Former REO Speedwagon Bassist Gregg Philbin Has Died

Former REO Speedwagon bassist Gregg Philbin, who performed on the band’s first six studio albums and appeared on 1977’s Reside: You Get What You Play For, has died.

Singer Kevin Cronin paid tribute to his former bandmate in a press release shared by the band. “Nobody ought to underestimate the Philbin Issue within the evolution of REO Speedwagon,” Cronin wrote. “When Gregg left the band in 1977, he took with him the prog-leaning prolonged instrumental part side of the REO sound.

“Gregg approached the bass guitar very like legendary Who bassist John Entwistle,” he continued. “They each performed the bass as extra of a lead instrument. However because the songs Gary Richrath and I had been writing grew to become extra compact, and needing the bass to play a extra conventional position of locking with the drums, Gregg’s type grew to become a difficulty, and he would depart the band.”

Philbin’s tenure in REO Speedwagon predated Cronin’s. He appeared on the band’s self-titled debut album in 1971 and performed on every successive LP by means of 1976’s R.E.O. Their first six albums did not make a lot of a business splash, though Reside: You Get What You Play For — his swan-song with the band — grew to become their first gold album. REO Speedwagon’s first studio album with out Philbin, 1978’s You Can Tune a Piano, however You Cannot Tuna Fish, would change into their first Prime 40 LP and in the end go double platinum.

Regardless of their musical conflicts, Cronin was fast to reward Philbin’s persona and provide his sympathies to these near the bassist. “All that stated, Gregg was a wise, humorous, charming man, and you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a extra savvy particular person,” he concluded. “His well being had been a difficulty for a while, and in the present day his soul is freed. All of us liked Gregg, mourn his loss of life and ship our condolences to his surviving relations and mates. At this time is a tragic day in REO World.”