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REO Speedwagon - Keep On Loving You - Guitar Lesson

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REO Speedwagon - Keep On Loving You - Guitar Lesson

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REO Speedwagon - Keep On Loving You guitar lesson video
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Hi Infidelity (30th Anniversary Edition) album cover
Hi Infidelity (30th Anniversary Edition)
1980 3:20
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REO Speedwagon Rock 1980 C major
Capo Advisor 0 C major · Original key

Keep On Loving You

"Keep On Loving You" is a rock ballad by REO Speedwagon, written by Kevin Cronin and first released on the 1980 album Hi Infidelity. The song showcases the lead guitar work of Gary Richrath, making it a rewarding study for electric guitarists interested in melodic, expressive playing within a polished rock arrangement. Its blend of clean tones and lyrical lead lines offers a solid example of how guitar can complement a song-driven, commercial rock sound.

  • Lead guitar was handled by Gary Richrath, known for his melodic phrasing and tasteful tone within REO Speedwagon's rock sound.
  • The song appears on Hi Infidelity, REO Speedwagon's 1980 album, which became one of the band's most commercially successful records.
  • Kevin Cronin wrote the song, one of many ballads that defined REO Speedwagon's guitar-driven, melodic rock style.
Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

Gary Richrath occasionally switched to Fender Stratocasters for cleaner passages, using their brightness and articulation to contrast with his signature Les Paul heaviness. The Strat's single-coils provided clarity without sacrificing the midrange warmth that defined REO's rock ballads.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Richrath's primary instrument, the Les Paul Standard's stock PAF humbuckers and thick body delivered the warm, singing midrange tone that became REO Speedwagon's signature sound. Its dynamic response cleaned up beautifully with volume roll-offs, enabling both delicate passages and screaming leads.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

Richrath favored late '60s and '70s Les Paul Customs for their slightly higher output and resonant character, pushing his cranked Marshalls into thick, natural tube saturation. The Custom's weight and sustain made it ideal for the power ballads that defined REO's catalog.

Marshall JCM800
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Marshall JCM800

The JCM800's preamp compression and power tube saturation created REO's thick, singing midrange tone when driven hard, with enough headroom to capture both gritty leads and clean passages via volume knob manipulation. This amp remains the backbone of REO's live sound decades later.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Richrath used the Cry Baby sparingly but memorably, adding expressive lead accents on early tracks like 'Ridin' the Storm Out' without compromising his minimalist, amp-driven philosophy. The wah's dynamic sweep complemented his natural playing dynamics perfectly.

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