James Gang was an American hard rock band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1966, the group originally consisted of vocalist and keyboardist Phil Giallombardo, lead guitarist Greg Grandillo, rhythm guitarist Ronnie Silverman, bassist Tom Kriss, and drummer Jimmy Fox. When the band broke up in early 1977, the lineup featured constant member Fox and Giallombardo (who rejoined in 1976 after leaving in 1968), alongside bassist Dale Peters (who joined in 1969) and guitarist Bob Webb (who joined in 1976). Following their disbandment, the classic lineup of vocalist and guitarist Joe Walsh alongside Peters and Fox have reunited on several occasions for one-off live performances and occasional tours.

History James Gang was formed in 1966 by Phil Giallombardo, Ronnie Silverman, Tom Kriss and Jimmy Fox, who worked with a succession of lead guitarists. Before the end of 1966, Glenn Schwartz had taken over lead guitar duties. The next summer, Silverman left to join the army and was replaced in the group by Bill Jeric. At the end of 1967, Schwartz left to relocate to Los Angeles, California where he formed Pacific Gas & Electric. Schwartz was replaced in the new year by Joe Walsh. On the eve of a show supporting Cream in June, Silverman left and the group became a trio, with Walsh taking over on lead vocals.

The lineup of Walsh, Kriss and Fox released James Gang's debut, Yer' Album, in March 1969. Just before recording the follow-up James Gang Rides Again that November, Kriss was replaced by Dale Peters. James Gang Rides Again was followed by Thirds and the band's first live album Live in Concert in 1971, before Walsh left at the end of the year to pursue new projects, later claiming that "I was frustrated just being the only melodic instrument [in the band] ... I wanted to expand and try something else." Early the next year, Peters and Fox were joined by two new members – vocalist Roy Kenner and guitarist Domenic Troiano, both formerly of Mandala and Bush.

After releasing Straight Shooter and Passin' Thru in 1972, Troiano left James Gang in August 1973. He was replaced immediately by Tommy Bolin, who debuted quickly on the band's next album Bang. After releasing the follow-up Miami in the summer of 1974, Kenner left the group that September to return to his native Toronto. He was followed the next month by Bolin. After a brief hiatus, Peters and Fox formed a new incarnation of James Gang in early 1975 with vocalist Robert "Bubba" Keith and guitarist Richard Shack, who recorded Newborn. By the end of the year, Keith had been replaced by original frontman Phil Giallombardo, while Shack had made way for Bob Webb, both of whom performed on the 1976 album Jesse Come Home. After a final period of touring, James Gang finally disbanded in early 1977.

Since their original breakup, James Gang's classic lineup of Joe Walsh, Dale Peters and Jimmy Fox have temporarily reunited on several occasions. The first time was in July 1991, when they performed "Funk #49" during a Walsh solo show. Next, the group played at an election rally for Bill Clinton in November 1996, followed by a performance on The Drew Carey Show in 1998. In February 2001, the trio (joined by keyboardist Mark Avsec) played three shows at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Allen Theatre in Cleveland. During August and September 2006, the band performed its longest reunion tour to date in the US. For the shows, the core trio were joined by keyboardist Bill Appleberry, plus backing vocalists Gia Ciambotti, Robbyn Kirmsse and Stacy Michelle. The band performed at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts at Wembley Stadium and the Kia Forum in September 2022. On November 13, 2022, supported by Mark Avsec and a vocal trio, and joined on their encore by Dave Grohl on drums, the group performed at the VetsAid concert in Columbus, Ohio. While this was billed as "One Last Ride" for the James Gang, Joe Walsh later raised the possibility of more James Gang performances.

Members Latest ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsJimmy Foxall James Gang releasesJoe WalshDale Petersall James Gang releases from James Gang Rides Again (1970) onwards

Former ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsTom Kriss1966–1969 Yer' Album (1969)Phil GiallombardoJesse Come Home (1976)Ronnie Silvermanrhythm guitarnoneGreg Grandillo1966lead guitarDennis ChandlerJohn "Mouse" MichalskiGlenn Schwartz1966–1967 Bill Jeric1967–1968rhythm guitarRoy Kenner1972–1974Domenic Troiano1972–1973 Tommy Bolin1973–1974 Robert "Bubba" Keith1975Newborn (1975)Richard ShackBob Webb1975–1977

