Ridin' the Storm Out (Live 1977)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as the Zoo Crew spins the electrifying Ridin' the Storm Out (Live 1977) by REO Speedwagon from their live album You Get What You Play For. This hard-rocking anthem, a staple of the band’s live shows, was inspired by a wild adventure in Boulder, Colorado. As shared in a Colorado Music Experience blog post, lead singer Kevin Cronin and guitarist Gary Richrath wrote the song after playing at the now-closed Tulagi bar. Caught up in the thrill of seeing the Rocky Mountains for the first time, the band decided to prank their tour manager by pretending to get lost—only to genuinely lose their way as a dangerous blizzard rolled in. The lyrics, with lines like “Ridin’ the storm out, waitin’ for the thaw out,” capture the band’s struggle through the storm, their awe of the mountains, and a sense of finding home amidst chaos.

The song’s journey didn’t end with its 1973 studio release on the album Ridin’ the Storm Out. Originally sung by Mike Murphy after Cronin briefly left the band due to creative differences, the track didn’t chart until the 1977 live version, featuring Cronin’s return, hit #94 on the Billboard charts. As noted on Songfacts, the live cut became a radio favorite, with its iconic Moog synthesizer intro by keyboardist Neal Doughty mimicking a siren’s wail—perfect for rocking out on the road. Tragically, Gary Richrath, who penned the song, left REO in 1989 and passed away in 2015. Kevin Cronin shared in a Songfacts interview that he dedicates every performance of the song to Richrath’s memory, a touching tribute to their shared legacy. Fans on Reddit still rave about the live version’s energy, with posts calling it a standout from the band’s classic ‘70s era.

REO Speedwagon got their start in 1967 at the University of Illinois in Champaign, where Neal Doughty and drummer Alan Gratzer formed the band, naming it after the REO Speed Wagon, a flatbed truck from the R.E.O. Motor Car Company. As detailed in bio info from sources like in4fp.com, Doughty’s innovative use of the Moog synthesizer set them apart early on, with Ridin’ the Storm Out showcasing his skills. The band cycled through vocalists before Kevin Cronin joined in 1972, though his first stint was brief. Their persistence through lineup changes, constant touring, and initial neglect from major music markets paid off, as Cronin noted in a quote from the Colorado Music Experience: “‘Ridin’ the Storm Out’ was the one thing that held the band together for all those years.” By the late ‘70s, albums like You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can’t Tuna Fish and 1980’s Hi Infidelity catapulted them to arena-rock stardom with hits like Keep On Loving You.

Stay connected with REO Speedwagon through their official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and celebrate milestones like the 49th anniversary of Ridin’ the Storm Out, as seen in a 2022 X post. Fans can dive deeper into the band’s community on sites like the REO Speedwagon Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks and other diehards swap stories and concert memories. For the latest news, tour dates, and merch, head to their official website, and keep rocking to that classic REO sound!