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Joe Walsh Bows Out Of Starr Tour, Starship And Airplane Nearly Collide
Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner report:When Ringo Starr heads out on his 5th All-Starr Band tour today (Feb. 12), guitarist Joe Walsh , who was initially mentioned as part of the lineup and who toured with Ringo on his first two outings, won't be there.
''He hoped to do the tour but needed to get back to his [recording] project first,'' Walsh's manager David Spero told Live Daily. In addressing talk that Walsh was actually summoned back into the studio by Don Henley and Glenn Frey for an Eagles project, Spero said, ''He was helping Henley out on his own project.''
Now, with no plans to replace Walsh, Todd Rundgren will expand his role and handle all the guitar work. Rounding out the All-Starr Band are Simon Kirke (returning from last year's tour) on drums, Gary Brooker on keyboards, Jack Bruce on bass and Timm Cappello on sax.
The first leg of the tour runs Feb. 12-March 29, with plans for a second leg this summer.
Classic rock acts with living members who haven't reunited are increasingly a rarity, though the Jefferson Airplane has managed to retain their ''still broken up'' status -- barely.
The latest Jefferson Starship album, Windows of Heaven, is the closest thing to a Jefferson Airplane reunion that fans will likely see this decade (a short-lived reunion attempt in 1989 generated little interest). Of the LP's 12 songs, Paul Kantner penned seven, Marty Bailin contributed three, and Grace Slick makes a special guest appearance on Kantner's I'm On Fire. Jorma Kaukonen is the only major member missing. Rounding out the group is Prairie Prince, formerly of the Tubes, on drums/percussion, Slick Aguilar on lead guitar, T Lavitz on keyboards and Diana Mangano on vocals.