NEW YORK, NY – December 14: MANDATORY CREDIT Bill Tompkins/Getty Images Leslie West promoting his new signature series Dean Guitars. New York City December 14, 2006 (Photo by Bill Tompkins/Getty Images).
Legendary singer-guitarist Leslie West, the former frontman for Mountain, died Wednesday after a brief illness, his family has announced. He was 75 years old. After forming Mountain in 1969, West and his bandmates landed a choice gig at Woodstock, playing alongside such acts as the Jeff Beck Group, Jethro Tull and Blood Sweat and Tears. The band gained worldwide success with the hit “Mississippi Queen.” Mountain also appeared at the iconic Knebworth festival in 1985 on a bill that also included Deep Purple and Meatloaf.
The news of West’s death has sent ripples across the rock community, with several notables paying respect to the late musician online. Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider writes, “Leslie West is the only guitarist who I connected with,” while Dean Guitars CEO Evan Rubinson calls West “the funniest, most honest guy I’ve met.
With a heavy heart, we are saddened hear about the passing of #Dean Artist and part of the Dean family, Leslie West. Legendary and one of a kind. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/sGmk4pF011
— Dean Guitars (@DeanGuitars) December 23, 2020