Leslie West (born Leslie Weinstein on 22 October 1945; died 22 December 20… Read Full Bio ↴Leslie West (born Leslie Weinstein on 22 October 1945; died 22 December 2020) was an American rock guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter best known as a founding member and co-lead vocalist of the hard rock band Mountain. He also produced two studio albums and a live release with Cream bassist Jack Bruce under the name West, Bruce and Laing. West released a number of solo albums and was highly respected for his guitar work.
West gained fame the world over during his long career as one of the most innovative and influential musicians in the history of rock music. He is most noted for his role as leader of the explosive hard rock trio, Mountain, which was named by VH-1 as one of the Top 100 Hard Rock Groups of all time. With Mountain, he climbed the heights of rock stardom on the strength of a unique, signature guitar sound and classic songs such as “Mississippi Queen”, “Never In My Life” and “Theme From An Imaginary Western”,and Nantucket Sleighride which are still staples of rock radio to this day. West earned the admiration of a long list of famous peers. During his career, he recorded or played with a litany of rock icons including Billy Joel, Van Halen, The Who, Mick Jagger and Jimi Hendrix, to name just a few. In fact, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Schenker and Richie Sambora have all cited West as an important influence on their own music.
West's bold, expressive and unique guitar style is really a mirror of his own personality. Spend a little time talking with this larger-than-life figure, and you’ll realize that he is as charismatic without a guitar in his hands as he is with one. Possessing a sharp sense of humor, he was at once gregarious and gruff while recounting stories from his legendary past. When discussing his music projects, he exuded an infectious enthusiasm and excitement. Such projects could take him outside his traditional roles of guitarist, singer and songwriter.
In 1986, he acted alongside Tom Hanks and Shelley Long in the hit comedy film, The Money Pit and has lent his distinctive voice to the popular animated series, Beast Wars Transformers which ran for three seasons on the WB network beginning in 1996 before going into syndication. He has also contributed the theme music to the new WB show, Mutant X.
West was a popular personality on the Howard Stern Radio Show and was Musical Director for the shock jock’s FOX series, as well as for the late comedian Sam Kinison. Most recently, he lent his production and songwriting skills to an album by Atlantic Records’ modern rock group, Clutch, and has just released his own instructional guitar DVD, Big Phat Ass Guitar.
West gained fame the world over during his long career as one of the most innovative and influential musicians in the history of rock music. He is most noted for his role as leader of the explosive hard rock trio, Mountain, which was named by VH-1 as one of the Top 100 Hard Rock Groups of all time. With Mountain, he climbed the heights of rock stardom on the strength of a unique, signature guitar sound and classic songs such as “Mississippi Queen”, “Never In My Life” and “Theme From An Imaginary Western”,and Nantucket Sleighride which are still staples of rock radio to this day. West earned the admiration of a long list of famous peers. During his career, he recorded or played with a litany of rock icons including Billy Joel, Van Halen, The Who, Mick Jagger and Jimi Hendrix, to name just a few. In fact, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Schenker and Richie Sambora have all cited West as an important influence on their own music.
West's bold, expressive and unique guitar style is really a mirror of his own personality. Spend a little time talking with this larger-than-life figure, and you’ll realize that he is as charismatic without a guitar in his hands as he is with one. Possessing a sharp sense of humor, he was at once gregarious and gruff while recounting stories from his legendary past. When discussing his music projects, he exuded an infectious enthusiasm and excitement. Such projects could take him outside his traditional roles of guitarist, singer and songwriter.
In 1986, he acted alongside Tom Hanks and Shelley Long in the hit comedy film, The Money Pit and has lent his distinctive voice to the popular animated series, Beast Wars Transformers which ran for three seasons on the WB network beginning in 1996 before going into syndication. He has also contributed the theme music to the new WB show, Mutant X.
West was a popular personality on the Howard Stern Radio Show and was Musical Director for the shock jock’s FOX series, as well as for the late comedian Sam Kinison. Most recently, he lent his production and songwriting skills to an album by Atlantic Records’ modern rock group, Clutch, and has just released his own instructional guitar DVD, Big Phat Ass Guitar.
