A native of Wichita, Kansas, Walsh moved to Montclair, New Jersey and attended Montclair High School. He spent time in various bands playing around the Cleveland area while attending Kent State University, but came to widespread attention in 1969 after replacing Glen Schwartz as lead guitarist for the James Gang, an American power trio. Walsh was the standout of the band, noted for his innovative rhythm playing and creative guitar riffs. The James Gang had several minor hits and became an early AOR staple before Walsh left the group in 1971 for a career as a solo artist.
Walsh's solo debut was Barnstorm (1972). Its follow-up was The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get (1973). Several cuts from these albums, notably "Rocky Mountain Way", received heavy airplay and continue to be classic rock favorites.
After releasing another studio album and a live set, Walsh was invited to join the Eagles in 1976, replacing departing guitarist Bernie Leadon. He brought a harder-edged sound to the group, giving their light country rock sound a shot in the arm and kept the Eagles from becoming a country act altogether.
As the Eagles began to decline after the release of Hotel California, Walsh re-ignited his solo career with the well-received discs But Seriously Folks (1978) (which featured his hit comic depiction of rock stardom, "Life's Been Good") and There Goes the Neighborhood (1981). He continued to record and release albums throughout the 1980s. In 1989, Walsh recorded a MTV Unplugged with the RnB musician Dr. John, but musical trends had passed him by and he maintained a very low profile until the late-1990s Eagles reunion and tour. Walsh sang the US National Anthem at the beginning of Game 4 of the 1995 World Series. In 2004, Walsh performed live before a huge crowd at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Texas.
A versatile guitarist, Walsh's abilities on acoustic, electric, and slide guitar have also made him well-regarded as a featured player or guest soloist; Walsh has recorded and performed with many other artists including Dan Fogelberg, Steve Winwood, The Who's John Entwistle and on the first two Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band tours.
Joe Walsh ran for President in the 1980 US Elections promising "free gas for all". In an interview for Planet Rock radio station he commented that he did this to raise people's awareness of the election. He felt that many Americans were not even aware that there was an election going on.
Some of his most recent compositions deal with his struggles with substance abuse.
Joe Walsh (WB6ACU) is an active amateur radio operator. Joe is also an active member and contributor of the ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio. Joe has contributed to many simmilar causes over the years.
County Fair
Joe Walsh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tried a few pieces and hoped that they fit
But they're going together so slowly
It may take me forever to know
If it's only a puzzle
Parts of the puzzle will never be found
And even though pieces are gone
Part of me's there
Some of the pieces are still at the fair
And it may be forever
In Joe Walsh's song "County Fair," he reflects on the memories and pieces of his life that seem to be missing or incomplete. The opening lyrics describe Walsh finding an old puzzle that someone had abandoned, and the slow process of trying to piece it back together. This metaphorical puzzle represents his life, and the unknowns that exist within it. As Walsh puts it, "Parts of the puzzle will never be found," and he may never know if it's only a puzzle, meaning that his life may never make sense or be fully understood.
However, there is a sense of nostalgia and fondness for the county fair, which the puzzle represents. Walsh sings, "It's a county fair picture, part of me's there," implying that there are still parts of his past at the fair that he holds dear. Some of those pieces of the puzzle are still there, waiting to be rediscovered. Despite the uncertainty and complexity of life, Walsh seems to find comfort in these memories and the idea that some things can never truly be lost.
Overall, "County Fair" is a reflective and introspective song that explores themes of memory, loss, and the passage of time. It's a reminder that even when parts of our lives seem missing or unexplainable, there are still moments of beauty and joy to be found.
Line by Line Meaning
Found an old puzzle somebody had quit
I stumbled upon a discarded puzzle
Tried a few pieces and hoped that they fit
I attempted to connect a few puzzle pieces
But they're going together so slowly
However, the puzzle pieces aren't aligning easily
It may take me forever to know
It seems like it will take an extremely long time to complete
If it's only a puzzle
Only time will tell if it's worth the effort
Some of the pieces are still at the fair
Some pieces are still missing and not part of the picture
Parts of the puzzle will never be found
Some puzzle pieces may be lost and never found
And even though pieces are gone
Despite some pieces being missing
It's a county fair picture
The puzzle forms a picture of the county fair
Part of me's there
A part of me is nostalgic for the fair depicted in the puzzle
And it may be forever
It's possible that some puzzle pieces may never be found
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH FIDLER WALSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@smokinjz
Found an old puzzle somebody had quit
Tried a few pieces and hoped that they fit
But they're going together so slowly
It may take me forever to know
If it's only a puzzle
Parts of the puzzle will never be found
And even though pieces are gone
It's a county fair picture
Part of me's there
Some of the pieces are still at the fair
And it may be forever
@jeanhammond1363
Listening to this again after all these years...still consider it Joe's best tune he ever made
@williamkayaian7268
I’m playing turn to stone, next
@everready19373
Life of illusion is pretty awesome right now, if you can see the corollaries.
@jimjensen5928
wHOlLY agree w you
@thomasoreckinto3212
When I listen to this song I feel happy I had it as a pimple faced teenager but sad that I'm now in my 60s and no more great music like this is recorded.this guy is a legend and should have a statue somewhere. What a gift we all got to hear this guy and his band
@kurtweiand7086
Bless you!
@debrahkeys5592
But no pimples, been there done that lol
@harveykojan4775
My favorite Joe Walsh song. Deliciously spacey. Phase shifting. Backward guitars. LOTS of guitars. Druggy lyrics. And Joe Vitale's remarkable drumming.
Perfection.
@truckerkevthepaidtourist
Joe Vitale what a underrated classic musician songwriter never seems to get his due and talk of great circles but those who know him know of his greatness.
@vegaslimoguy2376
@@truckerkevthepaidtourist And a great, down to earth guy! I'm a drummer of over 35 years, i wrote Joe and asked for his signed book Backstage Pass, he not only sent me an autographed book, but also signed a pair of drumsticks that he used in a Barnstorm Concert in the 80s! Great guy, and the book is a great read. Very talented musician.