Troiano was replaced by guitarist Tommy Bolin , formally from Zephyr , after Joe Walsh called to recommend him to the band. Bolin joined the band in August 1973 and appeared on two albums, Bang! and Miami , that saw the band moving from ABC Records over to Atlantic Records…
Read More
Peters and Fox carried on with vocalist Roy Kenner and guitarist Domenic Troiano (both ex-members of two Canadian bands, Bush & Mandala , who gained fame with “Love-Itis” a single from the Mandala’s only album, ‘Soul Crusade’), Straight Shooter and Passin’ Thru , both released in 1972. But in recent…
Read More
But after two more albums, 1971’s Thirds , and the live album James Gang Live in Concert released later that same year, Walsh, who was tired of the pressure of doing most of the writing and singing and being the only melodic instrument in the trio, left the band in…
Read More
In July 1971 the Gang returned to tour Europe. During their heyday, the band also shared the stage with artists like Grand Funk Railroad , Kinks , Humble Pie , Three Dog Night and Led Zeppelin .
In the spring of 1970, Belkin Productions arranged for the band to open for the Who for six dates during a US tour and their guitarist Pete Townshend was so impressed with them he invited the band to open for them on their fall tour of the United Kingdom. Townshend…
Read More
In July 1970 the band, composed of Fox, Peters and Walsh, released its second album, James Gang Rides Again , which included the popular single “Funk #49.”
Ultimately, none of the post-Walsh lineups achieved the level of success enjoyed in their early 1970s heyday. Drummer Fox was the only remaining member of the original band when James Gang finally disbanded early in 1977.
In November 1969 bassist Tom Kriss left the band after his father was diagnosed with lung cancer. Kriss was replaced by Dale Peters, who was brought in from another group called Case of E.T. Hooley.
In March 1969 the band, now consisting of Fox, Kriss and Walsh and produced by Szymczyk, released its debut LP, Yer’ Album .
In 1968 the band signed with manager Mark Barger, who was handling the career of fellow Ohio band The Lemon Pipers , who had just scored a big hit with ” Green Tambourine “. Barger put the Gang in touch with ABC Records staff producer Bill Szymczyk , who got…
Read More