Gary Richrath

Gary Richrath was an American guitarist, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the lead guitarist for the rock band REO Speedwagon. Born on October 18, 1949, in Peoria, Illinois, he joined the band in 1970 and played a significant role in shaping their sound during the 1970s and early 1980s. Richrath's guitar work and songwriting were integral to the band’s success, particularly on their hit albums *Hi Infidelity* (1980), which included chart-topping singles like "Keep on Loving You" and "Take It on the Run." His distinctive guitar riffs and emotive solos contributed to the band's signature style, blending elements of hard rock and pop. Richrath also wrote several of the band’s songs, including "Ridin' the Storm Out" and "Time for Me to Fly." Despite leaving REO Speedwagon in 1989, his influence remained evident in the band's continued popularity and the resurgence of classic rock in the decades that followed. Richrath passed away on September 13, 2015, but his legacy endures through his contributions to rock music and the enduring appeal of REO Speedwagon's catalog.