The James Gang

James Gang
James Gang in 1970. Left to right: Joe Walsh, Dale Peters, Jim Fox
Background information
Origin	Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Genres	Rock hard rock
Years active	1966–1977, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005–06, 2012
Labels	ABC MCA Atco One Way Records
Associated acts	The Who
Website	james-gang-rides-again.com
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 scored a national hit the following year with "Time Won't Let Me", Fox returned temporarily to play with them after their other drummer was drafted. After leaving them to return to school once again, 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, teaming up with schoolmate Ronnie Silverman (guitar), bassist Tom Kriss and keyboardist Phil Giallombardo in 1966. Reportedly, it was Silverman who suggested their name, "James Gang."

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 (who was later with another popular Cleveland outfit Rainbow Canyon), who was quickly replaced by Dennis Chandler, who was then succeeded by John "Mouse" Michalski (from the Count Five, who'd just scored a national hit with "Psychotic Reaction"). But Fox was still not entirely happy with the lineup.

A short time later, Fox was invited to auditions for a nine piece rhythm and blues outfit that was being assembled. Fox initially declined the offer but changed his mind when he heard the 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 knocked out and invited Schwartz to join the James Gang. Michalski, however, was not as enthused about Glen's playing as Fox was and left the Gang right then and there. 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.