Even though he hasn’t worked with them in more than five years, legendary guitarist Joe Walsh said his relationship with The James Gang is “alive and well.” Although the band reunited in 2006 for a string of performances, Walsh told M: Music and Musicians magazine he doesn’t think the trio is cut out for the typical reunion tour. Instead he would prefer to play smaller venues similar to the House of Blues or Hard Rock Café.

[RELATED: JOE WALSH & JAMES GANG RE-RECORD CLASSICS IN CLEVELAND]

Walsh began performing with the James Gang more than 40 years ago, both sharing roots in Northeast Ohio. Formed in Cleveland around 1966, the James Gang went through a constant rotation of members. Around the same time, Walsh was busy playing guitar with various bands while attending Kent State University. The band found its groove when Walsh joined the group in 1968 accompanied by Jim Fox and Dale Peters.

This trio performer together from 1969 to 1971 and would go on to be the most recognized of the band’s incarnations. While the group found modest success throughout the Cleveland area, they failed to gain widespread notoriety until Walsh’s rise to fame with the Eagles in the late 70s.

Walsh said he misses playing within a trio. He said the format allows him to “play in a certain way” that is different from how he plays while performing with the Eagles.

Walsh is currently touring with his own group to promote his latest album “Analog Man.” He is scheduled to play the Sioux City Jazz and Blues Festival in South Dakota Saturday.

- John Milligan / 98.5 WNCX