Ahh Shit. Gary Richrath, RIP

Cafe Society
1

Before I got turned on to really hard music, Gary Richrath was a guitar hero of mine. Ahh shit!
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/richrath-reo-speedwagon-guitarist-songwriter-dies-33748392

2

I tip my hat. Solid player with a sunburst Les Paul plugged straight into a huge amp. REO ended up getting lumped in with Styx and Journey, but they had the heart of a great bar band, which I liked. Richrath was part of that - nice lead work.

3

I didn’t see this on line anywhere. How did you hear that he died…?

4

I saw it on the Google News page.

5

Heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend…

6

I’m so upset about this. Gary-era REO helped get me through a cancer battle last year. I knew he’d looked pretty rough the last few years, but was hoping he’d be able to get it together. Damn.

This is how I want to remember him:

And like this:
:(
7

I just remembered something. I was in the fifth row at a Toto/Yes concert last week that was amazing. I was mesmerized watching Yes guitarist Steve Howe who at 68 is active, precise and doesn’t miss a note. I couldn’t believe the tone he got with one of his guitars. I remember thinking that I wish Gary could get himself together enough to be like Howe and how incredible that would be. Sure didn’t expect THIS.