together so well. The whole band was amazing, but Gary was really the star in my opinion.
I've been to well over a thousand concerts, seen many of the great ones. Gary was the equal, or better, than most. He brought the house down every time. I truly miss his talent. Seemed like a great guy, from all that I've heard, as well. RIP, Gary.
A classic song from my teenage years...loved Gary's unique styling and he could grind as well. I am from a family of guitar players and we all agree. Gary...flat out one of the best!!
I'd seen REO in 82. I didn't realize how good Gary was until I spent many years driving over the road and actually listening to the instrumentals instead of the lyrics. I was blown away by Gary's guitar playing
Thanks, Mr. Fil, for this video. I learned the pentatonic, major, and minor scales from hearing Gary's playing, coupled with some one showing me where they were on the neck once. I loved the Gibson Les Pauls because of him, and he was the reason I wanted to play electric lead guitar. When I heard Golden Country from their 1977 live album, I was floored at his solo. That was it for me (early 80s). It's great that Gary is being given props here, even though he was more impressive by his rocking sound/stage presence than for his technicalities. He's the most underrated rock player ever, imo. You're a great dude!!
Gary's smile at the end of his solo says it all. Pure joy! He was at the top of his game right there. Great solo. Nothing too fancy but incredible sound. Gary was made to play live in clubs and arenas. One of my favorite guitar players.
Thank you for reviewing this. Gary kicked a$$ and never got the respect he truly deserved. Hope he's smiling down from Heaven knowing his fans will never forget him. Saw him live several times and he was always fabulous. Wish we had a video of Lost in a Dream for you to review. That was a real rocker. Mike Murphy was a great vocalist during his short tenure with REO.
I saw them live at a stand-up concert in 1987. During the solo section after Turkey Trot where Gary interacts with the audience, speeding up intervals each time he stops and the crowd shouts... a bit different from this live show, I remember him doing some serious speed shredding with the bridge pick-up engaged (instead of the middle selector here). It was an ascending riff, one he ran through faster and faster. And he didn't miss one single beat during the phrasing. What a concert that was... The Fabulous Thunderbirds opened for them, and Stevie Ray Vaughan made a guest appearance during their set. Seeing Jimmie Vaughan, SRV and Gary Richrath all in one show was one of the highlights of my concert-going days.
Gary made playing the guitar look as easy like gluing 2 pieces of wood together. The first REO album was one of the tightest you will ever hear and its mostly because of Gary
No doubt about that! when Randy hit the scene I don't know what it was but " ever ything else" just seemed like nonscence in some weird way . When I listen to him now I still get that same feelin.
I played lead guitar for two years in a band called Richrath Project 3:13. It was a band made up of musicians that played with Gary after he left REO Speedwagon. My playing style wasn’t too different from his in that it’s slightly old school, very bluesy, and very tone dependent. Fil, you make a great point about his fluctuation between major pentatonic runs and minor pentatonic runs. Gary did that all the time. I had to learn all of his solos note for note and do the best that I could to mimic, if not duplicate, the inflections and the pick attack he used. Learning how to play the songs was easy compared to learning his note for note solos to the point where it kind of sounded like him. That’s what was expected of me. It wasn’t until I figured out that he fluctuated between major pentatonic and minor pentatonic runs in the same song, that I finally had some success. There’s a video out there of me playing the solo to Golden country. The vibe is very similar, but felt very different mostly because that was the only song where Gary played only in a minor pentatonic scales. Being the guy that was asked to imitate him as much as possible for two years, I can tell you that he really, truly is one of, if not the most underrated guitar player period.
robert, if you saw 3:13 and the guitar player had a black Les Paul, it wasn’t me. During my time in 3:13, I played a honeyburst and a cherry sunburst Les Paul with 1970’s Marshalls. The guy playing with them now had a black Les Paul. Look up Richrath Project 3:13 and 157 Riverside Ave., you find me playing with them in a casino outside of Vegas about a year ago last February.
I was lucky growing up outside Indianapolis we saw him several times. REO Speedwagon was big in real Indy. Met him and photographed him for magazines. The Daily Mail in the UK used my shot for his obituary
I grew up about 115 mile north of you! R.E.O. was big around here in the early 70s. I bought my very first album in 73 or 74 and it was the T.W.O. album, I bought their next 4 albums. I no longer have a good stereo to play them on. My wife did buy me a turntable just this last xmas just so I could listen to my old R.E.O. albums, but I still need some upgrades to crank it up.
So great that you have recognized Gary, wish you would have analysed "Golden Country" over this track but alas...his ability to add fills and little subtle leads without overpowering the songs were highly underrated. Saw REO when they were out in support of the live album "You get what you play for" in a small 4000 seat Civic Center. They headlined the show with the backups being Foreigner who were supporting their debut album and a strange band called Judas Priest(pre leather) opened the show. Just a great rock show! Amazing how much REO's setlist changed after the live album, they went from a good time R&R band to a pop band in just a few short years, There was a saying back then that Gary was a rock star and Kevin was a pop star. Gary was a chick magnet.
