Joe Walsh: From the James Gang to the Eagles

by Nick Thomas

This book is the first biography of Joe Walsh, from his days in the James Gang to his time in the Eagles. One of the most colorful characters in all of rock and roll, Walsh has enjoyed a successful musical career for more than five-decades. With his offbeat attitude and quirky sense of humor, he earned a number of nicknames including the Analog Man and the Clown Prince of Rock Guitar. In the process, he wrote and recorded some of the most memorable classics of the 1970s including “Rocky Mountain Way,” “Life’s Been Good” and “Funk #49.” As a member of the Eagles, Walsh crafted a number of enduring rock standards such as “Hotel California,” “In The City” and “Life In The Fast Lane.” This book chronicles Walsh’s often-complicated life as a musical showman, a talented guitarist and a much-respected ordinary, average guy.

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2021

Reviews

[Steve Sartorius · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really happy to find this book as Joe Walsh is one of my favorite guitar players and larger than life personalities, but there is not much out there about him, at least in book form. And he has led an interesting, over the top life!

I know many of you have heard the stories of his wild partying ways and episodes of hotel room destruction but this book while not denying it, stays away from the sensationalism. It instead gives a great chronological view of his life through his career in music from his nomadic childhood to cutting his musical teeth in the Cleveland club circuit and Kent State (The James Gang) to the mountains of Colorado (Rocky Mountain Way) and the California music scene (The Eagles). There are also snippets of time in between from his solo career and other musical endeavors (Life's Been Good to Me).

It touches on his several marriages and relationships (Stevie Nicks is one) and the tragic loss of his young daughter. There are also several funny stories from Joe's life which are related here.

The one disappointment for me was that he didn't really go into his feelings about Don Felder being fired from the Eagles. Together they played the iconic duel lead guitars on Hotel California and were a great musical team within the Eagles. They were friends and Don even helped Joe along the way by driving him to rehab. Now they don't speak. I think it's sad.

Through it all, Joe has conquered his demons and has helped out many musicians along the way. He also has an annual charity event for veterans and seems to be at peace all while still being the Ordinary Average Guy.

This is a great book. Life truly has been good to Joe Walsh!

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very succinct account of the multi-decade carreer of American rock star Joe Walsh. Although Nick Thomas' book is primarily a detailed timeline of the many events that mark Walsh's impressive carreer, it also gives some insight into Walsh's personality, including his willpower to turn his life around and free himself of substance abuse. Well worth reading.

[Donna A Hayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe Walsh an awesome musician

A great story about Joe Walsh from the beginning the people experiences his achievements in his life . His accomplishments and his openness to his strengths and weaknesses. Coming face to face with addiction and taking charge of one of his greatest challenge beating addiction. To me one of the guitarist of my generation.

[TG Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read and in depth look into the life of Joe Walsh. It also tells stories of the songs he wrote, his life and struggles with addiction. I loved this book. If you are a Joe Walsh or James Gang fan I highly recommend. I really enjoyed the stories of his time growing as a young musicians and at Kent University. His story of how he wrote “Rocky Mountain Way” and the caribou ranch is awesome!

[Angelo C Bonanno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Bio

Enjoyed it and never realized all the music Joe has played, learned, wrote and in some extent lived! I say read this bio.