The Illinois Lottery Grandstand will be rocking when REO Speedwagon returns to the Illinois State Fair on Tuesday, August 15. The group, which was loosely formed in the late 1960’s at the University of Illinois, has been a constant in the rock world over the last five decades.
From their chart-topping rock love ballads “I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore” and “Keep On Loving You” to rock classics like “Ridin’ the Storm Out” and “Keep Pushin,” REO will bring a catalog of songs that span generations.
“REO Speedwagon always bring everything they have to the stage,” said Illinois State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark. “In the over 50 years they have been together, there has not been a year where REO Speedwagon didn’t perform live. This will be one of those performances where we will be able to hear the crowd singing along throughout the whole fairgrounds.”
Their 2023 stop will mark the groups seventh time headlining at the Illinois State Fair, the last coming in 2013. Ticket sales for announced shows will go on sale at a date that is yet to be determined.
Tuesday, August 15: REO Speedwagon with TBD
Tier 3 - $33 / Tier 2 - $38 / Tier 1 - $45 / SRO Track - $45 / Blue Ribbon Zone - $100
Saturday, August 19: Maren Morris with TBD
Tier 3 - $50 / Tier 2 - $58 / Tier 1 - $68 / SRO Track - $68 / Blue Ribbon Zone - $123
*A $30 Stage Side Party ticket is offered as an additional upgrade for all paid concerts.
- Stuck in Celliniland - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 10:54 am:
In this spirit, I propose legislation stating that at least 2/3rds of bands performing at the Illinois and DuQuoin State Fairs be Illinois-based bands or bands with a significant Illinois connection (including something like one of the members being a native Illinoisan). It probably will get the 60-30-1 at least.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 10:56 am:
It’s time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars, forever.
“Golden County” was one of my favorites when I was just discovering rock ‘n roll. Thanks for the memories.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 11:05 am:
Yesterday’s hair band is today’s hair transplant band, LOL. Their 50-year history lets us know that, like the blues greats of yesteryear, we may want to see them now since time marches on, and there’s no guarantee they will be around next year or later. As it is, none of the band members in the current lineup were on their first album.
Has there ever been a Chicago Blues Tribute? SO many great artists of old are passing these days. It would be great if the fair would highlight other Illinois foundational acts.
I hate to date myself but I have seen them Many times while working at the Red Lion ‘69-’73 and since. They went from having a brass section and sometimes covering Chicago to become a huge rock band and draw. There actually was a cover charge at the Lion on weekdays when they played, which was very unusual. You always wanted to work when they played so you weren’t stuck in the SRO crowd. Still the best concert I ever witnessed was REO followed by The James Gang at an airplane hanger somewhere in Wisconsin. REO was at its best and James Gang knew it, and topped them. A tinnitus special. I will have to take a trip down memory lane this summer.
REO was not and is not a power pop band. Power Pop is The Shoes, early Cheap Trick, The Knack, etc. REO is stadium AOR rock like Foreigner, Journey, Styx, and Loverboy.
- Regular democrat - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 10:50 am:
An excellent reason to drive downstate
- Stuck in Celliniland - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 10:54 am:
In this spirit, I propose legislation stating that at least 2/3rds of bands performing at the Illinois and DuQuoin State Fairs be Illinois-based bands or bands with a significant Illinois connection (including something like one of the members being a native Illinoisan). It probably will get the 60-30-1 at least.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 10:56 am:
It’s time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars, forever.
- Galena Guy - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 10:57 am:
Not the same without Gary Ritchrath…..sigh.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 10:59 am:
Maren Morris is awesome. Highly recommend. If she isn’t going to be in Chicago around that time, I’ll almost definitely make the drive down
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 11:01 am:
“Golden County” was one of my favorites when I was just discovering rock ‘n roll. Thanks for the memories.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 11:05 am:
Yesterday’s hair band is today’s hair transplant band, LOL. Their 50-year history lets us know that, like the blues greats of yesteryear, we may want to see them now since time marches on, and there’s no guarantee they will be around next year or later. As it is, none of the band members in the current lineup were on their first album.
- Gravitas - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 11:16 am:
Freddie “Boom Boom” Cannon is still working. He would be a natural fit for the State Fair.
- H-W - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 11:20 am:
Has there ever been a Chicago Blues Tribute? SO many great artists of old are passing these days. It would be great if the fair would highlight other Illinois foundational acts.
- DEE - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 11:44 am:
I hate to date myself but I have seen them Many times while working at the Red Lion ‘69-’73 and since. They went from having a brass section and sometimes covering Chicago to become a huge rock band and draw. There actually was a cover charge at the Lion on weekdays when they played, which was very unusual. You always wanted to work when they played so you weren’t stuck in the SRO crowd. Still the best concert I ever witnessed was REO followed by The James Gang at an airplane hanger somewhere in Wisconsin. REO was at its best and James Gang knew it, and topped them. A tinnitus special. I will have to take a trip down memory lane this summer.
- Big Dipper - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 12:02 pm:
Dolly Parton is making a rock album and one of the tracks is a duet with Cronin on Keep on Loving You.
- filmmaker prof - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 12:32 pm:
REO Speedwagon is not and was not ever a hair band. Midwest power pop band. Poison, Motley Crue, Warrant, Whitesnake … those were hair bands.
- Southern - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 1:23 pm:
Excellent choice. Glad to see REO is Back On The Road Again.
REO has always been able to Roll With The Changes and knows how to Keep The Fire Burnin’.
Sorry, couldn’t resist. Guess it’s Time For Me To Fly.
- New Day - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 1:31 pm:
“REO Speedwagon is not and was not ever a hair band. Midwest power pop band. Poison, Motley Crue, Warrant, Whitesnake … those were hair bands.”
Yup - completely agree. Nonetheless, I’m gonna keep on loving you…and take a hard pass on this show.
- Big Dipper - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 1:44 pm:
REO was not and is not a power pop band. Power Pop is The Shoes, early Cheap Trick, The Knack, etc. REO is stadium AOR rock like Foreigner, Journey, Styx, and Loverboy.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 1:50 pm:
===REO was not and is not a power pop band … REO is stadium AOR rock===
I always considered them a hair band. A good one, but still.
- Big Dipper - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 1:55 pm:
I meant Shoes, not The Shoes.
- Dotnonymous - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 3:10 pm:
I can’t stop this creaking…anymore.
- MyTwoCents - Tuesday, Feb 14, 23 @ 4:58 pm:
Interestingly enough, a couple days ago the News-Gazette had an article about REO Speedwagon and whether the band should be nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:
https://www.news-gazette.com/arts-entertainment/big-10-the-case-for-and-against-reo-speedwagon-in-the-rock-roll-hall-of/article_d491d2ee-649f-525d-918a-95bfeea3c10a.html