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

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Rocky Mountain Way (Live Dallas 1981 KZEW-FM Broadcast)" by Joe Walsh for their devoted Zoo Freaks. This track, from the album Legendary FM Broadcasts - Reunion Arena, Dallas TX 10th July 1981, captures the raw energy of Walsh’s performance. One wild story about the song’s creation comes from a 2012 Howard Stern interview, where Walsh shared how the lyrics hit him while mowing his lawn in Boulder, Colorado. Stunned by the Rocky Mountains’ summer snow, he ran inside to jot down the words, forgetting to turn off the mower. It careened into his neighbor’s garden, wrecking their rose bushes. Walsh jokingly called it “a very expensive song to write,” hinting at the hefty repair bill.

[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Mountain_Way)[](https://www.loudersound.com/features/it-looks-like-a-beer-bong-and-sounds-like-a-robot-the-story-of-joe-walshs-rocky-mountain-way)

Another tidbit ties the song to baseball. The lyric “Casey’s at bat,” referencing the famous poem, made "Rocky Mountain Way" a hit with the Colorado Rockies, who’ve played it after home wins at Coors Field since 1995. Walsh, a big baseball fan, leaned into this vibe, even rewriting the song as “Rocky Mountain Elway” for Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway in 1998 for ABC’s Monday Night Football. The song’s iconic talk box, built by sound engineer Bob Heil, gave it a futuristic edge, influencing artists like Peter Frampton. Walsh once said the song’s magic comes from “a bunch of guys playing together in a room,” capturing a groove no computer can replicate.

[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Walsh)[](https://www.loudersound.com/features/it-looks-like-a-beer-bong-and-sounds-like-a-robot-the-story-of-joe-walshs-rocky-mountain-way)[](https://americansongwriter.com/how-joe-walsh-used-rocky-mountain-way-to-get-over-a-former-band-breakup/)

Joe Walsh, born Joseph Fidler Walsh on November 20, 1947, in Wichita, Kansas, kicked off his musical journey in the mid-1960s. After his father, a pilot, died in a 1949 plane crash, Walsh was adopted by his stepfather and grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and later Montclair, New Jersey. He picked up the guitar early, inspired by rock pioneers like Les Paul and Jimi Hendrix. While attending Kent State University, Walsh played in local Ohio bands, honing his chops. His big break came in 1969 when he replaced Glen Schwartz as lead guitarist for the James Gang, a Cleveland power trio. Their hit “Funk #49” showcased his fiery guitar work, launching him to national fame.

[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Walsh)[](https://www.last.fm/music/Joe%2BWalsh/_/Rocky%2BMountain%2BWay)

After leaving the James Gang in 1971 over creative differences, Walsh moved to Boulder and formed Barnstorm, releasing "Rocky Mountain Way" on the 1973 album The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get. His solo career soared, and in 1975, he joined The Eagles, adding grit to their sound. Walsh’s official website, joewalsh.com, keeps fans updated on tours and projects. You can follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather at sites like joe-walsh.com and the Joe Walsh Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks and beyond share their love for his music.

[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Walsh)[](https://crooked-wanderer.com/2024/01/17/joe-walsh-rocky-mountain-way/) ```