The legendary Gary Richrath plays Ridin The Storm Out with local band, Bubblegum Jack at a tornado relief concert in East Peoria, IL 1-25-14. With the death of Gary Richrath this past weekend, I am reminded of just how heady the rise to fame must be for those lucky enough to enjoy such a ride, but also how hard the eventual fall to earth can be. As for Gary Richrath, if he ever got himself whipped back into a servicable shape where he could tour with REO again, I don't think him and Kevin Cronin could get along anymore. The band’s Facebook page announced news early Monday of the “I’ll never have long hair.”. Gary Richrath, the REO Speedwagon guitarist who wrote some of the band's biggest hits, has died, according to a post by REO lead … Uploaded by Becky Meier on 2014-03-23. I always wondered where he had gone to. Richrath was born in October 1949, according to … Richrath joined REO Speedwagon prior to the group’s 1971 debut album. Gary Dean Richrath was born on October 18 1949 in Peoria, Illinois. Kevin says he is always welcome back, but that could be a bluff. The cause of death was not given. Dave Amato is not the same at all, but I bet he is a lot less … Gary Richrath playing" Take it on the Run" with angeles April 20th 2013 - YouTube I always thought he was a talented guitarist back in the day and haven't heard anything of him for years. Erik Stein confirmed on Monday that Richrath passed away but offered no details about the cause of death. The band didn’t break through until the late Seventies. Gary Richrath, a former guitarist for the classic rock band REO Speedwagon who also co-wrote the group's hit song "Take It on the Run," died Sunday, according to a publicist for the band. I even found a few posts that had the same question in a few places. Mr. Richrath loved to play live. Frontman Kevin Cronin announced the death of REO’s former lead guitarist, who was from the Peoria area, on the band’s Facebook page Sunday. Gary Richrath doing Roll With The Changes with Exit 3 22 2014. Gary was one of the greatest guitarists in the 70's and 80's, in 1991 he started his own band called Richrath with Michael Jahnz as the lead vocalist and they put out a CD called Only The Strong Survive, Gary retired from playing in the late 90's, Michael Jahnz kept the wheels turnin with a band called "Project … One of my idols, Gary Richrath, who played a wild weird out of control type of guitar that I loved, had disappeared off the face of the earth for the last few years. Richrath contributed to their success not only with his playing but with his songwriting as well. Gary Richrath “Ridin The Storm Out” Live 1-25-14. I saw this up close and personal in 1993 when I briefly took over booking for the longtime Chicago … He was 65. Gary Richrath … Gary Richrath, a former guitarist for the classic rock band REO Speedwagon who also co-wrote the group's hit song "Take It on the Run," died Sunday, according to a publicist for the band.