10 Best Classic Rock Guitarists Of The '70s

Joe Walsh has picked up a resume as one of the great journeymen of the rock world. As opposed to just being associated with one band, Walsh has turned into one of the greatest guitar heroes of rock's glory years, filling his time in both bands and solo career alike. Even though his tone changes when in certain acts, you always know a Joe Walsh lick when you hear it.

Much like his squawky voice, there is an inherently bright tone to Walsh's guitar whenever he straps it on, which was evident from the first time he roared onto the scene with James Gang back in the early '70s. Though Walsh inevitably went solo after that band's fallout, his way around a riff made for great solo material like on Life's Been Good and Rocky Mountain Way. Then again, it was only a matter of time before the big leagues came calling.

Adopting the role of the guitar-toting troubadour in The Eagles, Walsh's gunslinger attitude made for some of the most hard-edged riffs in the group's tenure, whether it was playing off of Don Felder on Hotel California or turning in a lick of his own on Life in the Fast Lane. From making a bluesy riff scream into life to playing a slide guitar solo that will make you cry, Joe Walsh is one of those unique guitarists that can make his six-string sound like it's a living entity.