The founding members of the band were drummer Jim Fox, bassist Tom Kriss, guitarist Ronnie Silverman, keyboardist Phil Giallombardo, and guitarist Glen Schwartz. In 1968 Joe Walsh replaced Schwartz when Schwartz left the band to join Pacific Gas & Electric. The band then released its debut album Yer' Album. In July of 1970, the band released its second album James Gang Rides Again which included the hit single "Funk #49." By this time, Dale Peters had replaced Kriss on bass. The band opened for The Who during a tour of Britain. After two more albums, Thirds, with the single "Walk Away,", and the live album James Gang Live in Concert, Walsh left the band to perform solo and later join the Eagles.
Vocalist Roy Kenner and guitarist Domenic Troiano then joined the band. Troiano left to join Guess Who and was replaced by Tommy Bolin. Bolin left in 1974 to replace Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple. After two albums, "Bang" and "Miami", Bolin was replaced by vocalist Bubba Keith and guitarist Richard Shack, who made "Newborn" (which featured a cover of the Elvis Presley song "Heartbreak Hotel"). The band broke up following a final recording, "Jesse Come Home" (which referred to the band's namesake, the outlaw Jesse James), which was made with the collaboration of early member Phil Giallombardo. Fox was the only remaining member of the original quintet when they disbanded early in 1977.
The "classic" lineup of the band (Walsh, Peters, Fox) reunited to perform at an election rally for Bill Clinton in 1996, appearances on The Drew Carey Show in the 1998-99 season, and at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in February 2001, drawing fans from all over the globe.
As of May 2004, Glenn Schwartz was playing guitar and singing Thursday nights at "Major Hooples" in the Flats, Cleveland.
In summer 2006 the Walsh/Peters/Fox lineup of the group toured the United States. In August 2006, the trio appeared performing live on The Howard Stern radio show on Sirius satellite radio.
Ashes
James Gang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Isn't rain filled with sorrow?
Wonder if I'll see my home again
Will it be dry tomorrow?
Time passes softly and I'm a day older
But still I m living days gone by
Ashes to ashes, the rain's turning colder
Finding tomorrow, the ashes, the rain and I
The lyrics of James Gang's song "Thanks" reflect on the passing of time, the transience of life, and the human longing for home and stable roots. The opening line, "Sometimes I sit and I stare at the rain," sets a pensive and introspective mood. Rain is often associated with sadness and melancholy, as it symbolizes tears and mourning. The singer wonders whether rain will ever stop, or whether his home will ever be safe from it. The uncertain future adds to the anxiety and restlessness he feels.
The next line, "Isn't rain filled with sorrow?" continues the theme of musing on the emotional resonance of nature. The singer sees the rain as a reflection of his own sorrows and losses. He then contemplates whether he will ever return to his home, and if so, whether it will be a welcoming and hospitable place. The motif of home recurs throughout the song, highlighting the human desire for a sense of belonging and identity. The last line, "Finding tomorrow, the ashes, the rain and I," suggests that the singer is resigned to his fate and willing to face whatever comes his way with equanimity.
Overall, "Thanks" is a contemplative and melancholic song that reflects on the fleeting nature of life, the inevitability of change, and the longing for a meaningful connection to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I sit and I stare at the rain
Occasionally, I sit motionless and gaze at the droplets falling from the sky.
Isn't rain filled with sorrow?
Doesn't rain often invoke a feeling of sadness and grief?
Wonder if I'll see my home again
I am uncertain whether I will ever return to my place of residency.
Will it be dry tomorrow?
Might it remain precipitation-free for the following day?
Time passes softly and I'm a day older
Time elapses smoothly, and I am merely one day more advanced in age.
But still I m living days gone by
Nonetheless, I am still experiencing events and moments from the past.
Ashes to ashes, the rain's turning colder
The rain is turning frigid, and everything that once existed will come to an end.
Finding tomorrow, the ashes, the rain, and I
Discovering what the future holds while enduring the ramifications of the past and present all at once.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DALE PETERS, JOSEPH FIDLER WALSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@phils7410
This is a song from my childhood, growing up in rural southwest Iowa. I listened to it again today for the first time in years, and the lyrics are much more profound for me now since I haven't been home since 1997. I think it's the most thoughtful song that the James Gang made. When I was a kid, I thought the orchestral arrangements in the second part of the song were exquisite, and they still sound pretty good today.
Ashes the Rain and I
Sometimes I sit and I stare at the rain
Isn't rain filled with sorrow?
Wonder if I'll see my home again
Will it be dry tomorrow?
Time passes softly and I'm a day older
But still I'm living days gone by
Ashes to ashes, the rain's turning colder
Finding tomorrow, the ashes, the rain and I
@npr7073
"Ashes The Rain And I"
Sometimes I sit and I stare at the rain
Isn't rain filled with sorrow?
Wonder if I'll see my home again
Will it be dry tomorrow?
Time passes softly and I'm a day older
But still I m living days gone by
Ashes to ashes, the rain's turning colder
Finding tomorrow, the ashes, the rain and I
@roberthall6876
When I was 16, I stared at the rain out of the window of my mom’s kitchen as I listened to this song. I am now almost 63 and I sat in my garage and watched the rain (it rains very little where I am now) as I listened to this song. I have listened to this song off and on my whole life. I have lost my mom, my dad, my granddaughter and many others. The cycle of this life. But, this song has stayed with me.
@Levienci
Empowering comment. I am sorry for your losses and I am so glad when I see music like this having this sort of effect. I hope to live my vast future and beyond while listening to this song. Amen, sir.
@TJamesBell
@Robert Hall
Sorry for your losses.
@j.letner183
ditto, except I have no grandchildren. Thanks and be awesome Robert
@Udontknow
thx for sharing, we are with u in this amazing circle♥
@TJamesBell
@Robert Hall
In which case, I would highly recommend you purchasing the Hybrid SACD of 'The Best of James Gang', remastered from the original masters by Kevin Gray over at Cohearant Studios and Analogue Production. They're known as the VERY best in the business for remastering classic albums from the original analog master tape source. Both vinyl and Hybrid SACD, depending on your preference. People sometimes say this about SACD's and SHM-CD's, but if it came from Cohearant Studios and Kevin Gray was involved, it WILL be like hearing it for the first time. Trust me. I've been playing it non-stop in my car, and am stunned, and I've been a James Gang fan for decades. (High end car or home stereo helps). Your song is on there.
So sorry for your losses.
Here's a link for you:
https://elusivedisc.com/the-james-gang-the-best-of-the-james-gang-featuring-joe-walsh-hybrid-stereo-sacd/
@davidrule385
3:33 and 4:09, two sample melodies in the song that helped Fatboy Slim create one of his most popular songs!
@johnbland3642
right here right now. fbs.
@martinreid2352
Pretty interesting hearing the context for those samples after hearing Fatboy Slim’s song for years and years!
@Nashadelicable
These samples are so easy to miss. Fat boy did a great job finding these and sampling them