He is currently single. The Cant Stop Rockin tour featured Fleetwood Mac, REO, and Pat Benatar and blazed the trail for the very popular co-headline tours that are seen nationwide today, according to a band release. Speedwagon keyboardist Neal Doughty and his wife Darya Gemmel arrive. We will update Neal Doughty's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. In 2009, REO and Styx partnered to record the new single, Cant Stop Rockin, which was co-written by the two bands frontmen, Cronin and Tommy Shaw. Tickets for the Moline Sept. 6 concert are $29.50 to $99.50, available at the arena box office (1201 River Drive, Moline), or HERE. By the early 1990s, the grunge scene had exploded, catapulting acts like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden into the public consciousness. I feel like Ill do this until Im 95 years old.. Styx, REO Speedwagon and Loverboy tour coming to, Moline arena to get Vibrant new name, colorful upgrades, Best smart home devices for older users, according, How to get started on spring cleaning early, according, Worried about your student using ChatGPT for homework? After working for a decade at the station, he is leaving the station on March 2, 2023. You know, we started out as a bar band, so the intimate places are still what's deep in our blood. *laughs* No, I've seen him, he really does exist. DETAILS BELOW Neal Doughty (born July 29, 1946) is famous for being pianist. Read a full, unabridged version of our chat down below. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. We have so much energy right now, I mean, basicallymy job has been watching television for the last year. Compatible with Tiger or Horse. Never played keyboard excepts for my parents beat up piano. Doughty said. I think I actually remember you saying a few years ago that in the event that REO Speedwagon records anything else new, it's probably going to be in a digital format or on CD or something like that to ensure that you get more time. First Name Neal #9. Were having some intense rehearsals out here in Los Angeles, to make sure we remember how to do everything. Instead, the band was just getting started. It is also known as being the most generous and noble of signs. We just didn't know it." Pianist Born in Indiana #2. In 1994, when many rock bands of their era had either broken up or were feeling like their days were numbered, the REO team came up with a co-headline tour concept that breathed new life into the world of touring. Neal Doughty Wikipedia Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family. So it'll always be a mix of both. We came back at it with renewed energy. Absolutely, yes. From his dorm room at the University of Illinois in 1967, he formed the band that, several decades later, is . What is he doing tod Who is Joker Xue? Doughty, who today makes his home in Austin, Minn., says he's no stranger to his old hometown. The early 1940s were dominated by World War II. You feel a little bit like a product. We were hoping that people would come back, and so far, most of our shows are selling out, so it looks like they're ready and definitely so are we, believe me. News Photo - Getty Images Images Editorial Video Creative Editorial REO Speedwagon Appears At Rok Vegas Nightclub At New York-New York We will continue to update information on Neal Doughtys parents. In the summer of 1981, REO headlined sold-out shows at the Houston Astrodome, the New Orleans Superdome, New York City's Madison Square Garden and Chicago's Soldier Field, among other venues. Right now, we're not actively trying to go into the studio and make another record, and we may never do that. American keyboardist who was one of the founding members of the popular American rock band REO Speedwagon. And so that intimate setting is still something that we really enjoy. And when they finally did, it was like, Oh, this has been 10 million for quite a while. She was preceded in death by her parents Ralph "Pete" and Marietta McCaffrey. First Name Neal. Neal Doughty is a Leo and was born in The Year of the Dog Cronin and Doughty with bandmates Bruce Hall (bass), Dave Amato (guitar), and Bryan Hitt (drums) are still electrifying audiences worldwide in concert with fan favorites such as Ridin The Storm Out, Cant Fight This Feeling, Time For Me To Fly, Roll With The Changes, and many more. Theyre so great and have so many songs and all three bands know each other and like each other, he said, noting theyve toured with Styx for 20 years now. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Dog are loyal, faithful, honest, distrustful, often guilty of telling white lies, temperamental, prone to mood swings, dogmatic, and sensitive. Famous Neal Doughty was born on July 29, 1946 in United States. And *chuckles* fortunately I'm still married. And you know, a lot of keyboard players are like that, because so many keyboardssynthesizers especially, you have to be a little bit on the ball to program those things. To learn more about ChatGPT and how we can inspire students, we sat down with BestReviews book expert, Ciera Pasturel. