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But it would be fun to have some success as a co-writer. Who is the lead singer in REO Speedwagon? It was one of those albums which was definitely top-heavy with songs that people, to this daythey come to our concerts and we play at least five or six songs from Hi Infidelity every night. Cronin had been inspired to write the album after his son, Paris, fell into drug addiction. However, there, Read More 10 Things You Didnt Know about DJ PaulContinue, Your email address will not be published. Thanks to their appearance, REO songs "Keep On Loving You," "Can't Fight This Feeling," "Time for Me to Fly," and "Take It On the Run" have all re-entered Billboard's Hot Rock Songs chart. Cant Fight This Feeling is definitely the song that when most people think of me as a songwriter, thats the first one that comes to their head. In early 1968, Terry Luttrell became lead singer, and Bob Crownover joined as the guitar player, replacing Matt. "The lead singer of REO Speedwagon, Kevin - he's a rock-n-roll Hall of Famer - he said, 'How about that LaTonya, your first live performance, and you've got a platinum record already.' ". Showing Editorial results for kevin cronin of reo speedwagon. Cronin also presented LaTonya with the plaque commemorating the Billboard chart-topping single's 1981 platinum status for sales of more than 1 million copies. Then theres gun violence. My biggest successes are songs that I write myself. Theres something going on emotionally for me, usually some kind of a feeling that I either dont understand yet, or I understand and havent figured out how to express it yet. When we play those songs, you can just feel the energy in the room light up. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. 9/28/2010 1:00 PM PT With '80s hits like " Keep On Loving You " and " Can't Fight This Feeling ," Kevin. So if the viewer remembers that this is a dental convention, that line is kind of funny. DK: These days, so much of the songwriting process is co-writing, particularly in Nashville. You have entered an incorrect email address! I'm self-taught on. Search instead in. So my dental line kinda bombed. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. After releasing one album (1972s R.E.O./T.W.O,), he left the band during the recording of 1973s Ridin the Storm Out over creative differences. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Maybe it was just the timing of when it was released. I've been singing since kindergarten. He was a member of the band when it released its self-titled debut in 1971 and was with REO Speedwagon until 1989. Kevin Cronin is a member of REO Speedwagon, one of the most popular rock bands of the 1980s. Turning 17 is a big deal. DK: A few years later, you followed up with another big ballad, Cant Fight This Feeling. Is this song perhaps the most popular song youve written? But I remember when I just struggling to figure it out and the journey that a song takes is so remarkable and thinking back as a young songwriter, I remember that Keep Pushin was the first song that I actually wrote that I thought Yeah, I could hear this on the radio. If it came on the radio, I dont think I would turn the channel (laughs). It gave me an outlet for expressing myself when I was very young and didnt know any other way to do it. I sat down and started playing those chordsthat was what the song came from. I didnt really picture myself as a Los Angeles person, Im a Midwest boy. I had just stopped at a truck stop in New MexicoI had a brown paper bag that was sitting on the seat next to me, when the thoughts of the lyrics started coming to me. These are ten things you didnt, Read More 10 Things You Didnt Know about Andrew BaenaContinue, Angel Vivaldi is a New Jersey-based progressive metal guitarist, composer, producer, environmentalist, and philanthropist. It's been a pretty amazing journey. So I wanted to drive. Time for Me to Fly has taken me on an amazing musical journey that started when I wrote it in 1970. They perform about 100 dates a year. In the episodes opening sequence, Time for Me to Fly is used, then its on the car radio and Laura Linneys character Wendy is singing along. I am an avid Mac-user, nerd, musician, freelancer, and gamer. