West was 75
Leslie West, guitarist, vocalist and founding member of the classic rock band Mountain, has passed away at the age of 75. West’s brother, Larry West Weinstein, confirms to Rolling Stone that the “Mississippi Queen” singer died from cardiac arrest earlier on Wednesday (Dec 23rd) in Florida after being rushed to a hospital after suffering cardiac arrest at his home near Daytona, FL, where he never regained consciousness.
“Mississippi Queen” was featured on the band’s 1970 debut Climbing! and was by far their biggest hit. The track with its iconic cowbell and guitar riff has been featured in countless TV shows, soundtracks and Guitar Hero III.
West inspired a slew of guitarists from Eddie Van Halen to Journey guitarist and founder Neal Schon, who shared on Twitter, “Wow … I’m very saddened to hear this terrible news about Leslie West. He was a major influence on my playing. God Bless you Brother.. you are Soaring with Angels.”
Wow … I’m very saddened to hear this terrible news about Leslie West. He was a major influence on my playing. God Bless you Brother.. you are Soaring with Angels ??♥️ https://t.co/wEeLbJ6fXZ
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) December 23, 2020
Peter Frampton was also influenced by West, who stated, “Leslie West was the very first US guitar player I met when Humble Pie opened for Mountain here. Leslie’s playing and sound had me glued watching everything he did. He was a sweetheart and an extremely funny man. I love you Leslie and will miss you dear friend. RIP
@lwestmountain.”
Leslie West was the very first US guitar player I met when Humble Pie opened for Mountain here. Leslie’s playing and sound had me glued watching everything he did. He was a sweetheart and an extremely funny man. I love you Leslie and will miss you dear friend. RIP @lwestmountain
— Peter Frampton (@peterframpton) December 23, 2020
Joe Bonamassa, Eddie Trunk and others shared love for West following the news of his death.
Rest In Peace friend. Thank you for allowing me in your world. Leslie West was a rock and roll hall of fame member that didn’t need a statue nor ceremony to prove it. He just was and will always be. pic.twitter.com/PrMuxWnfXq
— Joe Bonamassa (Official) (@JBONAMASSA) December 23, 2020
RIP Leslie West. A massive guitar influence on so many & always a blast to speak with. I knew him well. We had Leslie as the announcer on @ThatMetalShow a few seasons. He also gave me this awesome guitar. RIP to a legend & friend who will be missed. pic.twitter.com/h11n69QXz7
— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) December 23, 2020
Leslie West has moved on to go jam with EVH. As a fellow Queens N. Y. kid Leslie was our guy. From the days playing the Action House in Long Island with the Vagrants, Leslie was the best of the best. Do yourself a favor… take a trip back to 1971….. https://t.co/QRgVzfRHQo pic.twitter.com/bWERIjMqny
— Steve Stevens (@Stevestevens) December 23, 2020
Sad to hear of Leslie West’s passing. Such a lovely bloke. He was fantastic to us when Sabbath supported Mountain on our first US tour. He came to see us at Mohegan Sun, even though he was wheelchair bound. Mississippi Queen one of, if not the, greatest riff of all time. RIP pic.twitter.com/DZ3FLWeGpQ
— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) December 23, 2020
R.I.P. Leslie West. We had some great times together onstage and some legendary laughs everyday on tour. Thank you for all the great music. My deepest condolences to the West family. @lwestmountain pic.twitter.com/7zDljGMRk1
— Joe Satriani (@chickenfootjoe) December 23, 2020