One of my best memories of Gary was seeing him play in a bar in Freeport, Illinois after he left REO and had the Gary Richrath band. It was a nasty, snowy night but he and his band showed up anyway and played for just a very small crowd. He put on a great show and was in a good mood, talking a lot and joking with everyone. I’ve never forgotten that night. Really cool.
The thing I like most about your videos, Fil: Your presentations are technical enough for guitarists to understand and un-technical enough for us non-musicians to enjoy. Keep on keepin' on, man. ROCK
I really really appreciated this review!!! Gary was so underrated as a guitarist! This video review says it all. Gary was in a league of his own and was the consummate showman!! He loved getting the crowd involved and he loved getting them excited. When the crowd got excited and started cheering along with Gary's playing he fed off of that and what you ended up getting was one outstanding and exciting show!! When you left an REO concert in which Gary put on one of his solo's it was something you never forget. I can remember every single solo I watched him do. I mean the types of solo's you see in this video. Gary had a tendency to bounce on his toes every now and then and I can remember just watching around how many of the people in the audience were following along. Hey I'm guilty of it as well. There's just something about a screaming solo from a guy of Gary's caliber, then throw in his Les Paul and you have one awesome show!!! I just wanted to add that his true fans really miss his playing and presence. RIP Gary, you were one of a kind!!
Gary was my first guitar hero when I was a kid ... REO was one of my favorite bands back then. It is great to see you do a video on him. In the words of Kevin Cronin - "Because nobody talks with their guitar the was that Gary does".
This is when Gary excelled as did REO Speedwagon. I'll say it again as I have previously once they hit Hi-Infidelity that was it. They went mainstream and went commercial pop. Even though Gary didn't leave until the album 'Life as We Know It' the tensions between Kevin and Gary were evident. Their music was definitely not like what they did from 'Nine Lives' and backward. Top 40 was the name of the game for Kevin Cronin.
Hey you....me too! ✌❤ went to school with Eric his son....and....my uncle by marriage...his sister dated him. Such a small world! Good seeing a fellow Peorian on here 😊
Pretty damn impressive and deep analysis that you gave here: you really went above and beyond w this great tribute to the Reo Speedwagon guitarist And you’re right to hit on that strong quality Gary had in establishing a personal and positive rapport with the Audience.
Gary is a guitarist that showed me you don't need a bunch of gadgets to be a killer player. He was one of the most cool players I have ever heard and he was instrumental in my approach to guitar and I am forever grateful.
I saw this band 3 times back in the 70's wen i was a teenager Gary was the driving force behind this band and he always made it look easy.I remember watching his hands and they were really muscular he had really worked at it.
I was fortunate to meet Gary in 91, and shook his hand. You are right about that. He had a very strong grip, but his fingers.... Man, they were each like tree trunks! Never seen anything like that... Strong and "fat" fingers for a guitarist.
Gary was a smokin guitarists! His playing gave REO such a great sound! A killer player who was one of the very best in the 80s! Didn’t get the respect he diserved unfortunately! I thought he was sensational! Great analysis Fil! Cheers Mario!😀🤘🤘
Love love love Gary! Lost count how many times I saw him play. App.25 times in Missouri and Illinois before REO went mainstream. He did have a rapport with the audience and never showed off. Its so heartbreaking he died.
So awesome you're giving him his due! Saw him in the early 80s with REO Speedwagon, and he was spot on like the recordings! Its too bad he had drinking problems and had to leave the band. RIP Gary.
Young men from the midwest could look to Richrath, well for sure me, as a source of "he's one of US" pride. So many of our idols to that time had been British or coastal Americans. I knew their sound engineer (from their earlier years) and got the opportunity to see a couple of shows from back stage - although this was before their arena era. Richrath was as gentle a guy as I've ever known in that profession, yet such a forceful player. I love how you've described his style. It's become kind of cool for many to poke fun at REO and Richrath in particular. He was, indeed, SUCH a good guitarist. And yes, his solos tended to be unique - fitting the mood of a particular show very well and connecting with each audience so very well. The other guitarist that I've actually seen in concert who connected so well with their audiences were Lindsey Buckingham (clearly a radically different guitarist), Frampton too, and OMG, Rory Gallagher. Thanks!
Saw REO live in 78 and was behind the stage when Gary did his solo song. When he turned around back to the band he was on fire, his face beamed like nothing I'd seen before, he was so turned on and he turned all of us on! ++++++++++++++
flying turkey just show cased how great richrath was on that guitar. he was by far the most underappreciated guitarist in rock and roll he was never ever recognized for his true genius and that my friends in a crying shame rip to a legend Gary richrath. a true genius on the six string gun.
