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Joe Walsh

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This article is about the musician. For the Irish politician, see Joe Walsh (Irish politician).

Template:Guitarist infobox

Joe Walsh (born November 20, 1947) is an American guitarist and rock musician who has had both a solo career and membership of bands such as the James Gang and the Eagles.

A native of Wichita, Kansas, Walsh moved to Montclair, New Jersey and attended Montclair High School. He spent time in various bands playing around the Cleveland area while attending Kent State University, but came to widespread attention in 1969 after replacing Glen Schwartz as lead guitarist for The James Gang, an American power trio. Walsh was the standout of the band, noted for his innovative rhythm playing and creative guitar riffs. The James Gang had several minor hits and became an early AOR staple before Walsh left the group in 1971 for a career as a solo artist.

Walsh's solo debut was Barnstorm (1972). Its followup was The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get (1973). Several cuts from these albums, notably "Rocky Mountain Way", received heavy airplay and continue to be classic rock favorites.

After releasing another studio album and a live set, Walsh was invited to join the Eagles in 1976, replacing departing guitarist Bernie Leadon. He brought a harder-edged sound to the group, giving their light country-rock sound a shot in the arm.

As the Eagles began to decline after the release of Hotel California, Walsh re-ignited his solo career with the well-received discs But Seriously Folks (1978) (which featured his hit comic depiction of rock stardom, "Life's Been Good") and There Goes the Neighborhood (1981). He continued to record and release albums throughout the 1980s, but musical trends had passed him by and he maintained a very low profile until the late-1990s Eagles reunion and tour. Walsh sang the US National Anthem at the beginning of Game 4 of the 1995 World Series. In 1989, Walsh recorded a MTV Unplugged with the R&B musician Dr. John.

A versatile guitarist, Walsh's abilities on acoustic, electric, and slide guitar have also made him well-regarded as a featured player or guest soloist; Walsh has recorded and performed with many other artists including Dan Fogelberg, Steve Winwood, The Who's John Entwistle and on the first two Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band tours. In 2004, Walsh performed live before a huge crowd at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Texas.

Joe Walsh ran for President in the 1980 US Elections promising "free gas for all". In an interview for Planet Rock radio station he commented that he did this to raise people's awareness of the election. He felt that many Americans were not even aware that there was an election going on.

Joe Walsh (WB6ACU) is an active amateur radio operator.

Some of his most recent compositions deal with his struggles with substance abuse.

Albums

The James Gang

The Eagles

Solo

Compilations

Other Appearances

Albums with Ringo Starr

Singles

Year Title Chart positions Album
Hot 100 Mainstream Rock UK
1970 "Funk #49" (w/ James Gang) #59 - - James Gang Rides Again
1971 "Walk Away" (w/ James Gang) #51 - - Thirds
1971 "Midnight Man" (w/ James Gang) #80 - - Thirds
1973 "Rocky Mountain Way" #23 - - The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get
1974 "Meadows" #89 - - The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get
1975 "Turn To Stone" #93 - - So What
1977 "Rocky Mountain Way" - - #39 Rocky Mountain Way EP
1978 "Life's Been Good" #12 - #14 But Seriously, Folks...
1980 "All Night Long" #19 - - Urban Cowboy Soundtrack
1981 "A Life of Illusion" #34 #1 - There Goes The Neighborhood
1983 "Space Age Whiz Kids" #52 #21 - You Bought It, You Name It
1983 "I Can Play That Rock & Roll" - #13 - You Bought It, You Name It
1985 "The Confessor" - #8 - The Confessor
1987 "The Radio Song" - #8 - Got Any Gum?
1987 "In My Car" - #14 - Got Any Gum?
1991 "Ordinary Average Guy" - #3 - Ordinary Average Guy
1991 "All of a Sudden" - #13 - Ordinary Average Guy
1992 "Vote for Me" - #10 - Songs for a Dying Planet
  • Does not include songs with the Eagles.

Trivia

  • Was a background musician (1st guitar solo) on Eagles bandmate Don Henley's 1980s hit "Dirty Laundry"(listed as such in the liner notes to "Actual Miles")
  • Walsh played a prisoner in The Blues Brothers. He is noticeable as he is the first prisoner to get on the cafeteria tables during the Jailhouse Rock song at the end.

I can't complain but sometimes I still do Life's been good to me so far

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