OnlineHost: It was once said, "before you know where you're going, you have to know where you've been." It started with The James Gang, a power trio without peer. Rocking' and jamming', experimenting and learning the business. What a start! Opening for The Who opened the eyes of the music world to Joe Walsh and his high flying guitar and very distinct vocals. Four albums later, tired of the three piece restraints, Walsh moved to Colorado to begin the next chapter- Barnstorm.

OnlineHost: The studio became their playground, but the stage held it's own magic. Was there a better live band at this time? Yet, there was more to explore, and a solo career was born. The best musicians around joined the ranks as sideman to Walsh, and some of his finest music was the result. Then came a call to replace Peter Frampton in Humble Pie, but it wasn't the right move, and it wasn't made. Soon after came another call, this time it was The Eagles, and Joe replaced Bernie Leadon in the legendary band.

OnlineHost: On to the next level, selling millions and millions of albums. Imagine 70,000 people on their feet, singing "Life's Been Good"...and it was. But all things must end, at least temporarily. More solo work would follow, and the phone didn't stop ringing. "Play on my record," they would plead. And Joe did. Winwood, Seger, Henley, Marx, Wilson Philips, BB King, Ringo Starr, America, the list goes on.

OnlineHost: All featured the distinctive Joe Walsh guitar. In the studio and on the road, this became his life cycle. So we pause to check the score-James Gang -4, Barnstorm -2, Eagles -4, solo-9....albums that is! This is where Joe Walsh has been. Now the real fun begins as we see where he's going. Please welcome Joe Walsh to Center Stage.

JackDL: Thank you for joining us here in AOL Live, Mr. Walsh!

JoeW Live: Hey everybody, how ya doing.

JackDL: Here is your first audience question:

Question: Hi Walshy... Theodora here... with regard to The Confessor... what was the actual inspiration for it and will you be collaborating with Stevie Nicks again soon?

JoeW Live: Well, Stevie was pretty much responsible for that whole album-at the time I was insecure, divorced and she convinced me I wasn't finished. I hope we write more in the future

Question: Any plans for a studio album with The Eagles?

JoeW Live: I'm pretty sure there's a studio album in the cards, but after 115 gigs, we need some time apart.

Question: How is Glen feeling. Isn't that why the tour last summer was

postponed?

JoeW Live: Yes, Glen had, well let's just say he went to the toilet a lot. He's all better.

Question: My question for Joe Walsh is, how did you come up with the idea for the voice box for the guitar and why don't you receive more credit for the idea?

JoeW Live: I got turned on to the talk box by Bill West- Dottie West's husband He invented it. I showed it to Peter Frampton He got famous and never even thanked me. Oh well.

Question: What do you like to do in your spare time?

JoeW Live: I love computers. I like the Discovery channel. I like being sober and I'm a ham radio operator

Question: I really loved the show--saw you all in Dallas and Austin. How difficult was it to decide on the song list?

JoeW Live: That was a tough call. We could play for a week if we did them all. The set list just kind of evolved out of the first 10 gigs or so.

Question: Will you be doing any of your music professorial seminars in Fort Worth anytime soon?

JoeW Live: I'd love to. Invite me.

Question: Hey, Joe did you know of the members of the Eagles when they were in the Stone Ponys and how did you actually end up joining the band.

JoeW Live: Actually- Stone Ponies were before Henley, Frey, and Meisner played with her live. I joined later than that- the Eagles were together during Barnstorm. I jointed after Barnstorm- their 5th album.

Question: For Joe : What's the story with the Bolero? Will the long version be on the new set?

JoeW Live: Yes Bomber long version is on, in Box set in the stores today.

Question: Where did the tour wardrobe come from? There are lots of us who would like to buy shirts like those, for our husbands. We know they'd love them.

JoeW Live: I get them made by this nut I met in Recovery.

Question: Joe, Which city was most memorable on this tour and why.

JoeW Live: Rose Bowl was 76,000 people- I felt very humble the first- MTV filming (first gig) and last Lafayette, La.

Question: What kind of music do you like to listen to (besides your own!)

