He then joined REO once again in Los Angeles in May 2000 for the same encore but no serious plans for a reunion ever materialized. Thats a Then in '85 we climbed back up to the top again. | Lake County Sheriffs Deputy Injured in Crash When Driver Disregards Stop Sign in Waukegan, Says Last Thing He Remembers Was Opening a Beer, Pedestrian Struck, Killed by Metra Train Near Busse Highway and Greenwood Ave Park Ridge, Homicide Suspect in Custody After 24 Year-Old Female Stabbed at Apartment on Plum Grove Rd Schaumburg, Saturday Hi 49, mostly sunny to mostly cloudy by noon, light rain 3p to 8p, winds W to SW to WSW to W to NW, 5 to 11 to 7 MPH, G16 to 14 MPH, 3p to 5p, Homicide Investigation for 24 Year-Old Female Stabbing Victim at Apartment on Plum Grove Rd Schaumburg, Waxing Gibbous Moon, sky cover overnight Fri. to Sat. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. [8] Epic agreed to let them produce their first live album, Live: You Get What You Play For, which was eventually certified platinum. Current address 2951 China Well Rd, Auburn, CA 95603 $1,480: B. That was it.. gcse.async = true; Paul Leka, an East Coast record producer, brought the band to his recording studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut where it recorded original material for its first album. But You Cant Tuna Fish. He is popular for being a Young Adult Author. Today. He keeps a drum set at his home, but hed rather be golfing than performing these days. The organization provides food for 250 people three times a week. 3,711. I was a 39 year old white boy chasing rock n roll, with hip-hop coming in, explains Giuffria. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. There were College Campuses all over the USA, and Champaign was no different. he was the most level-headed of all of us, so if [guitarist] Gary [Richrath] and I were arguing or fighting over an overdub or a song, Alan would be the one to calm the situation down and help bring us back together again.. Check out Baumanns article, and keep this in mind. Gratzer is in his third year as board president for the organizations local chapter and has also served as a mentor. Did you ever eat there and was it any good? On the last day of the university's spring semester, guitarist Joe Matt called the band's leader and told him that he, drummer Gratzer, and bassist Mike Blair had decided to leave the band to start a new one with Doughty. Owl Photos. Have a HOT TIP? have been nicer. When Mike Blair left the band in the summer of 1968, Gregg Philbin replaced Blair, Marty Shepard played trumpet and Joe McCabe played sax until McCabe moved to Southern Illinois University. On your next view you will be asked to log in or create an account to continue reading. looking for a different entertainment value.. Thats a complicated question Xavier, but the short answer is that the creativity just wasnt there anymore, and it just wasnt working. Born in Hampton, Middlesex, in July 1947, May showed an interest in music at a very early age -- learning to play the ukulele and piano before receiving his first guitar as a present on his seventh birthday. Theyre the biggest bunch of jerks Ive ever met. I was wondering what was happening, but something was changing. The Midwestern United States was the original REO Speedwagon fan stronghold and is pivotal in this period of the band's history. [4] Philbin was replaced with another Champaign, Illinois musician, Centennial High School alumnus, Bruce Hall,[2] to record You Can Tune a Piano but You Can't Tuna Fish. I think that still to this day its the only yellow t-shirt Ive ever owned. They reckoned we needed an appearance albums, Nine Lives was a very different beast from the previous record. REO Speedwagon is an all-time great band, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield voters just placed REO Speedwagon #1 for the states bicentennial celebration Illinois200. Formed in 1967, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. Spending the first two years being a stay-at-home dad, he then opened a restaurant, featuring California cuisine and a chef from New York. In 2004, Gratz adapted Washington Irving's famous short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" into a stage play that premiered at the Knoxville Actors Co-Op. UFO had been touring the States since the end of March, starting off with their weakest areas along the East Coast and working across to strongholds like Chicago. He formed the band in the fall of 1967, with original drummer Alan Gratzer. