Joe Walsh passed through Northeast Ohio for several years in the late ’60s and early ’70s, moving from the east coast to attend school at Kent State University in 1966, and instead hooking into the local music scene. He came to national attention with the James Gang who released their first album in 1969 and played with them for four years before forming Barnstorm and moving away from the area.
Still, Kent has steadfastly claimed him as a native son; he spent more time in its downtown bars than he did at KSU where he failed to collect a degree. That’s why, just before the July 4th weekend, it unveiled a mural downtown featuring a black and white painting of a guitar-wielding Walsh, based on a performance photo from the early ’70s.
The painting, done by artist (and KSU alum) Scot Phillips and his assistant Erin Meyer, is on the brick wall of the Water Street Tavern Building. Water Street Tavern owner Mike Beder says, “There have been plenty of notable comedians and musicians that have called Kent home at one point or another, but Walsh was really the early catalyst. He put us on the map. Considering Kent’s history as an entertainment district, it seemed like a good fit.”
He added that he spoke with Walsh and “He’s very humbled that we chose him as the subject and that we’re honoring him, of all people. A lot of the conversation was Joe reminiscing and asking how old friends and bandmates were doing. He said he still thinks of all those friends as family.”
Main Street Kent is planning an event to celebrate the mural some time in the next few months. But you can see it now.