Early Years 1971-1977 (Lamshell Boxset)(8CD)

Although best known for the AOR and radio hits from the early 1980s (which included the number ones Keep On Loving You and Can't Fight This Feeling), R.E.O. Speedwagons long history goes way back to their formation in Champaign, Illinois in 1967. Initially a covers band playing bars and fraternity houses, the initial line-up of Neal Doughty on keyboards, Alan Gratzer on drums and vocals, Joe Matt on guitar and vocals and Mike Blair on bass and vocals, named themselves after the R.E.O. Speed Wagon, a model of American flat-bed truck. By the time they came to record their debut LP for Epic Records in 1971, the line-up had settled around Terry Luttrell on lead vocals, driving force Gary Richrath on guitar and Gregg Philbin on bass, joining Neal Doughty and Alan Gratzer.

Although guitarist Gary Richrath has long been an important and influential figure in the songwriting and musical direction of the band, by the release of second LP, R.E.O./T.W.O., the band were joined by Kevin Cronin on lead vocals. His tenure with R.E.O. was cut short when he was replaced on lead vocals by Mike Murphy for 1973s Ridin The Storm Out, 1974s Lost In A Dream and 1975s This Time We Mean It, the latter co-produced by future Eagles producer, Bill Szymczyk. By 1976s REO, Kevin Cronin had returned to the fold, making a significant contribution to the songwriting alongside Gary Richrath. Produced by John Stronach, REO would also be the last studio LP to feature Gregg Philbin on bass, whod be replaced by Bruce Hall following 1977s double concert album LIVE (YOU GET WHAT YOU PLAY FOR). Going platinum the following year, whilst making a healthy dent on the Billboard Hot 100, it was recorded at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, the Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri and the Electric Ballroom in Atlanta, Georgia. As well as extensive liner notes from Malcolm Dome, this expansive 8 disc set features a wealth of bonus tracks; self-titled debut album CD1: R.E.O. SPEEDWAGON [1971] features mono single versions of 157 Riverside Avenue, Lay Me Down and Sophisticated Lady. CD2: R.E.O. T.W.O. [1972] features a mono single cover of Chuck Berrys Little Queenie. CD3: RIDIN' THE STORM OUT [1973] features bonus mono single versions of Ridin' The Storm Out, Open Up plus 'Ridin' The Storm Out and 'Son Of A Poor Man' featuring Kevin Cronin on vocals. CD4: LOST IN A DREAM [1974] features a mono single version Throw The Chains Away. CD5: THIS TIME WE MEAN IT [1975] features mono single versions of Reelin' and Out Of Control. CD6: REO [1976] mono single version of Keep Pushin' plus a live take of the same song. CD7 & CD 8: LIVE (YOU GET WHAT YOU PLAY FOR) [1977] finishes off this collection, and restores the record to its original full length double album by including both Gary's Guitar Solo and Little Queenie, which were omitted from the original single CD release due to time constraints