REO lost its edge and the music shows after Gary was kicked out of the band,you can all ways get some one else to play,but the heart is gone,that Gary has.He is one of those guys that just can not be replaced.

Gary played to the audience. He was a true showman.

Gary made that band.hands down.rip brother.

the smile on his face says it all he is haveing a blast

Gary you are truly missed and deserved more acknowledgement than yyou received. You were REO.

Had his own sound. One hell of a guitar player R.I.P. Gary !!

If you were a die-hard REO fan back in the day, this was definitely one of the songs you wanted to hear. Thanks for the notes Gary. RIP.

Gary was one of those special guitarists who knew how to make his guitar "sing"!! Gary and David Gilmour were masters at using bends and sustain whereas other guitars just ran through scales as fast as they could. He was one of the greats.

Just watched on the occasion of Gary's death. Certainly one of the most under rated guitar players of his era. Gone too soon...

I never was into REO (except a handful of songs) but always loved Richrath. It wasn't that he was one of the "greatest" guitarists from a technical standpoint (who cares anyway). But he played with so much FEELING. I also loved how he made it look so effortless. Also he got great tone out of his guitar/amp/whatever.

Gary is definitely on the short list of musicians that come to mind when I think of iconic guitarists who've played the Les Paul guitar.

Saw REO on the Tuna Fish Tour in Joplin, MO. Was front row, but opposite side of the stage of Gary. He was killing that Les Paul!!

I am so glad I got to see him play more then once! The man had a gift for sure! RIP, Gary!

I think the Chicago Sun Times said it best, "In the 70's and 80's...he was the epitome of a golden guitar god, right down to a crown of curls that seemed made for back-lighting." RIP Gary Richrath

I saw this live in Nashville on the "Good Trouble' tour. i was about 6 feet from Gary. He played to the crowd more than this recording. He was really having a good time with us. Gary, we miss you, man.

This is Gary's "Eruption"

Such an underrated and unrecognized guitarist. Miss you Gary...

One of the best gutarists by far. R I P Gary.

Richrath can absolutely play the hell out of a Les Paul 👍 🎶🎸

this never gets old. RIP Gary!

I think this solo really shows Garys genius with the guitar rip

Gary, thanks for the decades of great music. From the Red Lion to around the world; Heaven just got another great guitarist. You'll be missed, Love, Respect and Prayers for your family. R.I.P. brother. That's one storm we all will have to ride out. G Stokes

RIP Gary. You were one of my first guitar heroes back in the late 70's. Thanks for all the great music and the great concerts over the years.

Was huge fan back in the 157th Riverside days....but not once Cronin assumed control of the band’s direction with the sappy ballads....Richraft was the shining light...

RIP Gary. Thanks for all the music you gave us.

One of the greatest classic rock guitarist I ever saw.

OMG When REO was REO... GARY RICHRATH IS THE FN BOMB!!! So effortless, changed the face of rock as we know it..........

gary was a great guy,,,, rip brother you are missed so much

I still miss this guy !!!!

I played this so much in my car that I magnetized the tape and my deck. I would crank up Gary and listen to him with his awesome guitar riffs. None of my friends knew why I liked them and when they got on the Top 40 stuff all my friends were all on board and I was like where did the music go?

RIP Gary. Such a underrated guitarist You will be missed.

One of my top 5 concerts of all time.1979-1980ish I'd say when I saw them,Cobo Hall,Detroit,MI.Gary Richrath was Bad as Hell.One of the Greats that's for sure.

Amazing talent. He will be missed. Thank you for the music, Gary Richrath. RIP

I saw REO back 79 or 80, Molly Hatchet opened up for them in Denver what a concert that was. Gary was awesome that night. Was a huge REO fan back then, but when they went top 40 that was it. Such a great band before. I'll never forget Gary playing in the spotlight. RIP

Rest in peace - sorry for your loss to your band, family and friends and to all of us out here who appreciated your playing!

He was so much fun to watch on stage. 100% superstar

The most melodic lead guitarist ever. And THAT is what a LP should sound like. Saw em on the tour after this 85 or so, when I was 14. Probably the biggest iinflunce on me as a guitar player to this day. Saw gnr in 88 and have to admit slash/ richrath very similar styles.

I don’t think he was considered underrated. He got the recognition back then. I love and miss him. )Gary(

Amazing tone! The guys always was above the curve.

When Rock truly ROLLED !!!! Thanks for all the memories Gary . You were to man .

Sad beyond words. So glad I had the opportunity to see him play.

You wouldnt have believed how much you're gonna be missed, man. Like a part of my best memories died with you. As I watched this video I realized how much I owe you for my playing style. Rest In Peace, Buddy! Hope the Les Paul is still with ya.

Rest in peace Gary you were one of the greats

my old man's favorite guitarist. I grew up listening to REO via my old man. I've only recently grown to understand how incredibly brilliant Garys style was. the guy they have now does a very respectful job of playing and honoring Garys parts. I seen them live two weeks ago and had a blast. the old dogs still got it. RIP Gary.

Very underrated guitarist here! Gary with a Les Paul is the bomb!

