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The world of music, much like a carefully produced story arc within a tv production often brings with it an odd blend of emotion, shared connections, complex character dynamics ( often without any characters being actually ‘ fictional’) and constant, often unforeseeable evolutions over the long course of their timelines and careers. That's exactly what is being displayed regarding the recent conclusion regarding the end of ‘REO Speedwagon’; as their final chapter closes while at the same time, also brings forth another new avenue of possibilities as Kevin Cronin now steps forward on his own and this makes the entire scenario a very poignant example about how these types of stories will have such powerful value due to the relatable and human experiences; these concepts must be carefully considered while we carefully examine recent events and what those do mean for music history and future music direction regarding core band members in specific.
The end of REO Speedwagon, as it was publicly understood and presented is not without a tinge of sadness as it shows how often ‘real life’ isn’t as easily controlled and managed as most of those narrative forms may display. That ending was by any and all metrics; not organic; the split between key members reveals very human and personal issues which often happens behind large artistic projects as they evolve and mature. Kevin Cronin himself confirmed this explicitly: this was never his intent or decision but as this happened that does provide much for analysis on many aspects regarding creativity, financial partnerships and even human needs to perform and to feel appreciated.
The group’s public statement, highlighting long term personal issues regarding recovery and that specific inability of past members, showcased that those limitations ( rather than external forces alone) were now causing much larger cracks, which were then amplified by complex, if messy legal frameworks ( with multiple parties now being forced to work on legal formats). It feels that those personal problems all seem very far removed from the very large creative project or vision that many might expect but that's only to be expected on long running productions as that also human element must come to full understanding; you can not simply dismiss 'real people' that may need different approaches in each of those specific scenarios.
Whilst many will see this as a negative approach those negative details often tell far more meaningful underlying elements about why certain productions last a long period or why, some others often fail despite seeming too big to have that issue; by being able to understand those complex relationships with their inherent problems that too allows to comprehend any shared creative experiences. While sad, these separations may open new creative endeavors as these types of issues never ever come alone.
The forced closure of a long existing partnership creates space for unique paths and it is that exact specific point where Kevin Cronin takes his path. His choice to present his next tour titled "The Songs of REO Speedwagon," feels carefully and precisely planned as it understands that some audiences who have had such shared experiences with that core group, may be unable to completely let go of these connections. And for most, that emotional link also is more important than branding or legal constructs from music publishing labels or studios as with this new direction he recognizes how important those core familiar experiences remain as shared common links between people.
Cronins choice isn't only based on nostalgia, because if you observe more critically, he is also presenting that despite all difficulties faced the need to continue to engage in creativity hasn't completely gone away. His clear dedication for ‘playing his favorite songs' with band members he appreciates makes perfect sense when considered by a more seasoned viewer as such moves provide far greater context as to what he sees valuable regarding a future approach by not doing it in spite of, but instead because he enjoys those shared moments, those details provide another human dimension beyond just seeing a well produced music performer which now feels even more organic and authentic .
With those elements in play he's clearly defining a direction; he's using prior work that also includes his emotional support to long time core fan-bases without completely forgetting to put in his new direction within what was created, rather than an attempt to simply ‘copy or keep the past' completely frozen without allowing personal growth.
When considering why and how a band of such size did end up going into different paths one clear concept seems prevalent: the importance of personal limitations, both on physical, creative and financial decisions. By placing focus on details as varied such as scheduling issues , long running conflicts, and even simple but all too human elements that push people into choosing sides ( often in an unintentional fashion) it then shows that ‘the act of creating together is mostly an attempt to compromise'. And such methods aren't simple but must happen with mutual understanding and not as some basic obligation. Because that underlying tension appears very clearly, from comments by various members as every long standing core member has an equal importance in any structure with power structures always existing within groups.
What most productions ( in both film or tv media productions as well) try very hard to display as always ‘positive vibes’ and mutual friendship all the time , seems completely absent from this shared production reality; as this separation proves no single person within ‘a collective’ can hold complete overall control as human motivations aren't as simple to put under some production team's ideal standard, instead they operate more like a large human collective which makes all choices more organic and less ‘manufactured’, much similar to how we normally react through a shared life path.
The official ending to the ‘REO Speedwagon’ format presents several key learning points, which go well beyond any usual band split up or creative direction and serves as important notes of observation regarding artistic properties as well, since it all helps demonstrate complex relationships where mutual understanding and personal emotional connections might often matter more than previously agreed contracts or established goals that become empty shells when faced against a large ongoing production. Because that element often gets missed throughout many band split ups or production studio down times and creative differences it is something to carefully evaluate as that's often also why some productions survive for longer times over those that don’t (or never) develop and embrace those human aspects first rather than just production numbers and data which rarely provides anything truly ‘real' in many contexts.
Kevin Cronin's future musical journey under his own name isn’t simply a continuation from a past project, but appears as a natural process with him showing that new ways (while also honoring previously crafted shared work) provides him the value to continue to push further; with both challenges of maintaining an audience's trust and presenting his own artistic views that shows the power for art as an evolving concept that never completely stops, despite past or ongoing external elements . Therefore in the world of long term human relationships where financial and creative structures all mix as one single organism, that's probably the most authentic view to have when thinking about past present and also for any future timeline as the ‘human' value comes first rather than ‘production’ value. For new, old, casual and serious watchers this should offer enough food for thought.