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In 1978, Joe Walsh nearly drowned making an album cover: “I can’t believe I was stupid enough”
Joe Walsh nearly drowned while posing underwater for the cover of his 1978 solo album, *But Seriously, Folks…*. The risky shoot echoed the extravagant, absurd world of his song “Life’s Been Good”, but Walsh later said he regretted the stunt and would not repeat it.
The first attempt in Florida failed because the camera housing lacked a required attachment, so the shoot had to be repeated in California. Photographer Jimmy Wachtel recalled that Walsh accepted the news and agreed to try again; a concealed air tank was used for the second session. Walsh said he went to the bottom of the pool and nearly drowned, though he was proud of the finished image.
In short
- Joe Walsh nearly drowned during an underwater album-cover shoot.
- The first attempt failed because camera equipment was incomplete.
- A concealed air tank was used for the shoot in California.
Explained simply
Joe Walsh is an American guitarist and singer who became known both for his solo work and as a member of the Eagles. His 1978 album *But Seriously, Folks…* included “Life’s Been Good”, a comic song about the excesses and oddities of rock-star life.
Album covers are often designed to create a striking image, and Walsh’s cover showed him underwater. Photographer Jimmy Wachtel worked with him on the shoot, which involved attempts in Florida and California.