How REO Speedwagon Wrote The Rock Radio Classic “Ridin’ The Storm Out” After Surviving a Real Storm

REO Speedwagon formed on the campus of the University of Illinois in 1967. Following lineup changes in their early years, they released their self-titled album in 1970. Shortly before their debut release, guitarist Gary Richrath traveled from Peoria, Illinois, to Champaign to join the new band. Their debut was a minor success, primarily regionally, as the band grew a following in the Midwest. Following their debut, lead singer Terry Luttrell was removed from the lineup. A young folk singer out of Chicago was hired, named Kevin Cronin. This would be Cronin’s first brief run in the band, as he would pen two No. 1 hits for the band a decade later. With Cronin, they released T.W.O in 1972, which initially sold worse than the debut. Despite commercial failure at the time, many of the tracks would later become staples of the band’s live performances.

Kevin Cronin Details The Storm That Inspired Their Future Radio Hit

While touring in support of T.W.O, REO found themselves in the middle of a storm. Kevin Cronin told the story on Ultimate Classic Rock Radio in 2024. “We had climbed this crazy cliff in Rocky Mountain National Park, just north of Boulder. I had no business being up there. But everyone else went, so I’m like, ‘Alright, I guess I’ve got to go too.’ We got to the top of this rocky cliff, and we’re sitting there. You know, in Colorado, the weather can change on a dime. When we left, it was a sunny, clear day. Here we are on top of this cliff; we look up, and there are these dark clouds headed our way, and they’re coming in quick.

Cronin went on to explain, “It’s one thing climbing up a cliff; climbing down is where it gets interesting. Especially if you’re afraid that you’re going to get caught in a blizzard. We obviously made it back to Boulder in one piece. I think that air raid kind of sound came from the fact that we were in danger. We needed to get out and get away from where we were quickly.”

Cronin Leaves, Returns, and The Live Version of “Ridin’ The Storm Out” is Released

Though “Ridin’ The Storm Out” is credited to Gary Richrath, Cronin was part of the experience. The song would be on their third album, titled Ridin’ The Storm Out. During recording, Kevin Cronin experienced vocal issues, leading to his dismissal from the group. Cronin would be replaced by Mike Murphy, and his original recording of “Ridin’ The Storm Out” was re-recorded by Murphy. Murphy then fronted the band for two albums before Cronin’s return in 1975.

With Cronin, the band recorded R.E.O in 1976, which featured vocal contributions from both Richrath and Cronin. Following this, the band decided to record and release a live album, produced by Richrath and Cronin. They felt their live sound was their strongest feature. Subsequently, Live: You Get What You Play For was released in 1977. The live album featured performances from across the Midwest. The version of “Ridin’ The Storm Out” featured on this live album would become a rock radio staple. Propelled by Gary Richrath’s astonishing, flashing guitar abilities mixed with Cronin’s raw, unique vocal approach, the song became one of the band’s signature tracks.

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