REO SPEEDWAGON

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September 1st, 2001

American Music Festival, Virginia Beach, VA

 

 

We did not take photos at this event that I can recall.  If any are found, I'll post them later.

 


REO SPEEDWAGON

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May 28th, 2004

Fort Monroe, VA

 

This was a free concert for the military and ticket-less.  We did take photos, and waited afterwards and managed to get two members of the band to sign an autograph

 

   

 

Autographed index card: Bass player Dave Amato and the Drummer Brian Hitt. We missed the rest of the band. To see more autographs from the band, go here: www.starwarsautographcollecting.com Scroll down to music and pick REO

 


REO SPEEDWAGON

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August 2005

Little Creek Amphibious Base, Norfolk, VA  

 

Great time was had by all and this concert was equal to the last concert (as far as how great they sounded).  Bryan is to me the hardest working drummer of all the bands I have seen.  The rest of the band is very hard working and crowd pleasing.  I almost caught a drumstick but was nearly trampled by a guy who snatched it from me practically.

 

First photo is all five members of the band, second photo Bass Guitarist Bruce Hall, third photo is Drummer Brian Hitt, fourth photo is Keyboardist Neal Dougherty fifth photo is Lead Singer Kevin Cronin and final photo is Bruce Hall, Kevin Cronin and Lead Guitarist Dave Amato

 


REO SPEEDWAGON

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June 27th,  2008

Naval Air Station Norfolk Norfolk, VA  

 

Program

 

This was another free concert so no tickets.  As Kevin Cronin put it at the concert, it's almost like they are the patrons of the military here (always coming in for the free concerts here).  This time, it was SOOOO hot and muggy and rainy looking but the concert was really great so we suffered (and my ear still hurts this morning and is ringing).  Again, I missed the drumstick and was punched in the back of the head by some huge guy.  Yeah; some big thing bonking a 4'10" woman; get a life!  Anyway, I did manage to get four guitar picks (gave one away to someone next to me who wasn't able to get any).  We bought a program but there wasn't a chance to get them to sign.  We were too hot to stay and beg and yell... almost had a shot at Neal's autograph but couldn't whip the sharpie out fast enough (while he was leaving the stage at the end of the concert).  Oh well.  I still need Neal, Kevin and Bruce's graphs... and I still want a drumstick from my favorite drummer~

 

Left to right: 1) Kevin Cronin, lead singer, pleases fans 2) Kevin Cronin; Rhythm Guitar/Piano/lead singer 3) Neal Doughty Keyboardist 4) Bryan Hitt; drums/percussion 5) Bruce Hall; Bass Guitar/Harmony Vocals

 

Left to Right: 1) Kevin Cronin, Bruce Hall and Dave Amato (Lead Guitar/Harmony Vocals) 2) Kevin Cronin, Bruce Hall and Dave Amato 3) Bruce Hall and Dave Amato 4) We were so close we could see where they taped "Norfolk, VA" and the set list on the floor for Kevin so he'd not forget 5) The amp (lower right) that killed my ear for a couple days

 

Left to right: 1) The obligatory crowd shot 2) 3 picks we caught 4) 2WD was the sponsor and that's one of their hosts and the 12 year old girl who sang the National Anthem (BIG voice for a young girl-very talented)

 


 

REO SPEEDWAGON

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September 5th, 2010

American Music Festival, Virginia Beach, VA

 

We went to American Music Festival again. We always enjoy  REO Speedwagon and this is our 5th concert. I think of all the bands from their era, they sound the best and still seem to have that spark of love for what they do. To them, it's their life, their enjoyment, their family and they do not lip sync, or ever show how worn down they feel when playing. They work hard! They actually have sounded the same at every concert. Unlike other groups who vary with acoustics or an off day, I've yet to be disappointed with even one song. This is the best testament any band could get.  LOVE them. So, when earlier in the year I had won free backstage passes, front row seats, meet/greet with photo op and autograph and free parking and a goodie bag, I was so excited! Only to be deflated to learn that we had non-refundable airline tickets and resort reservations in Florida for the opening of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando.  I was in tears literally, because this is one of my most favorite bands  and I've never won anything that good before.  It was a blow if you read my last post (above) for this band, when every concert, I've tried my best to get a drumstick and one time ALMOST caught one (it touched my hand and the person behind me got it) and I went home a little mad (people get rough sometimes). So when Bryan heard of this, I got a nice thing in the mail a few days later... (see below).  Now as good as meeting him and the band, but still pretty darned AWESOME!!!! THANKS to Bryan and the person who relayed that message for me. It is appreciated and will be well cared for and it owned by a REAL fan~  This concert we sat a bit further back than normal as so many people pushed us back as usual. Now, they no longer have "first come" seating. NOW, there is VIP seating, meaning to sit just a few feet closer, you have to pay the huge dollars. We can no longer afford to do this, and with me literally going blind (I have an eye disease and will eventually need a cornea transplant), I may not be going to many more concerts.  It's turned into a pushing/shoving match and nothing but money. We know the bands don't get any of this money... and we HOPE it goes towards a good cause, but so far, I have not heard about where this money is going other than  to pay for the chairs they bought. Nothing else has changed at the venues to improve them and there is no charity that is getting the money. I think the money is going to promoters.  If not, they are more than welcome to let me know so I can correct this statement, but nobody can tell me!  Why not let people with disabilities get to enjoy the event too... use the money for that. Or, let the public go to the old way and let those of us who are willing to wait 5 hours or more in line to get a close seat, get one!

Okay, so back to the concert. Great stuff. Before REO took the stage, local radio personalities introduced a girl who warmed up the crowd. This soloist I don't know who it was, but I have photos and would love to post them, but I cannot figure out who she was. There is no mention of her on the internet anywhere! I think it was before she sang, that they had the Rock and Roll Half Marathon winners on stage. I do not think any of the winners were from the USA (Shame!).  I will post photos of this on the American  Music Festival page.  After REO took the stage, Pat Benetar took the stage. She was pretty good. Enjoyed that, but for me REO was a bit stronger. My son loved her concert though, singing along to some of the songs, which if you knew my son, you'd know that was a compliment, as he hates crowds, is embarrassed at everything and is a general grumpy person! So huge Kudos for Pat for giving me a memory of my son in a non-normal but better state!!!  That's about it other than almost having an accident on the way out of the parking lot (and a lady almost swiped another car at the same time and that person got out and there was an altercation). So we got a show there as an added bonus!

 

Left to right: 1) Kevin Cronin, Vocals/Guitar 2) Dave Amato on the big screen Guitar/Vocals 3) Bryan Hitt, Drummer 4) Bruce Hall, Bass Guitar and Kevin Cronin 5) Bruce and Dave slamming it out

 

Left to right: 1) Bruce an Dave doing their thing 2) Bruce, Kevin and Dave 3) Neal Doughty (Keyboards), Dave and Bryan 4) At the end, a roadie or two sings with the band for a special song 5) The band minus Bryan

 

Left to right: 1) The Whole band (not a great photo, but included it because the flag was cool) 2) the Whole band 3) The whole band again 4) this is the band on stage from where we ended up after everyone kept pushing us back!

 

Left to right: 1) My Bryan Hitt signed Drumstick . . . ;) This was so great to receive. I was thrilled!

 

Links:

Pat Benetar

 

 

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