Wasnt aware he had passed on. Loved this song since i was a teen. awesome guitarist.

I got his autograph in 1987. REO was playing a charity basketball game against a radio station in Bloomington, Indiana. We got pictures with Alan when he was using a putting green around the pool. I went to the lounge and Gary was in there. I said "I hate to ask you, but can I get your autograph"? He signed a Ramada Inn napkin, NO PROBLEM...

Growing up in the Midwest I was fortunate to see Gary play many times. Was always one of my favorites, so underrated for his time... RIP Gary and thank you for some great memories.

Back in 1980 I would have paid just to watch Gary play!

He's got those pinch harmonics nailed doesn't he!

I miss Gary One of the all time greats for sure

Wish I would have seen you live in concert Gary! Rest in Peace and Thank You!!

Thanksgiving, will never be the same. We'll miss ya Gary

Gary was a great guitar player.

i loved this band, used to play the cassett all the time, and gary was one of my inspirations for wanting to play a guitar, the way he would roll the strings was phenomnal

Gary has left the building.

GREAT SONG AND A GREAT SOLO TOO!!!

saw them live in Madison WI. Came out and said they dedicated this performance to all the folks that came to see them in the bars. Words cannot describe the show. They were the warm up band and the crowd brought them back for two encores Wishborne Ash was next and the crowd really thinned out. I was back about 25 feet on Garys side of the stage. Unforgetable

Well . Here I am again playing in the fond memoried of my high school days

Thanks for posting this 1016Vortex, I sooooooooooooooooo LOVED Gary Richrath's guitar playing & style & ALWAYS have for the last 35+ years. Seems I could have it cranked to the point of my ears wanting to bleed, yet I'd STILL be lookin' for more volume as I could simply never get enough for some reason!?! RIP Gary & THANK YOU for a lifetime full of some of the GREATEST music I will ever know!!!

Still can't believe this is the song I got interested in REO-Speedwagon...way back in the 70/s...Best memory Gary.... R.I.P. He's a gohstrider in the sky ......now

Dude wails! R.I.P. Gary Richrath.

Had the pleasure of seeing Gary in Casper Wyo. Wish he would have stayed with the band longer.

R.I.P. Gary, great player and performer

Love His Guitar Solo With The Band & R.I.P. - GOD Bless You !!!! One Of The Best Guitar Players !!!! LOVE *NORTHERN*STAR*

True talent with a raw les paul and lots of power!!

Seen REO 14 times in Madison WI!!!

Rest in peace Gary, long live Rock & Roll.

What a gift he has...

most underrated picker of all time Loved GR in the early days

So effortless.......RIP Gary.

Long live your music, Gary. We'll miss you here on earth.

Gary Richrath has not been given enough credit as a guitarist. He was freakin awesome. My favorite band of all time though it Journey but Gary would give Neal Schon a run for his money.

REO Speedwagon always struck me as a humble group of faceless musicians with a unique brand of rock.

just a foot-stompin' good time...

I have never seen this before. He was the man back in those days.

I would have to loved to seen this live.

Gary is the best of the best!

certainly one of the most under rated bands!

My son thinks Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen are the only ones who can play. So I showed him this. Changed his mind it did!

Nice. Tasteful. This is what modern players need to adopt. Feeling over flash.

RIP Gary, you rocked!

REO needs to give the You Get What You Played For the updated version and include this song on it!!

one of the greats, RIP

I saw REO Speedwagon in the mid 70s (maybe 74?) in Colorado Springs. Gary WAS REO Speedwagon back then (to me). Still have pics from that night - very close up.

It"s so understandable that Gary had a drinking problem. . . . . WORKING WITH KEVIN, WHO WOULDN"T????

I was a Rock Show and Event Security Supervisor during this band's greatest years (late70s-mid80s) and handled several of their events(McNichols Arena in Denver and Thomas and Mac Arena in Las Vegas), and they inspired me to return again to my roots as a performing Guitarist after seeing the chemistry that Cronin and Richrath had live on stage. I consider Reo's magic to be the two of them TOGETHER doing exactly this, any less on either's part detracts from what I enjoyed....

Gary is absolutly the BOMB!!

RIP Gary. .......Legend

see ya later Gary.Nice meeting you in Peoria after the show at Bradley Field house in 1978! You were THE man!

Hey sweet the guitar man Gary Richrath Rest in peace my man

I so miss Gary in REO.

Awesome Rest in peace Gary Richrath

Gary was REO in my opinion!!!!!!

@HackerGuitarist Gary did not get kicked out for drugs. He actually wasn't doing any drugs then. His alcohol was the main issue. He would be too drunk to perform at rehearsals. Plus, the issue that really ended it was the arrangement of the songs. Gary was the chief producer, and Kevin arranged the songs. Kevin had begun limiting the opportunities that Gary had to solo in his arrangements. This was a very tension causing thing. They began to hate each other over the direction of the band.

very cool. thank you for posting this video.

one of the best guitarist around!

Love the old R.E.O. Seen them in the summer of 81. Memphis, TN. Mid South Coliseum!! He did pretty much the same solo.

Amazing player

Watching him play is a TOTAL turn on. Very hot.