Dark, long 1980s style hair has given way to short, frosted cuts and there are more wrinkles, but REO Speedwagon still sounds good and still loves touring. Fort Bragg, Fayetteville and area residents have the rare opportunity to step back in time Saturday, Jan. 14 when the rock band performs at Fayetteville's Crown Center Theatre as part of the Community Concert Series. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster and at the Crown Box Office for $30 to $70.
Fronted by lead vocalist Kevin Cronin, REO Speedwagon is best known for its 1980 hits "Keep on Loving You" and "Take It On the Run," and 1984 classic "Can't Fight This Feeling." The band has sold 22 million albums in the U.S. and 40 million albums worldwide, and is easily one of the signature sounds of the 80s. Fayetteville fans can hear them virtually everyday on local classic rock stations.
Led by Cronin since 1972, and formed in 1967, 2012 will be the group's 40th year with their front man at the helm.
"We're still doing it and still going strong," Cronin said on the Speedwagon website.
Speedwagon has certainly been an example of "Ridin' The Storm Out" and shown how to "Roll With The Changes," two of their hits. They're still enjoying touring now, the same way they did in the old days of riding in station wagons to tiny gigs. And they're still passionate about what they do.
"The world is going through a weird phase, and everybody needs music now more than ever," Cronin said on the website. "We all need to join our friends, pool our resources, combine our energies, because there is power in people coming together."
For tickets, log onto www.crowncoliseum.com.