Chainsaws And Education: Joe Walsh Returns To Montclair

Most people may know him as Joe Walsh, the party animal uber-guitarist who used to bring chainsaws along with him on tour in case he needed to “modify” a hotel room.

But Montclairites know him as something different… a hometown hero committed to improving education.

On Oct. 2, the former Eagles guitarist – who became famous for penning rock anthems such as “Life’s Been Good” and “Rocky Mountain Way” - will return to Montclair High School (where he graduated in 1965) to speak to local students.

He’ll follow up the event with a fundraising concert in the school auditorium the next day to benefit the high school and the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE).

Tickets for the concert, as well as a range of “Joe Walsh Comes Home” fundraising items, are available for sale online.

No alcohol will be served or permitted at the concert, the MFEE announced.

“Montclair was a great place to grow up,” Walsh said in a statement. “It was, and still is, the kind of place where kids could really be kids. Montclair itself has successfully maintained some of that by preserving so much of the town and its independently owned stores. There was a real innocence, and that gave kids the opportunity to try new things, to explore. That was especially true at Montclair High School. I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to return to the school and give back a little of what was given to me.”

No word was given on whether Walsh would be packing any chainsaws for the trip.

Send Montclair news tips to eric.kiefer@patch.com