3 Leslie West Licks From 1970

[@LateNightLessons]

~ Rest In Peace Leslie West ~ I just wanted to say that it's so sad and strange that Leslie passed today, basically while I was creating this lesson/video. I've been listening/playing his music all day and by the time I shot/edited/posted this video, ten minutes later I was on Facebook and saw the news/reports that he had passed. So sad. A TOTAL legend of the guitar and he influenced millions. Respect.

[@alecd2562]

RIP.. literally got the news right after I clicked on this video

[@Scottocaster6668]

Oh wow, what a strong 6th sense. Rip Leslie West ✌️😢. Even Randy liked, and listened to him.

[@silvermachine6062]

Great player, so many tasty ideas and tone. A huge influence. Rest in Peace

[@G.Patrick_Johnson]

Regardless of the irony of the timing of your video, wow, you did an amazing job honoring Leslie's musicianship rather than his hits. You shared with us his human side; the players side...no one tops this video as an honor to Leslie's musicianship or his memory. Bravo. Well done...classy.

[@dougfa3515]

Yes indeed! He was one of my favorites, and absolutely a legend. You brought out the same thing in the video that I had mentioned to a buddy of mine. I didn't know they had played at Woodstock, but my buddy played me a video from Woostock of Mountain's set... and I was like, he had THAT tone in '69?! And the playing was totally different than what you heard from other artists. Mountain was forging a new path, and Leslie West was what drove it. So sad to hear of his passing. Thanks for the lesson!

[@GarrickDavisWorldBlues]

My very first concert was Mountain w Black Sabbath opening in Denver, CO Feb or March 1970. I was 12. My father drove me and dropped me off and I went in alone, sat alone and was blown away inspired! I had just started playing guitar because of my love for Jimi Hendrix a month before but I had never before been in the presence of the walls of amps both Leslie and Tommy played through. 51 years later I’m a professional guitarist and still in love with playing guitar! Thank you Leslie West for your inspiration and great music! RIP💙

[@jimiplayscobo5877]

Two bands I never got to see live that I wanted to. The other was James gang :-) Peace

[@eljefehuevon54]

I bet that’s the same tour I saw. I was a huge Sabbath fan at the time and went to see them. Mountain opened and blew them away. One of the best live shows I’ve ever seen.

[@archstanton4365]

You Lucky Dog!

[@nigellangridge1975]

RIP... Leslie was the master of taste, tone and feel...

[@DjangoThunders]

i am a "Theme for an Imaginary western" guy! I love that song so much, it makes me feel good and brings me up when i am down. When you can have that kind of effect on people, and it lasts throughout your life, that is when you know great music. 2020 may end on a sour note, but the band in heaven just got one musician better. tanks for all the great music Mr. West. And thank you for the guitar lesson!

[@henryrogers5500]

Very nice! Thank you. Been a fan of Leslie West and Mountain since the late 1960s. Another legend gone.

[@damonstewart70]

The thing with mountain is the WHOLE BAND could play but they NEVER OVERPLAYED. Leslie's shredding was ALWAYS going somewhere. During solo's he'd revisit the underlying riff or groove which in my opinion would reinforce or add more power to his solo's. Add I the fact that felix was just as good on bass, leslie sang like an angel and you have my FAVORITE ROCK BAND.... they don't make em like that anymore

[@slide4375]

Word!🎸✌️🎶🎼

[@joshferguson9703]

Imo west was quite jazzy in that he always keep the melody of the song with the solo

[@damonstewart70]

@@joshferguson9703 you're right he ENFORCE the theme/Melody, sometimes with heavy riffing on the lower strings. Man I hope there's some unreleased mountain stuff. Also check out Felix papalardi creation band

[@joshferguson9703]

@@damonstewart70 I will check them out and it pains me that Les gets lost in goat conversations he is on par or better than alot of so called goats I call it the Rory Gallagher syndrome ya know fellow players know how great he is but the only the public is Hendrix or Clapton that being said SRV is a god

[@russblack443]

@@damonstewart70 the interplay with Leslie, Felix and Corky was amazing. They could improvise for five minutes on a song but still hold down the groove and end up where the needed to be. The footage from Randall's island is pretty bad assed if you haven't seen it

[@mikeivey8471]

Great video & thank you for paying tribute to a forgotten legend !! R.I.P. Leslie !!!

