Gary and I were born only a week apart and I mourn his passing. The Associated Press is an independent, not-for-profit news cooperative headquartered in New York City. We will continue to update information on Gary Richraths parents. I saw you in concert many times and you were AWESOME. Even though I was never fortunate enough to meet you, I was out in the crowd almost ever time you played in Charlotte, NC. I'm not writing to talk about the cause of his death. Doughty retired from touring in 2023. Thank you for the memories. Thank you for the memories. Gary was the best guitar player, he had to have been born with that Les Paul in his hand, He was my crush, though he was much older than I, so under rated, Watching him on stage, when he went into his solo? Anxious to share his skill (Of course Joel has the benefit of the internet). October 18 , 1949 Gray Richrath born in Peoria, Illinois born in Peoria, Illinois He was then and he still is now! Richrath reunited with REO Speedwagon for a performance of the song Ridin the Storm Out in 2013. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,600],'biographyhost_com-box-4','ezslot_2',131,'0','0'])); Richrathwasmarried to Justine. He said, "Of course. REO Speedwagon Guitarist Life As We Know Songwriter Fact-checking and Ethical Concerns His playing reached inside you and touched your soul. The original bass player that I had brought into the band from my former acid rock group had to be replaced and we got a high school student named Bruce Hall. The most underrated guitarist in the world. Gary was not only a great guitarist but he had a great stage presense God Bless You and keep you for eternity Jim Moses Fla. MY HEART HAS BEEN CRUSHED I Skipped school to get tickets because of GARY RICHRATH. Biography - A Short Wiki Former guitarist and songwriter for rock band REO Speedwagon from 1970 to 1989. Former guitarist and songwriter for rock band REO Speedwagon from 1970 to 1989. He was born Oct. 18, 1949, in Peoria, Ill., to. How Nanci Griffith Died: Cause of Death, Age at Death, and More! Some of the best memories of my life are associated with your music. my most treasured gift, and i will always regard gary as the absolute best. Gary Richrath. 4 Did REO Speedwagon ever have a number one hit? Erik Stein confirmed on Monday that Richrath passed away but offered no details about the cause of death . These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Speaking to the Songfacts website in 2017, Cronin disclosed the cause of Richraths death He had some stomach problem or something and he went in the hospital to get treated for a stomach ailment and there were complications and he didnt make it.. Gary was a Great Guitarist loved his playing he will be missed Dearly by all REO fans .. Nobody plays the guitar like Gary does. Richrath earned most of his wealth from being part of the rock band REO Speedwagon. The first music things that I heard was, oh, Everly Brothers kind of thing and a lot of country guitar., My uncle was a country guitarist, and he gave me a guitar and said, Learn how to play this; itll keep you from starving, and I said, Great!. He showed up with a Les Paul guitar but no amplifier so we had to just watch as his fingers flew with blinding speed over the fretboard. Find out the cause of death and more exciting information regarding the death of this famous guitarist. It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. How Kenny Everett Died: Cause of Death, Age at Death, and More! Over the course of its career, REO Speedwagon has charted 13 Top 40 hits and has sold over 40 million records. I'm so lucky to have known him. After he left REO Speedwagon, he started a new band called Richrath.. '77. Thank you Gary for the blessing of having you on this Earth for the time that we did! Loved your music. Richrath last played with the band in 2013, when the band performed a benefit concert in Bloomington, Illinois, to raise money for tornado victims. Was Gary richrath kicked out of REO Speedwagon? At the time of his death, he was 66 years old. Gary may you sit on the right hand of God with all the other great guitarists that gone before you. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. SOme reason he came to mind so i did a little searching on what he's up to you nowdays and found this. Richrath was born in Peoria, Illinois, on October 18, 1949, to Curtis and Eunice Richrath,[1] and grew up in East Peoria, Illinois. Richrath, who joined the band in 1970 and recorded 12 albums with the band before splitting with the group in 1989, is best known for writing REO's second Top 10 hit, the Top Five Hi . You're talent, your artistry and your looks will keep you in the heart and minds of millions for decades to come. Gary Richrath's Death - Cause and Date Born (Birthday) October 18, 1949 Death Date September 13, 2015 Age of Death 65 years Cause of Death N/A Place of Death Bloomington, Illinois, United States Profession Guitarist The guitarist Gary Richrath died at the age of 65. He. RIP GARY. I was playing drums in Club @ the Lake of the Ozarks in 1989-90A older gentleman approached me and said..you need to be playing Drums for my son..I ask who's your son..He proudly stated Gary Ritchrath.. What a compliment..I about fell over..Gary was one the BEST R&R guitar players to EVER BLESS us with their Amazing talents..R.I.P Gary .. His smile could light up a stadium. I will say this. You are a hottie! Someday Id like to travel and get a pic on that bench they made in memoriam to you in Peoria. Hate to see an old guitar idol goin down like that. You Can Tune a Piano but You Can't Tuna Fish, "Gary Richrath Obituary - East Peoria, IL", "Promoter Jay Goldberg 'in shock' over Gary Richrath's death", "Ex-REO Speedwagon guitarist and East Peoria native Gary Richrath dies at 65", Video of Gary Richrath's performance with REO Speedwagon in December 2013, Video "Rock to the Rescue Benefit Concert", Review of Gary Richrath on Guitar Jam Daily, You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish, The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken, Not So Silent Night Christmas with REO Speedwagon, Not So Silent NightChristmas with REO Speedwagon, The Yule Log DVD, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gary_Richrath&oldid=1083723812, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 20 April 2022, at 09:11. rocked until Kevin Cronin kicked this guy out. I was in middle school when you get what you play for came out. Gary was both a unique guitarist and songwriter, and the embodiment of the tough guy with a heart of gold. You are so loved and missed, never forgotten! Biography - A Short Wiki Former guitarist and songwriter for rock band REO Speedwagon from 1970 to 1989. 