Joe Walsh Is Open to a James Gang Reunion
As Joe Walsh gears up for a string of Las Vegas shows next week, a key anniversary from his past looms. The James Gang emerged out of Cleveland in 1966, and the future Eagles star joined the band in early 1968.
Walsh hasn't ruled out a 50th anniversary reunion with his old group. "That’s always there," he told Matt Wardlaw for Las Vegas Weekly. "I would have to go back to Cleveland and try it out. I’m not sure we can do what we used to do. I do talk to Jimmy [Fox] and Dale [Peters] from time to time.. ... I want to make sure the majority of the nights are good with those guys. If we can do it, I don’t see why not."
Originally boasting a five-man lineup, the James Gang winnowed down to a sturdy trio featuring Fox, Peters and Walsh just in time to produce a pair of gold-selling hits with 1970's James Gang Rides Again and 1971's Thirds – the former of which was home to the rock-radio favorite "Funk #49."
"You know, on a good night, nothing beats a three-piece band," Walsh mused. "And on a bad night, there’s nothing worse. I’m used to singers and keyboard players, another guitar player and stuff. But with a three-piece, you’re bare-ass naked out there and you’d better have your stuff together."
Walsh's Vegas residency at the House of Blues is followed by a string of select dates with Tom Petty. After that, who knows? He might just put the old band back together.
In the meantime, the James Gang's 50th anniversary has already given Walsh a great new idea for a tour name. "That might be a good reason to go out. We could call it Funk 50," he said with a laugh.
See Joe Walsh in 1981's Best Rock Albums