At a Glance
- Joe Walsh misses the Jan. 24 show at the Sphere due to a severe flu.
- The band performs without him for the first time since 1975.
- Don Henley assures fans he will recover and the group continues the residency.
- Why it matters: The event marks a rare lineup shift for a band that has played together for over 50 years.
The legendary rock group the Eagles faced an unexpected challenge when guitarist Joe Walsh was sidelined by the flu just before their Jan. 24 performance at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The show marked the first time the band has performed without Walsh since he joined in 1975, prompting the remaining members to step up and keep the show going.
Flu Forces a Change
During the final preparations, Walsh, 78, was reported to have a “bad case of the flu.” Don Henley, the band’s lead vocalist, told the audience that the group had a choice: cancel the show or “man up and do the show.” Henley added that the band had a deep bench and that they would rehearse for two hours to prepare.
> “Joe has come down with a bad case of the flu. We had a choice to make. We could either cancel the whole thing, or we could man up and do the show,” said Henley.
Henley also mentioned that other band members were ailing, describing music as “medicine.” He emphasized that the group would keep the performance moving, even if that meant reducing his own stage presence.
Who Steps In
The guitar parts that Walsh normally handled were taken over mainly by Vince Gill, who has toured with the Eagles since 2017, and Deacon Frey, who joined the band the same year following the death of his father, founding member Glenn Frey, in 2016. Instead of performing the usual “Funk #49,” the setlist featured “Best of My Love.”
During a concert on Jan. 23, Walsh played for most of the show but sat out on a few songs and did not participate in the closing bow. Henley described Walsh’s effort as heroic and reassured the crowd that he would recover.
> “[Walsh] was sick last night. But he heroically made it through [most] of the show… Joe’s going to be okay,” Henley said.
Historical Context
Walsh joined the Eagles in 1975, replacing founding member Bernie Leadon. The band’s 1976 album Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 became the first album to ever be certified quadruple diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and remains the best-selling album of all time in the U.S., with sales exceeding 40 million copies.
The group has 10 dates left this year at the Sphere, where they began their residency in September 2024. Their next show is scheduled for Jan. 30, and it is still unclear whether Walsh will be able to perform.
Band’s Response
Henley’s remarks reflected a sense of camaraderie and resilience. He spoke about the power of the audience’s love and how the band’s performances bring people together.
> “When the Eagles play, people come and sit next to each other and everybody gets along. And for two-and-a-half hours, we play, and they know the words better than us,” he told a 2023 interview.
He added that the joy of touring is a gift and that he would not trade it for anything, even at 75 years old.
Upcoming Shows and Uncertainty
The Eagles’ residency schedule remains largely intact. The band’s 10 remaining dates are slated to continue, but fans are watching closely to see if Walsh will return for the Jan. 30 performance.
A representative for Walsh did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The band’s management confirmed that the show went on as planned and that the musicians performed with the usual energy and professionalism.
Key Takeaways
- Joe Walsh missed the Jan. 24 show due to flu, marking the first time the Eagles performed without him since 1975.
- Vince Gill and Deacon Frey filled in for Walsh’s guitar parts.
- Don Henley assured fans of Walsh’s recovery and the band’s commitment to the residency.
- The Eagles’ historic album Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 remains the best-selling U.S. album with over 40 million copies sold.
- The next show on Jan. 30 may still see Walsh absent; the band’s 10 remaining dates will continue regardless.
The incident underscores the resilience of the Eagles and their ability to adapt when faced with unexpected challenges, ensuring that the music-and the connection with fans-remains uninterrupted.
