Joe Walsh Reveals the Surprising Way He Ended Up Learning Morse Code as a Kid: 'That's All I Did'
- - Joe Walsh Reveals the Surprising Way He Ended Up Learning Morse Code as a Kid: 'That's All I Did'
Ilana Kaplan, Scott HuverDecember 9, 2025 at 5:22 PM
0
Joe Walsh revealed the surprising way he learned Morse Code growing up
"That's all I did was talk on most code to people," he said while previewing auction items on Monday, Dec. 8
Walsh previewed his auction items from his “Life’s Been Good: Joe Walsh” collection at The Troubadour in Los Angeles
Joe Walsh opened up about his surprising childhood hobby.
While previewing auction items from his "Life’s Been Good: Joe Walsh" collection at The Troubadour in Los Angeles on Monday, Dec. 8, The Eagles guitarist opened up about the stories behind the objects in an interview with Julien’s Auctions founder Martin Nolan.
While discussing his rare ham radio equipment up for auction — a Hammarlund HQ-One Forty Five 145C Ham Shortwave Radio Receiver ($1,200 - $1,500) — Walsh, 78, recalled how it helped him become interested in learning Morse code.
youtube
Joe Walsh
According to Walsh, a wire had come down from the roof and he knocked on the door and met a man named Jim Walden who was a hammer radio operator. While he was there, Walden showed him some radio equipment.
"I told him, 'I don't have a clue what that is, but I'm bored as hell,'" said Walsh. "He was talking to somebody in Florida, and then he talked to somebody in New Mexico.
Walsh said learning about the equipment saved him from a "horrible stagnant summer."
"I studied Morse code, learned Morse code by myself and took the exam and got a license. And this is the same model that I got," he said, referring to the Hammarlund HQ-One Forty Five 145C Ham Shortwave Radio Receiver.
Kevin Kane/Getty
Joe Walsh in July 2017 in New York City
Added Walsh, "I talked to, I think, 32 states in about four months. That's all I did was talk Morse code to people.
He noted that there's a "world of magic in ham radio and short wave radio."
"There's so much good stuff that works perfectly well that's getting thrown away because they have a digital one now," said Walsh.
Other items that will go on sale will include a 1998 Eagles Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction-worn Moschino brick suit with photo ($15,000-20,000); Barnstorm debut album - 1966 Framus Strato Gold De Luxe 12-String Electric Guitar, Sunburst ($15,000–$20,000); 1980's "Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band" stage-worn moto jacket with photo ($2,500–$4,500); and a Duesenberg prototype #1 Joe Walsh signature guitar (4,000–$6,000).
A portion of the proceeds from the sale will benefit the non-profit VetsAid, which was founded by Walsh in 2017 and supports a variety of national and regional veterans-based charities.
Walsh also opened up about why it's so important to support veterans during the auction preview event.
"When they come home, I don't think they get enough care. I don't think they get enough attention. I don't like that," he said.
Walsh continued, "They put themselves in harm's way, and then they're kind of discarded. They need help and they need understanding."
"The Life’s Been Good: Joe Walsh” collection will be available for auction on Dec. 16 and Dec. 17 at the Troubadour.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