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Writer Dave Wiggy Reynolds to research the whereabouts of former Angel keyboardist Gregg Giuffria, who wed heard had made it big in the slot machine game. A lot of people probably agree that super rock band Chicago got dissed Maybe people downstate dont like brass, or maybe voters read too much Jim DeRogatis (Rock in this city [Chicago] pretty much sucked through the 60s and 70s). to make my image as normal as possible and not look too much like the MTV romantic vampire that was popular at the time. Like most nonprofits today, the organization is looking for all types of volunteers, but of the greatest need at the moment are financial donations and people who can serve as members of the board. He was replaced by Kevin Cronin. alan gratzer restaurant. Power Ballad: Responsible for two of the best; "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling". The former drummer, who names Kings Of Leon as one of his favorite new bands, also helps deliver food to the Interfaith Food Ministry in Grass Valley, which provides food for 250 people three times a week. Where once his passion was making music as a member of REO Speedwagon, Alan Gratzer now spends his time finding ways to give back to the community, to children in particular as a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters. 644 pics- Nev City and Auburn 2009 and 2010 362 by Alan Gratzer by Alan Gratzer by Alan Gratzer by Alan Gratzer by Alan Gratzer by Alan Gratzer by Alan Gratzer This site uses cookies to improve your experience and to help show content that is more relevant to your interests. Speedwagon rose to the top of the heap!. I was a dad to our children, but I needed to be their father, Gratzer said, who spent the next two years as a stay-at-home dad. We made 16 albums, sold 40 million copies and got to see the world.. REO Speedwagon (originally styled as R.E.O. Pinterest. Neal Doughty was born in Evansville, Indiana, USA on Monday, July 29, 1946 (Baby Boomers Generation). Alan played drums with REO Speedwagon until 1990. Funny you should ask that question, because just yesterday a fan sent in a piece of video from I believe he said was from 1985, filmed at the Kemper Arena in Kansas City. Steve Scorfina (who would go on to found progressive rock/album-oriented rock band Pavlov's Dog) came aboard for over a year, composing with the band and performing live, before being replaced by Gary Richrath in late 1970. Families impacted by the storm and first responders sat near the stage for this special REO concert. After relocating in 2001, Gratzer realized he missed interacting with children and gave the local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters a call. Your time is limited, so dont waste it living someone elses life. In early 1968, Terry Luttrell became lead singer, and Bob Crownover joined as the guitar player, replacing Matt. He had been playing drums since high school and found that he loved performing. The photo shoot for the Rage for Order album was a 1980s twist that the band all agreed to. Started in my when I, sort of, caught Tomas Haake's drumstick at a Meshuggah show (which was mind-blowingly good from my front row vantage point). In London our drum kit was pushed over stage left. He also picks up food from Raleys once a week and delivers it to Interfaith Food Ministry in Grass Valley. When we asked our old buddy and longstanding R.E.O. At some point maybe I will record a solo album, but at this point I feel so well represented in R.E.O. Original drummer Alan Gratzer left in September 1988 after he decided to retire from music to open a restaurant. We made 16 albums, sold 40 million copies and got to see the world.. I think it's an undiscovered gem. It does not store any personal data. Having lost their recording contract with Epic, REO Speedwagon ended up releasing Building the Bridge (1996) on the Priority/Rhythm Safari label. I was shocked. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. : Drums player : Brian May + Friends, REO Speedwagon. I used to eat there a lot. Hard rock may be wildly unfashionable, especially in the media, but it didnt stop the album from going Top Ten. [9] They teamed up with Styx to record a new single entitled "Can't Stop Rockin'", released in March 2009, as well as for a full tour that included special guest .38 Special. Hey, this brings up a great REO Trivia opportunity. potentially be useful in slot machines. You could say they're currently sitting comfortably in the Yankee Division III, (Division I being the real mega-buck merchants, Zeppelin, the Stones, the Who etc; Division II Aerosmith, Nugent, Heart) which is still pantechnicons of plastic bigger than label-mates and current Stateside big buzz the Specials, for instance. ^^ MOBILE? Cher must have been in a jungle mood recently when she bought a leopard-print, hand-painted purse and a zebra-stripe ceramic bowl at the Taylor-Gratzer Boutique on Sunset Plaza. Did you ever eat there and was it any good? Alan Gratz's age is 50. Notable for young adult novels such as Something Rotten (2007 . Alan Gratzer. REO Speedwagon ultimately self-financed this effort, which failed to chart. What about Survivor with 1982 hit Eye of the Tiger (Jim Pterik, Frankie Sullivan). When she first clapped eyes on me she simply gawked in amazement, They made one album, "The Spirit of 1984" to coincide with, you guessed it, the year 1984 looming. Anyway, we got to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. #19). