Even before Joe Walsh joined the Eagles, he was widely regarded as one of the finest guitarists of his time.
Blending a hard rock edge with a funky groove, his work with the James Gang and Barnstorm positioned him at the forefront of American rock in the early 1970s.
His talent led to touring with The Who and even wild escapades like trashing hotel rooms with John Belushi.
By the time he joined the Eagles in 1975, Walsh was already a star in his own right, having cemented his place in the rock world.
When Walsh was brought in to replace Bernie Leadon, it was a strategic move for the Eagles.
Walsh was ready for a new role, tired of leading a band and writing all the material, and the chemistry between him and the Eagles had already been proven.
Glenn Frey, Don Henley, and Randy Meisner had all contributed to Walsh’s 1974 Barnstorm album So What, showing their compatibility as musicians.
Walsh’s arrival completed the Eagles in a crucial way. His addition allowed Frey to focus more on rhythm guitar while enabling the band to showcase a twin-lead guitar style, which quickly proved to be a perfect match with Don Felder.
Their dynamic interplay took center stage on Hotel California, the Eagles’ first album with Walsh, released in 1976.
The push-and-pull between Walsh and Felder’s contrasting styles—fire and ice—became one of the album’s defining features. Don Henley even likened their synergy to “Duane Allman and Eric Clapton” working together.
Walsh is often credited as the catalyst that propelled the Eagles into legendary status, and Hotel California became one of the best-selling albums of all time.
Yet, despite his immense impact, Walsh remains remarkably humble about his role in the band’s success.
He’s even admitted that performing the famous title track, particularly the iconic two-minute guitar solo he shares with Felder, remains “a challenge” even after playing it countless times.
This humility serves as a reminder that even rock legends are human, no matter how many timeless musical moments they create.
In a 2013 interview with The Telegraph, Walsh revealed that he has never grown tired of performing the “Hotel California” solo, despite having played it thousands of times. “
It’s still a challenge,” he said. “I really have to pay attention. I mean, I can play it crappy. But I like to play it good.” His dedication to nailing the solo every time showcases his respect for the song and its legacy.
Reflecting on the creative process during that era, Walsh noted how he and Felder had a blank canvas to work with after the vocals for “Hotel California” were recorded.
Both guitarists agreed to make individual statements throughout the song before uniting for the solo at the end.
The result was a rare and extraordinary moment where two competitive lead guitarists came together seamlessly to create something unforgettable.
The intricate solo at the end of “Hotel California” has since become one of rock’s most iconic moments, encapsulating the freewheeling spirit of the 1970s.
It’s no wonder that Walsh still finds it challenging to replicate live—such moments of creative magic, when the stars align for musicians, are rare.
