"Ladies and gentlemen: the future president of the United States of America!"
Other than threatening to run for that position, Joe Walsh (again IMHO) is one the world's top rock guitarists. I especially feel his work in the 1970s with The James Gang helped to define and refine the tough, heavy blues/rock style that is so integral to classic rock and roll.
In addition to being a master player, Walsh is perhaps one of the best rock composers around. His music is infused with power, emotion and humour. His style runs the gamut from tough and aggressive to sweet and melancholy. He also wears the keyboardist's hat, and this has allowed him to branch off into different musical directions.
Although to me, his best guitar work has been produced with his Les Paul, Walsh uses a surprising variey of axes: accoustic, Stratocaster, slide and more. An examination of his works from, say, 1968's 'Thirds' through 1971's 'James Gang Rides Again' to 1981's 'There Goes The Neighborhood' shows an evolution in sound and style, that while differing in focus and subtleties, remains distinctively 'Walsh'.
His tenure with James Gang lasted until 1972. Walsh then formed Barnstorm for a couple of albums in 72 and 73, went solo in 74, and still records albums to the present day. In 1975 he joined The Eagles and enjoyed perhaps his greatest commercial successes with the LPs 'Hotel California' and 'The Long Run'.