I remember watching this whole concert on MTV way back when and they broke it into videos. I later saw them live and they were just phenomenal. I especially love 157 Riverside Avenue.
Can't tell you how many times I've seen REO over the years (probably 25). Gary was the ultimate showman while onstage. Dave Amato is a very good guitarist, but Gary was on another level. Thanks Fil for showcasing Gary!
Pretty much all the artists you feature are those I grew up listening to...makes me feel like 💯 yrs old 😎😄 but it's a real treat to watch you break them down and describe the genius they brought to their playing. Thank you sir!
Their live shows with their first vocalist were my favorite era for this band. Sadly it was before cell phone cameras and even before vhs recorders. I taught the guitar part for Riding The Storm Out to our singer and played the synth part when we covered that song. It was always a popular crowd request.
Another great choice Fil! Richrath is on my (long) list favorite players & influences. He had a unique tone & style that made him stand out from other players.
Brilliant video Fil! This is a great example of what Gary Richrath was really good at. Great groove, tone & feel. I always loved his phrasing and melodic sense. Thanks Fil! Peace. JR
I hate Rolling Stone Magazine for being snobs to REO and Styx and even Journey and Kansas,maybe others having the midwest generic sound as Roling Stone had it in their article ..It was a total disrespect and mean for no reasons ..Now look at the tiny shrink of RS Mags unlike they use to be and they are now thin an unpopular as maggoty dirt ..
@@tomtracy5396 It was anything Bruce Springsteen and New Wave and bands with a political message in the early mid 80s that the staff critics liked which was ok but singling out a certain genre that was good and popular was very bad for the magazines staff dept. ...
I stopped reading and buying that tasteless piece of bathroom paper years ago after the fake story in Virginia . RS now and soon to be extinct . Only thing that saves them the photo covers . I am not going out of my way to purchase the now National Enquire tabloid periodical, Rolling Stone . May it rest and wither in pieces in the landfill .
REO..You Get What You Play For....classic live lp...I wore the 8-track out many years ago....great live band...saw them 2 different times.....Thx Fil....Rock!!
Gary remains one of my all-time favorite guitarists. I'll take melody over speed anytime, because it's about the song. He was also a great songwriter as well. Thank you, Fil.
I LOVE REO!!!....thanks Fil! It really takes me back!!...saw them a couple of times over the years.. they put on an awesome show!! They are from around this area Champaign, Illinois....My friend, Geri and her husband has been following them for years! They are friends with the guys and their wives and kids! She is my REO historian!...✌❤🤘
@brad zybola ..... no I didn't see that. Was that the show called "don't forget the lyrics" with Mark McGrath as the host? If that was it I love that show but no I didn't see the episode with Gary on it. Somebody on here said rest in peace so he's passed away but I did not realize that.
Thank you for this 💓 Gary was/is a treasure. In my opinion one of the most underrated lead guitarists of the 70s&80s. He bled music and lyrics 💖 he is greatly missed 💕
Excellent video of an excellent band, He really plays at a great level in an excellent band that he played in at different times in their history. Gary is a guitarist you won't forget if you are a musician, or a bass player. He just rips leads of songs off and is just so in the moment, of making the music live, in the real meaning of the set. They really look like they are enjoying the music. Jim
His pinched harmonics were so amazingly tasteful...There weren't many guitarist back then who could do them....much less in such a classy way. GR was indeed greatness. RIP
Spot on in your assessment. He does very well at switching between the bridge position and the neck, keeping that happiness alive. I also appreciate his control of harmonics in combination with the vibrato. He really was a master of simplicity. Les Paul, Marshall and a spirt for playing. He might not have been a Paul Gilbert clone, but he was amazing by all his own attributes. Easily a favorite of mine.
The most criminally underrated guitar player ever.
Him and David Meniketti, of Y & T...
Only if you let him be.
I was so blessed to meet Gary at the supermarket by our houses and had no clue who he was because of his weight gain. He had on a Gibson shirt and said to him you like Gibsons and he laughed and said you could say that and I said me too!! Next thing we where talking for well over an hour about our guitars and then he said well we should get to together and play and great so next day Im at his place right down the street from my house and we start jamming with our Les Pauls but his was a 59 and mine a 78 reissue and then I started playing some Led Zep and he started playing REO stuff and was killing it!!! Then I saw that smile of his and I said Oh Shit!! By the way Im Gary and I said my name is Mud!! Hehe laughed so hard he started to cry!! I got to play with my Guitar Hero for about a yr. There where 2 guys on Les Pauls that I Loved Him and Ace Frehley from Kiss. Both very feel players that just made the guitar part of them!! Then we lost him in 2015 to Stomach Cancer!! Such a Great Humble Man!! I Miss Gary!! See you In Heaven Brother!!
