Died On This Date (September 13, 2015) Gary Richrath / REO Speedwagon
themusicsover Gary Richrath
October 18, 1949 – September 13, 2015
Gary Richrath is best remembered as the lead guitarist for REO Speedwagon from 1970 to 1989, the period that included the band’s most fruitful years. Richrath, a prolific songwriter, grew up near Chicago, Illinois. As the ’70s dawned, he got the attention of local up-and-coming band, REO Speedwagon, who brought him on board to take over lead guitar and many songwriting duties. One of his early songs that the band recorded was “Ridin’ The Storm Out,” which went on to become their first hit and signature tune. His contributions helped the band break out of the local market and become a huge regional, and then, national act. In 1980, REO released Hi Infidelity – it included four Top 40 hits and went on to sell over 10 million copies. Rochrath wrote three songs (plus one co-write) on the album, including “Take It On The Run,” which reached #5 on the US singles chart. The band went on to sell over 40 million albums to date. Richrath left the band in 1989 and released two solo albums. He reunited with the group for a couple of songs at a local flood benefit in December of 2013. Gary Richrath was 65 when he passed away on September 13, 2015. Cause of death was not immediately released.
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Boots Randolph was an American horn player whose saxophone was a major part of what is know in country music as the “Nashville Sound.” But perhaps his biggest legacy is his tune, “Yakety Sax,” which is known the world over as the Benny Hill theme song. During a career that spanned the better part of four decades, Randolph shared the stage with countless A-List performers and played on recordings by the likes of 
Greg Pineda, was the lead singer and guitarist for Southern California band, Aluminum Marshmallow. Originally formed by Pineda and Tom Behrens back while still in elementary school in 1967, the group had reunited several years ago. Since then, they have become local favorites in Sierra Madre, California. Pineda also owned and operated a recording studio, All Media Services, in Westlake Village, California. It was there that he produced a series of music videotapes called The Hollywood Music Store with the help of Chuck Negron, as well as members of Ambrosia, REO Speedwagon, Chicago and more. Greg Pineda was 54 when he passed away on January 3, 2009. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just a few months earlier.