Way back in December of 1980 a band called REO Speedwagon released their ninth studio album called “Hi Infidelity.”

By the end of 1981 Hi Infidelity was the biggest selling rock album for that year.  Six songs from the album made the Billboard charts with “Keep on Loving You” making it to number one.   My favorite song from the album, “Take it on the Run” peaked at number five.

By the way, Hi Infidelity has sold 10 million copies (so far).  REO’s 10 songs from the Hi Infidelity album/CD helped many of us find our way from youth into adulthood in the summer of 1981 – a time when Reagan had just become President (and was almost assassinated) and this new channel, called MTV, hit cable television.

Wow.  That was a long time ago…

At that time, members of REO included Kevin Cronin, Gary Richrath, Neal Doughty, Alan Gratzer, and Bruce Hall – and they put on a great live show (Richrath and Gratzer have since left the band).  I happened to catch the Hi Infidelity tour at Kemper Arena when they rolled through Kansas City, Missouri (one of over 20 times I have seen REO live).

This month REO is releasing their 30th Anniversary Edition of Hi Infidelity.  You can check it out (and buy it) HERE.  There are two discs and the second disc contains never-before released studio demos of 9 of the 10 tracks.

REO Speedwagon will perform at the Montana State Fair on August 2.  Tickets are available by clicking HERE.

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