Ordinary Average Guy

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some righteous vibes as we spin Ordinary Average Guy by Joe Walsh from his 1991 album of the same name! This tune’s got a killer backstory that’s perfect for our laid-back, hippie soul here at THE ZOO. Joe Walsh wrote this track as a tongue-in-cheek reflection on his mid-life crisis, poking fun at the rock star lifestyle he’d lived. It’s a sly parody of his earlier hit Life’s Been Good, which leaned hard into the glitz and excess of fame. In a 2016 Rolling Stone interview, Walsh shared that he wanted to reconnect with the everyday life he knew growing up in Ohio, saying, “I grew up just a kid on the block, doing all the stuff that kids do... We’re ordinary average guys.” The song’s lyrics, like “Pick up the dog doo, hope that it’s hard,” had fans cracking up, though some, like a commenter on Songfacts, called it “the absolute worst lyric in rock n roll history.” Others, like a fan on Reddit, praised its humor, noting how it flips the script on Walsh’s rock star image with lines about bowling and driving a Dodge.

Another cool tidbit comes from Walsh’s own storytelling. In a 2021 post on X, he mentioned sharing the song’s story with veterans at a US Vets facility, tying it to his VetsAid charity work. The track also has a unique origin: Walsh first recorded a version with the New Zealand reggae band Herbs in 1989 for their album Homegrown, sung by bassist Charlie Tumahai, before reworking it for his own album. Fans on Power Pop Blog point out that the song hit #3 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks, proving Walsh still had his mojo, even if the album only reached #112 on the Billboard charts. The recording sessions were a blast, too, with Ringo Starr on backing vocals and Joe Vitale, Walsh’s longtime drummer from Barnstorm, co-producing and singing on the album’s closer, School Days.

Now, let’s rewind to how Joe Walsh got his start, because this cat’s journey is pure rock ‘n’ roll. Born November 20, 1947, in Wichita, Kansas, Walsh grew up in a musical household with a mom who was a classically trained pianist. After his dad, a pilot, died in a plane crash when Joe was two, he was adopted by his stepfather and raised in Columbus, Ohio. As a kid, he dabbled with oboe and clarinet but found his groove playing bass in local bands like the G-Clefs and the Nomads. By the time he hit Kent State University, he was fronting a combo called the Measles from 1965 to 1969, sharpening his guitar chops. His big break came when he joined the Cleveland-based James Gang, hitting the scene with their 1969 debut Yer’ Album. Their 1970 record, The James Gang Rides Again, went gold with the FM staple Funk #49, showcasing Walsh’s gritty guitar riffs. After leaving the James Gang in 1971, he formed Barnstorm in Colorado, dropping a self-titled LP in 1972 before going solo with 1973’s The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get, which gave us the classic Rocky Mountain Way. From there, he joined the Eagles in 1975, cementing his legend with iconic riffs on Hotel California.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Joe Walsh’s latest gigs and musings on his official website, where he shares tour dates and VetsAid updates. He’s active on Facebook, posting about his music and charity work, and on Instagram, where you’ll find behind-the-scenes shots and throwbacks. His X account is a goldmine for quick quips and fan interactions. For those craving more, check out fan communities like the Joe Walsh Fan Club on Facebook, where diehards swap stories and rare pics. There’s also Joe Walsh Fan Club, a fan-run site with discographies and news. So, crank up Ordinary Average Guy, grab a cold one, and let’s keep the ZOO vibes flowing!