Joe Walsh Pre-Christmas Merriment, by Mark Erickson

I have been tending lately to fixate on artists for a while, given the wealth of video on YouTube. I have spent time looking for new, i.e., old, material from Alice in Chains, Yes, Led Zeppelin, Miles Davis, Don Rickles, Sam Kinison and others. Recently, I researched the early 1970’s video catalog of Joe Walsh. This was prompted by my bell connecting the dots between a comment Steve Stone, who is an announcer for the Chicago White Sox, made after his booth partner inquired about Stone’s favorite band during a game last summer. Stone replied, “Stormbringer and the James Gang.” I thought that was an unusual response, but cool. Then it dawned on me that maybe Stone made the comment to test his junior partner’s musical knowledge who responded with silence. You see, Mr. Walsh has a great tune called “Turn to Stone.” This song has been playing in my brain for weeks.

Walsh established himself with AOR radio long before he joined The Eagles.

I then had to revisit one of my favorite rock tunes of all time: Funk #49 by the James Gang. Enjoy this early Christmas present.

Mark Erickson