REO Speedwagon is the rock band that sprang from the Midwestern United States during the 1970s to reach international stardom by the early 1980s. The band cemented its place in rock history with the incredible 9-time platinum Hi Infidelity in 1980. The number one album yielded timeless singles "Keep on Loving You" and "Take It on the Run". These power ballads have become the identity for REO Speedwagon. The songs "Ridin' The Storm Out", "Golden Country", "Roll With The Changes", and "Time For Me To Fly" enjoy continuous rotation on classic rock radio stations as well.

REO Speedwagon took its name from the Reo Speed-Wagon, a truck manufactured by the REO automobile company. ("REO" are initials the company's founder, Ransom Eli Olds, who also lent his name to the Oldsmobile division of General Motors.) The name was suggested to fellow bandmates by keyboard player Neal Doughty, who was enrolled as an engineering student at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois, and who learned about the truck in a history of transportation class.

REO Speedwagon was formed in the fall of 1967 by Doughty and dorm mate drummer, Alan Gratzer to play cover tunes in campus bars. Numerous early personnel changes eventually resulted in Gary Richrath joining the band. Richrath was a Peoria, Illinois-based guitar player and prolific songwriter who brought original material to the band. With Richrath on board, the regional popularity of the band grew tremendously. The Midwestern United States remains an REO fan stronghold and has its roots in this period of the band's history.