When was this bar built, I believe I was in there in 1971 and is it true that REO played there back then.

I was stationed at Chanute AFB in Rantoul 1968 and 1969 before being deployed to Vietnam. I lived off base at Hessel Park apartments in Champaign. At that time Stake & Shake was on the opposite corner and was the place to cruise. The Red Lion was a great place to drink and have fun. Don't feel bad, I once got thrown out for getting into a fight. That was a long time ago. They called me Kenny Cuda, because I had a Plymouth Barracuda. Good Memories...

I am not sure when the bar was originally built, but this is the same building the original Red Lion Inn was located in, and yes REO Speedwagon played at the original Red Lion. The band actually came back to the new Red Lion in 2011 and played a few songs, I believe there are videos of the band playing here than night still on youtube.

Yes,I partied there in 1970 and danced to REO

Will you be open on December 20, 2019?

Thank you,i thought that they were there when i was at the bar back then. They were still going to school then.