Joe Walsh

Joe Walsh has been married to Marjorie Bach since December 13, 2008. Bach is the sister of Barbara Bach, who is married to Ringo Starr. Walsh's daughter Lucy Walsh is a musician and actress. His daughter Emma Kristen died at age three from injuries sustained in a car accident in 1974, an experience that inspired the song "Song for Emma" from his album So What.

Walsh has spoken publicly about his earlier struggles with alcohol and drug addiction. He has been in recovery since the 1990s, and a 1989 visit to Otatara Pa in New Zealand became an important turning point in his recovery. He later took part in speaking engagements about substance abuse and support for people in recovery.

Walsh formed the Measles with fellow Kent State University students in 1965 and played on recordings connected with Ohio Express. In 1968, he joined the Cleveland-based James Gang as guitarist and vocalist. After other members left before a concert opening for Cream, the group performed as a trio with Walsh handling both rhythm and lead guitar duties while singing. The trio went on to record Yer' Album in 1969, followed by James Gang Rides Again in 1970 and Thirds in 1971.

The James Gang produced the songs "Funk #49" and "Walk Away," which became associated with Walsh's innovative rhythm playing and distinctive guitar riffs. Pete Townshend was impressed by the group and invited the James Gang to tour with the Who. Walsh left the James Gang in 1971 because he felt the trio format no longer suited the music he wanted to make.

After leaving the band, Walsh formed Barnstorm with drummer and multi-instrumentalist Joe Vitale and bassist Kenny Passarelli. The group's self-titled 1972 album was followed by The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get in 1973. The latter produced "Rocky Mountain Way," a major solo-era hit featuring Walsh's talk-box guitar sound. Barnstorm disbanded in 1974, after which Walsh continued as a solo artist.

Walsh joined the Eagles in 1975, replacing founding guitarist Bernie Leadon. His harder-edged guitar style changed the band's musical direction and became central to the sound of Hotel California, released in 1976. He played the guitar duet with Don Felder on the title track and co-wrote "Life in the Fast Lane" with Don Henley and Glenn Frey. Walsh also sang and co-wrote "Pretty Maids All in a Row" with Joe Vitale.

The Eagles' next studio album, The Long Run, included Walsh's "In the City," first recorded for the soundtrack of The Warriors. The Eagles broke up in 1980, but Walsh continued releasing solo albums and performing. His 1978 album But Seriously, Folks... featured "Life's Been Good," his most successful solo hit, while There Goes the Neighborhood produced the popular song "A Life of Illusion."

The Eagles reunited in 1994 for the album and tour Hell Freezes Over. Walsh remained part of the group's later touring and recording activity, including the 2007 album Long Road Out of Eden. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, and Walsh was also part of the Eagles' induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001.

Walsh's solo catalog includes So What, But Seriously, Folks.., There Goes the Neighborhood, You Bought It, You Name It, The Confessor, Got Any Gum?, Ordinary Average Guy, Songs for a Dying Planet, and Analog Man. Released in 2012, Analog Man was co-produced by Jeff Lynne and was Walsh's first solo studio album in two decades. He has also worked as a session musician and producer, contributing to recordings by Dan Fogelberg, John Entwistle, Ringo Starr, Steve Winwood, Warren Zevon, Lionel Richie, and Foo Fighters.

Walsh toured with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band and performed with the Australian group the Party Boys. He also briefly joined the New Zealand reggae band Herbs, appearing as lead vocalist on "Up All Night" and "It's Alright." His guest appearances have included the 2012 Grammy Awards closing performance with Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, and Dave Grohl, as well as the Foo Fighters album Sonic Highways.

In 2017, Walsh launched VetsAid, a nonprofit organization and concert series supporting veterans and their families. He has also supported environmental conservation on Santa Cruz Island and funded a talent-based scholarship at Kent State University. Walsh holds an Amateur Extra Class amateur radio license and uses the call sign WB6ACU.