While the Eagles are on hiatus, Joe Walsh is taking a momentous journey to New Zealand for a speaking engagement titled Joe Walsh Sunday - Celebrating Life with the Legendary Eagles Guitarist. This event holds a special place in Walsh's heart, as it was in a village in Hawke’s Bay back in 1989 that he experienced a life-changing epiphany leading to his sobriety.
Reflecting on his past struggles with addiction, Walsh shared, "I was just lost. I was an addict and an alcoholic, and I had no direction, I had no place to go and nobody to call back then. And I was completely alone." His return to the site marks his third visit, a testament to the profound impact it has had on his life.
Denis O’Reilly, a local community leader and Walsh's friend, is the organizer behind this poignant event. O'Reilly highlights the significance of this visit, which comes after a year of intensive touring, and may very well be Walsh's last due to their advancing ages. The event also coincides with a local tradition where a group of recovering addicts visits Ōtātara every Sunday to affirm their commitment to sobriety, underscoring the area's reputation as a haven for healing and recovery.
At 76 years old, Walsh is set to grace the audience with a performance of a few songs, sharing his musical genius once more. This engagement serves as a prelude to the Eagles' upcoming return to touring, which will commence on May 31st in Manchester, England. Joe Walsh's journey is not just a celebration of his music but also his triumph over personal demons, inspiring many on the path to recovery.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]