REO Speedwagon, Deadwood, South Dakota

REO Speedwagon made up for a cancelled concert almost a year earlier when on December 2, 2018 they played to a completely sold-out show at the Deadwood Mountain Grand in Deadwood, South Dakota. The packed house enjoyed all the hits by the band that originally formed in 1967. Classic lineup members bassist Bruce Hall, keyboardist Neal Doughty and singer/guitarist Kevin Cronin were complemented by guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt, who have both been with the band almost 30 years.

One of the coolest things I've ever seen from a big-name band happened when the lights first went down. Kevin Cronin walked out and explained that this was the last show of their 2018 tour, so they would like to do something special for their hard-working crew. He pointed out that the guys behind the scenes are pretty good musicians themselves and introduced the "Crewzitions" for a three-song performance that proved it. Cronin himself played "roadie" and provided a drink of water mid-song for the crew's singer.

Oh yeah, I got to hang out backstage for a few minutes before the show. This was all pretty cool because back when I yearned to be a rock and roll photographer, REO Speedwagon was the first nationally-touring act for which I got a photo/backstage pass. So roughly 35 years later I got to say hi to the guys again.