REO Speedwagon were given a big honor when they were presented with the ‘Key to the City’ of Bridgeport, Connecticut last week. They were there co-headlining a show with Styx.
Vocalist Kevin Cronin writes on the band's website, "The day marked the completion of a fifty-year circle for REO Speedwagon, plus a couple of other coincidences…or were they?
He adds, "Old school REO fans will remember that the first self-titled album, REO Speedwagon, was recorded at Connecticut Recording Studio in downtown Bridgeport back in 1970. The song [on that album] '157 Riverside Avenue' was written about the house where the band stayed during those sessions.
Cronin also says, "At a charity event in western Connecticut earlier this year, I was approached by a forty-something guy, who introduced himself as a long-time REO fan. He owns a successful Ferrari dealership, and noticed that the house at 157 Riverside Avenue was for sale. Apparently the place had seen better days, but he bought the property anyway, had the original building razed, and built a beautiful new home on the site. So now there is a loyal member of the REO Fan Family living at 157 Riverside Avenue…as it should be!
Cronin adds that the guys gave the Key to Doughty "as he recorded the first album of his storied career in this city, and as of midnight, it was his birthday!"
Neal Doughty turned 75 on July 29th.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]