“I am deeply disturbed and hurt”: Kevin Cronin opens up about REO Speedwagon reunion exclusion

REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin has opened up about his exclusion from the band’s upcoming reunion.

The 73-year-old took to Facebook to announce the tour dates of The Kevin Cronin Band, which will be performing from February 23 to 27, 2026. One of the fans commented on his post and wrote that they will miss him performing at the Speedwagon’s reunion on June 14 at Champaign, Illinois.

“I'll be thinking about you on June 14 at honoring the legends of reo speedwagon with Terry and Mike singing. Sure would be nice if you were to attend.” The fan wrote.

In his response, Cronin expressed his disappointment in not being able to perform at the concert along with the former band members due to a prior commitment to perform with Styx and his band. He said that they could have picked up a different date, and wrote:

“Bottom line, I am being asked to participate in an event on a date when I can’t possibly be there in-person. And then being falsely accused of turning down the invitation. I am deeply disturbed and hurt by all of this.”

What else do we know about Kevin Cronin’s response to the fan and his connection with the band, REO Speedwagon? Let us explore.

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All we know about Kevin Cronin’s connection to REO Speedwagon and his exclusion from the band’s reunion

Kevin Cronin expressed his disappointment after being excluded from REO Speedwagon’s reunion, which is supposed to be held on June 14, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois.

The members who will be performing at the event include Neal Doughty, Alan Gratzer, Bruce Hall, Terry Luttrell, Mike Murphy, and Steve Scorfina.

While responding to his fan’s comment on Facebook, Cronin also added that he has been a part of the band’s legacy and helped to build it over the years, but now he has been “knowingly excluded.” He wrote:

“After all I have done to help build the legacy of REO Speedwagon, I feel I have earned and deserve to be included in any event honoring that legacy. Instead, I have been knowingly excluded … kc”

Additionally, he noted that other longtime members of the band were also not invited.

“PS. 35-year REO veterans Dave Amato and Bryan Hitt were not even shown the respect of being invited to the Champaign event.” He concluded.

According to a report in Ultimate Classic Rock, Kevin Cronin first joined REO Speedwagon in 1972. He left the band shortly after contributing to the album R.E.O./T.W.O. in 1973 due to creative differences with the band, but rejoined less than three years later in time for the R.E.O. album.

He is known for his hit tracks, Keep On Loving You and Can't Fight This Feeling, Take It On the Run, Roll With the Changes, Time for Me to Fly, and Don't Let Him Go.