December 19, 2021 ​

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This year saw the return of live music to northeast Ohio and REO Speedwagon closed out MGM's calendar year with a joyful show of classic rock.

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Kevin Cronin and company kicked off the show with "Music Man" from the groups second studio album and proceeded to play fifteen other tunes in their one hundred minute set.

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The band was celebrating the 40th Anniversary of their multi-platinum album, Hi Infidelity, and played a trio of songs from that album early in the set.  "Don't Let Him Go," "Take It On The Run" and "Tough Guys" got the nearly sold-out audience on their feet and singing along.

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Cronin was very happy to be playing in Cleveland as REO Speedwagon and the fans of this area have had a great relationship for decades.  He noted that the band started the tour early in the summer but had to shut it down because COVID spread through the band and crew.   However, he stated that they all got vaccinated and wear masks and were able to finish the tour right here in Cleveland. 

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It was a career spanning show as the band played songs from eight of their albums that came out in the '70s and '80s.  Hits like "That Ain't Love" and the power ballad "Can't Fight This Feeling" fit in perfectly with the deeper cuts like "Son of a Poor Man" and "Back On The Road Again."

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The main set closed with "Ridin' the Storm Out."

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Walking out to a darkened stage, Cronin made his was to the piano and told the audience that this song started off the Hi Infidelity craze as he played the familiar chords to "Keep On Loving You."

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The trip down memory lane finished with "Roll With The Changes."

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If you missed this show, you can check out REO, Styx and Loverboy at Blossom this summer.

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Levon, a country-pop band from Nashville opened the show with a nice mix of cover songs and originals.  They have fantastic harmonies and their musicianship is on point.  They are worth checking out!

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Photos and review by Greg Drugan

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