Joe Walsh - Little Did He Know (Greatest Hits)

A native of Wichita, Kansas, Walsh's father (his biological father died in a plane crash) moved frequently due to his 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.

In 1969 he replaced Glen Schwartz as lead guitarist for the James Gang, an American power trio. Walsh proved to be the band's star attraction, noted for his innovative rhythm playing and creative guitar riffs. The James Gang had several minor hits and became an early album-oriented rock staple for the next two years. In November, 1971, Walsh left the group for a solo career.

Walsh released his solo debut Barnstorm in 1972. Although it was a critical success, it only sold moderately. The followup, The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get (1973) was his commercial breakthrough. The first single "Rocky Mountain Way", received heavy airplay and reached #23 on the US top 40 charts. It is still a fixture on classic rock radio.

Over the next three years, Walsh would release a studio album So What and a live set, You Can't Argue with a Sick Mind. These would be his last solo albums until 1978.

In 1976, he joined the highly successful country rock band Eagles as Bernie Leadon's replacement. His addition pushed the band toward a harder-edged sound and away from their early country-style work.

As the Eagles struggled to record the follow-up to their highly successful album 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. Joe also contributed "In the City" to the The Warriors soundtrack (1979), an Eagles song penned and sung by Walsh, originally appearing on "The Long Run" album.

Joe Walsh ran for President of the United States in 1980, promising "free gas for all". In an interview for Planet Rock 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.

Following the Eagles breakup in 1982, Walsh continued to release albums throughout the 1980s. Unfortunately, sales were poor. Musical trends had passed him by and he maintained a low profile until the mid-1990s. 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.

In 1994, Joe Walsh reunited with the Eagles for a highly successful reunion tour and live album (Hell Freezes Over). Walsh has toured regularly with the Eagles since then and are currently working on a new album titled The Long Road to Eden. Walsh has said they are aiming for an early 2007 release date.

In 2004, Walsh performed live before a huge crowd at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Dallas, Texas.

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

In 2006, Walsh reunited with Jim Fox and Dale Peters of James Gang for a 15-date summer reunion tour. The tour lasted into the fall.

Some of his most recent compositions, such as "One Day At A Time", deal with his struggles with substance abuse, particularly alcoholism. He is now a teetotaller and has been sober since 1995.

He was also a frequent guest on The Howard Stern Show. His August 8, 1989 appearance on the show was re-broadcast on January 5, 2007 during an episode of Stern's Master Tape Theatre on Sirius Satellite Radio.

Walsh commences 2007 with an appearance at Dear Mr Fantasy - A Celebration For Jim Capaldi: a charity gig being held at London's famous Roundhouse where he will appear alongside Steve Winwood, Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman, Paul Weller and many others.

During 2007, Walsh has joined the band for country-rock star musician Kenny Chesney on his Flip Flop Summer Tour 2007. “I don’t think there’s anybody in the world who doesn’t know ‘Life’s Been Good To Me’ or ‘Rocky Mountain Way’ if they’ve listened to any rock radio at all,” said Kenny.

JOE