How ham radio helped a famous musician

The technical knowledge which is part of being a radio amateur came in very handy when American musician and song writer Joe Walsh WB6ACU, best known as a guitarist with The Eagles, was just starting out in his career. In a recent syndicated radio program called "Eagles Radio" he received call from a listener named 'Billy' who asked him about the role amateur radio had played in his music career.

Joe explained that he got his callsign in 1961 at about the time he first picked up a guitar. In answer to the question he said, 'Learning some theory about how radios work gave me some knowledge to understand how guitars are wired and how a guitar amplifier works.

"It turned out to be invaluable because I understood amps enough to mess around and change some parts in them, and soup 'em up. In those days we did not have roadies (technical support crew) .... and when your amp broke and you're playing live you have to do something about it.

"I could rewire guitars and get different sounds out of it. A quick fix in general was pertaining to survival on those days." Joe quipped "'I'd make a great roadie for someone I tell you” The talk back session ended with caller Billy revealing that he too is a radio ham and the pair exchanging amateur radio greetings. An interesting piece of radio broadcasting and what great public relations for amateur radio.

Related Files

Joe Walsh Eagles Radio - Question & Answer Day
JoeW.mp3

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