Rock legend Joe Walsh is bringing his decades of experience to “The Voice.” The Eagles guitarist and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has joined season 28 of the NBC singing competition as a mega mentor for Reba McEntire and Niall Horan. Country star Zac Brown will mentor teams led by Michael Bublé and Snoop Dogg.
The Knockouts begin Monday, October 27, with each coach guiding eight artists. There are no steals or saves this round, meaning every decision matters. Only one artist from each matchup will move on to the Playoffs — the final stop before the Live Shows.
Joe Walsh Brings Rock Wisdom to ‘The Voice’
With more than five decades in the music industry, Walsh knows how to stay relevant. The 77-year-old musician has released 12 studio albums, earned countless awards, and was honored at the 2016 Kennedy Center as a member of the Eagles. In 2017, he launched VetsAid, a nonprofit that supports veterans and their families.
In a recent chat with fellow rocker Sammy Hagar, Walsh shared his key to longevity. “If you can break through so that more than one generation is aware of your music, you can stick around for a while,” he said. “And the other thing is, don’t get too famous. You don’t wanna be famous for 15 minutes. Just get famous a little bit.”
Born in Wichita, Kansas, Walsh built his career as a member of the James Gang and later joined the Eagles. He’s also played with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band while maintaining a successful solo career. His mix of humor, humility, and honesty makes him a natural fit to guide the next generation of “The Voice” artists.
‘The Voice’ Adds New ‘Mic Drop’ Twist
Season 28 also introduces the new “Mic Drop” button, according to Deadline. Each coach can use it on one artist whose performance blows them away. Viewers will vote for their favorite, and the winner will earn a live performance spot at the Rose Parade on January 1, 2026.
Walsh, who’s been sober for more than 18 years, said that journey reshaped his approach to music. “You have to learn how to do everything all over again,” he told Interview magazine. “I learned how to take care of myself and then play in front of people.”
Despite decades of success, Walsh still finds joy in performing. “The Eagles were the most successful, so that was the most fun,” he said. “We get to play music that people really relate to, all over the world. That’s fun.”
Fans can see Walsh mentor Team Reba and Team Niall while Zac Brown works with Team Snoop and Team Bublé when “The Voice” airs Monday nights on NBC.
