Why is it called a REO Speedwagon?
They were named after a fire engine. The name "REO Speedwagon" refers to Ransom Eli Olds, the founder of Oldsmobile. He also owned the The REO Motor Truck Company, which made a model in 1915 called the Speedwagon, a forerunner to the pickup truck.
What was REO Speedwagon's first album?
With their equipment being hauled to dates in a friend's station wagon, REO played bars and clubs all over the Midwest. The band's debut album, R.E.O. Speedwagon, was released on Epic Records in 1971. The most popular track on this record was " 157 Riverside Avenue ".
How do you pronounce Rio from REO Speedwagon?
Even though the initials in the REO Motor Car Company name stood for Ransom Eli Olds, it was pronounced as one word, “Rio.” The band, REO Speedwagon, took its name from the company and the truck, but they spelled it out, speaking each letter.
Who were the original members of REO Speedwagon?
The lineup on the first album consisted of Richrath, Gratzer, Doughty, Philbin, and Luttrell. With their equipment being hauled to dates in a friend's station wagon, REO played bars and clubs all over the Midwest. The band's debut album, R.E.O. Speedwagon, was released on Epic Records in 1971.
Where did REO Speedwagon originate from?
Champaign, ILREO Speedwagon / Origin
Who named REO Speedwagon?
He also owned the The REO Motor Truck Company, which made a model in 1915 called the Speedwagon, a forerunner to the pickup truck. It was keyboard player Neal Doughty who came up with the name, which embodied the rebellious spirit of Ransom Olds and also stood out on a marquee, with three capital letters out front.
What does EO stand for in Robert EO Speedwagon?
It's a reference to his namesake REO Speedwagon. 0. Milesprower1992· 8/8/2020. REO Speedwagon (the band) was named after the REO Speed Wagon (the truck) which was named after R.E.O. (the guy). REO's full name was Ransom Eli Olds (as in Oldsmobile)
How do you pronounce REO Speedwagon?
Even though the initials in the REO Motor Car Company name stood for Ransom Eli Olds, it was pronounced as one word, “Rio.” The band, REO Speedwagon, took its name from the company and the truck, but they spelled it out, speaking each letter.
What did REO stand for?
Real estate owned (REO) is property owned by a lender, such as a bank, that has not been successfully sold at a foreclosure auction.
What do the letters REO stand for?
First introduced in 1915, production continued through at least 1953, and made REO (the initials of its founder, Ransom Eli Olds) one of the better-known manufacturers of commercial vehicles in America prior to World War II.
Why is Speedwagon called a Waifu?
As a bonus, Speedwagon is the very first JoBro, setting the trend for all JoBros to follow. Due to all this and more, Speedwagon left some big shoes for future JoBros to fill, deservedly earning his status as a classic waifu in the anime community.
Why is Speedwagon called Speedwagon?
They named the band REO Speedwagon, from the REO Speed Wagon, a 1915 truck that was designed by Ransom Eli Olds. Doughty had seen the name written across the blackboard when he walked into his History of Transportation class on the first day they had decided to look for a name.
Why does Speedwagon have a scar?
Saw-Hat: Speedwagon wore a bowler hat with a hidden buzz-saw built into it that was sharp enough to cut through bone.
Is REO Speedwagon still touring?
REO Speedwagon tour dates 2022 - 2023. REO Speedwagon is currently touring across 3 countries and has 48 upcoming concerts. Their next tour date is at American Family Insurance Amphitheater in Milwaukee, after that they'll be at Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston.
Where is the REO Speedwagon from?
For the vehicle, see REO Speed Wagon. REO Speedwagon (originally stylized as R.E.O. Speedwagon) is an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Formed in 1967, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. The group's best-selling album, Hi Infidelity (1980), ...
Who was the lead singer of Reo Speedwagon?
He was replaced by Kevin Cronin. Cronin recorded one album with the band, 1972's R.E.O./T.W.O. but left the band during the recording sessions for 1973's Ridin' the Storm Out because of internal conflicts. Ridin' the Storm Out was completed with Michael Bryan Murphy on lead vocal, and it featured Neal Doughty's "wailing storm siren" synthesizer intro on the title track. Murphy stayed on for two more albums, Lost in a Dream and This Time We Mean It, before Cronin returned to the fold in January 1976 and recorded R.E.O., which was released that same year.
What albums did Reo release?
