James Gang
| James Gang | |
|---|---|
James Gang in 1970. Left to right: Joe Walsh, Dale Peters, Jim Fox
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Cleveland, Ohio, United States |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1966–1977, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005–06, 2012 |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | The Who |
| Website | james-gang-rides-again |
| Past members |
Jim Fox Tom Kriss Phil Giallombardo Ronnie Silverman Greg Grandillo Dennis Chandler "Mouse" Glenn Schwartz Bill Jeric Joe Walsh Kenny Weiss Dale Peters Roy Kenner Domenic Troiano Tommy Bolin Richard Shack Bubba Keith Bob Webb Mark Avsec Bill Appleberry Gia Ciambetti Robbyn Kirmsse Stacy Michelle |
The James Gang was an American rock band formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1966. The band enjoyed moderate success with the singles "Funk #49" and "Walk Away," and are perhaps best remembered as the first popular band to feature the guitarist/vocalist Joe Walsh, who later became a member of the Eagles.
Drummer Jim Fox first played with the Cleveland-area band The Outsiders but left them in 1965 to attend college. After they had a national hit the following year with "Time Won't Let Me", Fox returned temporarily to play with them after their drummer was drafted. After leaving them again to return to school, Fox, heavily influenced by the sound of British outfits, such as The Beatles, The Who and The Yardbirds, began to think about forming his own band, and teamed up with schoolmate Ronnie Silverman (guitar), bassist Tom Kriss, and keyboardist Phil Giallombardo in 1966.
The James Gang's earliest lineup consisted of drummer Fox, Tom Kriss (bass), Ronnie Silverman (guitar), Phil Giallombardo (vocals, keyboards) and, after auditioning some twenty five candidates for lead guitar, the band decided to go with Greg Grandillo. He later played with another popular Cleveland band Rainbow Canyon. He was soon replaced by Dennis Chandler, who was then succeeded by John "Mouse" Michalski who, with the Count Five, had just enjoyed a national hit with "Psychotic Reaction".
A short time later, Fox was invited to auditions for a nine piece rhythm and blues band that was being assembled. Fox initially declined the offer but changed his mind when he heard that local guitar legend Glenn Schwartz, who was fresh out of the army, was to be in attendance. After hearing Schwartz play, and hearing that two of his influences were the Spencer Davis Group and Jeff Beck, Fox was impressed and invited Schwartz to join the James Gang. However, Michalski was not as enthused by Glen's playing as Fox and left the band immediately. Ronnie Silverman soon departed as well to enter the military. Bill Jeric was then brought in to play alongside Schwartz. Unfortunately, no recordings were ever released by any of these early lineups of the band.
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