Formed in 1967 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, the embryonic James Gang comprised Glenn Schwartz (guitar/vocals), Tom Kriss (bass/vocals) and Jim Fox (drums/vocals). Schwartz left in April 1969 to join Pacific Gas And Electric, but Joe Walsh (b. Joseph Fidler Walsh, 20 November 1947, Wichita, Kansas, USA) proved a more than competent replacement. Yer’ Album blended originals with excellent interpretations of material drawn from Buffalo Springfield (‘Bluebird’) and the Yardbirds (‘Lost Woman’). The band enjoyed the approval of Pete Townshend, who admired their mature cross-section of British and ‘west coast’ rock. Dale Peters replaced Kriss for Rides Again, an excellent, imaginative amalgamation of rock, melody and instrumental dexterity. Here Walsh emerged as the band’s director, particularly on the second side, which also marked his maturation as a songwriter. Keyboards were added to create a dense, yet more fluid sound as the band embraced themes drawn from country and classical music. Thirds was another highlight, including the excellent ‘Walk Away’, but when a retreat to hard rock proved unconvincing, Walsh quit to pursue solo ambitions. He later found fame as a member of the Eagles.
Two Canadians - Roy Kenner (vocals) and Dom Troiano (b. Domenic Troiano, 17 January 1946, Modugno, Italy, d. 25 May 2005, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; guitar) - joined Fox and Peters for Straight Shooter and Passin’ Thru, but both sets were viewed as disappointing. Troiano was then replaced by Tommy Bolin (b. Thomas Richard Bolin, 1 August 1951, Sioux City, Iowa, USA, d. 4 December 1976, Miami, Florida, USA), formerly of Zephyr, whose exemplary technique provided new bite and purpose. Bang, which featured eight of the newcomer’s songs, was a marked improvement, but still lacked the verve and conviction of the Walsh era. Miami, released in July 1974, was the final album before Bolin’s departure to Deep Purple, following which the James Gang was dissolved. The ever-optimistic Fox and Peters resurrected the name the following year, adding Bubba Keith (vocals) and Richard Shack (guitar), but finally dropped the name following the undistinguished Jesse Come Home. Various reunions have taken place over the following years, with a major summer tour announced for 2006.
