# Remember When a Member of Eagles Played on Richard Marx’s First Single in 1987?

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/remember-when-a-member-of-eagles-played-on-richard-marxs-first-single-in-1987/
- Published: 2026-08-04T21:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-08-04T21:15:41+00:00
- Original publisher: American Songwriter
- Original article: https://americansongwriter.com/remember-when-a-member-of-eagles-played-on-richard-marxs-first-single-in-1987/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Joe Walsh of the Eagles played guitar on Richard Marx's 1987 debut single.
- Walsh joined purely because he liked the song's demo.
- He spent an afternoon recording solos and fills, largely unguided.

## Summary

In 1987, singer-songwriter Richard Marx released his debut single, "Don't Mean Nothing," from his self-titled first album, which he co-wrote with Bruce Gaitsch. The track, which reflects Marx's frustration at the slow pace of his early career after years of rejection from record labels, is notable for featuring a guitar contribution from Joe Walsh of the Eagles, lending the newcomer's first single an unexpected touch of rock pedigree.

Marx has recalled that Walsh agreed to play on the song purely because he liked the demo, despite not knowing Marx personally and the track being his debut. Walsh spent an entire afternoon in the studio, recording several guitar solos and additional fills, with Marx noting that, unlike with most session players, he left Walsh free to improvise rather than dictating specific notes to him.

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