James Gang

Infobox musical artist
Name = James Gang


Img_capt = James Gang, ca. 1970, from the "James Gang Rides Again" photo session Left to right: Jim Fox, Dale Peters, Joe Walsh (Photographer: Tom Wright)
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Genre = Rock, Hard rock
Years_active = 1966 – 1977 1996 1998 2001 2005-2006
Label = ABC, MCA, Atco, One Way Records
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.jamesgangridesagain.com/ www.jamesgangridesagain.com]
Current_members = Joe Walsh Dale Peters Jim Fox
Past_members = Tom Kriss Ronnie Silverman Phil Giallombardo Glen Schwartz Domenic Troiano (deceased) Roy Kenner Tommy Bolin (deceased) Richard Shack Bob Webb Bill Jeric

James Gang was a rock band formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1966. Though the band wasn't a huge commercial success, the fame garnered by guitarist Joe Walsh has since made the group more notable.

History

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. And after Chandler left, the group featured Glen Schwartz. Unfortunately, none of the above lineups ever officially released any material.

In 1968 Joe Walsh replaced Schwartz when he left the band to join Pacific Gas & Electric. The band, which at that time then consisted of Fox, Kriss and Walsh, released its debut album "Yer' Album" (1969). 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 go solo and later joined The Eagles. Vocalist Roy Kenner and guitarist Domenic Troiano then joined the band. 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. But 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. 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.

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, featuring a keyboardist and backing vocalists. The trio appeared in August performing live on "The Howard Stern Show" on Sirius satellite radio.

Discography

*"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)

Band members

External links

* [http://www.jamesgangridesagain.com James Gang 2006 website]
* [http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0304295/ IMDb James Gang]