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Heard It From a Friend ...

By Jocelyn Geboy in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 4, 2007 2:49PM

... that REO Speedwagon is ridin' the storm out to Elk Grove Village for an in-store appearance tomorrow at a Wal-Mart (801 Meacham Road, Elk Grove Village). If you can't fight this feeling that keeps coming over you when you watch the "We Love the '70s and '80s" shows, you might want to head out there and check it out.

They just released their first new album in 11 years, Find Your Own Way Home, and will be performing with this lineup: Kevin Cronin, lead singer and principle songwriter; keyboard player and founding member Neal Doughty; bass player Bruce Hall; lead guitarist Dave Amato; and drummer Bryan Hitt.

They'll get things going at 6:00 p.m. and will give fans a sampling of the new disc, which promises to bring "power ballads and melodic rock anthems at once both fresh, and old school." God forbid we should have to roll with the changes. Then REO will give them what the fans really came for — the sweet, sweet taste of nostalgia in a Wal-Mart.

Afterwards, while the onlookers bask in the glory and just keep on lovin' you (that is, REO Speedwagon), they will sign CDs and such. And then they'll leave you to find your own way home.