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 29 July. Now, this thing, it covers the entire neighborhood, so I'm going, 'Oh, so that's how old I am!'". But it slowly did. Were all still in top form. Majority of Neals money comes from being a pianist. Age, Net Worth, B Where is Guillermo Daz now? Thanks to classic rock radio and all that stuff, the 70s and 80s just never went away. They're flexible and good at improvising. Bookmark this page and come back often for updates. REO Speedwagon continued to generate hit singles after "Hi Infidelity" a 1985 chart-topping ballad, "Can't Fight This Feeling," went on to become the band's biggest hit ever but by late 1988, the band was in serious decline. They may not want to listen to 60 minutes of the same band. REO Speedwagon seemed destined for history's dustbin. I once said, nobody likes us but the audience, and thats fine! Dogs excel in business but have trouble finding mates. It went on to become the biggest-selling LP of 1981 and ultimately sold nearly 10 million copies in the U.S. alone. And now the world is back. The time off probably did us good, I will say, because I don't remember the last time rehearsals have been this much fun. A concert of The group will be taking the stage at the Old National Events Plaza at 7:30 pm. In 1966, the Evansville native cofounded a band while a student at the University of Illinois. Its 50-year run has seen some lineup changes, but if youre talking about the band in its heyday (aka the Hi Infidelity era), a good 60% of the members still perform with the band. Neal Allan Doughty is an American keyboardist, best known as a founding member of the rock band REO Speedwagon and the only member to have played on every album. Is that a major that you still indulge yourself in outside of music? But we can't do nothing but Hi Infidelity, because there's crowd favorites from other records. I mean Illinois has really produced a lot of bands and theres even an Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in Joliet, which we now are in, Doughty said. So, you're going to be at Ruth Eckerd Hall next month, and that's a pretty intimate venue for a rock band like REO Speedwagon. I want everyone to know that it was all that traveling that finally got to me, Doughty said in a statement. 1 for like four months. But when I started saying all this counterintuitive stuff about the way the universe seems to work, shes just going no, that's not possible. And I go, I know, it's not, but it's what the math is telling us.. I mean, it has been a long 50 years. But anyway, what can we expect from this tour? At one point, "Hi Infidelity" was selling some 250,000 copies per week. Like, Have you been on the cover of Rolling Stone? I mean, if we ever do get it, I will consider it an honor. And so, those 80s hitsI don't mind being associated with that. These hippie kids protested against the Vietnam War and participated in the civil rights movement. Alan Gratzer, who'd started things with Doughty in Champaign way back in 1966, retired. [1] Currently, he is using synths made by Korg and Yamaha and tours with a Hammond B3 organ routed through Leslie speaker cabinets. Formed in 1967, signed in 1971, and fronted by Cronin since 1972, REO SPEEDWAGON's unrelenting drive, as well as non-stop touring and recording jump-started the burgeoning rock movement in the Midwest. Also known as "boomers", are the result of the end of World War II, when birth rates across the world spiked. And, you know, like I say, the earlier part of touring is just going to be so much fun. Following the end of the war, it was the start of the Baby Boomer years and technology advancements such as the jet engine, nuclear fusion, radar, rocket technology and others later became the starting points for Space Exploration and Improved Air Travel. Doughty attended the new Plaza Park Middle School, but his family left town when he was 12 years old. The Sun is about vitality and is the core giver of life. The record was No. Despite the bands heyday in the 70s and early 80s, the crowds arent just the AARP set. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Rok Vegas Nightclub), 2272 x 3000 px (7.57 x 10.00 in) - 300 dpi - 1 MB. But then, the end of my trumpet career: One night, we were in Chicago, we had gone there to listen to Joe Cocker in a very small venue. