We first became aware of REO Speedwagon - as did a majority of their enthusiastic fanbase - when the Hi-Infidelity album burst on the scene in 1980 on the strength of its power ballads and high energy rock anthems. REO opened the show with a strong one-two punch of "Don't Let Him Go" and "Take It On the Run" which set the pace and proved their engine is still running on high-octane rock. The band only slowed down for "Keep On Loving You" (also from this album) and "Can't Fight This Feeling" from 1984's Wheels Are Turnin'. These two monster radio hits kept the fans happy and the cell phones held high.

We were intrigued by REO's "overnight success" back in the day and so we went to the back catalogue to learn more about the band. The predecessor to Hi-Infidelity was 1979's Nine Lives which gave the evening's performance "Back On The Road Again" - sung by the band's longtime bass player and vocally capable Bruce Hall - and together with the band delivered an urgent tale about life on the rock and roll road.

Digging deeper led us to 1978's landmark You Can Tune a Piano but You Can't Tuna Fish - which was the album that took them from regional act to national recognition with the rocker "Roll With The Changes" (a karaoke favorite and one of the best rock anthems ever) and the acoustic "Time For Me To Fly". Both these songs were in the set at the PNC show.

The overwhelming success of the band's most notable power ballads was a double edge sword for the group which muted the fact that - early on - the Speedwagon was an outfit that played loud and powerful roots-based rock. They've never stopped rocking - but along the way they've become one of music's most misunderstood acts. For fans of classic REO there was a lot of their earlier - more raucous - work on display.

REO's second album, called T.W.O. - the band's first with lead singer Kevin Cronin - was a gritty effort - with brash and bold songs including the anthemic "Golden Country" which K.C. dedicated to better times ahead for our nation and the world.

Ridin' the Storm Out was the band's 1973 release and the evening concert included the title track as the set closer and fan favorite "Son of a Poor Man" - a song about dating out of one's league and following your dreams.

The Speedwagon's self-titled R.E.O. from 1976 is perhaps the most overlooked album in their canon. This album was the bridge from their raw rock to their more polished pop and contains some of their best numbers including "Keep Pushin'" which was an encouraging and uplifting reminder to keep at it.

REO's been at it now for almost four decades and with their strong performances and well-reviewed shows on the CSR Tour the band (Dave Amato - guitar; Kevin Cronin - lead vocals, guitar, Neal Doughty - keyboards, Bruce Hall - bass, Bryan Hitt - drums) have put us on notice that they're gonna keep on truckin' because they Can't Stop Rockin!

REO Speedwagon: Scenes from their Can't Stop Rockin Tour stop at the PNC Arts Center.

Related Links: For more information on REO SPEEDWAGON and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- speedwagon.com | Buy New REO CD | PNC Arts Center | Search "speedwagon"

Originally Published: 07/07/2009 on Kweevak.com