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Cronin: Ive written songs on both, honestly. Still now, this band is remarked and will be noted for its best performance in rock kinds of music. Erik Stein confirmed on Monday that Richrath passed away but offered no details about the cause of death. He needed the money to buy the group's back catalogue. Lead Singer of REO Speedwagon: 'Memba Him? Cronin: That song, coincidentally, was number one 35 years ago from right now. I learned most of what I know about being in a rock band from Gary Richrath, REO Speedwagons lead singer, Kevin Cronin, wrote on the bands website and Facebook page. The memoir (which is tentatively titled Roll With the Changes: My Life Within and Without REO Speedwagon) is now in its final stages -according to Cronin, it should be finished in time for a 2022 release. There was this girl in Chicago who Im still in touch with to this daywere still friends. Well, then you're going to love this blog post! Kevin Patrick Cronin (born October 6, 1951) is an American singer and songwriter, who is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and pianist for the rock band REO Speedwagon. achieved significant commercial success during the 1980s. Cronin, 68, spoke to EW by phone about how his band ended up in the show, what it was like being on set, and also revealed one of the weirdest gigs REO Speedwagon ever played. The songs for that album had a certain cohesive nature to them. Even our (REO) song Take It On The Run which Gary Richrath wrote, Heard it from a friend, who heard it from a friend, who heard it from another youve been messin aroundwhen I heard that line that Gary wrote, I said this song is amazing. I was determined to do everything I could possibly do to get that song finished and help Gary in any way, so we could record that song, because that opening line just killed me. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. At that time, my [twin] sons were 19 and my daughter was 22. But, spoiler alert: REO plays a major role in one Season 3 episode, which also happens to be named after the band's lead singer, Kevin Cronin. When my children were born, I didnt name my children when my wife was pregnant. Richrath last played with the band in 2013, when the band performed a benefit concert in Bloomington, Illinois, to raise money for tornado victims. We started out as friends. REO Speedwagon has a net worth of $46 million. He might still occasionally enjoy the odd glass of wine at dinner, but he makes sure to drink it by the glass rather than the bottle. DK: Which album was it, where you started to write a good amount of the songs for the group? On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with. But I was probably over halfway finished with Cant Fight This Feeling, and I felt that it was something special. I just really felt like it was a two-person job [this past year] more than ever. Derek Chauvin's Use of Force Was 'In No Way, Shape or Form' Proper, Police Chief Testifies. Then I thoughtyou know what, so be it, then thats how it has to be, because thats what this songs name is. He was 65. Welcome to the Quantum Realm. Now, hes all about healthy eating and working out. "I have this Forrest Gump-ian way of touching something and it becomes a hit!" The bandwe were all kind of going through some chaos in our personal lives. Busted After Ariana Found Sexual Texts to Raquel. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. I think it's a combination of both. Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all. Tell me about being on set to film your scene. Get recommendations for other artists you'll love. Thats another way of doing it. In 2008, Cronin took a break from the recording studio to appear as a celebrity contestant on Dont Forget the Lyrics! The premise of the show revolved around contestants competing for a prize pot of $1million by selecting songs to sing along to alongside a karaoke-style video screen. Honestly, when I finished that song, I was really youngI was 18 or 19 when I wrote that song. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Cronin is known to play Ovations on tour, and even has his own signature guitar from the brand. I was kind of a late bloomermusic was my vehicle. I had written some songs before that were okaythey were passable. Ask me about my collection of M:TG cards! It shows how my manager calls me and asks if Im willing to launder money through our merchandise company for an extra hundred thousand dollars. You know, I went through some fictional years there in the past! What was it that inspired you to write it? It was not a high point of my life. How did it come about? The title line is, Cant you see, Ill always be a music man. It basically talked about my story in a song. REO Speedwagon skyrocketed to fame in 1980 with their chart topping . Does anyone call you The Wagon? The first time I was introduced to her, when I saw herit was that love at first sight feeling. Three other now-former officers on the scene face related charges in George's death, and will be tried later this summer. Grazing In The Grass by The Friends Of Distinction was the first big hit to use the phrase "dig it" in the lyric. I was really focused on my wife, my children and my homemy children are all in high school now. We thought it was all going to be right next to each other, like on the show. The career of Antonio Vivaldi defies music industry logic. The subjects that we were writing about were what was going on in our lives, since we