Joe Walsh: Biography

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Born:

Nov 20, 1947 in Wichita, KS

Genres:

Classical Music, Rock 'N' Roll Oldies Music, Rock Music, Metal Rock Music

Decades Active:

1970's|1980's|1990's

Artistic Quality

Low

Cultural Impact

Low

Popularity

Low

Ratings Guide

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, offthewall 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, KS, Walsh initially studied the oboe and clarinet, later playing bass in local bands the GClefs 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 Clevelandbased 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 followup, Thirds, was another success, yielding the classic "Walk Away," Walsh found the James Gang's powertrio format too confining and left the group soon after.

After relocating to Colorado, Walsh formed a new group, Barnstorm, recorded a selftitled 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 bestselling Hotel California album. He also continued his solo career, issuing But Seriously, Folks in 1978; the record's highlight, the hilarious "Life's Been Good" a deadon 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.) The Eagles' final studio album, the charttopping The Long Run, appeared that same year.

The soundtrack to the film Urban Cowboy generated Walsh's next solo smash, "All Night Long," which cracked the Top Twenty 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 ItYou 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's AllStarr 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.

- Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide