REO Speedwagon’s Farewell Concert Ends in Scare for Former Frontman
Classic rock history was made on Saturday, June 14, as REO Speedwagon brought together current and former members for one final, emotional performance at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. Among the legendary lineup was Terry Luttrell, the band’s original lead vocalist, who helped shape REO Speedwagon’s sound in its earliest days.
The night was a powerful tribute to the band’s long and influential legacy, drawing fans from across generations. The performance featured co-founder and keyboardist Neal Doughty, drummer Alan Gratzer, bassist Bruce Hall, vocalist Mike Murphy, and guitarist Steve Scorfina. Though longtime vocalist Kevin Cronin was absent, the show remained a heartfelt send-off to a storied career. The concert also honored the memory of early members Gary Richrath and Gregg Philbin.A Sudden Turn of Events on the Road
Just hours after the historic show, tragedy nearly struck. On Sunday, June 15, Terry Luttrell was involved in a serious car accident near Arcola, Illinois, while driving along Interstate 57. The 78-year-old rocker told The News-Gazette that he fell asleep at the wheel after a long night of signing autographs and interacting with fans.“I nodded off. The next thing I knew, the car was upside down,” Luttrell said. He explained that his vehicle rolled over and was completely totaled. Fortunately, he was wearing his seatbelt at the time, which likely saved his life.Despite the frightening crash, Luttrell managed to escape the wreck on his own. “I was able to get up and get out of the car,” he said. However, he didn’t walk away unscathed. He suffered a cracked sternum from the airbag impact, along with back and neck pain.'I'm Alive, I'm Still Standing'
Luttrell was taken to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, where he shared updates from his hospital bed. “It’s nothing that can’t be overcome,” he told reporters, emphasizing his resilience and gratitude.In a separate interview with WCIA, Luttrell expressed his determination and good spirits, saying, “I’m alive, I’m still standing.” He added that he expects to be “back on his feet in a couple of days.”Despite the accident, Luttrell remained focused on the magic of the night before. “It was just an incredible evening,” he said. “For all the fans who were there… it was a one-off concert, it’ll never happen again. It was probably one of the greatest nights in rock and roll history.”A Fitting Farewell for a Rock and Roll Era
The farewell concert was not just a reunion—it was a celebration of over five decades of REO Speedwagon’s contributions to music. Fans cheered, old friends reunited, and the stage was filled with emotion as the band closed a final chapter.Though the weekend took an unexpected and dangerous turn for Terry Luttrell, his survival—and his unwavering positivity—served as a reminder of the enduring spirit of rock and roll. And for the fans, the memory of that unforgettable night remains untarnished.
Classic rock history was made on Saturday, June 14, as REO Speedwagon brought together current and former members for one final, emotional performance at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. Among the legendary lineup was Terry Luttrell, the band’s original lead vocalist, who helped shape REO Speedwagon’s sound in its earliest days.
The night was a powerful tribute to the band’s long and influential legacy, drawing fans from across generations. The performance featured co-founder and keyboardist Neal Doughty, drummer Alan Gratzer, bassist Bruce Hall, vocalist Mike Murphy, and guitarist Steve Scorfina. Though longtime vocalist Kevin Cronin was absent, the show remained a heartfelt send-off to a storied career. The concert also honored the memory of early members Gary Richrath and Gregg Philbin.A Sudden Turn of Events on the RoadJust hours after the historic show, tragedy nearly struck. On Sunday, June 15, Terry Luttrell was involved in a serious car accident near Arcola, Illinois, while driving along Interstate 57. The 78-year-old rocker told The News-Gazette that he fell asleep at the wheel after a long night of signing autographs and interacting with fans.“I nodded off. The next thing I knew, the car was upside down,” Luttrell said. He explained that his vehicle rolled over and was completely totaled. Fortunately, he was wearing his seatbelt at the time, which likely saved his life.Despite the frightening crash, Luttrell managed to escape the wreck on his own. “I was able to get up and get out of the car,” he said. However, he didn’t walk away unscathed. He suffered a cracked sternum from the airbag impact, along with back and neck pain.'I'm Alive, I'm Still Standing'
Luttrell was taken to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, where he shared updates from his hospital bed. “It’s nothing that can’t be overcome,” he told reporters, emphasizing his resilience and gratitude.In a separate interview with WCIA, Luttrell expressed his determination and good spirits, saying, “I’m alive, I’m still standing.” He added that he expects to be “back on his feet in a couple of days.”Despite the accident, Luttrell remained focused on the magic of the night before. “It was just an incredible evening,” he said. “For all the fans who were there… it was a one-off concert, it’ll never happen again. It was probably one of the greatest nights in rock and roll history.”A Fitting Farewell for a Rock and Roll Era
The farewell concert was not just a reunion—it was a celebration of over five decades of REO Speedwagon’s contributions to music. Fans cheered, old friends reunited, and the stage was filled with emotion as the band closed a final chapter.Though the weekend took an unexpected and dangerous turn for Terry Luttrell, his survival—and his unwavering positivity—served as a reminder of the enduring spirit of rock and roll. And for the fans, the memory of that unforgettable night remains untarnished.
