Joe Walsh @ Rose Music Center at The Heights, Huber Heights, OH

Words and photos by Duane Clawson

Joe Walsh has been dubbed the “Ordinary Average Guy” but in reality, this moniker could not be farther from the truth. With a 50-plus year career in music in bands with names like the Eagles, the James Gang, and Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band, Walsh is definitely not an ordinary average guy! His excesses as a rock star have been documented as legendary, but through it all Joe Walsh has prevailed and left his critics in the dust. With all the madness that has ensued, Walsh has managed to keep a solo career alive as well, which leads us to tonight’s show at Rose Music Center in Huber Heights, Ohio!

I told my wife before the show I was somewhat nervous about covering tonight’s show. When she asked why, I told her I wasn’t sure why but maybe it had something to do with the fact I was photographing Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, Joe 'fucking' Walsh! Before I break down the show let me just say if you’re in southwest Ohio and your favorite artist is playing the Rose Music Center, do yourself a favor and go! A beautiful 4200-seat venue that is an amphitheater styled, but covered with open sides. And not to mention, a great sound system for an open-air venue.

Joe Walsh strolled on to the Rose Music Center stage with both arms raised triumphantly and melted faces instantaneously with the James Gang classic, “Walk Away”. Immediately, Walsh leaves no doubt as to why in 2011, he was voted number 54 on the list of top 100 guitar players in a Rolling Stone readers’ poll. Getting in touch with his soulful side, Walsh chose to cover Sly and the Family Stone’s “Everyday People”. After the extended James Gang jam, “The Bomber: Closet Queen/Bolero/Cast Your Fate to the Wind”, I heard an audience member say, “I probably could have done without the jam band stuff”. I beg to differ; these songs are all the essence of Joe Walsh!

Midset, as the heat of an Ohio summer day was dissipating, the opening notes of "Take It to the Limit”, Joe Walsh put a collective lump in the throats of those in attendance with a stirring tribute to fallen Eagles founder, Glenn Frey. From this point on, there was no looking back for Walsh, as he covered every piece that made him a household name. “Turn to Stone”, “Funk 49”, and “Life’s Been Good” were all covered in the second half of the show by this 68-year-old master showman. Saving the defining classics until the end of the show, Walsh shook the concrete of Rose Music Center with “Life in the Fast Lane” and “Rocky Mountain Way”. I’ll wrap this one up with a quote from a fans review posting on Ticketmaster’s website, “I wanted 10 more encores...only got one”. Thanks to Joe Walsh’s management for letting MTC MAG be there and to the Rose Music Center for their hospitality! Photos of the show are below: