Gary Richrath, songwriter and lead guitarist for REO Speedwagon for decades, has died, the band announced on its Facebook page Sunday. He was 65.

The cause of death has not yet been determined.

“Hi friends, kc here,”Guitarist Kevin Cronin wrote. “My longtime friend and collaborator Gary Richrath passed away earlier today. I feel so sad. Gary was both a unique guitarist and songwriter, and the embodiment of the tough guy with a heart of gold. I learned most of what I know about being in a rock band from Gary Richrath. The entire REO Family mourns his death and shares in the grief of his family, friends, and fans. These words do not come close to expressing the depth of emotions I am feeling at this time…kc
PS. This photo has been on my music room table for as long as I can remember, and will stay there.”


Richrath joined the rock band in 1970 to replace Steve Scorfina. Other members of the band include Cronin, Dave Amato, Bruce Hall, Neal Doughty and Bryan Hitt.

Richrath recorded 12 albums with the band, and also wrote their 1981 hit “Take It on the Run.” He also sang lead vocals on “Find My Fortune” and “Only a Summer Love.”


The last album the lead guitarist recorded with REO Speedwagon was “Life as We Know it,” released in 1987, and which also marked drummer Alan Gratzer’s last work with the band, who left the group in 1988.

Richrath left REO Speedwagon in 1989 to release on solo album in 1992 titled “Only the Strong Survive.” In 2013, he briefly reunited with the group to play a concert titled “Rock to the Rescue” to aid residents of central Illinois who had their homes damaged by a series of powerful storms.

I always thought he got kicked out because of alcohol use. Became unreliable. Always wondered what happened to him. The fact that he never came back, which would have been a boost to current REO, led me to believe bridges were burned.

Holy hell, he sure looked bad in that top pic.

I remember seeing a VH1 thing on REO Speedwagon a few years back and he looked old and you could tell he gained a lot of weight - even though they did their best to hide with in the camera-work. He definitely had issues with the bottle.

That top picture actually makes him look better than he really looked:

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Real shame and sad to hear. His guitar work on some of REO's best songs "Roll With the Changes", "Don't Let him Go" and the Live version of "Riding The Storm Out" are stand outs. He was pretty good and once again "The Bottle" takes one talented life. those two pictures of him in his earlier years and latest are just sad to look at it, Should be used for posters adds for Alcohol Abuse....geeee....

Always a fan, but geeez, can't say it was a surprise. I lost all interest in REO after he wasn't in the band.

It was time for him to fly...RIP. I wouldn't doubt his alcohol/drug use may have been the cause of his death.

REO's time to fly will be at the end of 2024's tour. They're hanging their guitars and drumsticks up. There are some irreconcilable differences between Kevin Cronin and bassist Bruce Hall.
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