[@silvermachine6062]

Thank you for the lesson

[@jamesrobins6279]

Dave, thank you for the quick lesson introducing newer players to the King of Tone, Leslie West. RIP to a great player, who was years ahead of his time, who will be remembered. The man was indeed a "Mountain" and every heavy rock player owes a bit of his skill to Leslie West. He will be missed and admired for his passion and his talent.

[@rjsilvas8597]

Rest In Power LW. Anyone who would like to learn about feel, phrasing should go straight to Leslie West. He could take two notes and find twenty different ways to play them in one song. Well done and a great tribute! ✌🏼

[@OverlandOne]

Thank you for bringing us these licks from Leslie. His great talent and playing artistry will be missed. Leslie had the tone that everyone later tried to emulate using electronic gizmos and effects pedals but Leslie had it back in the 60's the hard way before that stuff came along.

[@robertusoff928]

My favorite guitarist since I was 4 years old back in the 70s. The tone, the riffs, the bigass voice! Miss you Leslie!

[@waynestewart6492]

This guy is my favorite teacher, always has good stuff for me!

[@markroylance1584]

That last bend on 'Theme for an imaginary western' still gets to me.... What a player he was!

[@leevjr686]

Saw West twice live .... first with Pappalardi and later w/ West, Bruce and Lang. Both times I got exactly what he laid down on record which could not be improved on. He is a cross between Clapton and Hendrix (both who he knew), but still unique for his phrasing, definition and sense of melodic soloing. His solos are so interesting that a detailed treatment of some other solos would make great videos. You captured some of the best points from Mississippi Queen and the Lukather reference is 'right on'! "For Yasgar's Farm" is one of his best, as also some of the "Nantucket Sleighride" solos, ..... but from all his work I still say "Theme From An Imaginary Western" is probably the first power ballad, a timeless classic and so meaningful to him for the connection to Jack Bruce and Clapton through Pappalardi, who he loved. You would have to have to 'come of age' in the 60s to understand how powerful these players were and why studying them as a older person brings them back in living pictures. Good job and thanks for the nostalgia !

[@maxxschneider5534]

West had strong hands. He played with snap and power something a lot of guitarists don't have; that ballsy grit. RIP

[@stratman006]

God Bless Leslie West. Good Job Dave. I remember Guitar Player Magazine did a interview with him Most likely in the 70''s They talked about phrasing and just putting the notes in the right place. It was awhile ago. But I remember reading it.

[@PhilFeedback]

Great lesson video, thanks for posting this video! 👍 Rest In Peace Leslie West!

[@frederickthompson8686]

This is really nice lesson -- and a great tribute to Leslie. I'm sure he's smiling!

[@PrinceWesterburg]

I just read the news, I'm gutted, he was probably the guy that got me into guitar more than any metal act and got me feel playing before I discovered Yngwie in '86. Random fact; At Knebworth, a big line he plays is a melody sraight out of the Brahms violin concerto I discovered decades later. Knowing his Jewish background and their classical music world, when I met him I asked if he knew it, he couldn't recall hearing it ever! Makes you wonder what is buried in the mind or being channelled when you improv! Bless you Leslie, you made a guitar man out of me, hope you're finally jamm'in with Felix up in heaven :o)

[@JohnSmith-wd9rc]

Leslie is the reason I got into guitar.

[@evamccray6500]

Mountain was also one of the best Jam bands around in the early 70's. Mountain would play their regularly scheduled set, do a couple of encores, and then really lay into some extreme improvisations. Arena would be turning on the lights trying to get people to leave, and Leslie would shout out "Where the hell you people going," and keep on Jamming. Seen Mountain 3, times.{As headliners.} Seen West, Bruce, and Lange once, and then a later rendition of Mountain, where Leslie, and Corky were the only originals. MOUNTAIN! And AMERICAN BAND. RIP!!!!

[@_seedless_stone_4249]

Was listening to Mississippi Queen the other day a while back, couple months ago, and wondered who the guitar player was. Thanks for sharing his licks, I'll always pay tribute to the greats

[@tonepoet]

Just read the news about Leslie. Heartbroken, man, he was a huge influence on Randy Rhoads. Headed over to KZbin to stream some Mountain, saw this lesson. Thanks for the tribute, Dave.

