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.
Legend
Leslie West Lyrics
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There's no reason when it's raining
There's no time for me to stay
Nothing else makes me feel this way
All my life I'm wanted to play
Something allways got in the way
Fame and fortune I've left my mark
In Town after town
Don't call me legend, I came here to play
Don't call me legend, that's all I have to say
Now I begin to play
That's all I have to say
My fans have changed over time
Yet they come back
To hear my "Pantomime"
And the players dead or alive
Who made the sounds
I keep deep in my mind
The wailing guitars
Make a man feels all his scars
Don't call me legend, I came here to play
Don't call me legend, that's all I have to say
Legend
That's all I have to say
Don't call me legend
Oh don't call me legend
Cause I came here to play
Don't call me legend
That's all I have to say
Oh that's all I have to say
Leslie West's song "Legend" is a reflection on his career as a musician and how he perceives himself in the eyes of fans and the music industry. He begins by expressing the idea that pain and rain take away any feeling or reason, suggesting a sense of numbness or emptiness. However, he finds fulfillment in playing music and describes how he's struggled to do so throughout his life, leaving his mark with his loud and hard guitar playing in different towns.
Despite his success, Leslie West resists being labeled a "legend" because he sees himself as just a musician who's here to play. He seems to be acknowledging the public's tendency to build up celebrities and how it can be an uncomfortable burden to carry. Rather than focusing on his legacy or his status, Leslie West wants to simply enjoy playing music and connecting with his fans. He talks about how his fans have changed but still return to hear him play his "pantomime." He also mentions how he remembers and honors other guitarists who have passed or are still alive, and how the sound of guitars can evoke memories and emotions.
Overall, "Legend" is a humble and honest song that blends Leslie West's personal experiences with broader ideas about fame and music. It shows his love for playing guitar and his appreciation for music as a way to connect with others.
Line by Line Meaning
There's no feeling when there's pain
Emotions are numbed by physical or emotional pain
There's no reason when it's raining
Events can happen randomly without explanation, like rain
There's no time for me to stay
Life doesn't wait -- it moves on quickly
Nothing else makes me feel this way
Music has an inexplicable power that moves the soul
All my life I'm wanted to play
Playing music has been a lifelong dream
Something always got in the way
Obstacles and distractions prevented the dream from being realized
Fame and fortune I've left my mark
Despite challenges, success came and made an impact
Playing loud, playing hard
Making music is a passionate and intense experience
In Town after town
The music has taken the artist to many different places
Don't call me legend, I came here to play
The artist wants to be known for their music, not their reputation
Now I begin to play
All that matters is the music being played in the moment
My fans have changed over time
Audiences have evolved and grown with the artist
Yet they come back to hear my "Pantomime"
The music connects the artist to the loyal fans of past and present
And the players dead or alive
Music is timeless and appreciable across generations
Who made the sounds I keep deep in my mind
Influential musicians and sounds continue to inspire the artist
The wailing guitars make a man feels all his scars
The power of music to evoke strong emotions and memories
Legend
The artist prefers to be known as a musician rather than a legend
That's all I have to say
It all comes down to the music in the end
Oh don't call me legend
The artist repeats their desire to be seen as a musician first and foremost
Contributed by Ruby V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.