Lead singer of iconic rock band speaks out about leaving the group
Renowned classic rock frontman Kevin Cronin has finally broken his silence about his departure from the iconic band, REO Speedwagon, more than a year after his exit. In a recent interview on “The Magnificent Others” podcast, Cronin shed light on the circumstances that led to his decision to leave the band, revealing that the dynamic within the group began to shift during the pandemic.
“I started kind of reassessing some things. And I started wanting to reach further,” Cronin shared. “I was wanting a little more. And not necessarily outside the band. I wanted to lift the band in some way. So when the band got back together after the pandemic, I was psyched. And some of the guys in the band shared that excitement and some of the guys didn’t. So it became a little bit of a, like, ‘Wait a minute, what’s going on here?’ You know? And so there was a little bit of a chasm opening within the band.”
The situation escalated when bassist Bruce Hall suffered a back injury just days before a scheduled Las Vegas residency. The band enlisted Matt Bissonette, known for playing with Elton John, as a temporary replacement. However, tensions between Cronin and Bissonette arose, leading to discrepancies in their perspective.
” I love Bruce and I think he might feel like I was out to get him,” Cronin acknowledged. “I’ve heard that from people, that there’s a feeling there and it’s just not the case at all. I hold no ill feelings toward him.”
REO Speedwagon enjoyed immense success in the 70s and 80s, achieving stardom with chart-topping hits like “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and “Take It On The Run.” Despite being less prominent in contemporary music, the band continues to maintain a significant presence, garnering over 6.2 million monthly streams on Spotify alone. Furthermore, their overall streaming figures across various platforms likely exceed 15-20 million.
While REO Speedwagon’s latest studio release dates back to 2009, they have consistently released live albums in recent years, with “Movin’ On (Live Rockford ’83)” hitting shelves in 2025. With Kevin Cronin’s departure from the group, fans speculate on whether he will pursue a solo career. However, details about any solo ventures or possible tours remain undecided at this time.
In the world of classic rock, the end of an era is bittersweet. The departure of a revered figure like Kevin Cronin from a band as legendary as REO Speedwagon marks the closing of a chapter in music history. Despite uncertainties about the future, fans remain hopeful for the next phase of Cronin’s musical journey.