Rocky Mountain Way (Live Dallas 1981 KZEW-FM Broadcast)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic "Rocky Mountain Way (Live Dallas 1981 KZEW-FM Broadcast)" by Joe Walsh, a track that’s got the Zoo Freaks grooving to its blues-rock vibe. This song, originally released in 1973 on the album The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get, was written by Walsh and his band Barnstorm after he moved from Cleveland to Boulder, Colorado. In a 2012 interview with Howard Stern, Walsh shared a hilarious story about how the lyrics came to him while mowing his lawn in Colorado. He was struck by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, with snow still visible in the summer, and ran inside to jot down the words, forgetting to turn off the mower. It rolled into his neighbor’s garden, destroying their rose bushes, making it, as Walsh quipped, “a very expensive song to write” because he had to pay for the damages. The song’s iconic talk box guitar effect, created with a Heil high-powered talk box, gave it a futuristic edge, and Walsh even had sound engineer Bob Heil build a louder version after finding the original too quiet. This innovation later influenced artists like Peter Frampton.

Another fun tidbit about "Rocky Mountain Way" is its deep connection to sports culture. The lyric “Casey’s at bat,” referencing the famous baseball poem, led to its adoption by the Colorado Rockies baseball team, who play it after every home win at Coors Field since 1995. The Denver Broncos also use a cover version by Godsmack during their games. Walsh, a big baseball fan, cleverly wove this metaphor into the song to express his decision to leave the James Gang and go solo, a move he was initially nervous about. In a 2016 Rolling Stone interview, he explained that the line “bases are loaded and Casey’s at bat, playin’ it play by play, time to change the batter” was about switching from his old management and band to a new chapter in Colorado. The song’s raw energy and groove, as Walsh noted in a 2021 Stern interview, come from the live chemistry of the band playing together in the studio, a magic he believes can’t be replicated with modern software.

Joe Walsh’s journey to rock stardom began in Wichita, Kansas, where he was born on November 20, 1947. After his father’s death in a plane crash when Walsh was two, he was adopted by his stepfather and grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and later Montclair, New Jersey. Music was a constant in his life, influenced by his mother, a classically trained pianist. By the mid-1960s, while attending Kent State University, Walsh started playing in local Ohio bands, honing his guitar skills. His big break came in 1969 when he joined the James Gang, replacing Glen Schwartz as lead guitarist. The band’s hit “Funk #49” showcased Walsh’s raw talent, but creative differences led him to leave in 1971. He moved to Colorado, formed Barnstorm, and released his first solo album in 1972, setting the stage for "Rocky Mountain Way" and his later role with the Eagles. His five-decade career includes stints with Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band and collaborations with artists like B.B. King and Eric Clapton.

Fans can stay connected with Joe Walsh through his official website, where you’ll find tour dates and merch. He’s active on social media, sharing updates on Facebook, Instagram, and X. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, there are fan communities like the Joe Walsh Fans Facebook group, where enthusiasts share concert memories and rare photos. Another great spot is the fan-run Joe Walsh Online, packed with discographies and career highlights. Whether you’re jamming to the 1981 Dallas broadcast or digging into Walsh’s legacy, the Zoo Crew knows this track is a timeless anthem for rock lovers everywhere.