REO Speedwagon is coming to the McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids on July 3, 2021, and they're bringing opening act, HEAD EAST! Tickets start at $39.00 plus applicable fees and go on sale Friday, April 9th at 10:00 a.m. at Ticketmaster and the Alliant Energy PowerHouse ticket office. Face masks will be required for this event but may be removed when actively eating or drinking.
About REO Speedwagon: Formed in 1967, signed in 1971, and fronted by iconic vocalist Kevin Cronin since 1972, REO Speedwagon is a band where the main constant over the decades is a never-ending desire to give their all to their fans, year in and year out. Formed loosely in the late ‘60s at college in Champaign, IL, REO (named after the precursor to the light truck) rode to gigs in station wagons, hopping from small gigs to even tinier gigs, just to get their name out. It worked, as fans quickly realized there was much more going on here than your average college party band. By the early ‘70s, the band’s unrelenting drive, as well as non-stop touring and recording, jump-started the burgeoning rock movement in the Midwest. It carved a path that was eventually followed by STYX, Kansas, Cheap Trick and more. Platinum albums and freeform FM radio staples such as “Ridin’ The Storm Out” followed, setting the stage for 1980’s explosive Hi Infidelity (received the Recording Industry Association of America’s 10X Diamond Award for surpassing sales of 10 million units in the U.S.). REO rode the top of the charts with a RIAA-certified 22 million albums sold in the U.S. and 40 million around the globe, with a string of gold and platinum records and international hit singles. In 1994, when many rock bands of their era had either broken up, or were feeling like their days were numbered, the REO team came up with a co-headline tour concept that breathed new life into the world of touring. The “Can’t Stop Rockin’” amphitheater tour featuring Fleetwood Mac, REO, and Pat Benatar was a huge success and blazed the trail for the very popular co-headline tours that are seen nationwide today.
Today, fully established with songs on the radio in every city and town they ever set foot in, REO Speedwagon still has that Midwest work ethic. The band has gone on stage and in the studio to work– dozens of albums, thousands of concerts, and countless radio spins. Their eyes have always been on the future and on the road – not a year has gone by where REO Speedwagon didn’t perform live, thrilling fans with hit filled sets. At the center of REO’s desire to keep it rocking for the fans is Kevin Cronin, who looks like he’s found the fountain of youth--along with the secret to penning some of the biggest hits in rock. With bandmates Bruce Hall on bass, keyboardist Neal Doughty, Dave Amato on lead guitar and drummer Bryan Hitt, REO has remained busy since the band celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2007.
About Head East:
The legendary classic rock band Head East has long set the standard for authentic, full-vocal, goodtime rock harmonies that few bands can equal. Their high-energy shows are filled with superb vocals, flashy guitar work and memorable keyboard melodies that continue to rock audiences of all ages. Their signature song, "NEVER BEEN ANY REASON" with notable chorus "Save my life I'm going down for the last time" has long been considered by many radio stations across the country as "The Rock & Roll National Anthem." This year Head East will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary by performing most cuts off of their iconic record "Flat As A Pancake". The band has brought classic arena rock to countless audiences all across North America. According to founding member and keyboardist Roger Boyd, Head East will continue to bring their brand of dance and shout, good-time rock and roll to audiences of all ages for many years to come. "As long as I can lift my synthesizer over my head and the audience goes wild, we'll keep rockin' on!"
Their music has been featured in the cult movie classic Dazed and Confused, as well as Sahara and The Education of Charlie Banks, Emmy award winning TV shows Friday Night Lights and That 70s Show. Their newest release (April 2013), Raise A Little Hell, contains several Head East classic party rockers, including their monumental classic 'There's Never Been Any Reason (Save My Life),' along with new, soon-to-be HE classics, that capture all of the excitement, energy and magic of their live shows.
Head East is a 5-piece band consisting of Roger Boyd (keyboards & vocals), Greg Manahan (bass, lead guitar & vocals), Glen Bridger (lead guitar & vocals), Eddy Jones (drums & vocals), and Darren Walker (lead vocals & bass). They have always been one of the friendliest, most approachable, professional bands in rock and roll who are willing to make themselves available at all times for interviews and "meet and greets".
Head East maintains a close bond with their loyal fans through their official website, YouTube channel, Facebook and Twitter pages, and their official newsletter. The band is popular throughout the world and regularly receives fan correspondence from many nations and from across the United States.