The Bomber

The Zoo Crew is spinning The Bomber by James Gang from their iconic 1970 album Rides Again, and the Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this hard-hitting rock anthem. This track, clocking in at over seven minutes, is a multipart masterpiece that showcases the band’s versatility, blending hard rock, classical, and jazz elements. One of the most intriguing stories about The Bomber comes from its inclusion of a 90-second electric rendition of Maurice Ravel’s Boléro in the original pressings. Ravel’s estate, citing French copyright law that mandated the piece be played in its entirety by a full orchestra, threatened legal action, forcing the band and ABC Records to edit out the Boléro section on most subsequent releases, reducing the song to 5:39. Some late 1970s LP pressings accidentally included the full version, and the most recent CD reissue restored it, much to fans’ delight. Producer Bill Szymczyk recounted a legendary studio mishap during the recording at the Record Plant, where the playback of The Bomber was so powerful it blew out eight brand-new, expensive studio monitors. This led to the creation of the industry-standard Hidley monitor, designed to withstand such intense sound.

Another layer of trivia ties to the song’s live performances. The Bomber was a staple in James Gang’s concerts, often extended with improvisational solos that highlighted Joe Walsh’s slide guitar prowess, which he continued to perform even after going solo. The song’s structure—comprising Closet Queen, Boléro, and Cast Your Fate to the Wind—reflects the band’s experimental spirit, with lyrics in Closet Queen exploring themes of rebellion and nonconformity. Fans on platforms like The James Gang Fan Club on Facebook often cite The Bomber as a defining track, praising its raw energy and Walsh’s innovative guitar work, which influenced later rock acts. A commenter on Songfacts recalled seeing the band perform it live in 1971 at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo, possibly one of Walsh’s final shows with the group, underscoring its enduring impact.

James Gang formed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1966, sparked by drummer Jim Fox’s vision to create a band inspired by the British Invasion sounds of The Beatles, The Who, and The Yardbirds. Fox, who had briefly played with the Cleveland band The Outsiders, left to attend college but returned to music after their hit Time Won’t Let Me. Teaming up with schoolmate Ronnie Silverman (guitar), Tom Kriss (bass), Phil Giallombardo (vocals, keyboards), and later Greg Grandillo (lead guitar), Fox founded the James Gang. The band’s early days were marked by lineup changes, but the arrival of Joe Walsh in 1968, replacing Grandillo, was a turning point. Walsh, a Kent State University student with a knack for guitar, brought a distinctive acid-tinged, bluesy edge. By 1970, with Dale Peters replacing Kriss on bass, the classic lineup of Walsh, Fox, and Peters recorded Rides Again, which went gold, propelled by hits like Funk #49 and The Bomber. Their relentless touring, including opening for The Who, earned them praise from Pete Townshend, who called Walsh America’s best guitarist.

For more on James Gang, visit their official website at jamesgangrides.com. You can connect with them on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can join discussions at the James Gang Fan Club on Facebook or explore fan-driven content on sites like Rate Your Music, where enthusiasts rank Rides Again among the band’s best work. The Zoo Crew and Zoo Freaks can keep the vibe alive by diving into these communities and celebrating the legacy of The Bomber and James Gang’s pioneering rock sound.