Insert video of Napoleon Dynamite here saying "Lucky." What a great memory. Thank you for sharing it.
Great story. Must have been awesome. One of my all time favs. He had such a great feel and was very melodic. Guitar players now days are very technically great, but many lack the feel.
I love to hear about the genuine humanity of great yet humble musicians, and Gary was one of the best. You are blessed to have passed time with this man.
Wow what a great memory. Saw Gary on the High Infidelity tour Providence Civic Center 2nd row ! Changed my life......amazing player gone too soon.
Amazing story!🎸
Gary never received the credit he was due, he was an awesome guitarist.
Yes! he was, i saw them twice!
Hey Cheryl. Killer guitarist. Awesome Band
I love Reo Speedwagon unfortunately they are not one of the bands I was lucky enough to see live.
@brad zybola It was a balmy 60 degrees today, with dangerous winds and lots of rain, i even had the windows open, lol! Glad i didn't have to go in to work till the evening! Oh wow The J. Giles Band, i love them! Have to mention it to Filip! Yes i saw R E O S P E E D WAGON twice, they were AWESOME!
@brad zybola It was't a hurricane, and not a drop of water got in , do you actually think i'm that ignorant? Shame on you dude! Don't think i really want to engage in any more conversations with you, good bye and peace out, go insult someone else...
Gary was the engine that drove REO. He was an incredible guitarist and wrote many great songs.
To quote Kevin Cronin: “Ain’t nobody who talks with his guitar like Gary does!"
👍
157 Riverside Auenue!!
And still Nobody talks with their guitar like Gary did.
@@suefields4254 The call and response between Kevin and Gary in that is fantastic. I seen REO 4 times I believe and it was always one of the highlights for me.
aint no body could ever talk with their guitar the way gary did . he played that six string gun a lot like matt Dillon in dodge city lol.. true genius
My all time favorite rock guitarist.. I just loved his sound and playing style..
Richrath and Gary Rossington have very similar styles of playing. But Richrath had a much more aggressive attack than Rossington.
I saw them live several times in the 1970s and it was always a great show.. tons of audience engagement.. they gave you your money's worth RIP Gary
He was so amazing in his prime!! The only guy that can make a pickscrape work on a ballad! RIP 😔
Thanks again, Fil, for your wonderful work. If you look for Gary Richrath on TH-cam it is almost desert. I think he was one of the greats of his era.
Fil, I appreciate the recognition for Gary. Amazing player and made it look effortless on stage always with a smile on his face. He is missed but the music lives on. Love EARLY REO
Gary Richrath is right up there as one of the greatest of all time, no question. Completely unique and uncopiable. Very dynamic on stage but also always in such incredible to control of everything he played. You'll seldom see a musician who fits the old adage of "born to play/perform" better than Gary Richrath. RIP 🌹
The most underrated rock guitarist ever
Gary was such an intuitive guitarist. His instrument was part of him; playing for him was as natural as breathing. Your sheer joy in listening to and talking about great musicians such as Gary is truly insightful and informative.
I always liked Gary's playing. You hear him, you know it's him. A lot of guitarists knock him because he doesnt blow through scales. He doesnt have to, which is a testament to how great a player he is.
Hands down the best guitarist of the early 80s. Seen REO four times and wasn't let down once. In 1982 they had airplane troubles and they were about an hour and a half late. REO gave a free album to every ticket holder from that show.
Bryan signature of great artists. In 2007; Keith Urban started his Love, Pain, and This Whole Crazy Thing Tour after his final stint in rehab. Upon arriving to the arena, it took forever to get in because we had fill out our name and address on a tablet. 8 months after the show, I received a package in the mail. Keith had the tour and concert made into a DVD and all attendees of the tour receive a copy with a note from Keith thanking his fans for their support through his difficult time...he is amazing.
Cool!
i have a similar story to that one back in 1978 they were scheduled to do a concert and it sold out in 90 minutes so what did reo do they scheduled another concert for the next night i stood line for two hours for tickets and was blessed enough to get one of the last pair of tickets they had. and let me tell you they put on a hell of a show. about 10 years later i was living in arizona and they performed the the state fair between the four of us we paid a total of 12 dollars to get in 3.00 per person and not only did they give us more then our moneys worth they actually came out and met their fans back stage my wife got to meet gary and the rest of them i got to meet kevin and alan and bruce they couldn't have been nice my wife toill the day she died was so impressed with how nice gary was it was a thirll because she had a crush on him during her teen years.
Gary was brilliant. He just knew what would be unique, what would enhance the song. And he was so effortless. So many of REO’s song were put together so well. The whole band was amazing, but Gary was really the star in my opinion.
great pick fil.gary does not get enough respect..friend of mine saw him play in a bar in Iowa..with his band..that would of been cool.