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. But by the late 1990s, however, the remaining members of REO Speedwagon reached a crucial realization: Although the band's commercial heyday had ended, its core 1970s and 80s audiences had grown up and those fans still possessed an appetite to experience the band live and hear those enduring 1980s hits. I was playing trumpet with my left hand, and your brain just does a mirror image, and somehow, it works. Last Name Doughty #5. Its gotten to the point where a good chunk of classic rock groups that still tour and record have evolved into original member-approved tribute bands. Please check back soon for updates. But right as I almost got sick of it, there was this little break in the world. on I've seen him a couple of times. Neal Doughty was born on July 29, 1946 in Evansville, Indiana, USA. Born in Evansville, IN #18. We could always come back to college if this band doesn't work out.' His most notable playing includes the Hammond organ solo on "Roll with the Changes" and the honky-tonk piano work on "157 Riverside Avenue". I played the trumpet in high school. This weeks announcement notes Doughty may join the band on select stops. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? You played the trumpet when you were in high school, but when the Beatles came around, that was when you started to really get into playing piano. Neal Doughty We found 11 records for Neal Doughty in NC, MN and 7 other states. The name "REO Speedwagon" refers to Ransom Eli Olds, the founder of Oldsmobile. ", "Neal will always be a member of the REO brotherhood," says bassist Bruce Hall, "and we all wish him well as he enters this exciting phase of his life.". In a phone interview with Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, Doughty reminisced about his newfound joy in band rehearsals, his love for science, and a very special award that the band behind Time For Me To Fly was recently awarded. I mean, without the big hit Keep On Lovin You, we probably wouldnt still be working today. Neal Doughty of REO Speedwagon, which plays Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida on July 21, 2021. You can also find out who is Neal Doughty dating now and celebrity dating histories at CelebsCouples. If a new comment is published from a "banned" user or contains a blacklisted word, this comment will automatically have limited visibility (the "banned" user's comments will only be visible to the user and the user's Facebook friends). I was mainly in the marching band, where we played good old John Philip Sousa at football games. He is from USA. After 55 years with REO SPEEDWAGON and having spent his entire adult life on the road, keyboardist and founding member Neal Doughty has decided the time was right to retire from touring and begin enjoying the fruits of his years of hard work. Neal Doughty Fans Also Viewed . I'm going, 'Wow, where were these people for the last 10 years while we were killing ourselves trying to get a hit record?' Lives in Paynesville, Liberia. "That record came at the right time," recalls Doughty, noting that the band at that point still hadn't had a hit radio single. 76 Year Old Pianist #1. If I was getting a little bit tired of the travel, this last year took care of that! Neal Allan Doughty (born July 29, 1946) is an American keyboardist, best known as a founding member of the rock band REO Speedwagon and the only member to have played on every album. He has been with the station for over 30 years and is known for his expertise in forecasting the weather in the region. Neal Doughtys income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. It's hard to know Neal Doughty birth time, but we do know his mother gave birth to his on a Monday. Auditor at Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. Neal Doughty was a 21-year-old student at University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, when he formed the band REO Speedwagon in 1967 with fellow student Alan Gratzer, a drummer. Maybe its just an excuse to get out of the house, to get away from me, I don't know. The band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. And believe it or not, back in the earliest days of REO Speedwagon, I was playing keyboards and trumpet at the same time, which sounds harder than it is. Doughty may join them on select concert stops. Surviving are two grandchildren, Mrs. George (Linda) Wehrle, Muncie, and Robert Neal Doughty, New York City; and four great-grandchildren. There's one that we did up in Minnesota, at that giant rock fest that used to be up there every year [Moondance Jam]. Yeah, we have toured with Cheap Trick for longer than most people have been alive, and they're just the greatest guys. Well that's great that you guys have been so tight after so many years, even though you've had very slight lineup changes since then. Discover Neal Doughty 's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. "Hi Infidelity," bolstered by subsequent hits like "Take It On the Run" and "Don't Let Him Go," remained the nation's No. