Album Information:

About REO Speedwagon:

REO Speedwagon is an American rock band that formed in 1967 in Champaign, Illinois. The band's original lineup consisted of Neal Doughty on keyboards, Alan Gratzer on drums, Joe Matt on guitar, and Mike Blair on bass. The name of the band was inspired by R.E.O. Speed Wagon, a fire truck from the REO Motor Car Company.

REO Speedwagon originally played in local bars and clubs and soon gained a reputation as a talented live act. In 1971, Terry Luttrell replaced Matt as the lead vocalist, and the band signed with Epic Records the following year. Their debut album, 'REO Speedwagon,' was released in 1971, but it failed to gain much attention. The band's fortunes changed with the release of their second album, 'Ridin' the Storm Out,' in 1973. The title track became their first hit single, reaching #107 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

REO Speedwagon's commercial breakthrough came with the release of their ninth album, 'Hi Infidelity,' in 1980. The album spawned four hit singles: 'Keep On Loving You,' 'Take It on the Run,' 'In Your Letter,' and 'Don't Let Him Go.' 'Keep On Loving You' became REO Speedwagon's first #1 hit single, and the album went on to become their best-selling album to date, selling over 10 million copies in the United States alone.

Throughout the 1980s, REO Speedwagon continued to release hit albums and singles, including 'Good Trouble,' 'Wheels Are Turnin',' and 'Life as We Know It.' However, their popularity waned in the 1990s, and the band went through several lineup changes. In 2007, the classic lineup of Doughty, Gratzer, Kevin Cronin (vocals/guitar), Bruce Hall (bass), and Dave Amato (guitar) reunited for a tour.

REO Speedwagon has sold over 40 million records worldwide and has had 13 Top 40 hits in the United States. In addition to their success as a recording act, they are also known for their engaging live performances and have toured consistently throughout their career. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.

About the album Nine Lives:

As an AI language model, I can not provide my thoughts or personal opinions. However, I can describe the album Nine Lives by REO Speedwagon in great detail.

Nine Lives is an album by the American rock band, REO Speedwagon. It was released in 1979 and was the band's eighth studio album. The album was produced by Kevin Cronin, Gary Richrath, and Paul Grupp.

The album features a mix of rock and pop tracks, typifying the bands mid-70s sound. The record begins with the rocking track 'Heavy on Your Love,' featuring driving guitars and catchy hooks. 'Drop It' is an upbeat rock number that showcases the band's energetic performance style. Things slow down a bit with the ballad 'Only the Strong Survive,' a song that features heartfelt emotion and soaring vocals.

Another highlight of the album is the track 'Back on the Road Again,' which features an infectious beat, sing-along chorus, and some excellent slide guitar work. The album continues with the laid-back rocker 'I Need You Tonight,' another fan favorite. 'Meet Me on the Mountain,' is a folksy tune with acoustic guitar, mandolin, and harmonica.

The standout track on Nine Lives is undoubtedly 'Time for Me to Fly,' a song that has become an all-time classic and a staple of FM radio. Featuring a soaring, powerful chorus and Cronin's emotive vocals, the track exemplifies the group's ability to create compelling, relatable pop-rock that resonates with listeners.

Overall, Nine Lives is a solid effort by REO Speedwagon, showcasing the band's tight musicianship and ear for catchy, emotional pop-rock. The album combines heartland rock, blues-rock, and pop sensibilities, and is still regarded as one of the band's strongest releases to date.

Members:

REO Speedwagon has had several key members over the years, so here are the complete biographies of the most notable ones:

1. Kevin Cronin (Lead singer, rhythm guitar, piano)
Kevin Cronin was born on October 6, 1951, in Evanston, Illinois. He is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and pianist for REO Speedwagon. He first joined the band in 1972 and left in 1973 but rejoined in 1976 and has been with the band ever since. Cronin has also written many of the band's hit songs, including 'Can't Fight This Feeling,' 'Keep on Loving You,' and 'Take It on the Run.'

