REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath dies, aged 65

Gary Richrath performing on stage. Photo / Getty Images

Gary Richrath, lead guitarist from REO Speedwagon until 1989, has died. He was 65.

Richrath wrote the REO Speedwagon hit Take It On The Run and sang lead vocals on the songs Find My Fortune and Only A Summer Love.

He joined REO Speedwagon in 1970, replacing Steve Scorfina who left for Pavlov's Dog.

In his tenure with REO Speedwagon, Richrath recorded 12 albums, the final in 1987, before he went on to form his own band Richrath.

During his time with the US rock band, REO Speedwagon had 12 Top 40 hits in the USA including Keep On Loving You (1980), Take It On The Run (1980) and Can't Fight This Feeling (1984).

Richrath performed one last time with REO Speedwagon in 2013 in Bloomington, Illinois for Rock to the Rescue.

The band put out a statement on Twitter, saying, "The entire REO Family mourns his death and shares in the grief of his family, friends and fans".

- Noise11