It’s never easy being the person entering a band that has already achieved long-standing success. And it’s probably even tougher when you’ve established yourself as a solo artist to have to be a supporting player.
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That’s just the situation Joe Walsh found himself in when he joined The Eagles in December 1975. What seemed like an odd fit on paper turned into a perfect match when Walsh helped Eagles concoct their masterpiece album in the year after he joined.
Leadon Leaves
The situation for Bernie Leadon simply became untenable. He didn’t sign up as a founding member of The Eagles to play harder-edged rock. Little by little, the group was leaving behind the country influences that Leadon favored. He decided to leave the band following their mega-successful 1975 album One Of These Nights.
By that time, Eagles had already added Don Felder to the mix. Felder first brought his potent guitar licks to the 1974 album On The Border, helping the band move in more of a rock direction. That’s where the chief songwriters, Don Henley and Glenn Frey, wanted to go anyway.
Without Leadon, they were a foursome once again, and it’s conceivable that they didn’t need a new member. But if they really wanted to bring the thunder, another ace guitarist would help. The Eagles put in a call to a guy who shared management with them. It was Joe Walsh on the other end of the line.
By the end of 1975, Joe Walsh had already been at the head of one successful band (The James Gang). He had built up a solid solo career as well, one which included the 1973 hit single “Rocky Mountain Way”. In other words, he was a known commodity. He didn’t really need a major career pick-me-up.
Not Your Average Joe
Still, this was one of the world’s most successful rock and roll bands requesting his services. As it turned out, Walsh, who would have otherwise been due to churn out a solo album in 1976, was a bit short on songs. The timing was ideal.
Henley and Frey initially paused before going with Walsh. The guitarist had already gained a reputation for being a bit of a wild character, while Henley and Frey were ultra-focused and competitive in terms of their band being at the top of the rock world. They didn’t want anything to mess that up. As it turned out, Walsh would become a crucial component in their biggest success yet.
The first album that the band made following the addition of Walsh was Hotel California. As a songwriter and lead vocalist, he contributed “Pretty Maids In A Row”, a somewhat somber ballad. But Walsh made his biggest contribution with his axe.
Walsh at the Hotel
With twin lead guitarists, Eagles could deliver more rock heft than they had been capable of producing in the past. Walsh and Felder immediately developed incredible chemistry, most obviously on their harmony attack toward the close of the title track. But they also transformed songs like “Life In The Fast Lane” and “Victim Of Love” with their playing
Soon, Walsh became such an integral part of the band, both in terms of their sound and with his gregarious on-stage presence, that it seemed like he’d always been there. And he’s been there ever since, one of the best mid-career additions by any rock band in music history.
Photo by Rob Verhorst/Redferns
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