I've been to well over a thousand concerts, seen many of the great ones. Gary was the equal, or better, than most. He brought the house down every time. I truly miss his talent. Seemed like a great guy, from all that I've heard, as well. RIP, Gary.
A classic song from my teenage years...loved Gary's unique styling and he could grind as well. I am from a family of guitar players and we all agree. Gary...flat out one of the best!!
I'd seen REO in 82. I didn't realize how good Gary was until I spent many years driving over the road and actually listening to the instrumentals instead of the lyrics. I was blown away by Gary's guitar playing
I too saw REO in 82. I often wondered why he wasn't given the credit that was due to him. Sad ending.
i think flying turkey trot and unidentified tuna trot really show case garys true genius on the guitar.
There's no one like Gary Richrath. I wish we could enjoy more marketing of his talent these several years after his death. Yay! Gary1 We love ya, man.
Thanks, Mr. Fil, for this video. I learned the pentatonic, major, and minor scales from hearing Gary's playing, coupled with some one showing me where they were on the neck once. I loved the Gibson Les Pauls because of him, and he was the reason I wanted to play electric lead guitar. When I heard Golden Country from their 1977 live album, I was floored at his solo. That was it for me (early 80s). It's great that Gary is being given props here, even though he was more impressive by his rocking sound/stage presence than for his technicalities. He's the most underrated rock player ever, imo. You're a great dude!!
No problem!
Gary's smile at the end of his solo says it all. Pure joy! He was at the top of his game right there. Great solo. Nothing too fancy but incredible sound. Gary was made to play live in clubs and arenas. One of my favorite guitar players.
Thank you for reviewing this. Gary kicked a$$ and never got the respect he truly deserved. Hope he's smiling down from Heaven knowing his fans will never forget him. Saw him live several times and he was always fabulous. Wish we had a video of Lost in a Dream for you to review. That was a real rocker. Mike Murphy was a great vocalist during his short tenure with REO.
I love the "joy" level of Gary and the whole band...I miss watching musicians actually having fun and enjoying
Awesome - sooooo true, I loved Gary - he had a connection with the crowd. Such a stage presence - and just loved his playing in and of itself
I saw them live at a stand-up concert in 1987. During the solo section after Turkey Trot where Gary interacts with the audience, speeding up intervals each time he stops and the crowd shouts... a bit different from this live show, I remember him doing some serious speed shredding with the bridge pick-up engaged (instead of the middle selector here). It was an ascending riff, one he ran through faster and faster. And he didn't miss one single beat during the phrasing.
What a concert that was... The Fabulous Thunderbirds opened for them, and Stevie Ray Vaughan made a guest appearance during their set. Seeing Jimmie Vaughan, SRV and Gary Richrath all in one show was one of the highlights of my concert-going days.
Gary made playing the guitar look as easy like gluing 2 pieces of wood together. The first REO album was one of the tightest you will ever hear and its mostly because of Gary
@robert proctor he did write most of that music
thanks for this tribute for gary.
Very underrated and overlooked guitarist. Early REO was more hard rock than their breakthrough in the 80s.
Thanks Fil, for spotlighting Gary. One of my favorites from my high school days. Saw them twice, great shows.
Gary Richrath was my first guitar hero! This was about a year or so before I discovered Randy Rhoads. Still love both of them, RIP.
No doubt about that! when Randy hit the scene I don't know what it was but " ever ything else" just seemed like nonscence in some weird way . When I listen to him now I still get that same feelin.
Gary was the best! Rest In Peace.. His skills were amazing! ❤️
I saw them several times and Gary was an excellent performer who put on one heck of a show.
I played lead guitar for two years in a band called Richrath Project 3:13. It was a band made up of musicians that played with Gary after he left REO Speedwagon. My playing style wasn’t too different from his in that it’s slightly old school, very bluesy, and very tone dependent. Fil, you make a great point about his fluctuation between major pentatonic runs and minor pentatonic runs. Gary did that all the time. I had to learn all of his solos note for note and do the best that I could to mimic, if not duplicate, the inflections and the pick attack he used. Learning how to play the songs was easy compared to learning his note for note solos to the point where it kind of sounded like him. That’s what was expected of me. It wasn’t until I figured out that he fluctuated between major pentatonic and minor pentatonic runs in the same song, that I finally had some success. There’s a video out there of me playing the solo to Golden country. The vibe is very similar, but felt very different mostly because that was the only song where Gary played only in a minor pentatonic scales. Being the guy that was asked to imitate him as much as possible for two years, I can tell you that he really, truly is one of, if not the most underrated guitar player period.
robert, if you saw 3:13 and the guitar player had a black Les Paul, it wasn’t me. During my time in 3:13, I played a honeyburst and a cherry sunburst Les Paul with 1970’s Marshalls. The guy playing with them now had a black Les Paul. Look up Richrath Project 3:13 and 157 Riverside Ave., you find me playing with them in a casino outside of Vegas about a year ago last February.
robert proctor th-cam.com/video/adVfVBxK6_s/w-d-xo.html
Milwaukee based band. I remember them!
