Gary Richrath, REO Speedwagon Guitarist And Songwriter, Dies At 65

Gary Richrath of the classic rock band REO Speedwagon has died, the Associated Press reported. Richrath, the band's former guitarist and songwriter, passed away at 65-years-old.

Richrath died on Sunday and the group's publicist, Erik Stein, confirmed his death on Monday, according to The New York Times. No further details of Richrath's death have been released.

REO Speedwagon formed in the late 1960s, but Richrath didn't join until 1971, CNN reported. He performed on the band's debut self-titled album and remained with the group until 1989, and helped pen some of the band's biggest hits. Richrath co-wrote the band's 1981 Top 5 hit on Billboard's pop singles chart. He also co-wrote two of the bands No. 1 hits, 1980's "Keep On Loving You" and 1985's "Can't Fight This Feeling."

The band's front man, Kevin Cronin, posted a heartfelt message to the band's official Facebook page after he learned of Richrath's death and paid tribute to his band mate and friend.

"My longtime friend and collaborator Gary Richrath passed away earlier today," Cronin wrote in the post. "I feel so sad. Gary was both a unique guitarist and songwriter, and the embodiment of the tough guy with a heart of gold. I learned most of what I know about being in a rock band from Gary Richrath."

Bruce Hall, the band's bassist, also paid tribute to Richrath on Facebook. "Every night from now on, when REO plays a show," Hall wrote, "each time that we play one of Gary's songs I will think of him and smile."

See Hall's and Cronin's tributes below.