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". With Richrath on board, the regional popularity of the band grew tremendously. This is just my opinion on my own outfit, which even at the time seemed to me to be a bit absurd and over the top. An ad in the school newspaper produced their first job, a fraternity party that turned into a food fight. Eight years later Gratzer and his family relocated once again in 2001 to their present home just outside of Nevada City, Calif. Once we came here, I knew it was the perfect place, he said. Promotional Rates were found for your code. Snacks and small plates 3-6.50, steaks and chops 16-28, desserts 7, wines from 25 First impressions matter. As for music scene, his involvement now centers around listening to good music. Their reply to Stallone was the successful song Eye of the Tiger (Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 1 for six weeks and maintaining a position in the Top 40 for eighteen weeks). (C) 1978 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. Alan was a real special dude and youve got to remember he started the band. : . There was all this amazing In early 1989, Gary Richrath quit after tensions between him and Kevin Cronin boiled over. But Cronin was so generous with his time that we He knew the door was open to him, but it Spending the first two years being a stay-at-home dad, he then opened a restaurant, featuring California cuisine and a chef from New York. Just LIKE the Arlington Cardinal Page (become a fan of our page). 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But probably the craziest thing of all for me was having my hair straightened and colored with highlights. Hi Infidelity (1980) contained four US Top 40 hits and is the group's best-selling album, with over ten million copies sold. He is one of the Richest Pianist who was born in IN. Harms, disenchanted by the album's failure, left the group in early 1991. as they are didnt make it to the printed page. Alan. the ultimate rush and it puts me in a position where I want to give that back to the people. Punk. Neal: Alan lived right across the hall in my dorm at The University of Illinois. Their top song Vehicle is credited with being Warner Bros. Records fastest selling single in WB Records history. After a successful 8 year run, Gratzer decided to leave the seven-day work weeks behind and went in search of the next chapter. Following a suggestion from a friend, they sought out Nevada City one weekend. He is a healer, and capable of giving comfort to those in need - he will frequently offer a shoulder for others to cry on. He is an actor, known for FM (1978), REO Speedwagon: Tough Guys (1981) and REO Speedwagon: In Your Letter (1981). Last Updated on Mar 4 2023, 2:51 pm CST. The yellow undershirt was from a store on Melrose in Hollywood called Flips. By the late 1980s, the band's popularity was starting to decline. He found a company called Summit Systems that had a patent for a mathematical process that could 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. [16], 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. But we know youll enjoy reading it all the same. Which raises the question of what led to Gary leaving the band in '89? Take Me (as Alan) and 8 more. "Yes, when Alan left R.E.O. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The band signed to Epic Records in 1971. So for me thats Back in the mid-60's as a freshman at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, I frequented a number of taverns that would serve you if you were tall enough to look over the bar. After bugging his parents for a couple of years to get him a kit, they gave in and got him a toy set. Chicago has sold over 40 million units in the U.S., with 23 gold, 18 platinum, and eight multi-platinum albums. Rather than pronouncing REO as a single word as the motor company did, they chose to spell out the name with the individual letters each pronounced ("R-E-O"). is fucking awesome man! Theres nothing better well there is, and I think you know what that is!. My fiance at the time, Kerrie Lynn, was at the photo shoot. I aint ever having them fouling up mah bus.. Eight years later Gratzer and his family relocated once again in 2001. we did on that tour, where I started the song on acoustic guitar for the first couple of verses, then the band kicked in and we played the rest of the song electric. [11], In Summer 2010, the band then touring with Pat Benatar announced that it would release a 30th anniversary deluxe edition reissue of Hi Infidelity. It was a rendition of Roll With The Changes that REO Speedwagon toured the US in 1985, including a sold-out concert in Madison, Wisconsin in May. gcse.src = 