Joe Walsh is famous for being an "Ordinary Average Guy," but the renowned guitarist often goes to extraordinary measures for others.
Even though Walsh never really knew his father, Robert, he always retained a sense of pride in his dad's sacrifice.
"He was my guardian angel. I always wanted to make sure he was proud of me," Walsh says, then adds with a laugh, "He probably would have told me to get my hair cut."
Since establishing VetsAid, which has raised more than $4 million, Walsh, who turns 78 Nov. 20, has hosted a near-annual benefit concert stocked with musician friends including James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Eagles leader Don Henley and his famous brother-in-law, Ringo Starr .
This year, Walsh will stage the ninth VetsAid concert Saturday, Nov. 15, at Intrust Bank Arena in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. He'll be joined by fellows Eagles mate Vince Gill ("he's like my big brother"), Ryan Bingham and the Texas Gentlemen, Nathaniel Rateliff, Susan Tedeschi and fellow axe wizard Derek Trucks . The show will also stream live on veeps.com .
"Derek is a better guitarist than me," Walsh, one of the most respected guitarists in music, says. "He's fifth level black belt. He's Allman Brothers lineage. I met him when he was 9 and he came backstage and I didn't know what to say and he didn't know what to say, but I could tell right then he had all the tools he needed and would be special. I gave him tips about what not to do."
Fans can check out highlights from the spread at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square , New York, through Dec. 3 and then at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, California, Dec. 16-17. A portion of proceeds from the sale will benefit VetsAid.
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