Photo by Matt Masin
Joe Walsh, a musician, songwriter, record producer and actor, is 73 years old today.
Walsh has been a member of three commercially successful bands, the James Gang, Barnstorm and the Eagles. He has also experienced success both as a solo artist and prolific session musician.
Walsh was adopted by his step-father, whose last name was Walsh, at the age of five. A native of Wichita, Kansas, Walsh and his family grew up in Columbus, Ohio. His mother was a classically trained pianist of Scottish and German ancestry. When Walsh was twelve years old, the family moved to New York City.
Later, Walsh moved to Montclair, New Jersey and attended Montclair High School. While at the school, he replaced Bruce Hoffman as the bass player in the locally popular group, The Nomads. While attending Kent State University, he spent time in various bands playing around the Cleveland area, including The Measles. Walsh began a lifelong hobby of amateur ("ham") radio while living in New York City.
In January, 1968, Walsh replaced Glen Schwartz as lead guitarist for the James Gang, a five piece American band that rapidly became a power trio after the lead singer and keyboardist quit. Walsh proved to be the band's star attraction, noted for his innovative rhythm playing and creative guitar riffs. In particular, he was known for hot-wiring the pickups on his electric guitars to create his trademark "attack" sound.
The James Gang had several minor hits and became an early album-oriented rock staple for the next two years, including James Gang Live at Carnegie Hall. In November, 1971, Walsh left the group and formed the group Barnstorm, although their albums credited Walsh as a solo artist. Walsh and Barnstorm released their debut — Barnstorm — in 1972. The album was a critical success, but had only moderate sales.
The follow-up, The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get (1973), was titled under his own name (although officially a Barnstorm album) and was Walsh's commercial breakthrough. The first single, "Rocky Mountain Way," received heavy airplay and reached #23 on the U.S. Top 40 chart. In 1974, Barnstorm disbanded and Walsh continued as a solo artist.
In 1974, Walsh produced Dan Fogelberg's "Souvenirs" album and played guitar, electric guitar, 12 string guitar, arp bass and provided backing vocals. He also contacted Graham Nash to sing harmony vocals on "Part Of The Plan," which helped send the album to #17 on the 1975 Billboard album chart.
In December, 1974, Walsh released an official solo album, So What. In March, 1976, he released a live set as the album —You Can't Argue with a Sick Mind. On December 20, 1975, he joined the Eagles as Bernie Leadon's replacement. His addition steered the band toward a harder-edged sound and away from their early country-style work.
Walsh was featured prominently on the Eagle’s hit album, Hotel California, co-writing the Top 20 hit "Life in the Fast Lane" (with Don Henley and Glenn Frey) and "Pretty Maids All in a Row" (co-written with former Barnstorm drummer, Joe Vitale).
As the Eagles struggled to record the follow-up to Hotel California, Walsh re-ignited his solo career with the well-received album, But Seriously, Folks... (1978), which featured his hit comic depiction of rock stardom, "Life's Been Good." Following the breakup of the Eagles in 1980, Walsh continued to release albums throughout the 1980s.
In 1994, Walsh reunited with the Eagles for a highly successful reunion tour and live album, Hell Freezes Over. Walsh has toured regularly with the Eagles. In 2007, the group released their first new studio album in 28 years — Long Road Out of Eden.
Walsh has produced albums for artists such as Dan Fogelberg and Ringo Starr. He was a background musician (1st guitar solo) on Eagles bandmate, Don Henley's 1982 hit, "Dirty Laundry." Walsh played guitar throughout Who bassist John Entwistle's 1981 solo album, Too Late The Hero.
Walsh has also contributed to albums by America, REO Speedwagon, Andy Gibb, Wilson Phillips, Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Steve Winwood. He played on the Richard Marx hit, "Don't Mean Nothing.”