In Las Vegas on January 24, the Eagles took to the stage at the Sphere without guitarist Joe Walsh for the first time since he joined the band in 1975, after the rock veteran came down with the flu. The absence marked the end of more than 50 years of uninterrupted appearances by Walsh with the group.
Faced with the choice of cancelling or pushing forward, the band opted to perform, holding an emergency rehearsal earlier in the day to rework parts of the set. Don Henley addressed the audience, explaining the decision and describing the role of music as “medicine” during challenging moments.
Stepping into Walsh’s shoes for the night were Vince Gill and Deacon Frey, who covered Walsh’s guitar and vocal parts on key songs including “In the City,” “Life’s Been Good,” and the signature guitar work on “Hotel California.” Only one song, Walsh’s classic “Funk #49,” was dropped from the setlist due to his absence.
Despite the change, the concert proceeded with the Eagles delivering a performance rooted in their decades‑long catalog of hits, and the band plans to continue its high‑profile residency at the Sphere, with upcoming shows lined up through the end of January. Fans and critics alike noted the resilience and adaptability of the group.