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. He formed the band in the fall of 1966, with original drummer Alan Gratzer . It was through Alan Gratzer, his dormmate, that he started taking up music. It's gotten to the point where a good chunk of classic rock groups that still tour and. Ruling Planet: Neal Doughty has a ruling planet of Sun and has a ruling planet of Sun and by astrological associations Saturday is ruled by Sun. And that award is decided 100% by the public. Doughty is often asked how he's managed to remain a cornerstone of such an enduring musical institution, one that has survived its share of personnel changes over the years. Musicians Neal Doughty, Alan Gratzer, Gary Richrath, Kevin Cronin and Bruce Hall of the rock band REO Speedwagon backstage at their show at Jou Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 27th, 1981. Eternal blue-eyed cheerleader, charisma like few. Once it's out there's nowhere to hide! That same year in Chicago, DePaul University students Walt Parazaider (saxophone), James Pankow (trombone) and Lee Loughnane (trumpet) co-founded what would become Chicago which played the Moline arena this past April. So recently, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced their inductees for 2021, and REO Speedwagon has still not even been nominated. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Doughty's journey to a life in rock started in Evansville, where he was born in 1946 and where he still has an aunt, uncle, cousins and many friends. He formed the band in the fall of 1966, with original drummer Alan Gratzer (who left REO in 1988). Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox. As part of their tour around the country, the band is stopping by Evansville Friday February 18. Everybody in the world wanted to shake hands with us. Clipping found in Evening World-Herald in Omaha, Nebraska on Sep 13, 1939. Loverboy plays about 45 minutes and he said you forget how many big hits those guys have, crediting their lead singer. It's like things were always going in the right direction. Any longer and the vinyl just didn't do a very good job. So, I'm still that engineering guy deep inside. Were now in the fourth month of the tour and were still not tired of it yet. "Keyboardist and founding member Neal Doughty has decided the time has come to retire from touring and begin enjoying the results of his years of hard work after 55 years with REO Speedwagon and having spent his entire adult life on the road." in a declaration Doughty continued, "I want everyone to know that it was all the traveling that finally The band toured relentlessly throughout the Midwest and in 1971 began a string of album releases for Epic Records. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? So, *chuckles* we couldn't get by with just that. The group's best-selling album, Hi . I live in Minneapolis, and you can't turn on the radio without hearing REO Speedwagon. We've never been on the cover of a major magazine, but all those people bought that record, and that means a lot. We were doing the Doors and Youngbloods. Said Doughty. Let's tone down the partying and stay alive for a long time.' So that's, you know, we're not reallyI think the world kinda has enough REO songs. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Were all very healthy now. We even had at one point like, three guys playing trumpet. He was an early adopter of the Moog synthesizer, which can be heard on the opening swoop of "Ridin' the Storm Out". Required fields are marked *. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 75 years old? So we've always been more ofI don't know, like a peoples band. Ketia Daniel, founder of BHM Cleaning Co., is BestReviews cleaning expert. Courtesy Wayne Williams This file picture of REO Speedwagon (circa 1980) shows (from left), Bruce Hall, Kevin Cronin, Neal Doughty, Alan Gratzer and Gary Richrath. Some of the egos that get involved in bands, like where two or more of the guys are always fighting for control of things, I was just never in on that. "I always enjoyed playing the shows and looking out to see all the loyal fans who allowed me to do this for so long. At 75 years old, Neal Doughty height not available right now. Much of the Hi Infidelity album was inspired by, you guessed it, infidelity. But unless youre a total stickler, nobody seems to care about whos onstage, but rather about what theyre playing. Please consider making a one time or monthly donation to help support our staff. So, at least I thinkI haven't seen him. Styx and Reo Speedwagon: Arch Allies - Live at Riverport (2000)as Himself (Reo Speedwagon: keyboards), Your email address will not be published. "It will be a big change to look around and not see Neal behind the keyboards," says singer Kevin Cronin, "and we will miss his quick wit and interesting conversation on those long bus rides. And it's just a very rewarding, emotional feeling to know that it's actual human beings that have kept you in business all this time. Yeah, I do all my own programming. ', "And now, more than 40 years later, we're still wondering how far it will take us.". He is a member of famous Actor with the age 75 years old group. Sospeaking of Cheap Trick, and having toured with them so many times in amphitheaters and arenasdo you prefer the smaller, intimate setting, or do you like the vibrance of an arena, or a big amphitheater? Pianists. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 75 years old? Every little bit helps. So, we will play what were our hits, especially some of them from Hi Infidelity, but we also are going to play the ones that the audience expected from us. Chinese Zodiac: Neal Doughty was born in the Year of the Rabbit. An announcement notes that the time was right to enjoy the fruits of his year of hard work after spending his entire adult life on the road since founding the rock band in Champaign, Illinois, in 1966. And of course, we end up sleeping all night on the bus, but then get to a hotel, and that's when I really get some good sleep. There were 10 or 20 bands in Champaign at the time, and were all working cause there were just so many places to play, Doughty, now 76, recalled. Bi Who is YouTuber Kimberly Loaiza? He also owned the The REO Motor Truck Company, which made a model in 1915 called the Speedwagon, a forerunner to the pickup truck. Neal Doughtys birth sign is Leo and he has a ruling planet of Sun. Doughty was born on July 29, 1946, in Evansville, Ind. ", A post shared by REO Speedwagon (@reospeedwagonofficial). From 1977 to 1989, REO SPEEDWAGON released nine consecutive albums all certified platinum or higher. The comments reside on Facebook servers and are not stored on BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Josh Bradley is Creative Loafing Tampa's resident live music freak. "That's the best thing about it. At times it was all a bit too surreal, Doughty remembers. I mean, it took awhile. We kind of got into our heads, 'We've gotta really see how far this thing can take us. Its actual people and not just people on a screen. Weve played places smaller than Ruth Eckerd, although its a beautiful, beautiful venue. When the whole live thing opened up again, its like people were seeing concerts for the first time in their life and the crowds were just they still are the crowds are just amazing.. "We just got busy with the band," Doughty remembers, "and at one point we went, 'Let's go for it. Famous Neal Doughty was born on July 29, 1946 in United States. And I got to catch up on HGTV, so not a bad life, so yeah. So, how much is Neal Doughty worth at the age of 75 years old? Neal Doughty was born on 29 July, 1946 in Evansville, Indiana, USA, is an Actor, Producer. Our small but mighty team works tirelessly to share music news, events and concert announcements as the Tampa Bay music scene recovers from coronavirus shutdowns. EVANSVILLE, Ind. We kind of live all over the country, and the only way we've seen each other this last year was on Zoom, just so we remembered what each other looked like. That's a pretty big one, congratulations. "In fact, in the very early 1990s, we literally, in our minds, were on our last tour. And, every nightI mean, we havent been onstage for over a year, but every night, we walk out there and we go, Gosh, they still all show up, bless their hearts! Because we haven't had a hit for them for all these years, but what they really like is what we do live. Neal Doughty was born on 29 July, 1946 in Evansville, Indiana, USA, is an Actor, Producer. Its always special when they come back to play in the Land of Lincoln. I always say, the easier it is to play, the easier is the listen. And when we got here Monday for rehearsals, it was like, you knowit was like yesterday that we were all together, so it all came right back, and so did most of the songs. So, she had a reason to get out of the house, along withher daughter, my stepdaughter, had a baby, and so my wife is doing grandmother mode, and is over there two or three days a week to babysit. REO SPEEDWAGON remained busy throughout the pandemic before the band was able to return to the road. We went to New York and went to the roof at the Sony building, where you see all of Manhattan spread out before you, and that's where they did the presentation. Since REO Speedwagon was formed in 1968, one band member has remained in the line up the whole time..Neal Doughty. But this is what Neal needs, and we support him." Doughty formed the band in fall 1967 with original drummer Alan Gratzer. To do so, click the downward arrow on the top-right corner of the Facebook comment (the arrow is invisible until you roll over it) and select the appropriate action. After the first time REO and Styx toured together, they released a live album (in September 2000) called Arch Allies, recorded in suburban St. Louis. He is an actor and producer, known for A Father's Fury, Ozark (2017) and FM (1978). According to our Database, He has no children. Neal Doughty of REO Speedwagon, which plays Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida on July 21, 2021. You can watch the full interview in the video player below. "You think they just came out of nowhere, but they've actually been working on it for a while. The 76-year-old pianist was born in Evansville, Indiana, USA. That was kind of a short section of our career but you know, we were playing In The