Musician. He will best be remembered as an American musician, who was the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the band REO Speedwagon from 1970 until 1989. During his time with the band, they had 12 Top 40 hits including the #1 hits, "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling," and "In Your Letter" and "Take It On The Run," which he wrote both. Among the albums they recorded were "REO Speedwagon" in 1971, "Ridin' the Storm Out" in 1973, "You Can Tune a Piano but You Can't Tuna Fish" in 1978, "Hi Infidelity" in 1981, "Wheels Are Turnin" in 1985, and "Life As We Know It" in 1987. After selling over 20 million albums, the band received from the Recording Industry Association of America the certificate of Platinum for six, Gold for three and Diamond for one, during the years he was part of the band. He left the band in 1989 to form his own solo band, "Richrath" and produced one album. His musical career started with playing a saxophone in the school band. As a teenager, he started playing the guitar, being self-taught. After high school graduation in 1967, he started playing professionally the next year in a band. He was the lead vocalist on at least two songs on the REO albums. In 2013, he reunited briefly with the band when they staged a benefit concert for residents of central Illinois displaced by tornadoes. He had a long history of substance abuse with a decline in his health. While in the hospital, he died from the complications of an acute intestinal disorder. Six years after his death, REO released his never-heard-before songs in the album is "L.A. Is Mine." Pre-recorded in the studio, the first single, "Help Me Save Me From Myself," features his guitar work and backing vocals.