Kevin Cronin
born on 6/10/1951 in Evanston, IL, United States
Kevin Cronin
| Kevin Cronin |
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Kevin Patrick Cronin (born 6 October 1951) is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and occasional pianist for the American rock band, REO Speedwagon. REO Speedwagon had several hits on the Billboard Hot 100 throughout the 1980s, including two chart-toppers written by Cronin: "Keep on Loving You" (1981) and "Can't Fight This Feeling" (1985).
Early life and career
Cronin was born in Evanston, Illinois. He graduated from Brother Rice High School in Chicago, Illinois.
REO Speedwagon switched lead vocalists three times for their first three albums. Terry Luttrell left the band shortly after the group recorded its debut album in 1971, and was replaced by Cronin. Cronin recorded one album with the band, 1972's R.E.O./T.W.O., but left the band soon after, because of missed rehearsals and creative disagreements. Ridin' the Storm Out was the band's third release with as many singers; this time Mike Murphy took the microphone. Murphy stayed on for two more albums, before Cronin returned to the fold in 1976. Cronin's return came after Greg X. Volz turned down the position for lead vocals due to his conversion to Christianity. The band's success hit its peak in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but are still releasing records such as Find Your Own Way Home in 2007. Their most famous album, Hi Infidelity, sold over 10 million copies. Kevin is always in a good mood but has stated in various interviews that they "play for free but get paid for the traveling".
Kevin has written or co-written many of the band's hit songs such as "Keep on Loving You", "Can't Fight This Feeling", "The Key", "Keep Pushin'", "Roll With the Changes", "Time for Me to Fly", "Movin'", "Here With Me", "In My Dreams", "Tough Guys", "Don't Let Him Go" and "Music Man".
Cronin was a celebrity contestant on Don't Forget the Lyrics! on March 27, 2008. He reached $350,000 before forgetting the lyrics to "Last Dance" by Donna Summer.
He has a wife named Lisa and an older son named Paris. He also has a 16 year-old daughter, Holly, and two 13 year old twins, Josh and Shane (ages as of 03/25/2013).
He appears on infomercial advertising TimeLife's Ultimate Rock Ballads,[1] which feature tracks by REO Speedwagon, mostly from the 1980s, when the band enjoyed their greatest success.
Guitars
- 1952 Fender Telecaster
- 1958 Fender Broadcaster
- Gibson Les Paul
- Ovation Viper Series 6 & 12 String
- Takamine Guitars
Amps
- Vox AC-30 Combos
Gear
- Ernie Ball Acoustic & Electric Guitar Strings
References
- {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
| REO Speedwagon | |
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Kevin Cronin Dave Amato Neal Doughty Bruce Hall Bryan Hitt Gary Richrath Alan Gratzer Gregg Philbin Terry Luttrell Mike Murphy Duke Tumatoe Jesse Harms Graham Lear Miles Joseph Steve Scorfina Joe McCabe Mike Blair Joe Matt Marty Sheppard Bob Crownover | |
| Studio albums | REO Speedwagon R.E.O./T.W.O. Ridin' the Storm Out Lost in a Dream This Time We Mean It R.E.O. You Can Tune a Piano but You Can't Tuna Fish Nine Lives Hi Infidelity Good Trouble Wheels Are Turnin' Life as We Know It The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken Building the Bridge Find Your Own Way Home |
| Live albums | Live: You Get What You Play For Arch Allies: Live at Riverport |
| Compilations | The Ballads |
| Songs | "157 Riverside Avenue" "Keep On Loving You" "Take It on the Run" "Can't Fight This Feeling" |
This article uses material from the article Kevin Cronin from the free encyclopedia Wikipedia and it is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.