[@julianschulz1620]

Leslie was one of those guys with so much tone in his fingers, alone. He didn't have to play fast to be a killer guitar player.

[@martinmcgimpsey9750]

Your such a good guitar player and your so down to earth! Awesome video, glad I caught it! Thank you!

[@vidmachine]

RIP Mr West. You never played a wrong note. 😢

[@Shamilt3]

I'm an 80s kid, so he came up on my radar later. Yes local classic rock station played Mississippi Queen, and thats all I had know about him. His massive power chord sound caught my ear, just like Paul Kossof, 2 different but similar approaches to sound HUGE on stage. Rip Leslie

[@PrinceWesterburg]

Yeah, I was into metal in the 80's too but we saw Deep Purple at Knebworth Castle and Mountain supported. Theme for an Imaginary Western just blew me away!

[@shaofu424]

thanks for all the music, mr west peace to mr west and his peace to you and yours travel on traveller...

[@dspencer1201]

" In 2011, Eddie Van Halen told Rolling Stone that West and Deep Purple’s Ritchie Blackmore were among his biggest influences: “Leslie West has this incredible tone in Mountain,” Van Halen said."

[@thebluesrockers]

"MOUNTAIN" - Southbound Train' at "Wood Stock" Leslie's guitar had sustain that would last for days. He was true pioneer. Thanks for this cool video. I'm so glad that I found your channel. You're not only teaching guitar, you're giving history lessons.

[@michaelmerrullo2043]

I just saw this a few hours ago. I was plugged in and playing along. Great lesson! Thank you for spotlighting him. Just heard the news of his passing,.I’m devastated! He’s probably my all time favorite. Mountain Climbing was one of the first albums I ever bought when I was like 13 yrs old

[@EarthAltar]

Great player with awesome tone and feel. Big influence on a lot of players. It was good seeing him as the announcer on That Metal Show. It gave him recognition and something to do in his later years. R.I.P. Leslie West.

[@bertgetner9397]

Sad to hear the news. Leslie West was a larger than life badass whose tone was totally killer. He was a balls out player. Just a junior and a Sunn cranked, that's all he needed. RIP Leslie, you are truly my favorite guitar hero.

[@pavXX]

DUDE! I saw Mountain play in.. I'm guessing~1988-89 at a dive/biker bar in northeast ohio. They opened for the Outlaws! Great sets. Wild seeing them play, especially that close up. This place was one of those where you saw the ground through the cracks in the floorboards. Cool gig.. Bikes in the front, pickup trucks in the back.

[@rogermansour6085]

I was Leslie West drummer in a group called The Vagrants in the sixties.I later became a Born Again messianic Christian and have been a missionary to HAITI the pass 25 years

[@buddylobos5277]

Leslie West passed away 5 hours ago. I loved Mountain. A big fan in my teenage years. Especially because of the movie "Vanishing Point".

[@mitch5699]

Wow man , had forgotten about that , rip brother...

[@kenwest.5735]

I just found Leslie west 1 years ago on you tube I’m from Melbourne Australia love blues rip Leslie west rock on

[@royjones495]

Wow...super cool. Always loved Leslie's aggressive sound. Thank you for the lesson on this opening solo footage!

[@dopeybrew7006]

Leslie’s solos bring me to tears. RIP

[@KevanRCraft]

Cool video tribute to Leslie West. Its great to see the guitar notes and how they are played like Leslie West. Truely a great tone and voice. Wish I took more notice at 63 years old now I feel I've wasted some time. I did know some of the tracks particularly Nantucket Sleighride just wish I paid more attention. Thanks for this video.

[@patricksmith4918]

Great lesson, big thanks. Have a great holiday!

[@fuzzrat4821]

Leslie got me into guitar at the age of 14. 27 now , listen to mountain regularly. Especially the twin peaks live album.

[@a.phakic4854]

I love listening to Leslie West. It always takes me back to a long time ago hearing it blast through my older brother's walls while my father was yelling "Turn that shit down!"