were all in the same boat in a lot of ways. The song was remixed for the re-release to have more Pop appeal. But the records that came before it, the songs that our fans already knew about, like Keep Pushin and Roll With The Changes and Time For Me To Fly which hadnt really been hits, but our fans knew about them. When REO Speedwagon were at the peak of their popularity in the 1980s, their tours were known to get pretty wild. Another one like that is Keep Pushin, which I wrote a little after Music Man. That was another one where I felt likeit was soulfulI wrote it right from the heart. It was kind of shocking in a way. During the peak of their success, the band was an almost permanent fixture on the Billboard Hot 100, racking up 13 Top 40 hits, two number 1s, and selling over 40 million records in total. Night Ranger original guitarist formed in 1980. When youre writing a song, you have no idea where that songs going to end upyou dont know whats going to happen. Trivia Cronin: Well, I will tell youI was thinking about this todaythis year (2016) will be the year that I get back to knucklin down. It was number one (on the Hot 100 chart) for I think three weeks, which back in the 80s was quite an accomplishment. One day, I was really frustrated because we had an album that was due, and we really needed that song that was going to pick up where Keep On Loving You left off, and we didnt have it. Se do you feel more comfortable writing the song by yourself, or do you also love the process of co-writing? Im trained on the guitarI took guitar lessons for years when I was a kid. So I called up and cancelled the songwriting session. So the earlier songs were given a second chance as a result of the Hi Infidelity album. When Mike Blair left the band in the summer of 1968, Gregg Philbin replaced . Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Additionally, I've been playing music for the better part of 14 years. In addition to REO's jaunty 1978 hit Time for Me to Fly being used during a drug cartel kidnapping sequence, the group also makes a cameo, playing a concert at the casino and entering into a money laundering arrangement with Marty (Jason Bateman). By subscribing, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. REO Speedwagon's official music video for 'Take It On The Run'. But at the end of the episode, Marty gets dragged out of our concert and you don't know what happens to him until the next episode, where he's in Mexico. Because I had a couple lines, they gave me the script, and it didn't dawn on me at first, but then I noticed the name of the episode was Kevin Cronin Was Here. I thought that was just a working title. 1 of 13. Cronin: I was kind of a late bloomer with the ladies. [REO band member] Gary Richraththe late, great Gary Richrath who unfortunately passed away this past yearwas my partner in crime, so to speak. Artists and entertainers. LaTonya Floyd, at right, with sister Zsa Zsa Floyd at their brother George's funeral June 9, 2020. Afterwards, she spent time with Cronin, his daughter and his manager. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. She was actually going out with one of my buddies. When you talk about (the line) I once had a girl, or should I say, she once had me, the opening line from Norwegian Wood, which is arguably the greatest opening line in the history of songwriting. Kevin Cronin and Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, August 24, 1980. Before we start the interview, here is some information about REO Speedwagons hit discography, and about the other members of the band, both past and present. The lead singer of REO Speedwagon is Kevin Cronin and Terry Luttrell respectively. REO Speedwagon has released a number of successful albums, including 1980s Hi Infidelity,which sold 10 million copies in the United States. October 6, 1951 Birthplace Evanston , IL Age 71 years old Birth Sign Libra About American guitarist and lead singer for the rock band REO Speedwagon who wrote "Keep on Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling." Before Fame He was first chosen as the second lead singer of REO Speedwagon at age twenty in 1971. After all, hes been a mainstay in the world of rap music since the late 1980s. Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, September 10, 1982. At that point, Cronin decided to dole out some tough love and stop enabling his son. Even though it wasnt a hit, its a REO fan favorite. Is the lead singer of REO Speedwagon married? Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. "When the call came in for us to appear in, REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin on the band's surprising. A monthly update on our latest interviews, stories and added songs. DK: I know you play both guitar and piano onstage. He guards that guitar with his life., The COVID lockdowns havent exactly been pleasant, but through adversity, comes opportunity, and in Cronins case, hes relished the chance to reconnect with his family. Im finding myself waking up in the middle of the night with ideas, and writing them down and recording them. Its a blessing because Ive always got myself (laughs). Meanwhile, their 1988 compilation album, The Hits, entered the Top Rock Albums chart at 49. Do you love music? What inspired you to write this song? Dont second guess it. Then as many of my songs do, I write them and then I kind of learn about myself when Im finished with them. 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards. John Waite was the lead singer for the Babys and Bad English but most likely you know him from his smash single "Missing You." Most recently, he dropped his tenth studio album "Rough & Tumble". Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream? REO Speedwagon's 1971 debut album was with their original lead singer, Terry Luttrell. I can tell when a song is too much craftsmanship and not enough inspiration. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. Then on the day that Eric and I were supposed to co-write, I literally woke up that morning and I felt like I had the flu. Speedwagon ), or simply REO, is an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. But if theres one guitar he never leaves home without, its his trusty 52 Fender Telecaster. So the songs come in all different shapes and forms. Cronins decision to forgo a college education for music paid off by the age of 20, hed been recruited by REO Speedwagon as a replacement to original lead vocalist, Terry Luttrell. What are we doing here? I swear to you, all of a sudden from behind one of our road cases pops the ventriloquists dummy. My wife is an amazing person. He goes, [Spanish accent] This is bullst. As we all know, those memories are Who is the lead singer in REO Speedwagon? Chauvin, 44, has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of George seen on bystander video as Chauvin pressed his knee to George's neck for nearly nine minutes while George lay handcuffed on the ground during his arrest for allegedly spending a counterfeit $20 bill. This is bullst.". I didnt just want to jump on an airplaneit was too big of a move for me. Cronin: The first album that I made with them was an album called R.E.O./T.W.O., which was our second album. Can't Fight This Feeling They are Do you love animals? About The Lead Singer Of REO Speedwagon Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Gary Richrath, a former guitarist for the classic rock band REO Speedwagon who also co-wrote the group's hit song . Its like the stars lining up. She doesn't hold back. But for me, I usually write the song first and then I find the title in the song. DK: One of my favorite songs is Roll With The ChangesI think that song has inspired a lot of people. All the energy that came back to me was, You might want to think about doing this.. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. But my friend, Sammy Hagar, his brand name is Sammy Hagar. Kevin Cronin took over that role for their next effort, R.E.O./T.W.O. Click to listen to REO Speedwagon on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/REOspot?IQid=RUN Show more REO Speedwagon - Event. I literally woke up in the middle of the night and I had these three, simple piano chords going through my head. How Marvel went big with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Friday's prayer vigil with its call for justice on George's behalf "was beautiful," LaTonya said. and still couldn't believe it -- but it is one of the funniest celeb. The MCUs tiniest heroes are kicking off its biggest phase yet, setting up the next several years of storytelling. It was a little unsettling; exciting but new. "The lead singer of REO Speedwagon, Kevin he's a rock-n-roll Hall of Famer he said, 'How about that LaTonya, your first live performance, and you've got a platinum record already.' https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/cantfightthisfeeling.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/keeponlovingyou.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/takeitontherun.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/rollwiththechanges.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/timeformetofly.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/dontlethimgo.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/keepthefireburnin.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/inmydreams.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/onelonelynight.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/inyourletter.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/keeppushin.html, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/reospeedwagon/backontheroadagain.html, Rock Music: 49 Different Types and Their Characteristics, Loverboy Greatest Hits: The 17 Best Songs of All Time, 42 Songs About the Experience of Being 17, 48+ Songs About Good Times and Memories to Look Back On. Richrath released a solo album, Only the Strong Survive,in 1992. Kevin Cronin Of REO Speedwagon Talks About His Classic Hits And His Songwriting written by REO Speedwagon January 22, 2016 As the lead singer & songwriter of the multi-platinum rock band REO Speedwagon, Kevin Cronin has been the band's guiding force since joining the group in the mid-1970s. Speaking to Guitar World about his favorite piece of kit, he said: People tell me its too valuable to take on tour, but I love playing that guitar so much that I dont care. Search instead in. Hes a real sweet guy and hes written some big hit ballads, and we were supposed to co-write. But then looking back on it, and now seeing the impact that Cant Fight This Feeling has had on my life, the life of everyone in the REO Speedwagon family, the lives of people whom Ive never met all over the worldpeople have played that song at their weddings. So he knew that they needed some help in the songwriting department. I wanted to put any extra time that I hadobviously the band tours and thats very important to all of us. Basically, the only songs I can play on piano are those that I wrote (he laughs). With Cant Fight This Feeling, I did not know what the name of that song was. All the songs I write, they spring from an initial burst of creativity that kind of gets the ball rolling. These days, though, its a different story. Classic Rock at the best online prices at eBay! ", LaTonya added, "My dream has come true to meet REO Speedwagon. REO Speedwagon, Boz Scaggs Latest To Sue Sony Music Over Digital Downloads, I feel so sad. So I was quite literally and figuratively rolling with the changes (laughs). If you catch Linda at a wedding be sure to check out the dance floor. The. Richrath was born in October 1949, according to public records. "It means so much," LaTonya said. Richrath co-wrote some of the bands songs, including Take It on the Run, which became a Top 5 pop hit on the Billboard charts. When I rejoined, the band had moved from Champaign, Illinois to Los Angeles. On Friday, as the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin for George Floyd's murder continued in Minneapolis, REO lead singer Kevin Cronin joined LaTonya and others for a vigil honoring George, 46, at The Community of Faith Church in Houston, where Cronin and LaTonya stood on stage and sang the song together. He left education after graduating from Chicagos Brother Rice High School, having already become convinced that his future lay in music, not business. I didn't know what to make of it. It just so happens that the album came out when I was in junior high school. I remember where I was when I wrote that song. Notably, these five band members have been together since 1989. He realized that the band needed songs. Kevin Cronin is a member of REO Speedwagon, one of the most popular rock bands of the 1980s. I kind of want to hear some more about that. To a lesser extent perhaps, [its like] when Journeys Dont Stop Believin got played on the Sopranos final episode and that just breathed new life into that song. But it certainly did come together. I felt like I had a fever and my stomach hurt. So when theres chaos in your personal life, then you look to the band for that security. Here it is, 50 years later, and it's still out there appealing to people; bringing up emotions, making people smile. It's a time when many young people feel like they are finally becoming adults. The current lineup of REO Speedwagon consists of Cronin, original member Neal Doughty (keyboards), Bruce Hall (bass), Dave Amato (lead guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums). Gary Richrath, songwriter and lead guitarist for REO Speedwagon for decades, has died, the band announced on its Facebook page Sunday. Biggest hit "Sister Christian" (1984) took the band to . Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. Up until then, the songwriting was credited to the whole bandthat they all wrote the songs togetherbut I think the truth was that it was mostly Gary who would spark (the songs creation) and then the band would get together and jam and finish it. After trying to help him via interventions and stints in rehab, the family hit rock bottom when they received a phone call to say Paris had been arrested for possession. Please subscribe. Andrew Baena was born on July 18, 1992, in Canada. Id just started to write a couple little silly songs. "It's like a direct connection with my brother that was our song," LaTonya, 52, told PEOPLE afterward. Then when our family sat down to watch Season 3 and I saw they actually kept that name for the episode, it was a kick. How much is REO Speedwagon worth? I never really took any piano lessonsI just messed around with it and figured it out for myself. He was there with me.". "We laughed, we joked it was like we knew each other forever. It was really my songs that got me the gig. Currently seeking: Band to Join, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar and more.Hi my name is Luke Bolen! Read REO Speedwagon's bio and find out more about REO Speedwagon's songs, albums, and chart history. Cronin: Yeah, I think so. Send me email updates and offers from TMZ and its Affiliates. Yet Im thinking this song is so important to me and I think its got the potential to be a real special song in the world, but this title is going to kill it. