Gary Richrath, the veteran lead guitarist and songwriter for the rock band REO Speedwagon from 1970 until 1989, passed away on Sept. 13, Sunday. He was 65.
Richrath's former REO Speedwagon associate Kevin Cronin confirmed the news on the band's official website, though, the exact cause of his death is yet unknown.
Born and brought up in Peoria, Illinios, Richrath started juggling in music at an early age. He joined the band in late 1970 to replace Steve Scorfina, who later co-founded rock band Pavlov's Dog. Owing to his superb writing skills, he eventually turned out pivotal in the band's success.
Among many hit numbers, Richrath also wrote the band's signature song "Ridin' the Storm Out," which peaked at number 171 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1981 and reached platinum status in 1989. The other singles which he wrote for the band are 1972's hit "Golden Country," "Flying Turkey Trot," and "Son Of A Poor Man." His co-wrote another band's hit track "Take It on the Run," which became a Top 5 pop hit on the Billboard charts.
Richrath also sang several SEO Speedwagon's hit singles like "Find My Fortune," "Wild as the Western Wind," and "(Only A) Summer Love."
Richrath left the band in 1989 and released a solo album titled "Only The Strong Survive" in 1992. He reunited with the band for one last time in 2013 when he REO and Styx announced a benefit concert titled "Rock to the Rescue" to raise money for the affected families of the tornado in central Illinois, New York Times reported.