Since 1995, the label has released over a dozen compilation albums featuring greatest hits, including 1999's The Ballads which featured two new songs Just for You (Cronin and Jim Peterik) and Till The River's Run Dry (Cronin). In 2000, REO teamed up with Styx for an appearance at Riverport Amphitheater in St. Louis, which was released as a live concert video Arch Allies: Live at Riverport. The REO portion of the show was released again under three separate titles: Live - Plus (2001), Live Plus 3 (2001) and Extended Versions (2001) (which was certified gold by the RIAA on April 26, 2006). REO once again teamed with Styx in 2003 for the Classic Rock's Main Event tour which also included another band from their common rock era, Journey .
How many records has Reo Speedwagon sold?
Over the course of their career, the band has sold more than 40 million records and has charted 13 Top 40 hits, including the number ones " Keep On Loving You " and " Can't Fight This Feeling ". REO Speedwagon's mainstream popularity waned in the late 1980s, but the band remains a popular live act.
What song did Reo perform with Pitbull?
The band performed with Pitbull the song "Messin' Around" live on the ABC TV show Greatest Hits in 2016; that version of the song was also released as a single on iTunes. The band toured the UK arena circuit with Status Quo in December 2016. The band toured the US with Styx and Don Felder on the "United We Rock" tour, debuting June 20, 2017, at the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater. In 2017 the Hi Infidelity album received the Diamond Award for official U.S. sales of over 10 million copies. REO and Chicago once again teamed up for tour dates during mid-2018.
When did Gary Richrath leave REO?
Richrath (the band) continued to perform for several years before disbanding in the late 1990s. In September 1998, Gary Richrath briefly joined REO onstage at the County Fair in Los Angeles to play on the band's encore song, "157 Riverside Avenue".
Where was the original Speedwagon station?
The Midwestern United States was the original REO Speedwagon fan stronghold and is pivotal in this period of the band's history. They gained a major supporter in the St. Louis, Missouri -based radio station KSHE, whose status as one of America's most influential rock stations boosted their platform beyond the Midwest.
When did REO Speedwagon lose their popularity?
REO Speedwagon’s popularity began to decline in 1987 when the album Life as We Know It didn’t sell nearly as many as the others. Although it still managed to make the top-20 hits with the songs “That Ain’t Love” and “In My Dreams”. Their compilation album, The Hits, included “Here With Me” and “I Don’t Want to Love You”, but unfortunately after that, they lost Gary Richrath and Alan Gratzer.
How many records did Reo Speedwagon sell?
Throughout their career, REO Speedwagon has sold over 40 million records and charted 13 Top 40 hits, including “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and “Keep on Loving You”. Their popularity began to decline in the late 1980s, but they still perform at summer festivals today.
Who designed the REO speed wagon?
REO Speed Wagon was a 1915 truck that was designed by Ransom Eli Olds, but the company pronounced it as “REE-oh” like one word whereas the band pronounced each letter individually. And wallah! The rest of the band went with it as their first advertisement went out in their school newspaper at a frat party, which later turned into a food fight.
When did Speedwagon sign with Epic Records?
In 1971 , REO Speedwagon signed a contract with Epic Records. Paul Leka, record producer, brought the band to his recording studio in Bridgeport, CT where it recorded original material for the first album, which included Richrath, Gratzer, Dought, Philbin and Luttrell.
What is a REO speed wagon?
REO Speed Wagon. For the band, see REO Speedwagon. The REO Speed Wagon (alternatively Reo Speedwagon) was a light motor truck manufactured by REO Motor Car Company. It is an ancestor of the pickup truck . First introduced in 1915, production continued through at least 1953, and made REO (the initials of its founder, ...
What was the Reo Speed Wagon advertisement about?
1928 Reo Speed Wagon print advertisement from Finland emphasizing the advantages of truck engines used in the Speed Wagon over engines from passenger cars.
When was the REO truck made?
It is an ancestor of the pickup truck . First introduced in 1915, production continued through at least 1953, and made REO (the initials of its founder, Ransom Eli Olds) one of the better-known manufacturers of commercial vehicles in America prior to World War II. Although the basic design and styling of the chassis remained consistent, ...
When did REO stop producing cars?
After years of roughly equal car and truck emphasis, REO shifted its focus completely to trucks, ending automobile production in 1936. Production for the civilian market was suspended during World War II, resuming in 1946.
When did the Speed Wagon come out?