The super 70s were overflowing with great musicians, and song writers and that made 70s the legend that it became!!
I was lucky growing up outside Indianapolis we saw him several times. REO Speedwagon was big in real Indy. Met him and photographed him for magazines. The Daily Mail in the UK used my shot for his obituary
I grew up about 115 mile north of you! R.E.O. was big around here in the early 70s. I bought my very first album in 73 or 74 and it was the T.W.O. album, I bought their next 4 albums. I no longer have a good stereo to play them on. My wife did buy me a turntable just this last xmas just so I could listen to my old R.E.O. albums, but I still need some upgrades to crank it up.
So great that you have recognized Gary, wish you would have analysed "Golden Country" over this track but alas...his ability to add fills and little subtle leads without overpowering the songs were highly underrated.
Saw REO when they were out in support of the live album "You get what you play for" in a small 4000 seat Civic Center. They headlined the show with the backups being Foreigner who were supporting their debut album and a strange band called Judas Priest(pre leather) opened the show. Just a great rock show!
Amazing how much REO's setlist changed after the live album, they went from a good time R&R band to a pop band in just a few short years, There was a saying back then that Gary was a rock star and Kevin was a pop star. Gary was a chick magnet.
Cool!
Golden is an awesome track!
One of my best memories of Gary was seeing him play in a bar in Freeport, Illinois after he left REO and had the Gary Richrath band. It was a nasty, snowy night but he and his band showed up anyway and played for just a very small crowd. He put on a great show and was in a good mood, talking a lot and joking with everyone. I’ve never forgotten that night. Really cool.
Cool! I'm not far from Freeport would of beem good to be there too
The thing I like most about your videos, Fil: Your presentations are technical enough for guitarists to understand and un-technical enough for us non-musicians to enjoy. Keep on keepin' on, man. ROCK
I really really appreciated this review!!! Gary was so underrated as a guitarist! This video review says it all. Gary was in a league of his own and was the consummate showman!! He loved getting the crowd involved and he loved getting them excited. When the crowd got excited and started cheering along with Gary's playing he fed off of that and what you ended up getting was one outstanding and exciting show!! When you left an REO concert in which Gary put on one of his solo's it was something you never forget. I can remember every single solo I watched him do. I mean the types of solo's you see in this video. Gary had a tendency to bounce on his toes every now and then and I can remember just watching around how many of the people in the audience were following along. Hey I'm guilty of it as well. There's just something about a screaming solo from a guy of Gary's caliber, then throw in his Les Paul and you have one awesome show!!! I just wanted to add that his true fans really miss his playing and presence. RIP Gary, you were one of a kind!!
Yep!
Make it sing Gary! Nice choice Wings!
Gary was my first guitar hero when I was a kid ... REO was one of my favorite bands back then. It is great to see you do a video on him. In the words of Kevin Cronin - "Because nobody talks with their guitar the was that Gary does".
This is when Gary excelled as did REO Speedwagon. I'll say it again as I have previously once they hit Hi-Infidelity that was it. They went mainstream and went commercial pop. Even though Gary didn't leave until the album 'Life as We Know It' the tensions between Kevin and Gary were evident. Their music was definitely not like what they did from 'Nine Lives' and backward. Top 40 was the name of the game for Kevin Cronin.
Another underrated player. Always love Gary Style of playing. Never over the top and that's fine by me...
Hey, thanks man. He was a hometown boy. Got to see him a couple times with the hometown crowd in Peoria, Il. Still one of my favorite shows.
Coo.!
Hey you....me too! ✌❤ went to school with Eric his son....and....my uncle by marriage...his sister dated him. Such a small world! Good seeing a fellow Peorian on here 😊
Nice to see you do something on Gary-REO was my hometown band growing up in the 70s Champaign illinois
Gary was/is the most under rated under appreciated guitarist in the industry.
Pretty damn impressive and deep analysis that you gave here: you really went above and beyond w this great tribute to the Reo Speedwagon guitarist
And you’re right to hit on that strong quality Gary had in establishing a personal and positive rapport with the Audience.
Thanks!
My 1st concert St Louis 1974. I got Gary's autograph. It was love at 1st sight. ❤️ thx Fil.
Gary was so good. Great playing that always complimented the song. Superb feel. RIP
Sup Mr Fil. Saw REO in late 70's. Walked away thinking that guitarist was FRIGGIN' AMAZING. Was very impressed.
