Joe Walsh as Joe Walsh
Not completely unlike youngsters who were amazed that Paul McCartney was in a band prior to Wings, there are those that don’t realize that Joe Walsh had a pretty significant career before he joined the Eagles. In fact, many thought it to be nothing more than a publicity stunt when it was announced he’d be joining the band. I recall being confused, as I couldn’t imagine why he’d want to forgo the obvious creative control of being a solo artist. While I’m certain Walsh was doing fairly well financially (although he has at least 4 ex wives!), the riches of sharing in the Eagles many revenue streams would undeniably lead to a pot of gold. Still, I was a fan of Joe Walsh, soloist, long before there was a Joe Walsh, Eagles guitarist. If you are unaware of Walsh’s pre-Eagles’ days or merely want to refresh your memory of his solo career, the following 10 tracks will confirm Walsh’s greatness in both writing and performing before he soared as an Eagle. Walk Away The James Gang was