Kevin Cronin, the 72-year old frontman of REO Speedwagon, is a testament to the saying that one is never too old to learn. As the band prepares for their upcoming shows, "An Evening of Hi Infidelity…and More" in Las Vegas next month, Cronin has been working tirelessly with his vocal coach, Jeffrey Allen.
Cronin's journey with Allen began three years ago, following a recommendation from his son Shane, a graduate of the USC Thornton School of Music's Pop Vocal program, where Allen heads the department. Shane assured his father that working with Allen would be life-changing, and he was right.
The journey wasn't easy at first. Allen challenged Cronin's understanding of singing and helped him navigate emotional hurdles stemming from the early 1970s when Cronin lost his spot in REO Speedwagon due to vocal problems. Despite these challenges, Cronin persevered and is now preparing to sing the entire "Hi Infidelity" album in sequence, along with additional performances in Act Two (the unplugged portion) and Act Three (other deep cuts and hits).
Cronin and the band have been re-imagining this concept for years. Their ambitious plan aims to provide fans with a totally immersive experience as they celebrate the dawn of the 1980s through the music of "Hi Infidelity" and trace the history of REO Speedwagon through songs and stories about those songs.
"An Evening of Hi Infidelity…and More" will premiere on November 10th and 11th at the Venetian Theater in Las Vegas. As Cronin continues his preparations with Allen via Zoom from an undisclosed location, he looks forward to seeing fans at the shows.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]