May 16, 2013
Interview with Kevin Cronin on May 14, 2013 with Grand Rapids, MI FOX affiliate morning show
May 15, 2013
Bruce, Kevin & Dave warming up backstage.
May 8, 2013
REO, Styx, Nugent rock the house
When three classic powerhouse rock acts get together for an evening of music and fun, there's bound to be plenty of both.
Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon and Styx thoroughly rocked a full house at
Grand Prairie's Verizon Center Tuesday night, and the fans, some of
them as far away as Wichita Falls, aren't likely to forget it anytime
soon.
Ted Nugent opened the show with the brash, fun-loving attitude and
all-out energy that has made him a worldwide rock star for more than
four decades. With just three musicians backing up his blister-hot
guitar licks and over-the-top hit songs, "Uncle Ted" filled the massive
room with a presence that could be felt as well as heard all the way up
to the rafter seats, and if any concert-goers minded his trademark salty
language, or when he played fifteen minutes over his allotted time,
they didn't say so.
Of course, "Stranglehold," "Wango Tango" and "Cat Scratch Fever" were
crowd favorites, but he could have played an insurance brief set to
music and he would still have rocked.
Removing Nugent's fairly elaborate stage set and replacing it with
REO Speedwagon's far more elaborate multi-level stage set took less than
fifteen minutes, and showed a remarkable level of focus and
professionalism on the part of each band's road crews. Those guys are
good at their jobs!
Even while fans were still standing in line for drinks or a restroom
break, thinking the changeover would last longer, lead singer Kevin
Cronin and his Speedwagon pals kicked off with their monster hit "Don't
Let Him Go."
In a high-energy set that included "Can't Fight This Feeling," "Roll
With The Changes," "Time For Me To Fly," "Take It On The Run" and "Keep
On Loving You," REO kept the crowd on its feet. Bassist and founding
member Bruce Hall took a turn on lead vocal duties with "Back On The
Road Again," and Cronin referred to him as "REO's secret weapon." He was
right. REO Speedwagon might have succeeded anyway without Hall's
solidly driving bass and impeccable vocal harmonies, but it wouldn't
have been with quite the same sound.
Leaving the crowd cheering, REO took a last bow and threw a last few
guitar picks and drum sticks into the audience while the stage crews
went to work again.
In what seemed like no time at all, Styx hit the stage, charged into
"Blue Collar Man," and the energy level went through the roof once
again.
With the band and the crowd feeding off each other's enthusiasm, Styx
Tommy Shaw, James "JY" Young, Ricky Phillips, Todd Sucherman and
Lawrence Gowan effortlessly soared through a dynamic set that included
legendary hits such as "Fooling Yourself," "Renegade," "Lady," "Too
Much Time On My Hands," "Come Sail Away" and "Miss America."
It was just right, and the fans didn't mind saying so through their constant passionate response.
Any of the groups could easily have sold out a venue such as the
Verizon Center on their own, but getting all three on the same special
night was something truly exceptional, truly unforgettable.
April 28, 2013
Styx, REO Speedwagon & Ted Nugent Bring "The Midwest Rock 'N Roll Express" Tour to Massachusetts
The train just keeps a 'rollin on 'The Midwest Rock 'N Roll Express' tour, featuring the triple bill of Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent. The classic rock collective that earned a prominent spot on our 'Must-See Rock Concerts of 2013' list recently made a pit stop in Springfield, Mass. on April 23. Check out our photos from the show below.
Prior to the concert, the three bands announced that they would be donating a portion of the proceeds from the tour to victims of the recent Boston Marathon bombings, a tragedy that hit very close to home to the show in Western Massachusetts. Before the gig, the tour was selling off raffle tickets for autographed guitars and photos to raise additional funds a kind and thoughtful effort that was definitely appreciated by the community.
In contrast to their high-energy, polished performances and deep arsenal of hits, each band offered heart-felt condolences and messages of perseverance, hope and forging forward throughout their set, referring to both the tragedy in Boston as well as the victims in the plant explosion in Texas.
At one point, REO Speedwagon front man Kevin Cronin described the pure elation of returning home to the States after touring throughout the globe. He said that no matter where in the world their touring takes them, as soon as they hit US soil the first thing they do is bend down, kiss the ground and say a little thank-you to be home.
Click here to see more photos.
April 25, 2013
VVN Music: Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent Giving to Boston Marathon Bombing Victims
The touring trio of Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent are collectively giving money raised at each of the shows on their current tour to the victims of Boston Marathon bombing.
Being organized under the Styx' Rock to the Rescue organization, the artists will sign a guitar at every stop of the tour and auction it off with 75% of the proceeds going to Boston and 25% to local charities.
The members of Styx said in a statement "Like all Americans, we have watched the events in Boston and wondered what we could do to help. We know the fans of all three bands will once again rise up with us to help our friends in Boston. We Are Boston!"
REO members added "We feel such sadness for those innocent people in Boston who have suffered so much and are still suffering now. We think of those victims of senseless violence as we sign the gutar which is to be donated on their behalf each night. In our small way, we do what we do."
Finally, Nugent commented "The Nugent band and family are surrounded by Americans who care deeply about each other and are dedicated to give all we got in times of need. We again face a tragedy that we can all help with, and are proud of this charitable heart and soul effort."
Click here to read more.
