Joe Walsh's Wichita Homecoming: Eagles Legend Honors Veterans with 'Wichita Lineman'

Rock legend Joe Walsh brought his signature guitar mastery and heartfelt philanthropy back to his roots in Wichita, Kansas, for a historic moment at his 2025 VetsAid benefit concert. In an unforgettable surprise performance, Walsh joined iconic songwriter Jimmy Webb to deliver an intimate rendition of Webb's timeless classic "Wichita Lineman," celebrating the city that shaped him while honoring America's veterans.

A Homecoming Decades in the Making

For Walsh, this year's VetsAid marked a deeply personal milestone. The Eagles guitarist and Kansas native transformed the event into a homecoming, returning to the city where he was born, where his parents were buried, and where he maintains a lifelong connection to his heritage. "It’s where I was born and where I will always feel a deep connection and sense of heritage and responsibility," Walsh shared when announcing the Wichita concert. The sentiment resonated powerfully as he shared the stage with musical friends like Vince Gill, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, and Nathaniel Rateliff.

The 'Wichita Lineman' Moment

The evening's emotional centerpiece was Walsh and Webb's collaboration on "Wichita Lineman," a song Webb crafted in 1968. As Webb explained, he chose Wichita as the setting for the ballad after imagining the narrator from his earlier hit "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" settling there. The song's iconic imagery—of a lone lineman against the plains—struck a universal chord, with Glen Campbell famously crying upon first hearing it due to its homesickness theme.

Walsh's performance added fresh depth to the classic. Webb posted the duet on Facebook, praising Walsh's dedication: "It was an honor to make a surprise visit to Wichita last night for Joe Walsh's VetsAid. God Bless Joe for all he does to help out the vets." Fans erupted with gratitude, particularly moved by Walsh's lifelong commitment to veterans causes.

VetsAid: A Decade of Giving Back

This homecoming concert embodied Walsh's mission through VetsAid, the nonprofit he founded in 2017 after losing his son to military service. The organization has since distributed over $4 million in grants to veteran services, with all proceeds from the Wichita event benefiting Kansas-based groups. "Our traveling circus of love and community will make a stop in Wichita in 2025," Walsh announced, "and I can share the experience with my dear friends who also happen to be some of the greatest American musicians I know."

The Legacy of a Song

Walsh and Webb's performance also spotlighted the enduring legacy of "Wichita Lineman." The track's legendary guitar solo—originally played by Glen Campbell on a borrowed Danelectro bass guitar—remains one of rock history's most recognizable moments. In a touching footnote, session bassist Carol Kaye, who devised the song's iconic intro and performed on the track, was recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, though she declined to attend due to her commitment to the spirit of session musicianship.

What's Next for Walsh and VetsAid?

As the video of the Wichita performance continues to circulate, fans eagerly anticipate Walsh's future projects. His recent auction of personal guitars and amps suggests more philanthropic endeavors are on the horizon. For now, the VetsAid homecoming stands as a testament to Walsh's dual legacy: as a rock icon whose riffs defined an era, and as a humanitarian whose music serves a higher purpose.

"It is with great pride and gratitude that our traveling circus of love and community will make a stop in Wichita in 2025."

Walsh's Wichita triumph proves that even after decades on the world's biggest stages, some homecomings are worth waiting for—and worth fighting for.