Left By The Roadside To Die
Leslie West Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Leslie West:
Allergic Some women make me weak in the knees When I'm near…
Blood Of the Sun Standin' on my pillow Talkin' to the moon Wadin' in the ocea…
Born To Be Wild Get your motor runnin' Head out on the highway Lookin' for a…
Crossroader I'm a crossroader. Speedin' from town to town. I'm a crossro…
Crossroads I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my…
Dear Prudence Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play Dear Prudence, gre…
Doctor Don't you send for the doctor 'cause I'm dyin' the…
Don Ah baby don't you do it Don't do it baby Don't you…
Don't Look Around Don't look around 'Cause I'm never coming back It's high tim…
Dragon Lady I got some satisfaction from lifting up your dress A slap…
Fade Into You If you were the ocean and I was the sun…
Feeling Good Birds flyin′ high, you know how I feel Sun in the…
For Yasgur's Farm Who am i but you and the sun A sad reflection…
Get It Up What you gon' do Its Good music and G-Unit Banks Loso Ladies…
Give Me One Reason Give me one reason to stay here And I′ll turn right…
Hang Me Out To Dry Careless in our summer clothes splashing around In the muck …
Hatfield or McCoy De barrio bajo son estos mariguanotes Pelones locotes vivimo…
House of the Rising Sun There is a house in New Orleans They call the Risin'…
I I put a spell on you because you're mine You better…
I Feel Fine Baby's good to me, you know, She's happy as can be,…
I Put A Spell On You I put a spell on you because you're mine You better…
If Heartaches Were Nickels I wish you could see me All broken down this…
Legend There's no feeling when there's pain There's no reason when…
Long Red The long red, flowing through my mind Dream here, dreamin' …
Look To The Wind Sitting by the window You watch the tears of rain Thunder fr…
Mississippi Queen Mississippi Queen, You know what I mean Mississippi Queen, S…
My Gravity I have traveled down this road before I've been places I…
Nantucket Sleighride Goodbye, little Robin-Marie Don't try following me Don't cry…
Never In My Life Never in my life Could i find a girl like you Never…
Sea Of Fire Don't know how it happened, it seems like everything's chang…
Sinner's Prayer Lord Have Mercy, Lord Have Mercy On Me. Lord Have Mercy,…
Spoonful Could fill spoons full of diamonds Could fill spoons full o…
Stormy Monday They call it stormy Monday, yes but Tuesdays just as…
Tequila I was at the bar with my drinkin team, It was…
The Animal Trainer And The Toad For many a year, I was so confused, (An') Didn't know…
The Cell There was a time when I was young, I used…
The Sky Is Crying The sky is crying, Can you see the tears roll down…
The Stealer I went down to the centre of town And my feet…
Theme For An Imaginary Western When the wagons leave the city For the forest and further…
Theme From an Imaginary Western When the wagons leave the city For the forest and further…
Third Degree Got me accused of peeping, I can't see a thing. Got me…
This Wheel If your mem'ry serves you well, We were goin' to meet…
To the Moon De barrio bajo son estos mariguanotes Pelones locotes vivimo…
We Gotta Get Out of This Place In this dirty old part of the city Where the…
You Are My Sunshine Ohh, my only sunshine (my only sunshine) Well, little girl y…
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@joe800096
You cant listen to Leslie west and not be a fan, been listening to his unique style since 1970, and always will. He is timeless, and one of the very best.
@taylorlpc1
Simply incredible
Top 10 guitarist in a vocal group
And he continued to evolve
He will be missed.
@kenmurphy6792
I saw 'West-Bruce & Lang' several times after Mountain had disbanded. They had great energy and left their audiences completely satisfied. It's kinda funny ... I saw West when he 1st started with the 'Vagrants' and at the very end of his career as a solo act at 'Toad's Place' in New Haven CT. Always put on a great show, ~~ After Papillardi’s passing in 1973, West has done a lot of different things; his solo work is probably some of the best music he’s done over the years. Leslie West – 'Soundcheck' Album 2015 .. “Left by the Roadside” gives us some gutsy vocals and nicely done acoustic resonator slide guitar as an intro before breaking into the big electric sound. West demonstrates the massive guitar sound he made famous in his Mountain Days on the solos here. “Give Me One Reason” gets a gritty makeover with West growling out the lyrics and playing a guitar lead and solos with real bite. He turns the Tracy Chapman from a somewhat sedate classic into a big rock song. “Here by the Party” is a typical 70’s rock anthem that West goes over the top in his exuberant way. “You Are My Sunshine” gets shifted to a minor key and the tempo gets slowed way down to turn it into a blues song. Interesting take with Peter Frampton sharing the guitar work as West takes the slide side. “Empty Promises/Nothin’Sacred” is something west calls his tribute to AC/DC. I think little else is needed here to describe that!
“A Stern Warning” is a solo acoustic piece and refers to Howard Stern. Stern apparently called West one day to ask the meaning of the Mountain Song “To My Friend,” a song that West paid tribute to Felix Papallardi after he was given a 12 string guitar by Felix. West pays tribute to his friend Howard here. Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready” gets made over with lots of laid-over guitar riffs and completely Westiified. Queen’s Brian May appears on “Goin’ Down” along with Bonnie Bramlett, Max Middleton, David Hood, and Bobby Whitlock. West starts with the guitar lead and May finishes it here on this cut. West intentionally states he had Middleton reprise his intro from the song that he did on The Jeff Beck Group album. “Stand By Me” pays tribute to Ben E. King who passed in April. Arielle Pizza adds here vocals to Wests’; she’s a 16 year old with great chops! West’s bass player Rev Jones is featured on “Eleanor Rigby,” it is a staple on West’s tour and Leslie made sure he included it here. “Spoonful” concludes the set, done live in 1988 with Jack Bruce and originally from their album Theme. West edited it down and pays tribute to Bruce (who also recently passed) by including it here. ~~~
@howlindonster6131
Been a Leslie west fan since the Mountain days and his blistering set at the 69 Woodstock Festival just cemented his rep.. Keep on ripping it up ...
@christinagregoriou3792
I have a guitar pic of his.
@DrDommm
R.I.P. LESLIE WEST. YOU WERE THE GREATEST
@justme1893
I am 62 if that means anything. West amazing after all these years and continues to keep on rockin!!!
@Domani02
I m 20 🤙🏻
@hermannthegerman291
I am with you! Nearly same age, heard a lot of Rock music all the years. This guy influenced a lot of famous guitarists. Cool songwriter, singer and guitarist. Coll tones and tunes all the years. R. I. P. Leslie West 🤘🎸😎
@richardburnett5314
Always had a radio. With me. THANK your mom's to all