Named after an old fashioned firetruck, REO Speedwagon formed as a jam band in 1967 that couldn't seem to settle on a lead singer. Terry Luttrell was at the helm for the band's self-titled 1971 debut record, then Kevin Cronin took his place for their 1972 sophomore release, "R.E.O./T.W.O." For their third record in 1973, "Ridin' The Storm Out," Mike Murphy sang for the band. Murphy would stay on board for two additional records before Cronin returned as the frontman in 1976 for good. The band's first chart appearance finally arrived in 1977 with Cronin at the helm for a live version of their earlier track, "Ridin' The Storm Out." It only went to #95, but it began a remarkable run of hits for this incarnation of the band that lasted until 1990 when "Love Is A Rock" peaked at #65. With Cronin back on board, the band's sound shifted towards more pop-oriented songs that radio was eager to play. Along the way, the band racked up two #1 hits with "Keep On Loving You" in 1980 and "Can't Fight This Feeling" in 1985. Other notable Top 10 singles included "Take It On The Run" (#5) and "Keep The Fire Burnin'" (#7). "I Don't Want To Lose You" was one of two new tracks featured on the band's 1988 compilation called "The Hits." The album was a huge success for the band, selling over four million copies. While "I Don't Wanna Lose You" didn't chart, the other new tune, "Here With Me," did - it reached #20 and was the band's last visit to the Top 40.
Jimmy Harnen released his one and only album in 1989 entitled, "Can't Fight The Midnight." The story of this record goes back to 1986 with a pop rock outfit from Pennsylvania called Synch. Harnen was their drummer, but decided to sing vocals on one of their ballads, a song called "Where Are You Now?" It became the band's only charting single, hitting #77 in 1986. The song resurfaced in 1989 thanks to heavy repeated airplay by a number of DJs and it shot all the way to #10. Its success scored Harnen a record deal, but as we all know, it flopped. The record, which features Randy Jackson (Journey, American Idol) on bass, Steve Lukather (Toto) on guitar, and a guest spot from Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), remains an underground favorite in AOR circles. Harnen had more in him than just high school prom themes, and quite a few of these tracks rock a bit. Such is the way with "For All The Wrong Reasons," a song I predict could have been a hit for Twisted Sister.
