Please join us for a reading of the biography of James Walsh and one of Minnesota’s greatest rock bands, Gypsy. Minnesota journalist, Al Zdon, shares Walsh’s story in his latest book, Working Musician.

From Zdon:

James Walsh died in 2023 just as this book was completed. He was a lifelong musician who had a strong influence on the Minnesota music scene as both a band artist and a studio record producer for six decades. He began his career playing drums at age 13 in a polka band that played all over northern Minnesota. Along the way he was a member of  the Underbeats, Gypsy, Minnesota's first great rock and roll band, and recorded a solo album at Muscle Shoals with the legendary Swampers. 

Al Zdon is a lifelong Minnesota newspaper editor. He has written seven books, mainly about Minnesota veterans who have served in the wars. This is his first book about rock and roll.

Like James Walsh, he was born and raised in Northeast Minneapolis and is an Edison High School alumni, Class of 66. He and his wife, Mary, have six children. He is a reporter for the Northeaster newspaper. He is a member of the Greater Mesabi Mens Book Club

Zdon has played the tenor banjo for over 50 years, and someday he might get good at it.