1 What did Gary richrath of REO Speedwagon died of? [8] He was 65 years old. He joined the band for its debut album and served the band as the lead guitarist. 1:49. In one of them I recall him really bashing on overweight female fans/groupies. The band had 11 Top Forty hits as well as two No. I loved (love) his playing back in the 70s and 80s REO. RIP. Former guitarist and songwriter for rock band REO Speedwagon from 1970 to 1989. I was the lead player and Dana Walden, who later did well for himself in a group called "Champaign" was our keyboardist. In 1967, Gary graduated from East Peoria Community High School. Richarth died on September 13, 2015, in Louisiana. Thanks for the music and memories brother. What an arrogant mofo. In 1977, he and other members of the band took over production, which resulted in the band's first platinum album. Consider offering these words of comfort if you're not sure what's appropriate. Here is all you want to know, and more! That was painfully awful. To report about any issues in our articles, please feel free toContact Us. He played saxophone in the school band as a child. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. I listened to Back On The Road Again last night. I listen to your music daily. What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? Without you they just sounded flat, you were and are REO Speedwagon. How John Harvey Died: Cause of Death, Age at Death, and More! When I think of REO Speedwagon, Gary Richrath is the image that I see. New Gary Richrath music has been released, almost six years after the death of the East Peoria native. Gary Richrath reached the respectable age of 65 years. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. JavaScript is disabled. Paul Natkin/WireImage. REO Speedwagon replaced him with Ted Amato. Gary Richrath playing with REO Speedwagon in 1980. "Gary thank you for so many wonderful memories". He was a local guitarist in Peoria, Illinois, writing material that went on to become REO Speedwagons catalog. This page is updated often with latest details about Gary Richrath. Eventually, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will recognize what he and REO accomplished and Gary will get his due reward. He was 65. We think about you and your guitar playing all the time, feeling your sound gave the band its true trademark. How Leyla Badirbeyli Died: Date of Death, Age of Death, Birthday, and More! Richrath died on 13 September 2015 at age 65. Dave Amato is a fantastic guitarist, and he had 'wow' moments, but none of that 'edge of your seat, what the fook is he going to do' moments you saw with Gary. The band gets all this sympathy and is excused for all that goes on when theyre on the road. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Thank you so much for playing lead on the soundtrack of my life. Was wondering why I haven't heard from you. Gary was the best of the best! I miss him. What is causing the plague in Thebes and how can it be fixed? Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. You always inspure me to this day brother. It does not store any personal data. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'biographyhost_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',164,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'biographyhost_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',164,'0','1']));.medrectangle-4-multi-164{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. 2020 I STILL AM LISTENINGTO IT. - Cause of Death, Date of Death, Age and Birthday, Elizabeth Dawn, R.I.P. That waddle sticks out further than his chin when he digs into the solo. The strengths of this sign are being cooperative, diplomatic, gracious, fair-minded, social, while weaknesses can be indecisive, holding a grudge and self-pity. Will never forget. "[9], As lead guitarist and songwriter for REO Speedwagon. REO Speedwagon had also released several successful albums, including Hi Infidelity, which sold more than 10 million copies in the US. Did REO Speedwagon ever have a number one hit? So Gary! Would've loved to have met you. He attended East Peoria Community High School, from where he graduated in 1967. The band did really well thanks to our agent, Irving Azoff, and we got to the point where we were expected to play 6 nights a week plus a rehearsal on Sundays. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Thank you for the wonderful songs you gave us and your memory will always live on. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Shortly after 1990, he formed his own band, trained its members to play the REO songs, and put out an album. You are missed. Home Gary Richrath Net Worth, Bio, Wife, Cause Of Death, Joe Ligon Net Worth, Wife, Death, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Biography, Gabrielle Bernstein Net Worth, Husband, Quotes, Books, Biography. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Hehadone sister named Sheri and one brother named Dennis. We will NEVER grow tired of "Roll With The Changes"! I did not know or hear that you passedbusy life we get wrapped up in and forget about everything elsesadRIP. BOTH SOUND BEYOND REACH,.