As a member of the iconic rock band the Eagles, Joe Walsh leaned in fully to the stereotypical rockstar lifestyle. Partying with the likes of Saturday Night Live’s John Belushi and The Who drummer Keith Moon, the “Life’s Been Good” crooner eventually realized that enough was enough. In the ’90s, Walsh hired Richard “Smokey” Wendell as his “drug enforcer” to help him clean up his act. The pair remained close friends up until Wendell’s death on March 2 at age 80. Taking to social media last Friday (March 7), Walsh paid tribute to his “buddy.”
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Smokey Wendell and Joe Walsh: “A True Brotherhood”
In an Instagram post, Joe Walsh shared a photo of himself and longtime road manager Richard “Smokey” Wendell” posing with a cutout of Smokey the Bear.
“There are some losses so profound that words seem meaningless,” wrote the five-time Grammy Award winner, 77. “I hope to have some better ones later. I lost my buddy. RIP Richard “Smokey” Wendell.”
According to his obituary, Wendell got his start in law enforcement and the U.S. Secret Service before transitioning to the entertainment industry. Once serving as a bodyguard for former U.S. President Richard Nixon, he previously worked with John Belushi to help the Animal House star stay clean.
In the ’90s, Walsh hired Wendell for similar reasons. The New York City native stuck around for the next three decades as the “Rocky Mountain Way” singer’s road manager.
“Smokey shared a deep bond with Joe,” read Wendell’s obituary. “Their relationship transcended work—it was a true brotherhood.”
[RELATED: Just a Song Before We Go: What Was Joe Walsh’s Last U.S. Top-40 Hit?]
Walsh Dedicated This Performance to Smokey
Last September, the Eagles became just the fourth musical group to hold residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas, along with U2, Phish, and Dead & Company. And just one day after Wendell “Smokey” Robinson’s death, Joe Walsh dedicated his performance at the iconic venue to his longtime road manager.
“Better than the way we had. It always was with you by my side,” Walsh wrote on social media March 7. “Night #25 is for Smokey.”
Initially planning to wrap up their Vegas residency this month, the Eagles have added four new dates in April. The “Heartache Tonight” icons will close out their time there on Saturday, April 12.
Featured image by Scott Dudelson/WireImage
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