JoeW Live: A lot of classic rock stuff- Traffic , Alan Parsons, Tea for the Tillerman- stuff like that and classical music for ideas.

Question: A group of us have a bulletin board as well as a chat session dedicated to the Eagles. We even had a "Joe Walsh Week" of which I hosted a Trivia Challenge. One of the questions was "Where was Joe born?" I thought it was NY, others Kansas. Where?

JoeW Live: Wichita, Kansas Nov. 20, 1947. A lot of people think NYC for some reason. Everybody in Ohio thinks I'm from there. Whatever. I actually was born in Kansas, but from Ohio.

Question: Joe...Has "Life Been Good So Far"?

JoeW Live: So Far

Question: Learn to be still-what exactly is that all about? being alone?

JoeW Live: You'd have to ask Henley- but I suspect It's about minding one's own business- a favorite theme of his.

Question: Hi Joe, I'm a young guitarist of three months and I just can't seem to find any techniques to improve my ability. Aside from practicing a lot and getting a teacher, is there anything else I can do? By the way, my mom wants to know if you're married.

JoeW Live: Not presently married. Get all the John Mayall Bluesbreaker"s albums and Albert King and learn every lick.

Question: What do you think of the Eagles newsletter "The Wasted Times"?

JoeW Live: Haven't checked that stuff out much because of touring but I plan to sign-on and stir up the hornets.

Question: Who are your musical influences Joe?

JoeW Live: Beatles, Beach Boys, classical stuff- a lot of old rock & roll from the 50's.

Question: What project are you currently working on?

JoeW Live: Getting my brains back from the tour I'm going to write at home- get some new material for what-ever format comes up-(solo or Eagles) I hope the Eagles continue- that would be my first priority

Question: I saw, during the Eagle tour in the middle of the encore, the band members "morphing" into each other.... how did that come about? Also, are you writing music on your computer?

JoeW Live: A guy named Jonah Koslen and I did the morph at my house on a Power Mac 8100 - it took 2 weeks- but translated very well to the big screen. My first /AV attempt. Just starting to set up my studio at home Using Ensonic and Vision software.

Question: Will you be doing any dates with Ringo's All Stars this summer specifically the Pittsburgh show in August?

JoeW Live: Nil's and I both regretfully can't be full time this time around with the all-stars but we will both be making cameo show-ups as our schedules allow

Question: Ask Joe. In his semi biographical song Decades. He says " the 70's lasted until May and on the hill that day I gave up and started writing Decades" What was he speaking of that made him give up?

JoeW Live: May 4, Kent State. I was on the hill. Everything changed everywhere that day- Full (longer) version of Decades is on my Box Set. I think it's the best "piece" of music I've done so far- but I'm not done yet. By the way- I'm grateful to everybody on-line and my keyboards smoking- If we don't get to everyone tonight we'll do Part 2.

Question: How old were you when you were in your first band, Joe?

JoeW Live: Don't tell anyone the name was the G-Clef"s. It was high-school- I was 17 I guess.

Question: What's better, playing in a bar, playing in a stadium, or something in between?

JoeW Live: Good Question- Stadiums are A REAL challenge and adrenaline rush but my favorite is a 2500-3500 seater- everybody has a good seat and the sound is good for all- small gigs have an intimacy that big gigs don't. I felt like one of the power-rangers at the Rose Bowl.

Question: Will you be running for president again?

JoeW Live: I don't know what my political future is- maybe I'll run in one of the primaries like Ohio where I'm sure to win, and then go national. We'll have to see- I might also take an appointment- say like Ambassador to Mars or something I must thank Al Kooper who turned me on to doing this and my host and Amy and JB. There Hope I've done OK

OnlineHost: All good things must come to an end. Our time is up for this event.

JoeW Live: I'll commit to a Part 2 right now. I had a blast

JackDL: Our thanks to Joe Walsh for joining us here in AOL Live tonight! Good night everyone, thanks for joining us!

OnlineHost: Thanks to Joe Walsh for an informative session. Be sure to stop back for your edited transcript of this event when it goes live within 24 hours. Thanks for joining us this evening and good night.

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