REO Speedwagon first formed in 1968, via a pair of University of Illinois students, keyboardist Neal Doughty and drummer Alan Gratzer. After graduation, the group signed on with then unknown manager Irving Azoff (who would later guide the careers of such multi-platinum acts as the Eagles and Steely Dan), which led to the outfit building a devoted following in the Midwest due to non-stop touring. By the early 70's, Doughty and Gratzer had welcomed aboard guitarist Gary Richrath, who would soon prove to be the group's sparkplug (and one of rock's more underrated players), in addition to bassist Gregg Philbin and singer Terry Luttrell. It was this line-up to be featured on the quintet's 1971 self-titled debut recording, for Epic Records. REO continued with a string of Rock hits through the 1980's.
Artist: REO Speedwagon - Song: Back On The Road Again - Year: 1979 - Album: Nine Lives