REO SPEEDWAGON DO’WANNA B’WANAS!
After nearly a two year absence, these multi-platinum Wagoneers were just two weeks into the first leg of a tour supporting their most recent LP
You could probably call it “moot pizza” they were eating—pizza without the cheese on it—and it most certainly wasn’t because the fellows from REO Speedwagon couldn’t afford it. After nearly a two year absence, these multi-platinum Wagoneers were just two weeks into the first leg of a tour supporting their most recent LP, Wheels Are Turnin’, and still taking seriously a tennis pro health diet of only good-for-ya type stuff. No cheese, please.
Appearing somewhat contrary to the regimen, Neal Doughty, REO’s keyboardist, is carefully stirring up a styrofoam cup of instant coffee and feeding in a packet of Equal sugar substitute.
“I guess it’s OK to be eating synthetic things,” he muses, “since I play synthesizer.”
Whether it’s the funny food or not, the group seems fit and well-rested after their lengthy holiday-in-the-sun of Los Angeles, their adopted home since 1975. They also seem enthused to be back out on the road, playing this night to a full house in Battle Creek—“Cereal City” as the stage passes acknowledge—part of . the Midwestern belt that has helped the Speedwagon in chart motion.