While REO produced some wagons based on its automobile chassis (the Model H) starting in 1908 and had organized a division to produce trucks in 1910 with success, the Speed Wagon's introduction in 1915 was a significant step and a sales success.
What engine did the Speed Wagon use?
Other manufacturers provided refits for adapting the Speed Wagon for specialized purposes. The Speed Wagon used REO's "Gold Crown" series of engines, and was well regarded for power, durability, and quality.
Where is REO Speedwagon Way from?
They are from Champaign, Illinois. A street there is named "REO Speedwagon Way.". The band was formed by Gratzer and Doughty, who were students at the University of Illinois . Their Hi Infidelity album was #1 for six weeks in America in the summer of 1981.
Why is the Speedwagon called the Speedwagon?
They were named after a fire engine. The name "REO Speedwagon" refers to Ransom Eli Olds, the founder of Oldsmobile. He also owned the The REO Motor Truck Company, which made a model in 1915 called the Speedwagon, a forerunner to the pickup truck. It was keyboard player Neal Doughty who came up with the name, which embodied the rebellious spirit ...
What does REO stand for in the truck name?
If it was the truck, the pronunciation was incorrect. Even though the initials in the REO Motor Car Company name stood for Ransom Eli Olds, it was pronounced as one word, “Rio.” The band, REO Speedwagon, took its name from the company and the truck, but they spelled it out, speaking each letter.
What does REO stand for?
Even though the initials in the REO Motor Car Company name stood for Ransom Eli Olds, it was pronounced as one word, “Rio.”. The band, REO Speedwagon, took its name from the company and the truck, but they spelled it out, speaking each letter. Is REO Speedwagon still together?
Where did the initials for the REO Speedwagon come from?
There was a vehicle called the REO Speedwagon. The initials come from Ransom Eli Olds.
What does REO mean in speedwagon?
REO Speedwagon stands for, first introduced in 1915, production continued through at least 1953 and made REO (the initials of its founder, Ransom Eli Olds) one of the better-known manufacturers of commercial vehicles in America prior to World War II.
Who are the original members of REO Speedwagon?
Currently, there are 3 original members of REO Speedwagon that are still in the band. Those members include Kevin Cronin (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Bruce Hall (bass) and Neal Doughty (keyboards). Brian Hitt (drums) joined the band in 1990. Dave Amato (lead guitar) joined the band in 1989. Sadly, tensions boiled over in the 80’s with original lead guitarist, Gary Richrath. Richrath played on all the classic tracks you still hear on the radio today. Sadly he passed in 2015. What I find most interesting, the band’s commercial success went down the tubes after Richrath let or was kicked out of the band. That is all based on who’s point of view you wish to take.
Who designed the REO speedwagon?
They named the band REO Speedwagon, from the REO Speed Wagon, a 1915 truck that was designed by Ransom Eli Olds. Doughty had seen the name written across the blackboard when he walked into his History of Transportation class on the first day they had decided to look for a name.
Who is the name of the car that the band Oldsmobile built?
There was a man, back in the early 20th Century name of Ransom Eli Olds, who designed and built a car he called The REO Speedwagon. It was named after himself. He is also the namesake of the Oldsmobile brand of General Motors. The band took their name from his car.
Who were the Hawks' backing band?
Ronnie Hawkins put together his backing band, the Hawks in 1957 with fellow Arkansan, Levon Helm and gradually added Canadians Robertson, Danko, Hudson and Manuel.

Overview
REO Speedwagon (originally stylized as R.E.O. Speedwagon) is an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Formed in 1967, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. The group's best-selling album, Hi Infidelity (1980), contained four US top 40 hits and sold more than 10 million copies.
History
In the autumn of 1966, Neal Doughty entered the electrical engineering program at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois, as a junior. On his first night, he met fellow student Alan Gratzer. They held an impromptu jam session in the basement of their Illinois Street Residence Hall dormitory and soon started a rock band. Gratzer had been a drummer since high school, and was playing in a loc…
Band members
Current members
• Neal Doughty – keyboards (1967–present)
• Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards (1972–1973, 1976–present)
• Bruce Hall – bass, backing and lead vocals (1977–present)
Discography
Studio albums
• R.E.O. Speedwagon (1971)
• R.E.O./T.W.O. (1972)
• Ridin' the Storm Out (1973)
• Lost in a Dream (1974)
See also
• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
External links
• Official website
• REO Speedwagon at AllMusic
• How REO Speedwagon Got Their Name
• REO Speedwagon Live Photo Gallery