One more time with ‘Feeling’: REO Speedwagon plays final Lexington concert

One of the keenest ways to measure the commercial significance of a commercial pop band is to look at its placement in TV commercials.

In other words, look at everything in, well ... commercial terms.

Exhibit A in this inquest: “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” a 1985 hit for REO Speedwagon, the veteran Illinois rock troupe that will make its eighth — and, in all likelihood, final — concert appearance at Rupp Arena on Saturday.

First, a little background, then some current events and, finally, a commercial explanation.

“Can’t Fight This Feeling” was a warm and fuzzy pop ballad released just before Christmas in 1984 but became a monster hit the following month, right as the dead of winter set in. The song’s mix of timing and sentiment, set to an appropriately Christmas-ey melody, is perhaps unintentionally reflected in its lyrics: “You’re a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter’s night.”

The song would break a brief commercial slump for REO Speedwagon. A steady late ’70s rise in radio visibility and arena awareness busted open with the November 1980 release of its ninth album, “Hi Infidelity.” The record earned four major hits, sat atop the Billboard charts for 15 weeks and would go on to sell in excess of 10 million copies. Hence the reason we dub REO Speedwagon a commercial band. You don’t rack up those kinds of numbers and then expect them not to figure into your career.

The follow-up album, “Good Trouble,” would have been considered a modest hit by any other commercial-conscious troupe. But its sales figures paled significantly to “Hi Fidelity.” So did the reviews. REO Speedwagon, it seemed, was decelerating.

Then came “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” the second single from the band’s 11th album, “Wheels Are Turnin’.” It shot to the top of the charts, making it only the second of REO’s many hits to reach No. 1 (the similarly structured “Keep on Loving You,” the leadoff single from “Hi Infidelity,” was the first). Four years on from its best-selling album, REO was again a star attraction. It still didn’t match the mammoth popularity of “Hi Infidelity,” but, hey, a No. 1 hit was a No. 1 hit.

The celebratory feel was abundant when REO played Rupp Arena that January, smack in the middle of the radio and record chart takeover of “Can’t Fight This Feeling.” The performance bond between frontman Kevin Cronin and lead guitarist Gary Richrath (the two members responsible for penning all of the band’s most popular songs) was at a peak while the onstage joy that enveloped the entire performance literally exploded at evening’s end as an avalanche of confetti poured down on the audience.

REO never regained the commercial traction “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and “Wheels are Turnin’” reactivated. The hits soon vanished. The sales dwindled. The band fractured.

The Rupp visits dried up, as well. Between 1979 and the aforementioned 1985 outing, the band played the venue five times. Since then, there have been only three returns — 1993, 2005 and this weekend.

Richrath and drummer Alan Gratzer departed after 1987’s “Life As We Know It” album (Richrath died in 2015.) Longtime keyboardist Neal Doughty, though still listed as an official member, quit touring with REO in 2023, leaving Cronin and bassist Bruce Hall to carry on with the band. This fall, it’s all down to Cronin.

In September, REO posted on its website that touring activity would halt for good after remaining concert dates in 2024 were completed. Friction between Cronin and Hall apparently necessitated the decision. Guess they couldn’t fight the feeling any longer. Hall was already off the road this year due to ongoing recuperation from back surgery, prompting the band to continue with a replacement bassist. Then came this cryptic post:

“Due to this complex situation, irreconcilable differences arose between Bruce and Kevin. So, it is with great sadness that we announce REO Speedwagon will cease touring effective January 1, 2025. Neal, Kevin, and Bruce thank their fans for all their years of loyal support and for giving back to the band such wonderful memories that will remain with each of them forever.”

Variety magazine initially reported the Nov. 23 Rupp concert would be REO’s final performance, but the band has since added dates that will conclude in Las Vegas on Dec. 21. Cronin, however, is not packing everything in. He has already launched a solo career, formed a new band (with several REO touring alums as members) and announced concert dates of his own, beginning with an Oklahoma performance on Jan. 25.

So how does all this align with REO’s overall history? Well, for starters these final 2024 shows, if they are in keeping with recent performances, emphasize its status as a legacy band. No songs have been included on its setlists that postdate 1985. For its final touring rounds, REO is full embracing the hit parade upon which its 50-plus year career was established.

But let’s conclude by revisiting “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and its role in that legacy. Mentioned earlier was its placement in TV commercials. That’s happened in two high profile instances since 2019. One was epic and elegant. The second was beyond ridiculous. That’s the commercial world of pop music for you.

The first was the annual Christmas advert for British high-end retailer John Lewis. The company’s holiday commercials are lavish, sentimental and cinematic. In 2019, indie pop-rocker Bastille recorded a version of “Can’t Fight This Feeling” as a backdrop for a Medieval-era friendship between a young girl and a good-hearted but accident-prone dragon. It’s touching, at times quite comical and wonderfully complimentary to the song.

The other is more, uh, American. It’s an advert for Tums antacids with “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” again in a version recorded by another artist, playing in the background. The commercial’s theme is “It’s time to love food back.” In a mere 15 seconds, we see a woman, seemingly desperate for reconciliation, dashing through an airport in hopes of mending a broken relationship before the other party takes to the Friendly Skies. She then races into the arms of her intended — a giant, walking taco. (There’s also a version with an ice skating falafel.)

One suspects Cronin, who wrote “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” rolled his eyes at such placement for the song. Resulting royalty checks, though, will likely ease any heartburn as REO heads into retirement. They’ll pay for plenty of Tums.

REO Speedwagon with Loverboy

When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23

Where: Rupp Arena, 439 W. Vine

Tickets: $39.50-$193.50 through ticketmaster.com

This story was originally published November 19, 2024 at 4:55 AM.