Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Anytime Champaign’s REO Speedwagon comes home to Illinois it’s a special occasion, but after front man Kevin Cronin bounced back from a temporary hospitalization, those who sold out the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet seemed more excited than usual. The rocker himself thanked everyone for their patience from a previous postponement (despite not specifically disclosing what happened) and appeared genuinely moved that everyone held onto their tickets rather than requesting refunds for the 2018 edition of “Ridin’ The Storm Out.”

“Son Of A Poor Man” (penned by late guitarist Gary Richrath) came straight out of Peoria, while REO Speedwagon’s insatiable desire to keep performing was best described throughout “Back On The Road Again” (ably sung by bassist Bruce Hall).

Unlike the ongoing co-headlining rounds with Styx, REO Speedwagon was the main attraction on this particular program, ensuring a little extra beyond the expected. “Don’t Let Him Go,” “Keep Pushin’” and “Can’t Fight This Feeling” were a few earlier points of universal connection, though the band also kept the mood current with the yet-to-be-recorded “Whipping Boy,” which was built out of the guys’ firm beliefs that everyone deserves respect, equality and dignity.

It was a point well taken in an evening frequently filled with themes of pressing on in the face of adversity, searching for love and all-around life affirmations, often times centered right here in the heartland. “Son Of A Poor Man” (penned by late guitarist Gary Richrath) came straight out of Peoria, while the group’s insatiable desire to perform was best described throughout “Back On The Road Again” (ably sung by bassist Bruce Hall).

As for Cronin, he remains a likeable front man, though his voice isn’t nearly as strong as it used to be and he relied on the audience to fill in some of the blanks on the ballads “Take It On The Run,” “Time For Me To Fly” and “Keep On Loving You.” Even so, no one appeared to notice or care (especially those with a few beers in them) and the otherwise tight act kept business going as usual, stampeding through “Roll With The Changes” (with an ecstatic female fan briefly leaping up on stage) and closing with the Tom Petty tribute “Listen To Her Heart” as if it were one more enduring REO original.

Click here for more photos of REO Speedwagon at the Rialto Square Theatre.

For additional information on REO Speedwagon, visit Speedwagon.com.

For a list of upcoming NiteLite Promotions shows, visit Nitelite.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Rialto Sqaure Theatre include The Manhattan Transfer (Mar. 14); Dwight Yoakam (Mar. 29); “Ricky Nelson Remembered” starring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson (Mar. 30); Buddy Guy (Mar. 31); Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo: “A Very Intimate Acoustic Evening” (Apr. 3); Lewis Black (Apr. 6); Los Lobos and The Fabulous Thunderbirds (Apr. 8); Daughtry (Apr. 16); Engelbert Humperdinck (Apr. 21) and Jim Jefferies (Apr. 27). For additional details, visit RialtoSquare.com.

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