Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The sand in REO Speedwagon’s hourglass is almost running out as January 1, 2025 rapidly approaches, which is the date the beloved Illinois band said it will cease touring, though it wasn’t before selling out Rockford’s BMO Center, the history-making hosts of this final home state show.

Lead singer Kevin Cronin led longtime guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt, plus keyboardist Derek Hilland filling for founder Neal Doughty, now retired from the road, while bassist Matt Bissonnette did the same for lifer Bruce Hall, who has yet to return following back surgery and subsequently had “irreconcilable differences” arise with the front man.

Granted, it would’ve been ideal for all the guys to wave goodbye together, or better yet, not break apart in the first place, but at least it sounded preciously like REO Speedwagon should throughout a 90-minute trip down memory lane.

Unsurprisingly, the group spent the most time focusing on the blockbuster “Hi Infidelity” album, which sold more than ten million copies and practically defined the classic rock scene of the early 1980s.

Even so, “Don’t Let Him Go,” “Take It On The Run,” and of course, “Keep On Loving You” still hold a ubiquitous place today and had the wide range of ages screaming along.

REO Speedwagon made sure to “Keep Pushin’” through other periods, including fellow power ballad “Can’t Find This Feeling,” in addition to the earlier electricity of “Music Man,” “Son Of A Poor Man” and “Golden Country.”

It was eventually “Time For Me To Fly,” yet not before “Ridin’ The Storm Out,” and despite fans having no choice but to “Roll With The Changes,” at least Cronin and company bowed out on the highest of highs.

Right beforehand, Canada’s Loverboy added a pile of its own arena rockers to the hit parade, such as “Notorious” and “Queen Of The Broken Hearts” to get loose, sung solidly by Mike Reno and propelled by almost all of the original players.

They indeed lived up to the title of “The Kid Is Hot Tonite” and the audience was “Lovin’
Every Minute of It,” especially when “Working For The Weekend” got everyone revved up and ready to keep on rolling.

For additional information on REO Speedwagon and Loverboy, visit REOSpeedwagon.com and LoverboyBand.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the BMO Center include Disney On Ice: “Mickey’s Search Party” (Jan. 16-20); Jo Koy (Jan. 25); Cirque Du Soleil: “Crystal” (Feb. 6-9) and Greg Gutfeld (Jun. 8). For additional details, visit BMOCenter.ASMRockford.com.

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