Gary is a guitarist that showed me you don't need a bunch of gadgets to be a killer player. He was one of the most cool players I have ever heard and he was instrumental in my approach to guitar and I am forever grateful.
I saw this band 3 times back in the 70's wen i was a teenager Gary was the driving force behind this band and he always made it look easy.I remember watching his hands and they were really muscular he had really worked at it.
Cool!
I was fortunate to meet Gary in 91, and shook his hand. You are right about that. He had a very strong grip, but his fingers.... Man, they were each like tree trunks! Never seen anything like that... Strong and "fat" fingers for a guitarist.
What you notice about top guitarists (like Gary) is how efficient their movements and changes are. Nice pick Fil.
RIP Gary! He was definitely a Rodney Danderfield of guitarists.
Gone too soon! 😔
Always felt Gary was underrated. So much great work BEFORE High Infidelity. Great Band
👍
Well done, you've gone far to capture the personality of the man& the music. Another fine job!
I was a big REO fan!! Gary was so underrated!! He was awesome! RIP
Gary was a smokin guitarists! His playing gave REO such a great sound! A killer player who was one of the very best in the 80s! Didn’t get the respect he diserved unfortunately! I thought he was sensational! Great analysis Fil! Cheers Mario!😀🤘🤘
Rip Gary. You are missed.👊👊
Love love love Gary! Lost count how many times I saw him play. App.25 times in Missouri and Illinois before REO went mainstream. He did have a rapport with the audience and never showed off. Its so heartbreaking he died.
Thanks for this video. Gary was old school rock and roll. Not a shredder but a heart and soul player.
thanks for reviewing Gary he's so underrated and forgotten. great guitarist
THE best thing to ever come out of Illinois
them and Styx
RADKRAZY Hall of famers from Rockford, IL.....Cheap Trick!!!
Central Illinois
Chicago.
So awesome you're giving him his due! Saw him in the early 80s with REO Speedwagon, and he was spot on like the recordings! Its too bad he had drinking problems and had to leave the band. RIP Gary.
Oh yeah smarty pants, why don't you educate me why he left! @robert proctor
People in the 80 have a habit of calling 70s bands, 80 bands.the 80 was seagulls, rap and rap and rap and taco and Mu😂ary,. head.
Young men from the midwest could look to Richrath, well for sure me, as a source of "he's one of US" pride. So many of our idols to that time had been British or coastal Americans. I knew their sound engineer (from their earlier years) and got the opportunity to see a couple of shows from back stage - although this was before their arena era. Richrath was as gentle a guy as I've ever known in that profession, yet such a forceful player.
I love how you've described his style. It's become kind of cool for many to poke fun at REO and Richrath in particular. He was, indeed, SUCH a good guitarist. And yes, his solos tended to be unique - fitting the mood of a particular show very well and connecting with each audience so very well. The other guitarist that I've actually seen in concert who connected so well with their audiences were Lindsey Buckingham (clearly a radically different guitarist), Frampton too, and OMG, Rory Gallagher.
Thanks!
Saw REO live in 78 and was behind the stage when Gary did his solo song. When he turned around back to the band he was on fire, his face beamed like nothing I'd seen before, he was so turned on and he turned all of us on! ++++++++++++++
Gary and the guys, made a Camio appearance in the great movie. F M! THEY WERE YOUNG AND HUNGRY AND READDY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD!
flying turkey just show cased how great richrath was on that guitar. he was by far the most underappreciated guitarist in rock and roll he was never ever recognized for his true genius and that my friends in a crying shame rip to a legend Gary richrath. a true genius on the six string gun.
I remember watching this whole concert on MTV way back when and they broke it into videos. I later saw them live and they were just phenomenal. I especially love 157 Riverside Avenue.
Cool!
Can't tell you how many times I've seen REO over the years (probably 25). Gary was the ultimate showman while onstage. Dave Amato is a very good guitarist, but Gary was on another level. Thanks Fil for showcasing Gary!
No problem!
Amato is average nothing like Gary
Got to see REO many times in the mid '70's in the St.Louis area and Gary always was fantastic.Thanks Fil for this video!
Gary played effortlessly. Sorely underrated player. Sad how he kinda faded away after REO. RIP Sir🎸
underrated player 100%
Thank you Fil! To me, Gary is one of the most under-rated/appreciated players out there. Sad that he is no longer with us.
My favorite part of a live show was the drum solo. Gary played the guitar live like a drum solo. Completely enthralled the audience
Pretty much all the artists you feature are those I grew up listening to...makes me feel like 💯 yrs old 😎😄 but it's a real treat to watch you break them down and describe the genius they brought to their playing.
Thank you sir!