Touring ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsDetailsMark AvseckeyboardsAvsec joined Walsh, Peters and Fox for three shows in February 2001 and two in June 2005.Bill Appleberry2006Appleberry, Ciambotti, Kirmsse and Michelle completed the James Gang tour in summer 2006.Gia Ciambottibacking vocalsRobbyn KirmsseStacy Michelle

Timeline

Lineups PeriodMembersReleases1966Phil Giallombardo – lead vocals, keyboards Greg Grandillo – lead guitar Ronnie Silverman – rhythm guitar Tom Kriss – bass, backing vocals Jimmy Fox – drums, keyboards, percussion, backing vocalsrowspan="7" 1966Phil Giallombardo – lead vocals, keyboards Dennis Chandler – lead guitar Ronnie Silverman – rhythm guitar Tom Kriss – bass, backing vocals Jimmy Fox – drums, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals1966Phil Giallombardo – lead vocals, keyboards John Michalski – lead guitar Ronnie Silverman – rhythm guitar Tom Kriss – bass, backing vocals Jimmy Fox – drums, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals1966–1967Phil Giallombardo – lead vocals, keyboards Glenn Schwartz – lead guitar Ronnie Silverman – rhythm guitar Tom Kriss – bass, backing vocals Jimmy Fox – drums, keyboards, percussion, backing vocalsJune – December 1967Phil Giallombardo – lead vocals, keyboards Glenn Schwartz – lead guitar Bill Jeric – rhythm guitar Tom Kriss – bass, backing vocals Jimmy Fox – drums, keyboards, percussion, backing vocalsJanuary – May 1968Phil Giallombardo – lead vocals, keyboards Joe Walsh – lead guitar, backing vocals Bill Jeric – rhythm guitar Tom Kriss – bass, backing vocals Jimmy Fox – drums, keyboards, percussion, backing vocalsMay – June 1968Joe Walsh – lead vocals, lead guitar, keyboards Ronnie Silverman – rhythm guitar Tom Kriss – bass, backing vocals Jimmy Fox – drums, keyboards, percussion, backing vocalsJune 1968 – October 1969Joe Walsh – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards Tom Kriss – bass, backing vocals Jimmy Fox – drums, keyboards, percussion, backing vocalsYer' Album (1969)October 1969 – December 1971Joe Walsh – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards Dale Peters – bass, percussion, backing vocals Jimmy Fox – drums, keyboards, percussion, backing vocalsJames Gang Rides Again (1970) Thirds (1971) Live in Concert (1971)January 1972 – August 1973Roy Kenner – lead vocals, harmonica, percussion Domenic Troiano – guitar, backing vocals Dale Peters – bass, percussion, backing vocals Jimmy Fox – drums, keyboards, percussion, backing vocalsStraight Shooter (1972) Passin' Thru (1972)August 1973 – September 1974Roy Kenner – lead vocals, harmonica, percussion Tommy Bolin – guitar, synthesizers, vocals Dale Peters – bass, percussion, backing vocals Jimmy Fox – drums, keyboards, percussion, backing vocalsBang (1973) Miami (1974)Early – late 1975Bubba Keith – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Richard Shack – lead guitar, backing vocals Dale Peters – bass, percussion, backing vocals Jimmy Fox – drums, keyboards, percussion, backing vocalsNewborn (1975)Late 1975 – early 1977Phil Giallombardo – lead vocals, keyboards Bob Webb – guitar, backing vocals Dale Peters – bass, percussion, backing vocals Jimmy Fox – drums, keyboards, percussion, backing vocalsJesse Come Home (1976)Band inactive 1977–1991July 1991November 1996August 1998Joe Walsh – lead vocals, guitar Dale Peters – bass, backing vocals Jimmy Fox – drums, backing vocalsrowspan="3" February 2001June 2005Joe Walsh – lead vocals, guitar Dale Peters – bass, backing vocals Jimmy Fox – drums, backing vocals Mark Avsec – keyboards August – September 2006Joe Walsh – lead vocals, guitar Dale Peters – bass, backing vocals Jimmy Fox – drums, backing vocals Bill Appleberry – keyboards Gia Ciambotti – backing vocals Robbyn Kirmsse – backing vocals Stacy Michelle – backing vocals

References