REO Speedwagon to Deliver First Pitch at McKechnie Field 3/17

Recognized for their lush orchestration and power balladry REO Speedwagon will rock the Van Wezel on Thursday, March 17 at 8:00 pm, following their spring training appearance for the Pirates vs. Orioles game at 1:05 pm.

REO Speedwagon got started in the late 60s by building a substantial fan base in the Midwest local club scene. After picking up the now iconic vocalist Kevin Cronin in 1972, REO Speedwagon gained ground, achieving commercial and critical success by the late 70s, with a live album in ‘77 and the hard-rocking Nine Lives in ‘79. The band rode the top of the charts, selling 22 million albums in the U.S. and 40 million worldwide. They have had a string of gold and platinum records and international hit singles, but the 9-times certified Hi Infidelity is a pinnacle album for the rockers. The time-honored record topped the charts for 15 weeks in 1981 and contains 4 top 40 singles. Hi Infidelity brought us songs like REO's first #1 hit, radio friendly "Keep On Loving You,", the hard driving "Don't Let Him Go," and fan favorite "Take It On the Run". Hi Infidelity served as a precursor to the mainstream sound that was to follow REO into the early half of the decade. They topped the charts again in 1984 with the well-known "Can't Fight This Feeling," off Wheels Are Turning. REO Speedwagon's music forged a path for bands like STYX, Kansas and Cheap Trick and they continue to challenge themselves artistically. Last year, the band appeared in a special performance of the Tony-nominated musical Rock of Ages at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.

Ticket prices range from $10 to $65. For more information and to buy tickets, contact the Van Wezel Box office at (941) 953-3368 or log onto www.vanwezel.org. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with REO--green beer and burgers will be served!