REO Speedwagon will stop touring due to ‘irreconcilable differences’

REO Speedwagon won't be taking it on the run much longer.

The classic rock band's members announced Sept. 16 on Facebook that REO Speedwagon will cease touring at the end of the year because of "irreconcilable differences" between bassist Bruce Hall and bandmate Kevin Cronin.

The update comes months into Hall’s recovery from back surgery.

"To our fans: Bruce has intended to be Back On the Road Again by now. If it were up to just him, he’d be back on tour… but it’s not up to just him.

“The consensus opinion was that he had not recovered sufficiently to be able to perform at the level the fans have come to expect,” the announcement said.

REO Speedwagon at the Summerfest Music Festival 2024 on June 28, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  (Weston Rich / Billboard via Getty Images)
REO Speedwagon performing live on June 28, 2024, in Milwaukee.

It added that Hall had "respected that opinion" and was grateful to touring bassist Matt Bissonette, who had "been around to keep the Wagon rolling through the summer tour."

"Bruce never had any intention of retiring or walking away from the band, fans, and crew he has loved for almost 50 years," the announcement said.

It added that guitarist and singer Cronin also "never had any intention of leaving the band, and the fans and crew mean the world to him."

"Due to this complex situation, irreconcilable differences arose between Bruce and Kevin. So, it is with great sadness that we announce REO Speedwagon will cease touring effective January 1, 2025," it explained.

The announcement concluded by saying Hall, Cronin and their longtime bandmate, keyboardist Neal Doughty, "thank their fans for all their years of loyal support and for giving back to the band such wonderful memories that will remain with each of them forever."

Cronin, who is currently recuperating from an emergency surgery, declined to further comment to TODAY.com about REO Speedwagon's decision to stop touring.

REO Speedwagon formed in Champaign, Illinois, in the late 1960s. The band is best known for a string of hits in the 1970s and '80s, including “Can’t Fight this Feeling,” “Keep on Loving You,” “Time for Me to Fly” and “Take It on the Run."

According to the band's official website, REO Speedwagon has nearly 20 more concert dates scheduled in 2024. The band's last scheduled concert is with Loverboy on Nov. 23 at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.

Around the same time REO Speedwagon shared its announcement on Sept. 16, Hall addressed fans on his personal Facebook page.

"Never ever thought it would end like this and I’m heartbroken. Please know Neal and I did everything in our power to try and keep the Wagon rolling," he wrote.

Hall thanked fans for their support, writing, "You guys have been very vocal and clear in your wishes for me to return to the stage. Trust me...that’s all I wanted too. We all deserved a farewell tour."

His message comes three months after Hall shared an update about his recovery in June, writing, "I’m feeling better every day and have been cleared by my doctor to perform. If it were up to just me, I’d be there rocking tonight...but it’s unfortunately not.

"The consensus feeling is that I don’t have good enough posture to perform at the level expected by our fans," he wrote.

"I’m doing everything possible to continue to heal," he wrote. "Physical therapy, singing lessons and practicing my guitar and bass every day.

"Trust me, I have no intention of retiring or walking away from the band I have loved for almost 50 years. I would never ever walk away. I love my band too much. I love our crew. I love all of you, the best fans of all time, so very much," he added.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com