Legendary Eagles Guitarist Joe Walsh Rocks Rain-Soaked Crowd of 300 at Historic Māori Fort in New Zealand with Stunning Performance of Desperado
The legendary band, The Eagles, recently played at the massive 17,500-capacity Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. However, guitarist Joe Walsh was back on stage for a more intimate event over the weekend. He joined a group of music students at Ōtātara Pā, a historic Māori hillfort on the banks of the Tūtaekuri River in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. Despite the rain, around 300 locals gathered to witness this special performance.
For Walsh, this location holds significant personal meaning. It was here in 1989, while touring with NZ reggae band Herbs, that he had a life-changing “epiphany.” Walsh shared with the crowd how the spirit of the place spoke to him, leading him to give up drinking and drugs. This pivotal moment set him on a path to sobriety for the past 30 years.
During his visit in 2015, Walsh visited Auckland’s Hoani Waititi Marae, where he engaged with members of local gangs to raise awareness about meth addiction. This time around, the atmosphere was filled with celebration as Walsh was serenaded by The Ukettes, a group of ukulele players from Greenmeadows School.
The musical highlight of the event was when Walsh joined students Frankie Stevens, Brannigan Kaa, and Pereri King for an electrifying rendition of The Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues.” The crowd was also treated to Walsh’s solo piano performance of another Eagles classic, “Desperado.”
Expressing his gratitude, Walsh shared with the crowd, “I’m so grateful I could come back. I’m kind of home in a way.” His presence and performance were not only a treat for the locals but also a testament to the power of music to transcend barriers and connect people from different walks of life.
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