'https://cse.google.com/cse.js?cx=' + cx; Ah, but I'm devouring this tale the way Buster Bloodvessel would polish off a triple Big Mac, bits flying off in all directions and a massive smear of melted cheddar dripping down my collar. Alan Gratzer Syracuse native Alan Gratzer was a founding member of REO Speedwagon and played drums on the band's biggest hits like "Can't Fight This Feeling" and "Take it on the Run." 28. Their brilliant all-white image and shiny glam/rock/pop hybrid was made for MTV, but the band threw in the towel in 1981, just as the cable TV station was gearing up to change the face of music forever by pumping out At that point, REO had been making music for almost 14 years. by Marty Reimenschneider . In 1968, Gratzer and roommate Neal Doughty started REO Speedwagon in their residence hall at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. We don't want to go to Vietnam! and thats when the anti-war movement really In 1977 bassist Gregg Philbin left the band. Success in the States is harder to come by, but they seem to relish the challenge. 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. The 1990 release The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken, with Bryan Hitt (formerly of Wang Chung) on drums, was a commercial disappointment. var gcse = document.createElement('script'); Survivor Life Is On The Line [Haymakers, 645 Milwaukee Avenue, Prospect Heights/Wheeling 1978]. In the end we decided the idea wasnt entirely in the celebratory spirit of the mag, but had already asked former Kerrang! Lutter & Wegner. T.W.O and the cow album are my personal favorites with Kevin. The album went on to sell over 2 million copies in the US, ultimately achieving double platinum status. and shakes a tambourine and does background vocals on Roll With The Changes. REO Speedwagon (originally styled as R.E.O. Descubr lo que tu empresa podra llegar a alcanzar. Huge fan of Lost in a Dream. The Daily Heralds Jim Baumann is happy with REO Speedwagon being on the list, but he sees a problem with rock band Chicago not even making the top 21. We were all young and hungry, and we didn't Thank you for signing in! By using this site, you . These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. REO drummer Alan Gratzer was born in Syracuse, New York, and almost immediately displayed an interest in drums. The band played in Champaign area bars in its early years. Formed in 1967, the group originally included guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Blair, keyboardist Neal Doughty and drummer Alan Gratzer. Learn all about Alan Gratzer on AllMusic. The title track did make R&R's AC Top 30 chart. My Blog. Facebook gives people the power to. REO Speedwagon included co-founder and our own Alan Gratzer from Arlington Heights. Spending the first two years being a stay-at-home dad, he then opened a restaurant, featuring California cuisine and a chef from New York. Also discover more detailed information about your Current Net worth as well as Monthly/Year . He has ranked on the list of those famous people who were born on July 29, 1946. Lead guitarist Gary Richrath quit because of what Cronin calls "a difference of lifestyle choices that were insurmountable." Dave Amato. It took a lot of wooing though. It made us feel we were starting over again and the guys in Quo couldn't when well be back, but I doubt it will be this year because weve got this big US co-headline tour with the Styx planned, and I was just away from home too much last year. On November 22, 2013 they announced a benefit concert with Styx titled "Rock to the Rescue" to raise money for the affected families of the tornadoes in central Illinois. Everything, that is, except hotels. The pendulum swung back and forth. I have roughly 175 pair of used, signed to me drumsticks from famous drummers all over the world, including signed pictures from famous musicians all over the world. In early 2014, it was announced that REO Speedwagon and Chicago would be teaming up for 15 dates throughout 2014. Queensrche guitarist Michael Wilton was a good sport and told us about the bands 1986 Rage For Order album "look" and the apparent need for an appearance image, whatever the hell that is! [19], In 2017 the Hi Infidelity album received the Diamond Award for official U.S. sales of over ten million copies.[20]. There was no Photoshop back then. River Of Life and 9 more. