Gary Dean Richrath (October 18, 1949 – September 13, 2015) was an American guitarist, best known as lead guitarist and a songwriter for the band REO Speedwagon from 1970 until 1989. REO Speedwagon (originally styled as R.E.O. Speedwagon) are an American rock band. Formed in 1967, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. Hi Infidelity (1980) contained four US Top 40 hits and is the group's best-selling album, with over ten million copies sold. Over the course of its career, the band has sold more than 40 million records and has charted thirteen Top 40 hits, including the number ones "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling". REO Speedwagon's mainstream popularity dissipated in the 1990s but the band remains a popular live act.
Richrath wrote many of the band's songs including "Golden Country" from 1972, "Ridin' the Storm Out" (1973), "Son of a Poor Man" (1973), "Flying Turkey Trot" (1976), "Only the Strong Survive" (1979) and "Take It On the Run" from 1981. In 1977, he and other members of the band took over production, which resulted in the band's first platinum album. Richrath sang several REO Speedwagon songs including "Find My Fortune" (1973), "Wild as the Western Wind" (1974), and "(Only A) Summer Love" (1976). He left REO Speedwagon in 1989, and released a solo album titled Only the Strong Survive in 1992 under the name "Richrath." On November 22, 2013, REO and Styx announced a benefit concert titled "Rock to the Rescue" to raise money for the affected families of the tornado in central Illinois. The concert was held on December 4, 2013 in Bloomington, Illinois. Richrath reunited with REO for a performance of "Ridin' the Storm Out" to end REO's set at the sold-out concert.
Richrath stayed on stage to help with the encore of "With a Little Help From My Friends" along with REO, Styx, Richard Marx, and others. Richrath is originally from the town of East Peoria which was damaged during the storm. Families affected by the storm and first-responders sat near the stage for this special concert and REO reunion. Richrath died on September 13, 2015, as confirmed by his former REO Speedwagon associate Kevin Cronin. He was 65.
