In a twist that reads like the plot of a rock ‘n’ roll drama, Terry Luttrell, the original voice behind REO Speedwagon’s 1971 debut album, has survived a harrowing car crash. Following a heartwarming reunion concert at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Luttrell found himself in a precarious situation on Interstate 57, nodding off at the wheel in the wee hours of Sunday night. The result? A terrifying rollover accident that left his car a total loss. “It just happened,” Luttrell shared with The News-Gazette. “I nodded off. I rolled the car over, and I woke up and I was in a cocoon [of airbags]. Unfortunately, it totaled the car.”
Remarkably, Luttrell emerged with only a cracked sternum from the airbag deployment and some back and neck pain. Despite the ordeal, he remained optimistic about his recovery, even after spending a few days in a local hospital. “I was able to get up and get out of the car,” he recounted, displaying the resilience that has defined his career.
The accident came on the heels of a nostalgic reunion concert dubbed “Honoring the Legacy of REO Speedwagon: A Concert Event – Back Where it All Began.” The show saw Luttrell reunite with fellow bandmates Neal Doughty and Alan Gratzer, as well as guitarist Steve Scorfina and bassist Bruce Hall, among others. The event was a heartfelt tribute, providing an opportunity to honor late band members Gary Richrath and Gregg Philbin, and to relive the magic of the band’s early days.
Luttrell’s post-show fatigue was compounded by marathon autograph sessions with eager fans, stretching from the concert after-party into the early morning hours at his hotel. “It was just sign-sign-sign,” he recalled. By 4:30 AM, he finally hit the sack, only to be back on the road by 7 AM—a decision that nearly cost him his life.
Despite the scare, Luttrell remains committed to his music, continuing to tour with his tribute group, the REO Classics Band. His recent reissue of the ‘Live at Shock City Studios’ album on limited-edition red vinyl is a testament to his enduring legacy. As he recuperates, fans can rest assured that Luttrell’s indomitable spirit will see him back on stage soon, sharing the music that has defined a generation.
