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

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.

Career

A native of Wichita, Kansas, Walsh's father (his biological father died in a plane crash) moved frequently for work, and subsequently moved the family to NYC. Later, 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 distinct farewell.

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 four 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. He is also proficient on the piano and other keyboards.

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. However, Walsh was ineligible for the presidency anyway, as he was not yet 35 (he did not turn 35 until 1982).

Joe Walsh (WB6ACU) is an active amateur radio operator. In 2006 he donated an autographed guitar to the ARRL for its charity auction.

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

Albums

The James Gang

• Yer' Album (November 1969)
• James Gang Rides Again (October 1970)
• Thirds (July 1971)
• James Gang Live in Concert (1971)

The Eagles

• Hotel California (December 1976)
• The Long Run (September 1979)
• Eagles Live (November 1980)
• Hell Freezes Over (November 1994)
• The Long Road To Eden (expected December 2006)

Solo

• Barnstorm (September 1972)
• The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get (June 1973)
• So What (December 1974)
• You Can't Argue with a Sick Mind (October 1976)
• But Seriously, Folks... (August 1978)
• There Goes the Neighborhood (March 1981)
• You Bought It, You Name It (May 1983)
• The Confessor (1985)
• Got Any Gum? (October 1987)
• MTV Unplugged (February 1990)
• Ordinary Average Guy (January 1991)
• Songs for a Dying Planet (May 1992)

Compilations

• The Best of Joe Walsh (November 1978)
• Rocky Mountain Way (September 1985)
• Look What I Did! (May 2005)
• Joe Walsh's Greatest Hits - Little Did He Know... (1997)

Other Appearances

Albums with Ringo Starr

• Old Wave (June 1983)
• Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band (October 1990)
• Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Volume 2: Live from Montreux (September 1993)
• Vertical Man (June 1998)
• VH1 Storytellers (October 1998)

Singles

• 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 of Actual Miles: Henley's Greatest Hits)
• 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.
• Appeared on the comedy game show Street Smarts.
• Holds an Extra Class Amateur Radio License. His station callsign is WB6ACU.

External links

• The Eagles
• JoeWalsh.com
• Clips of the Drew Carey Show
• EaglesBand.com
• Info on his ham station

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