Members of REO Speedwagon, who reunited for a final concert over the summer at State Farm Center, are returning to campus.
The band will serve as grand marshal at the University of Illinois homecoming parade on Sept. 26 and have a presence at the football game against USC the following day.
The Marching Illini will pay tribute to the rock ‘n rollers by playing some of REO’s best hits during their weekend performance.
REO’s return includes lead singer Kevin Cronin, who did not take part in the group’s farewell concert June 14 in Champaign. He’ll be joined by founding members Neal Doughty and Alan Gratzer and Champaign native Bruce Hall.
The parade begins at 6 p.m. on that Friday at the corner of Fourth Street and Kirby Avenue. A post-parade party will take place in Lot 31.
“Champaign will always be a special place for me after going to school there, founding REO and meeting my wife, Nancy, on campus,” Gratzer said. “I have so many great memories from my college days at the U of I and can’t wait to hear the Marching Illini playing REO songs.”
At the football game (11 a.m. kickoff), band members will participate in the traditional sounding of the air raid siren and take the field with Barry Houser and the Marching Illini to collaborate on an REO-themed halftime show.
“Returning to campus for this event is really special for me because I was a proud member of the Belleville High School marching band and loved that experience,” Doughty said. “I was a pretty decent trumpet player but never would have reached the level of the Marching Illini. I have nothing but respect for what they do, and I know how hard they work. It will be a thrill to play alongside them.”
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