Eagles Perform First Concert Without Joe Walsh in More Than 50 Years as Guitarist Recovers from Severe Flu

• Don Henley reassured fans at the Las Vegas Sphere that Joe Walsh would “be okay.”

The show must go on for the Eagles, even if longtime guitarist Joe Walsh has to sit a few out.

The legendary rock band performed their first concert without Walsh in more than 50 years after the 78-year-old fell ill with the flu ahead of their Saturday, Jan. 24, show at the Sphere in Las Vegas, according to Rolling Stone and the Mercury News.

“Joe has come down with a bad case of the flu. We had to make a choice: cancel the show or push forward,” singer Don Henley told the crowd. “So we had an emergency two-hour rehearsal this afternoon. Luckily, this band has a deep bench.”

A representative for Walsh told People that while the guitarist is facing a “tough and difficult” bout of flu, he “hopes to be back at it soon.”

Henley, 78, also hinted that other members of the band were feeling under the weather, telling the audience that music “is medicine.” He added, “After the week we’ve had, we could all use some medicine. I’m not going to do much talking, jumping, or squatting. I’m just going to play these songs for you. It’s been a privilege and honor to perform these songs for 53 years.”

Most of Walsh’s guitar parts were handled by Vince Gill, who has toured with the Eagles since 2017, and Deacon Frey, who joined the band after the death of his father, founding member Glenn Frey, in 2016. The band also swapped out Walsh’s usual “Funk #49” for “Best of My Love,” according to Rolling Stone.

Walsh had played much of the Jan. 23 show, but sat out several songs and did not join the closing bow. Henley reassured fans, saying, “[Walsh] was sick last night, but he heroically made it through most of the show. Joe’s going to be okay—he just needs some time. Give him some love.”

Despite the health setbacks, it’s been a milestone week for the Eagles. Their 1976 album Their Greatest Hits 1971–1975 became the first album ever certified quadruple diamond by the RIAA, making it the best-selling album in U.S. history with more than 40 million copies sold.

The group has 10 more dates remaining at the Sphere, where their residency began in September 2024. Their next show is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30, though it is still unclear if Walsh will be able to perform.

Henley reflected on the energy of the band’s live shows, saying in 2023, “When the Eagles play, people come together, and for two and a half hours, they know the words better than we do. The love from the audience pushes us to give everything on stage. I feel blessed to do this at 75. It’s a gift of sobriety I wouldn’t trade for anything.”