Midnight Hour and stuff like that, and we loved it. (WEHT) - With five decades of hits, REO Speedwagon is making a return visit to the Tri-state this weekend including Evansville native and co-founder of the band Neal Doughty. They are associated with a rejection of traditional values. "I've come back [to Evansville] every now and then for quite a while," Doughty says, "and we've played there several times. These rehearsalsI used to think well, rehearsals, that's really the worst part, that's not really fun. But this last week and then all into next week, weve literally been having fun at rehearsals. The two became fast friends and, as fate would have it, started a rock 'n' roll band, Doughty on keyboards and Gratzer on drums. Well, this lineup has been together 30 years, so technically, a couple of the guys didn't play on all the records back in the day, but it is the longest continuous lineup of the band and after all that time, we get pretty tight, both musically and personally. Across the hall from Doughty's dorm room on campus, a fellow engineering student from Syracuse, N.Y., named Alan Gratzer was experiencing similar emotions. As the CMAC Summer Concert Series continues, the remaining lineup proves to keep the momentum building for Central New Yorker's to enjoy the best of the best this summer. Neal Doughtys mothers name is unknown at this time and his fathers name is under review. "In Your Letter" is based on a real letter keyboard player Neal Doughty's wife left him, explaining that she was leaving him - he discovered it after returning home from a tour. Doughty also gave his band its unique name, in honor of a light, powerful truck. And keyboard with my right hand, because we were playing a lot of soul music. Where is she now? Click for more. A 1977 release: "Live: You Get What You Play For," sold a million copies; its follow-up, "You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish," sold 2 million. So hopefullymaybe Robin will show up at our concert. "It will be a big change to look around and not see Neal behind the keyboards," says singer Kevin Cronin. Collect, curate and comment on your files. Needless to say, they missed the heck out of each other during the pandemic. He is best known for being a Pianist. REO the automotive manufacturer founded in 1905 was named for its founder, Ransom E. Olds. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. Neal Allan Doughty (born July 29, 1946) is an American keyboardist, best known as a founding member of the rock band REO Speedwagon and the only member to have played on every album. [fetch instagram= display=posts show=2 ]. Yeah, I've seen you do videos and masterclasses where you talk about the techniques of, lets say your Yamahas or your Korgs even. The 40s also brought us the Slinky, Velcro, Jeep, Tupperware and Frisbee. See Photos. The bands unrelenting drive and nonstop touring fronted by lead singer Kevin Cronin (who first joined in 1972, left and rejoined in 1976) led to platinum albums and radio staples. I was just happy to be playing.". His net worth has been growing significantly in 2020-2021. But there's a lot to be said for a big outdoor show where you can't even see the end of where the crowd stops, and that's a totally different type of thrill, really, just to see that many people that showed up for a rock concert, especially after this last year. They know that the big ballads are great to hear in a big concert setting, but the rest of the show is a little bit more rock and roll or deep cuts adventure going on. So yeah, that was really good. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Further overdubs back at Sound City included Neal Doughty's uplifting B-3 parts, which were carefully arranged to interact with the gospel-style backing vocals on the song for maximum impact. He is a member of famous Actor with the age 75 years old group. Neal Doughty net worth is $1.1 Million Neal Doughty Wiki: Salary, Married, Wedding, Spouse, Family Neal Allan Doughty (born July 29, 1946, Evansville, Indiana) is an American keyboardist and the sole remaining founding member of REO Speedwagon currently in the band. I'm fine, I'm fine. I mean, that was a long time off! Watch: MIKKEY DEE Performs MOTRHEAD Classics In His Hometown Of Gothenburg, Sweden, DEATH TO ALL Feat. 1 album for a remarkable 15 weeks beginning Feb. 21, 1981. (WEHT) With five decades of hits, REO Speedwagon is making a return visit to the Tri-state this weekend including Evansville native and co-founder of the band Neal Doughty. That's fair. Michele "Miki" Gemmel was born in Austin, MN on Feb. 9, 1943 died on Monday, May 24, 2021 in Port Charlotte, FL. But whenever the band is in Evansville, they go with me, and they take me around to see all my relatives and look at the old neighborhood, which looks very different when you're growing up.". Named for a truck built in the early 1900s, REO Speedwagon was off and running, incorporating the sounds of the synthesizer in their songs.