James Gang - "Walk Away" (1971)

James Gang were a rock band formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1966. Though the band was not a huge commercial success, except in the Northeast Ohio area, the fame garnered by guitarist Joe Walsh has since made the group more notable.

The original band members were drummer Jimmy Fox, bassist Tom Kriss, guitarist Ronnie Silverman, keyboardist Phil Giallombardo, and guitarist Greg Grandillo, who was quickly replaced by Dennis Chandler. Bill Jeric replaced Silverman when he entered the service. After Chandler left, the group featured Glen Schwartz. Unfortunately, none of the above lineups ever officially released any material.

In January 1968, Joe Walsh replaced Schwartz after he had left the band the previous month to move to California, where he ended up forming Pacific Gas & Electric. The band continued as a five piece for a short time until Phil Giallombardo lost interest and left to become involved in other pursuits. Jeric and Walsh worked together on guitar parts, but Jeric ended up leaving as well in the spring of 1968. He was then replaced by Ronnie Silverman, who had been discharged from the service.

In May 1968, the group played a concert in Detroit at Motown's Grande Ballroom opening for Cream. At the last minute, Silverman informed the others that he would not be joining them at the show. The band desperately needed the money from the show in order to purchase the gasoline to get home. So they took to the stage as a trio figuring if Cream could do it, so could they. That night the band was reborn in its classic (and best known) trio formation. The threesome decided they liked having all that uncluttered musical space to play in and decided to remain as three.

In 1969 the band (now consisting of Fox, Kriss and Walsh) released its debut album Yer' Album.

In 1970, the band released its second album James Gang Rides Again, which included the popular single "Funk #49", as well as the AOR classic "The Bomber". 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 (in late 1971) to embark on a solo career.

Vocalist Roy Kenner and guitarist Domenic Troiano then joined the band for the next two albums, Passin' Thru (July 1972) and Straight Shooter (October 1972). But Troiano left in 1973 and ended up joining The Guess Who in 1974. He was replaced by Tommy Bolin (ex-Zephyr). Bolin appeared on two albums, Bang! and Miami, but left by mid-1974. He went on to join Deep Purple by early 1975. The James Gang then folded.

By early 1975, Fox and Peters decided to try again with a new lineup that included vocalist Bubba Keith and guitarist Richard Shack who made an album, Newborn, featuring an Elvis Presley cover, "Heartbreak Hotel". Scottish guitarist Jimmy McCulloch had been approached to join the new lineup as well. But in the end, he elected to stay with Paul McCartney & Wings. The band released a final recording, Jesse Come Home in 1976, which referred to the band's namesake, the outlaw Jesse James, with the collaboration of early member Phil Giallombardo, who rejoined along with new guitarist/vocalist Bob Webb. But none of the post-Walsh lineups achieved the level of success they briefly enjoyed while Walsh was a member, although some fans consider the final album the band's finest. Jimmy Fox was the only remaining member of the original quintet when they disbanded in 1977.

The "classic" lineup of the band (Walsh, Peters, Fox) reunited to perform at an election rally for Bill Clinton at the Cleveland State University Convocation Center on November 4, 1996. They appeared 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. In the summer of 2005 the group performed another handful of shows in the Cleveland area.

In April 2006 it was announced that the Walsh/Peters/Fox lineup of the group would be touring the United States later that summer, featuring a keyboardist and backing vocalists. The trio appeared in August performing live on The Howard Stern Show on Sirius Satellite Radio.

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[chewman5791]

Heres to classic. no new crap that all sounds the same here!

[kschwartz6358]

@fatoldsun98  That's weird in 70-71 I was stationed at Korat AB in Thailand and really sold all my fellow serviceman on the James Gang, I use to live in Kent, Ohio before going into the USAF

[cowcorp]

sitting here listening to james gang reading comments and saw chesterland hulabaloo! what a flash back. i spent much time there from 65 to 69. i am from the chagrin falls area. sfc

[luvmuzk]

it was totally the cool thing to do driving down the road with this song blasting, still would today

[SunnyBulldog1]

Saw this group in Elyria,Ohio,1969 and at the vDoose Lake Festival in Michigan,1970,and with Barnstorm in Toledo,1972.Yep,I dig them guitar licks!

[johnthehulk1]

Joe Walsh was better than when he became a member of "The Eagles". This is a great song. "The James Gang" rocked in 1971.

[Daveparts]

"Though the band was not a huge commercial success" say what?

[bgbrobru]

Saw them at the Goose Lake International Music festival, Jackson ,Mich, 1970. You shoulda been there.

[bamboneski]

JW BE THE MAN

[mrmott44]

Chesterland Hulabaloo in about 69 or so, what a show!!!!

[fatoldsun98]

I was listening to this as an Air Force brat in 1971 Bangkok Thailand, still brings back memories of those magical days.

[csw0551]

They played them in Kansas City. I loved them.

[ldiatone]

what about the GLASS HARP from youngstown 45 mins south? and i loved this group as i was in kent ohio in those days-:)

[alsaxe1]

@daverheu dale is great as is jimmy foxx...the band was awesome....the live album kicks butt.

[jimscape]

Joe Walsh's is the definitive version.

[oberfour1]

Some of the best bands never see the light of day.

Then you have the overrated Beatles.

These guys should have been Americas` WHO.

[tbear10009]

I saw these guys play in 1971 and they were AWESOME-- too bad the bad never made it as big as Jowe walsh after he joined the Eagles--they were really good

[timin770]

Saw Joe with the JG 1971 Ohio State Fair. Totally blew me away

[MrBluesrules]

@mootle661

It's the Rocky mountain way. At least that's how I see it from here in Denver.

[mootle661]

@MrBluesrules You have incredible foresight

[MrBluesrules]

@darealdjnutz

James Gang kicks Everybodys ass. They kick Al Quaedas ass.

[daverheu]

blah blah, formed in ohio, blah blah: try 3 piece band on par with 'experience' Hendrix' band. nearly favorite drummer, bass too tight & originality that saved the Eagles! Nobody really talks about Dale Bugsley Peters... but listen, & you will

[Nivicoman]

Joe Walsh is the man.

[woodtowl1]

i saw the james gang in like 1974 on tour????? oh well one of the first concerts i had seen,dont tempt me to what i have seen since.............

very goiod they were with jo jo gunne,very good concert,never forget it

[woodtowl1]

come on peopLE THIS IS DIREROOTS OF ROCK,except for woodstock these folks are roots of rock