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Among other things, the memoir promises to lift the lid on Cronins troubled relationship with bandmate Gary Richrath, who died from complications following surgery in 2016. So I think that really helped for the album, that it felt like all the songs belonged together. So my manager, Tom Consolo, set up a writing session with Eric Carmen, who was the lead singer of the Raspberries. During the peak of their success, the band was an almost permanent fixture on the Billboard Hot 100, racking up 13 Top 40 hits, two number 1s, and selling over 40 million records in total. YouTube Video link: REO Speedwagon band was one of the top groups in the 20th century. But this year I think I need to start tapping into the creative side of my being, because otherwise it starts exploding (laughs) in other ways. In addition to REO's jaunty 1978 hit 'Time for Me . REO Speedwagon is an American hard rock band from Champaign, Illinois. . When fans of the Netflix show Ozark tuned in to its third season, they were treated to a surprise appearance from Cronin and the rest of REO Speedwagon during episode three. And there were some radio stations in the Midwest that were playing those songs. In fact, the group's best-selling album is Hi Infidelity. Notably, both Cant Fight This Feeling and Keep On Loving You reached number one on Billboards Hot 100 singles chart, and became two of the most popular rock ballads of the 1980s. Its funnyeven though it was 35 years ago, it still feels like it was just yesterday to me, because I remember writing it so vividly. And then if Im lucky enough to capture that, then the actual craftsmanship comes into play. DK: So what were you thinking about, when you wrote Cant Fight This Feeling? She began at a small local paper covering up and coming bands. In addition, his songs Roll With The Changes and Keep The Fire Burning have had an enduring impact, becoming rock anthems which convey positive and uplifting lyric themes. When you write a song, you have no idea the journey that song may or may not take you on. S.F. So when I finished Cant Fight This Feeling, I realized that yeah, Ive gotta make this move. Ive gotta do what Im saying in this songIve got to make this happen. A dentist tells Wendy he wants REO to plays a dental convention on the Missouri Belle riverboat casino. They were told they could either bail him out or Paris would spend the next 4 days in jail. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. These words do not come close to expressing the depth of emotions I am feeling at this time.. After the stage performance, we sang, 'I Can't Fight This Feeling' and a couple of his other songs. The song kind of came first. And the journey continues. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. I told the writer, You know, thats not what I would normally say. What Ive been saying for I don't know how many years is, Hey Cincinnati, check yourselves out. And then our light guy puts the spots on the audience. If they made a home-version of the LHC, I'd have 2. Learn how your comment data is processed. I saw both seasons, all the way through, and I was like, Im ready to go. I was talking to someone today about how the opening line of a song is so important to me. DK: I think Keep Pushin is one of the great songs from REOs early years, and maybe if it was released later in the mid-80s when the band was so hot, it could have been another big hit. Kevin Cronin is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and occasional pianist for the American rock band REO Speedwagon. 2023 Getty Images. The cause of death has not yet been. [I think] co-writing is a lot of funit definitely makes the process of songwriting more enjoyable because youre not sitting there by yourself. The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album. But Ive written some of our biggest hits on the piano. Band members read about that anecdote in PEOPLE and responded by contacting Floyd family attorney, Ben Crump, to say they'd like to give LaTonya a surprise. Formed in 1967, the group originally included drummer and backing vocalist Alan Gratzer, guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Matt, bassist and lead vocalist Mike Blair, and keyboardist Neal Doughty. It's a different feeling, because I'm not used to it.