After 55 years with REO Speedwagon and having spent his entire adult life on the road, keyboardist and founding member Neal Doughty has decided to retire from touring.

“I want everyone to know that it was all that traveling that finally got to me,” Neal said in a statement explaining his decision. “I always enjoyed playing the shows and looking out to see all the loyal fans who allowed me to do this for so long.”

“Neal will always be a member of the REO brotherhood, and we all wish him well as he enters this exciting phase of his life,” says bassist Bruce Hall.

Despite Doughty’s retirement, the rock band will continue “as the unstoppable touring machine,” with more than 50 shows already on the books for 2023.

Doughty may join them on select concert stops, REO Speedwagon said.

“It will be a big change to look around and not see Neal behind the keyboards,” says singer Kevin Cronin. “And we will miss his quick wit and interesting conversation on those long bus rides. But this is what Neal needs, and we support him.”

Doughty formed the band in fall 1967 with original drummer Alan Gratzer.

He is the only member to have played on REO Speedwagon’s every album.

The band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. The group’s best-selling album, Hi Infidelity contained four US top 40 hits and sold more than 10 million copies.

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