Wheels are Turnin', Reo Speedwagon

REO Speedwagon – Wheels Are Turnin'

Artist: REO Speedwagon

Title: Wheels Are Turnin'

Album Type: Eleventh Studio Album

Original Release Date: November 5, 1984

Label: Epic Records

Genre: Rock / Power Ballad / Pop Rock

Background & Production After the massive global success of Hi Infidelity and the slightly more experimental Good Trouble, REO Speedwagon returned to their melodic rock roots with Wheels Are Turnin'. Produced by Kevin Cronin, Gary Richrath, and Alan Gratzer alongside Kevin Beamish, the album was recorded at Record Plant in Los Angeles. The project was a high-stakes release for the band, aimed at reclaiming their chart dominance in the mid-80s. It succeeded brilliantly, reaching #7 on the Billboard 200 and earning a multi-platinum certification, fueled by a more polished, radio-friendly production style that defined the "Arena Rock" sound of 1984.

Musical Composition & Style The album is a perfect blend of Gary Richrath’s driving guitar riffs and Kevin Cronin’s signature power-pop sensibilities.

• The Defining Power Ballad: "Can't Fight This Feeling" became the band’s second #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It remains one of the most recognizable power ballads of all time, characterized by its slow-build arrangement and emotive vocal performance.

• Rock Energy: While the ballads got the airplay, tracks like "Tough Guys" and "I Do' Wanna Know" (a Top 30 hit) showcased the band’s ability to deliver high-energy, guitar-driven rockers that were staples of their legendary live shows.

• 80s Production: The album features a cleaner, more synth-integrated sound than their 70s output, utilizing the state-of-the-art studio technology of the era to create a "wall of sound" that suited both FM radio and the burgeoning MTV market.

Legacy & Collector Notes Wheels Are Turnin' is often cited as the last "classic era" REO Speedwagon album to feature the iconic lineup of Cronin, Richrath, Gratzer, Hall, and Doughty. For vinyl collectors, the original Epic pressings are valued for their crisp high-end and solid mid-range, typical of mid-80s analog-to-digital mastering. The cover art, featuring a stylized wheel/gear graphic, is a recognizable piece of 80s rock iconography. It is an essential inventory item for any store specializing in AOR (Adult Oriented Rock) or 80s pop-culture classics.

• Keywords: REO Speedwagon, Wheels Are Turnin, Can't Fight This Feeling, Kevin Cronin, Gary Richrath, Epic Records, 80s Rock, Power Ballads, Arena Rock, Vinyl.

• Collection Ideas: 80s Power Ballads, Classic Arena Rock, Billboard Top 10 Albums, Mid-80s Essentials.

• Related Artists: Journey, Styx, Foreigner, Night Ranger, Survivor.

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve