The Essential REO Speedwagon

~ Release by REO Speedwagon (see all versions of this release, 2 available)

Annotation

Remastered

Annotation last modified on 2025-06-26 02:00 UTC.

Tracklist

1▶CD
2▼CD
#TitleRatingLength
1Back on the Road Again
assistant producer:
Gary Lubow
associate producer:
Alan Gratzer (drummer)
producer:
Kevin Beamish, Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter) and Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
recording of:
Back on the Road Again (in 1979-02)
lyricist and composer:
Bruce Hall (US bassist for REO Speedwagon)
publisher:
Large Music (dance music) and フジパシフィックミュージック (Fujipacific Music, Inc.)
35:30
2Only the Strong Survive
producer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter) and Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
recording of:
Only the Strong Survive (in 1979-03)
lyricist and composer:
Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
publisher:
Slam Dunk Music (work publisher) and 大洋音楽 (Taiyō Music)
3:54
3Don't Let Him Go
assistant engineer:
Tom Cummings (engineer) and Jeff Eccles
engineer:
Kevin Beamish
co-producer:
Alan Gratzer (drummer)
producer:
Kevin Beamish, Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter) and Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
acoustic guitar and lead vocals:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
bass:
Bruce Hall (US bassist for REO Speedwagon)
drums (drum set):
Alan Gratzer (drummer)
guitar:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter) and Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
synthesizer:
Neal Doughty (keyboards)
arranger:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 1980)
recording of:
Don’t Let Him Go (on 1980-08-19)
lyricist and composer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
publisher:
Fate Music and 大洋音楽 (Taiyō Music)
23:47
4Keep on Loving You
assistant engineer:
Tom Cummings (engineer) and Jeff Eccles
engineer:
Kevin Beamish
co-producer:
Alan Gratzer (drummer)
producer:
Kevin Beamish, Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter) and Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
acoustic guitar:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
bass:
Bruce Hall (US bassist for REO Speedwagon)
drums (drum set):
Alan Gratzer (drummer)
guitar:
Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
Hammond organ:
Neal Doughty (keyboards)
background vocals:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter), Tom Kelly (songwriter) and Richard Page (singer-songwriter; former lead singer & bassist of Mr. Mister)
arranger:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Epic Records (a division of Sony Music Entertainment; holding company, not a release label) (in 1980), Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Aug 5, 2004 – Oct 1, 2008) (in 1980), Sony Music Entertainment (NOT FOR RELEASE LABEL USE! company owned by Sony Corporation of America since Oct 1, 2008; operates worldwide except in JP) (in 1980), Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 1980, in 1981) and CBS Records Inc. (for rights/distribution/manufacture use only; international subsidiary of CBS, Inc.) (in 1981)
part of:
VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80’s (compiled in 2006) (number: 67)
recording of:
Keep On Loving You (on 1980-09-03)
lyricist and composer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
publisher:
Bucks Music Group Ltd. (Bucks Music Group), Bug Music Ltd., Fate Music, HoriPro Entertainment Group, Hornall Brothers Music Ltd. (limited company), Mushroom Music (Mushroom label’s publishing company), Mushroom Music Pty. Ltd., The International Music Network and Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996)
sub-publisher:
Taiyō Music
3.553:22
5In Your Letter
assistant engineer:
Tom Cummings (engineer) and Jeff Eccles
engineer:
Kevin Beamish
co-producer:
Alan Gratzer (drummer)
producer:
Kevin Beamish, Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter) and Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
acoustic guitar:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
bass:
Bruce Hall (US bassist for REO Speedwagon)
drums (drum set):
Alan Gratzer (drummer)
guitar:
Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
piano:
Neal Doughty (keyboards)
background vocals:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter), Tom Kelly (songwriter) and Richard Page (singer-songwriter; former lead singer & bassist of Mr. Mister)
arranger:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 1980)
recording of:
In Your Letter (in 1980)
lyricist and composer:
Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
publisher:
Slam Dunk Music (work publisher) and 大洋音楽 (Taiyō Music)
3:17
6Take It on the Run
assistant engineer:
Tom Cummings (engineer) and Jeff Eccles
engineer:
Kevin Beamish
co-producer:
Alan Gratzer (drummer)
producer:
Kevin Beamish, Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter) and Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
acoustic guitar and lead vocals:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
bass:
Bruce Hall (US bassist for REO Speedwagon)
drums (drum set):
Alan Gratzer (drummer)
guitar:
Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
synthesizer:
Neal Doughty (keyboards)
arranger:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Epic Records (a division of Sony Music Entertainment; holding company, not a release label) (in 1980), Sony Music Entertainment (NOT FOR RELEASE LABEL USE! company owned by Sony Corporation of America since Oct 1, 2008; operates worldwide except in JP) (in 1980) and Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 1980)
recording of:
Take It on the Run (on 1980-09-18)
lyricist and composer:
Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
publisher:
HoriPro Entertainment Group, Slam Dunk Music (work publisher) and 大洋音楽 (Taiyō Music)
3.754:02
7Keep the Fire Burnin'
assistant engineer:
Bruce Barris and Tom Cummings (engineer)
engineer:
Kevin Beamish
producer:
Kevin Beamish, Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter), Alan Gratzer (drummer) and Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
acoustic guitar [acoustic guitars], piano and lead vocals:
Kevin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
bass guitar:
Bruce (US bassist for REO Speedwagon)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Alan (drummer)
electric guitar [electric guitars]:
Gary (guitarist and songwriter)
organ:
Neal (keyboards)
percussion:
Steve Forman (US percussionist)
background vocals:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter), Tom Kelly (songwriter) and Richard Page (singer-songwriter; former lead singer & bassist of Mr. Mister)
recorded at:
Sound City Studio in Van Nuys, California, United States
mixed at:
Kendun Recorders in Burbank, California, United States
recording of:
Keep the Fire Burnin' (in 1982-05)
lyricist and composer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
53:57
8The Key
assistant engineer:
Bruce Barris and Tom Cummings (engineer)
engineer:
Kevin Beamish
producer:
Kevin Beamish, Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter), Alan Gratzer (drummer) and Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
bass guitar:
Bruce (US bassist for REO Speedwagon)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Alan (drummer)
electric guitar [electric guitars]:
Gary (guitarist and songwriter)
guitar [rhythm guitars] and lead vocals:
Kevin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
organ and piano:
Neal (keyboards)
shakers:
Steve Forman (US percussionist)
recorded at:
Sound City Studio in Van Nuys, California, United States
mixed at:
Kendun Recorders in Burbank, California, United States
recording of:
The Key (from 1982-02 until 1982-05)
writer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
3:28
9One Lonely Night
assistant producer:
David DeVore
producer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter), Alan Gratzer (drummer) and Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
recording of:
One Lonely Night (in 1984-08)
lyricist and composer:
Neal Doughty (keyboards)
publisher:
Part-Time Publishing
23:23
10Live Every Moment
producer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter), Alan Gratzer (drummer) and Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
recording of:
Live Every Moment (in 1984-08)
lyricist and composer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
5:02
11Can't Fight This Feeling
producer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter), Alan Gratzer (drummer) and Gary Richards
arranger:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter) and REO Speedwagon
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment (NOT FOR RELEASE LABEL USE! company owned by Sony Corporation of America since Oct 1, 2008; operates worldwide except in JP) (in 1984) and Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 1984)
recording of:
Can’t Fight This Feeling (in 1984-08)
lyricist and composer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
publisher:
Bucks Music Group Ltd. (Bucks Music Group), Fate Music, The International Music Network Ltd and Warner Bros. Music Ltd. (UK subsidiary, so named between 1970/01/23–1971/04/26 and 1972/04/25–1988/08/23)
sub-publisher:
大洋音楽 (Taiyō Music)
3.94:54
12That Ain't Love
producer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter), David DeVore, Alan Gratzer (drummer) and Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
recording of:
That Ain't Love (in 1986-12)
lyricist and composer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
publisher:
Fate Music
34:02
13In My Dreams
co-producer:
Alan Gratzer (drummer)
producer:
Kevin Beamish, Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter) and Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
recording of:
In My Dreams (in 1986-12)
writer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter) and Tom Kelly (songwriter)
publisher:
Denise Barry Music and Fate Music
24:32
14Variety Tonight
producer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter), David DeVore, Alan Gratzer (drummer) and Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
recording of:
Variety Tonight (in 1986-12)
lyricist and composer:
Neal Doughty (keyboards)
4:30
15Here With Me
programming:
Eric Persing
producer:
Keith Olsen (US producer and engineer)
additional synthesizer:
Eric Persing
bass guitar:
Bruce Hall (US bassist for REO Speedwagon)
drums (drum set):
Alan Gratzer (drummer)
guitar and lead vocals:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
guitar [lead guitar]:
Gary Richrath (guitarist and songwriter)
keyboard and synthesizer:
Neal Doughty (keyboards)
background vocals:
Tommy Funderburk
recording of:
Here With Me (in 1988-04)
writer:
Rick Braun and Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
publisher:
Fate Music and Roliram Music
25:05
16Love Is a Rock
assistant recording engineer:
Julie Last
recording engineer:
Jim Scott (US recording engineer and producer)
producer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter), Jesse Harms, Tom Lord‐Alge and Jim Scott (US recording engineer and producer)
mixer:
Tom Lord‐Alge
percussion:
Steve Foreman
background vocals:
Carla Day, Debra Dobkin, Darlene Koldenhoven, Janis Liebhart, Andrea Robinson and Terry Wood (US vocalist)
recorded at:
Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (from 1989-09-03 until 1989-10-15)
recording of:
Love Is a Rock (from 1989-09-03 until 1989-10-15)
writer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
45:35
17Building the Bridge
producer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter) and Greg Ladanyi
recording of:
Building the Bridge (in 1996)
writer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter)
4:16
18Just for You
producer:
Peter Asher
recording of:
Just for You (in 1999)
writer:
Kevin Cronin (guitarist, singer and songwriter) and Jim Peterik
4:38

Credits

Release group

part of:The Essential (Sony/Legacy compilations) (order: 63)
Allmusic:https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000213536 [info]
Wikidata:Q16837249 [info]