Joseph Fidler Walsh was adopted by his step-father, whose last name was Walsh, at the age of five. In the 1950s it was common practice for Social Security, school registration, and health records for children to take the name of the stepfather. Joe`s birth father`s last name was Fidler and he took that as his middle name. A native of Wichita, Kansas, Walsh and his family lived in Columbus, Ohio, for a number of years. His mother was a classically trained pianist. 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 there. 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.
Joe Walsh with The Eagles
Joe Walsh with Jimmy Fox and Dale Peters from “The James Gang”
In January 1968 he replaced Glen Schwartz as lead guitarist for The James Gang, an American power trio. 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. From his early hits with The James Gang through to his tenure with The Eagles -- as well as a successful solo career -- Joe Walsh remained one of the most colorful characters in rock & roll, lending his distinctively reedy vocals, off-the-wall lyrics, and expansive guitar leads to a series of AOR staples including "Funk #49," "Rocky Mountain Way," and "Life's Been Good."
Born November 20, 1947 in Wichita, Kansas, Walsh initially studied the oboe and clarinet, later playing bass in local bands the G-Clefs and the Nomads; while attending Kent State University, he finally picked up the guitar, fronting the collegiate combo The Measles from 1965 to 1969. He then joined the Cleveland-based hard rock trio the James Gang, appearing on their debut LP Yer' Album. The trio's 1970 album, “The James Gang Rides Again”, proved the group's commercial breakthrough, launching the FM radio favorite "Funk #49" and achieving gold status. While the follow-up, Thirds, was another success, yielding the classic "Walk Away," Walsh found the James Gang's power trio format too confining and left the group soon after.
After relocating to Colorado, Walsh formed a new group, Barnstorm, recording a self-titled 1972 LP before making his proper solo debut the following year with “The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get”. The record cracked the Top Ten on the strength of the pop hit "Rocky Mountain Way" and was followed in 1974 by “So What”. In the wake of 1976's “You Can't Argue with a Sick Mind”, Walsh replaced guitarist Bernie Leadon in the hugely popular West Coast rock quintet The Eagles, making his debut on their best-selling “Hotel California” album.
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" -- a dead-on portrait of rock star debauchery -- became his biggest pop hit, nearly reaching the Top Ten.
In 1979, Walsh announced his campaign for President of the United States, promising "free gas for everyone" if he won (he didn't). Walsh also contributed "In the City" to “The Warriors” soundtrack (1979), a song penned and sung by Walsh that was later rerecorded for The Eagles final studio album, the chart-topping “The Long Run”.
Timothy B. Schmit, Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh from “The Eagles”
The soundtrack to the film Urban Cowboy generated Walsh's next solo smash, "All Night Long," which cracked the Top 20 in the summer of 1980; although 1981's “There Goes the Neighborhood” featured his final Top 40 entry, "A Life of Illusion," he continued recording steadily, resurfacing in 1983 with “You Bought It: You Name It” and issuing The Confessor two years later. In between, Walsh ran for the vice presidency, again unsuccessfully. Following 1987's Got Any Gum?, he toured with Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band, returning to his solo career for 1991's Ordinary Average Guy. In 1994 he joined the reunited Eagles for their blockbuster “Hell Freezes Over” tour and remained on the road as a solo act for years to come.
In 2012, after years touring with The Eagles and writing new material, Walsh recorded his first solo album with producer extraordinaire Jeff Lynne (of Electric Light Orchestra) and Beatles drummer Ringo Starr.
A comeback of sorts, the album title “Analog Man” pertained to Walsh's difficulties catching up to the new standard of digital recording as a 64-year-old, and trying to adjust to technological advances in society. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
Joe Walsh is a very intense, creative, innovative, successful musician with a never say never attitude. He has recently released a NEW album and was a guest star on The Late Show with David Letterman. He is quite the entertainer if you ask me. I learned a lot about JW that I never knew so I hope you did as well.
So, until next time, keep playing your guitar and practicing every night. It will pay off for you one way or another. I promise you that !! Remember, “SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !!”, Help keep your local musicians employed so hire a band for your next party, wedding, etc. “Down with Disc Jockeys!!”
MUSICIAN by Night
“GOD Save the Blues”
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