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. The High Numbers* - High Heel Sneakers / I'm A Man (7", Single) I'm Feeling Good (as Alan) and 9 more. Each outfit has a sound that's not exactly intertwined with the other, and neither needs the other to fill an amphitheateryet REO and Chicago once again teamed up for tour dates during the summer of 2018. [17], The band toured the UK arena circuit with Status Quo in December 2016. In 1970 the US Government ended what they called college deferments. TO READ THE FULL STORY: Subscribe Now LOG IN Read this article +get instant access TO 45 YEARS of Modern Drummer issues On his first night, he met another student, Alan Gratzer. I dont feel a huge urge to do a solo record because the band is pretty much in tune with what Im looking for musically.. Musicians Neal Doughty, Alan Gratzer, Gary Richrath, Kevin Cronin and Bruce Hall of the rock band REO Speedwagon backstage at their show at Jou Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 27th, 1981. Nevertheless, the clothes I wore at that infamous photo shoot have been an interesting subject for me ever since. Alan F Gratzer Auburn, age 77, male. outside the venue, which was normal. It felt to us like the majority of Quo fans were "Here with Me" cracked the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the top ten on the Adult Contemporary chart. In the fall of 1966, Neal Doughty entered the electrical engineering program at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois, as a junior. Luttrell left the band in early 1972, eventually becoming the vocalist for Starcastle. REO Speedwagon headlined on the M&I Classic Rock Stage at the Milwaukee Summerfest on June 30, 2011. After a successful 8 year run, Gratzer decided to leave the seven-day work weeks behind and went in search of the next chapter. Gratzer also donates platelets on occasion. North Carolina. Yes, when Alan left R.E.O. On November 21, 1980, REO Speedwagon released Hi Infidelity, which represented a change in sound, going from hard rock to more pop-oriented material. I think people perked up when they first heard Roll With The Changes and the radio community around the United States liked what they heard. Browse 15 alan gratzer stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. I think the point of the video was to gather all their professional musician friends and do a stellar "I Got A Line On You" similar to McCartney's . It messed with my head, it sounded weird and it felt weird, so we did a re-shuffle and by the time we got You have permission to edit this article. We were excited about Hi Infidelity, there was a good vibe in the The hits we had tended to be the lighter material. On Popular Bio, He is one of the successful Pianist. So I watched it and was totally blown away. World's leading marketplace. What was the music scene like back in the late 60s in Champaign, Illinois when you were all kids? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A lucky kid living near Grass Valley, Calif., has one of the coolest surrogate brothers around former, REO Speedwagon First Drummer Rolls With The Changes. Sort of by happenstance, I've started a small signature and signed drumstick collection. Explore. Gratzer, founder and drummer of REO Speedwagon, a rock n roll band popular in the 70s and 80s, lives just outside of Nevada City with his wife, a marriage and family therapist working with Milhous Childrens Services. It is a true institution, active since 1811 on Charlottesnstrasse, and it provides classic dishes like schnitzel and the famous and super sweet Sacher torte. Why do you think the album made you commercially successful? The album was released in 1978 and has received FM radio airplay over the years, thanks to songs like "Roll with the Changes" and "Time for Me to Fly". Over the course of its career, the band has sold more than 40 million records and has charted thirteen Top 40 hits, including the number ones "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling". Generation X. Alan Gratz was born in the middle of Generation X. But it still wasnt good! Their set is suffused with diamond ditties, not least Shoot Shoot, Doctor Doctor, Let It Roll, Rock Bottom and the mighty Lights Out the 1977 album of that name cemented their legend, but for many fans last years double album Strangers In The Night is the score to beat. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. [7] The Hits (1988) is a compilation album from REO Speedwagon. Shortly thereafter, May and his father began to build a custom guitar from scratch. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Richard Marx joined REO on stage for a joint performance of two of his hit songs. in the centre of the stage where were used to it being, and thats how it was for the first couple of shows. But regardless, we tried to have some fun with it. The Vietnam War was raging Since the childs mother doesnt drive, Gratzer and he spends their time together going out and exploring. Watch. The Alan, 18 Princess Street, Manchester M1 4LG (0161 236 8999). Impressum We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Ides of March Vehicle Live at Song House of Blues 2014. L. o R. Neal Doughty, Gary Richrath, Wilbur Fruity, Kevin Cronin, Alan Gratzer and Bruce Hall . The most popular track on this record was "157 Riverside Avenue". They continued to perform cover songs in campus bars, fraternity parties, and university events.