REO Speedwagon’s Bruce Hall explained on Facebook whether the band will carry on without Kevin Cronin.
“Bruce you should tour with your band mates, you don’t need to have Kevin. Under similar circumstances, Pink Floyd continued on without Waters!” a fan told the bassist in the comment section of his recent post.
Hall responded by saying, “I just don’t want to be in another band. REO is our band and Kevin is our singer. We all deserved a farewell tour.”
“Bruce..it’s pretty clear to us that KC is the problem (and not you). … My question to you….will being so vocal about your displeasure hinder the chances that KC will change his mind? Seems like a reunion after this would be pretty awkward,” another fan asked.
The musician replied, “It was important for me to make sure the truth is told. Fans need to understand I won’t be performing at the final shows. There also was a lot of mistruths and rumors getting started. Like, I need to sit on a stool to play, my surgery wasn’t successful, I’m hooked on painkillers or started drinking again.”
“My sobriety is of upmost importance to me. I take no pain medication at all. I don’t need a stool to perform. I never ever wanted to cut anyone’s pay. I just wanted my band to keep on rolling….with me as the bassist,” he clarified.
The band previously announced they would end their touring career. They explained that Hall had hoped to return to touring but was not yet able to perform at the level expected by fans after his back surgery.
This wasn’t the first time Hall answered a fan who suggested replacing Cronin. Hall said that both he and Cronin are important to the band and that he wouldn’t replace him. However, he can’t stop Cronin if he decides to leave.
More recently, Hall addressed whether there’s hope for fans to see them back next year. He explained, “I would in a heartbeat…but I can’t make Kevin stay.”
“I’ll never refuse to talk with him. I’ve tried over and over and will continue to. It’s of upmost importance to me,” Bruce also said of Cronin, responding to another fan’s question.
Matt Bissonette replaced Hall after his health problem. On September 16, 2024, the band announced they would stop touring starting January 1, 2025. They explained that Hall had not fully recovered from his back surgery.