Staying Fit
Life's been good, Joe Walsh will tell you. A long stint in the Eagles, 11 solo albums and such hits as “Walk Away,” “Funk #49,” “Rocky Mountain Way” and “Life's Been Good” brought him fortune and fame. But the rocker, 71, never forgot an early family tragedy, and that's why he's giving back.
A Gold Star son, Walsh was 20 months old when his father died in a fighter jet crash while on active duty in Okinawa. Stung by that loss, he's been involved with veterans’ causes for years, and frequently visits wounded soldiers, offering conversation and free guitar lessons.
AARP Membership— $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.
In 2017, the musician launched a national nonprofit veterans organization, VetsAid, and staged an all-star concert to raise money for charities benefitting vets. The third VetsAid show will take place in Houston on Nov. 10, the day before Veterans Day, with performances by ZZ Top, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Walsh and more.
We talked to Walsh about his father, his dedication to veterans and what's next.