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Styx and REO Speedwagon to tour together next year
After teaming up for successful co-headlining runs in both 2000 and 2001, Styx and REO Speedwagon have made plans to again join forces in 2002. Each band also has a number of its own dates planned both before and after the joint tour.
Eight co-headlining dates have been set for February. The bands plan to take turns opening and closing the shows on various nights. Details appear in the itinerary below.
Styx and REO first teamed in May 2000 for a two-month run of U.S. amphitheatres. Based on the success of their first outing--which, according to Amusement Business, played to an average of about 9,000 fans per city and grossed more than $4.6 million in ticket sales over 21 dates--the bands re-teamed in November 2000 for another jaunt, and a third outing followed at the beginning of this year.
The first joint outing by Styx and REO spawned last year's "Arch Allies" (Sanctuary), a live album that features performances from both bands. Each group then followed that album with a live release of its own this summer.
Styx and REO Speedwagon emerged from Chicago battle-of-the-bands competitions in the early '70s, and went on to become two of the top-selling rock acts of the late '70s and early '80s. The groups' have since undergone a number of lineup changes.
REO Speedwagon's current roster comprises Kevin Cronin (vocals), founding member Neal Doughty (keyboards) and original member Bruce Hall (bass). Dave Amato, a former lead guitarist for Ted Nugent, joined the band in 1990, as did drummer Bryan Hitt of Wang Chung.
Styx currently features core members Tommy Shaw (guitar-vocals) and James "JY" Young (guitar-vocals), as well as Glen Burtnick (bassist)--who briefly replaced Shaw in Styx's 1983 lineup--Lawrence Gowan (keyboards-vocals) and Todd Sucherman (drums). Original bassist Chuck Panozzo will appear on select dates, according to the group's website.
Click here to read liveDaily's recent interview with REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin.
