From his early hits with the James Gang to his tenure with the Eagles — as well as a successful solo career — Joe Walsh remains one of the most colorful characters in rock, 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.” In 1976, Walsh replaced guitarist Bernie Leadon in The Eagles, making his debut on their best-selling 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” became his biggest pop hit. 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 It — You Name It and issuing The Confessor two years later. In between, Walsh ran for the vice presidency. Following 1987’s Got Any Gum?, he toured with Ringo Starr’s 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 remains on the road with The Eagles and as a solo act. In 2013, Joe Walsh released All Night Long: Live in Dallas.
