Joe Walsh has been quite reflective this past week on Instagram.
It started after the Eagles show on May 2nd at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival when he wrote, "I am still a 14-year old kid from Wichita by way of Columbus [Ohio] and Montclair [New Jersey] in the body of a 78-year old who still can’t believe that I stumbled my way into the greatest job on Earth. This never stops taking my breath away. The love and support you show us never ceases to amaze me. We are always grateful and will always do our best to show up for you like you do for us. Seeing you out there with your kids, your grandkids and your friends singing along with us is a miracle and a testament to American music and togetherness. I’m proud to play for you and thank you all for coming..."
Then on Monday, May 4th, he took on a much more somber tone as he remembered the events of that day in 1970 when four unarmed students protesting the Vietnam War were shot and killed by the National Guard.
Walsh, a student at the school who was there that day, says, "May this day serve as a reminder of what can go wrong when we stop listening to each other, political division defines us, and dysfunctional command leads to disaster. May we never forget May 4th, 1970. I know I never will."
Other eventual professional musicians who were either enrolled at Kent State and/or present at the school on the day of the shootings were Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, and Devo members Gerald Casale, Bob Lewis and Mark Mothersbaugh.
Walsh and the Eagles will perform in Nashville this Saturday followed by Hollywood, Florida on Wednesday and their final show of the spring, May 16th in Arlington, Texas.