Gary Richrath is MY GUITAR Hero! Great tone! Blew me away as a 15 year old fan and no one else has done that since!
Their live shows with their first vocalist were my favorite era for this band. Sadly it was before cell phone cameras and even before vhs recorders. I taught the guitar part for Riding The Storm Out to our singer and played the synth part when we covered that song. It was always a popular crowd request.
Coo.!
Another great choice Fil! Richrath is on my (long) list favorite players & influences. He had a unique tone & style that made him stand out from other players.
Brilliant video Fil!
This is a great example of what Gary Richrath was really good at. Great groove, tone & feel. I always loved his phrasing and melodic sense.
Thanks Fil!
Peace. JR
Awesome to see a solo section where he makes the crowd go wild. Great analysis as per usual 👍
I hate Rolling Stone Magazine for being snobs to REO and Styx and even Journey and Kansas,maybe others having the midwest generic sound as Roling Stone had it in their article ..It was a total disrespect and mean for no reasons ..Now look at the tiny shrink of RS Mags unlike they use to be and they are now thin an unpopular as maggoty dirt ..
That magazine is a joke just like the rock n roll Hall of Fame.
@@mrHoppedupford True on both counts!
They were too busy writing about Patti Smith or some weird ass musician
@@tomtracy5396 It was anything Bruce Springsteen and New Wave and bands with a political message in the early mid 80s that the staff critics liked which was ok but singling out a certain genre that was good and popular was very bad for the magazines staff dept. ...
I stopped reading and buying that tasteless piece of bathroom paper years ago after the fake story in Virginia . RS now and soon to be extinct . Only thing that saves them the photo covers . I am not going out of my way to purchase the now National Enquire tabloid periodical, Rolling Stone . May it rest and wither in pieces in the landfill .
REO..You Get What You Play For....classic live lp...I wore the 8-track out many years ago....great live band...saw them 2 different times.....Thx Fil....Rock!!
Gary remains one of my all-time favorite guitarists. I'll take melody over speed anytime, because it's about the song. He was also a great songwriter as well. Thank you, Fil.
Dang Fil. I'm late to this. Gary was a good guy. Went away too soon.
Take care
He was awesome live! He was soooo underrated- too bad he burned himself out. RIP
Saw Gary & R.E.O. playing a free concert in the park in Centralia Illinois back in 1974. That was when they rocked! R.I.P. one of the best!!
Awesome!
My old man actually liked these guys. He hated my music but these guys were ok. Rip
Before the booze kicked in. Palm mutes, subtle bends, vibratos, changing time signatures. He was an absolute master at his craft
Thank you Fil for such a nice piece on Gary ! Listened to him for years and now I get to hear him through your ears, so cool.
I LOVE REO!!!....thanks Fil! It really takes me back!!...saw them a couple of times over the years.. they put on an awesome show!! They are from around this area Champaign, Illinois....My friend, Geri and her husband has been following them for years! They are friends with the guys and their wives and kids! She is my REO historian!...✌❤🤘
Cool!
@brad zybola ..... no I didn't see that. Was that the show called "don't forget the lyrics" with Mark McGrath as the host? If that was it I love that show but no I didn't see the episode with Gary on it. Somebody on here said rest in peace so he's passed away but I did not realize that.
Peoria/East Peoria....
Thank you for this 💓 Gary was/is a treasure. In my opinion one of the most underrated lead guitarists of the 70s&80s. He bled music and lyrics 💖 he is greatly missed 💕
RIP Gary. One of the best.
Excellent video of an excellent band, He really plays at a great level in an excellent band that he played in at different times in their history. Gary is a guitarist you won't forget if you are a musician, or a bass player. He just rips leads of songs off and is just so in the moment, of making the music live, in the real meaning of the set. They really look like they are enjoying the music. Jim
Thanks Jim!
Can't wait for you next one! Jim
Went to college with his son. Despite not spending much time together, really good kid...really good guy, Gary was.
I went to EPCHS with him...so darn sweet!!!!!!!!
Gary is from East Peoria IL. Down the road 13 miles from East Peoria is Tremont IL. In Tremont IL each year in the Tremont Turkey Fest.
His pinched harmonics were so amazingly tasteful...There weren't many guitarist back then who could do them....much less in such a classy way. GR was indeed greatness. RIP
Gary was so cool and I loved his playing too! Thanks Fil. Your commentary is always great!
Thanks for everything Fil. Your grace ,knowledge, and respect toward all artists n musicians is refreshing and appreciated. ROCK
Spot on in your assessment. He does very well at switching between the bridge position and the neck, keeping that happiness alive. I also appreciate his control of harmonics in combination with the vibrato. He really was a master of simplicity. Les Paul, Marshall and a spirt for playing. He might not have been a Paul Gilbert clone, but he was amazing by all his own attributes. Easily a favorite of mine.