S.O.D. "Ridin' the Storm Out" by REO Speedwagon

9/21/2015      This song is a tribute to guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Gary Richrath, who passed on September 13, 2015. The tune may have meant more to him than any other he had a part in composing.  After a show in Boulder, Colorado the band got stuck in a bar during a blizzard and had to "ride it out."  In November 2013 REO and Styx combined for a benefit concert called "Rock to the Rescue" for the families that were affected by the tornadoes of central Illinois.  

     Richrath was from the Illinois town of East Peoria which was damaged by the storm.  REO Speedwagon originated in Champaign, Illinois in 1967 and are still rocking.  Their best-selling album is the 1980 "High Infidelity" which sold 10 million copies and produced four U.S. Top 40 hits.  They released 27 albums to date.  Richrath left REO in 1989 to pursue a solo career and managed to release a 1992 album called "Only the Strong Survive".  He was the lead guitarist, a lead vocalist and one of the primary songwriters during his time with REO Speedwagon.