2. Neal Doughty (Keyboards)
Neal Doughty was born on July 29, 1946, in Evanston, Illinois. He is a founding member of REO Speedwagon and is the band's keyboardist. Doughty formed the band in 1967 with Alan Gratzer and remained with the band until his retirement in 2021. He has also written several of the band's songs, including '157 Riverside Avenue,' 'Gary's Guitar Solo,' and 'Like You Do.'

3. Gary Richrath (Lead guitar)
Gary Richrath was born on October 18, 1949, in Peoria, Illinois. He was the lead guitarist for REO Speedwagon from 1970 to 1989. Richrath was known for his distinctive guitar playing and songwriting, contributing many hits to the band, including 'Take It on the Run,' 'Keep the Fire Burnin',' and 'In Your Letter.' He passed away on September 13, 2015.

4. Alan Gratzer (Drums)
Alan Gratzer was born on November 9, 1948, in Syracuse, New York. He was a founding member of REO Speedwagon and played drums for the band from 1967 to 1988. Gratzer was also a backing vocalist and co-wrote some of the band's songs, including 'Here with Me' and 'Keep the Fire Burnin'.'

5. Bruce Hall (Bass guitar, backing vocals)
Bruce Hall was born on May 3, 1953, in Champaign, Illinois. He joined REO Speedwagon in 1977 as the band's bass guitarist and backing vocalist. Hall has also written several of the band's songs, including 'Love Is a Rock,' 'In My Dreams,' and 'The Key.'

6. Dave Amato (Lead guitar, backing vocals)
Dave Amato was born on March 3, 1953, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He joined REO Speedwagon in 1989 as the band's lead guitarist and backing vocalist. Amato has since contributed to many of the band's albums and tours and has co-written some of their songs, including 'Can't Stop Rockin' and 'Variety Tonight.'

Track List for Nine Lives:

I apologize, but there seems to be a mistake in your request. REO Speedwagon did not release an album called 'Nine Lives.' They do have an album called 'Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne,' but that album is not by REO Speedwagon. Could you please clarify which album you are referring to?

Discography for REO Speedwagon:

Here is a complete discography for REO Speedwagon in chronological order:

Albums:
1. REO Speedwagon (1971)
2. R.E.O./T.W.O. (1972)
3. Ridin' the Storm Out (1973)
4. Lost in a Dream (1974)
5. This Time We Mean It (1975)
6. R.E.O. (1976)
7. You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish (1978)
8. Nine Lives (1979)
9. Hi Infidelity (1980)
10. Good Trouble (1982)
11. Wheels Are Turnin' (1984)
12. Life as We Know It (1987)
13. The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990)
14. Building the Bridge (1996)
15. Find Your Own Way Home (2007)
16. Not So Silent Night...Christmas with REO Speedwagon (2009)

Singles:
1. 'Sophisticated Lady' (1971)
2. '157 Riverside Avenue' (1972)
3. 'Ridin' the Storm Out' (1973)
4. 'Roll with the Changes' (1978)
5. 'Time for Me to Fly' (1978)
6. 'Take It on the Run' (1981)
7. 'Keep on Loving You' (1981)
8. 'In Your Letter' (1981)
9. 'Don't Let Him Go' (1981)
10. 'Keep the Fire Burnin' (1982)
11. 'Sweet Time' (1982)
12. 'The Key' (1982)
13. 'I Do' Wanna Know' (1984)
14. 'Can't Fight This Feeling' (1985)
15. 'One Lonely Night' (1985)
16. 'Live Every Moment' (1985)
17. 'That Ain't Love' (1987)
18. 'In My Dreams' (1987)
19. 'Here with Me' (1988)

Other releases:
1. Live: You Get What You Play For (1977)
2. Decade of Rock and Roll 1970-1980 (1980)
3. The Hits (1988)
4. The Ballads (1999)