James Gang
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For other uses, see James Gang (disambiguation).
James Gang was a rock band formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1966. The original members were drummer Jim Fox, bassist Tom Kriss, guitarist Ronnie Silverman, keyboardist Phil Giallombardo, and guitarist Glen Schwartz.
In 1968 Joe Walsh replaced Schwartz when Schwartz left the band to join Pacific Gas & Electric. The band then released its debut album Yer' Album. In 1969, the band released its second album James Gang Rides Again which included the hit single "Funk #49." 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 to perform solo and later join The Eagles.
Vocalist Roy Kenner and guitarist Domenic Troiano then joined the band. Troiano left to join The Guess Who and was replaced by Tommy Bolin. Bolin left in 1974 and in the start 1975 Bolin contributed some studio guitar assistance to Canadian band Moxy during the recording of their debut album then went on to replace Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple, after two albums, Bang, and the Miami. Bolin was replaced by vocalist Bubba Keith and guitarrist Richard Shack, who made a very poor [citation needed] album, Newborn, featuring an Elvis Presley cover, Heartbreak Hotel. The band broke up in 1976 after a final recording, Jesse Come Home, which referred to the band's namesake, the outlaw Jesse James, with the collaboration of early member Phil Giallombardo. Jim Fox was the only remaining member of the original trio.
The "classic" lineup of the band (Walsh, Peters, Fox) reunited to perform at an election rally for Bill Clinton in 1996, appearances 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.
As of May 2004, Glenn Schwartz can be found playing guitar and singing Thursday nights at "Major Hooples" in the Flats, Cleveland.
In April 2006 it was announced that the Walsh/Peters/Fox lineup of the group would be touring the United States later that summer. The trio appeared in August performing live on The Howard Stern radio show on Sirius satellite radio.
[edit] Discography and Band Members
| 1966 - 1968 | |
|---|---|
| 1968 - 1970 | |
| 1970 - 1972 | |
| 1972 - 1973 |
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| 1973 - 1974 |
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| 1974 - 1975 |
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| 1975 - 1976 | |
| 1976 - 1996 |
Band Split |
| 1996 - Present |
- Yer' Album (November 1969)
- James Gang Rides Again (October 1970)
- Thirds (August 1971)
- James Gang Live in Concert (November 1971)
- Passin' Thru (July 1972)
- Straight Shooter (October 1972)
- Bang (December 1973)
- Miami (September 1974)
- Newborn (May 1975)
- Jesse Come Home (February 1976)