[@mitch5699]

Had the privilege of seeing Leslie in the mid 80's open for Triumph. Man did he have a big set of hands, I mean his fingers made the fretboard look so little I had to triple take and make sure he was really playing a Paul ! And he was buzzed pretty good , he had a blast that night at "Norfolk Scope Arena " near Virginia Beach Virginia and so did I ..I been playing steady rock , blues and metal guitar ever since... Thank You Leslie , rip brother..

[@shakeyblues5128]

Merry Christmas to your family David. Thank you for giving us something to think about once again ♪♫♪♫♪

[@97warlock]

AMAZES ME WHY NO ONE WAS TALKING ABOUT lESLIE IN THE LAST 20 YEARS. but now are

[@lovelessjams2720]

Dave.... Your one of those dudes that posseses so much knowledge in this game bro. Prolific. ❤❤❤

[@douglaschristine8387]

Hi David, Thanks for telling me about Leslie. Its funny, with no prior knowledge of him, I was playing Mississippi Queen last night and now you tell me the news. Back in the day no one I knew really knew of him but I sure did. I've seen the concert your talking about. After he lost his leg , I think his health was declining but he was will playing like Johnny Winter till death do us part. Long live Leslie West! in our hearts.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Leslie West has such a wonderful emotive style, his melodic instincts, just a beautiful player! Leslie has recovered, he had a leg amputated. The version of Nantucket sleighride on 'The Road Goes Ever On' is just incredible-17 minute version!

[@larrythomas7512]

Hendrix played Bass for him shortly B4 he died.. hanging out with the greatest... WOW ⚠️

[@dougfa3515]

He had serious tone!

[@kamoverturf6192]

Love Leslie. I saw him back in 09 or 10, his tone was so gargantuan. Gonna miss him.

[@glenkepic3208]

HOLY blank... I dig your channel. It's Christmas time. I was given guitars TWICE as a grade school kid. No books, no lessons. sat or...given away. Good friend busts me for 'air guitaring' The Sears Wing Ding with some Mountain. I was 15. Like Leslie said after seeing Cream "Shit or get off the pot". Climbing TOTALLY changed my life. My main reason for playing (a few parties and paying bar gigs). EVH, Peavey 5150 amp and Wolf peavey rig sent to his home !!. He was a friend. Michael Schenker, Theme....Time to plug in,,,Epi TSB LP Jr. Great guitar. Hope i can make it thru a song with out crying.

[@river4837]

And on the mighty Les Paul Jr. I saw this video of Leslie West doing "Never in my life " Look up night of the guitar event at Hammersmith Odeon in London Nov 26, 1988. With Leslie's phrasing and amazing tight drumming. Really something to watch. I read that Leslie had a cold which would explain the toned down singing. If anyone gets a chance watch it will be self explanatory. So long Leslie, thank you.

[@Jacksonkellyfreak]

He passed today 12/23/2020. Rest in peace legend.

[@billyclub56]

I would really like to see your take on some Mike Bloomfield licks

[@leewarren]

Great, clear instruction. Thanks!

[@thomasz4981]

Travellin' In The Dark was my favorite. He did a great version of House Of The Rising Sun off of The Great Fatsby album.

[@ACG7001]

Thanks this helps with learning Beside The Sea probably my favorite mountain song

[@timmackenzie8145]

I love the fact he used the one pick up juniors! Leslie West rules!!! Much respect 🫡 RIP Leslie West!!!

[@undertakersband3637]

Thanks 👏

[@douglaschristine8387]

In that short bio Leslie said he only used his first and third fingers of his fretting hand. He also said he wasn't a great guitarist but he made up for it with his phrasing and tone. Great video, Leslie would be proud of it.

[@psychedelicrelic5872]

HI David! Thanks for doing this tribute! You really did an excellent analysis of Leslie's style. Since your lesson happened as Leslie passed, I used it as part of my radio show for the Leslie West Tribute. If you want the audio file, let me know. I have it loaded on my Drive. Thanks for giving Leslie the respect he deserves. I've always held the opinion that Leslie was grossly under recognized. He was a pioneer of the hard rock sound. Leslie is a guitar players guitarist!

[@jamessator5564]

As usual, fantastic!! From Leslie West’s playing I see were Gary Richrath got his pinch harmonics from !! GREAT LESSON!!

[@mleon1958]

Dude, your tone for this lesson is FEROCIOUS!!! You sound almost like Leslie.

[@newpathway]

Great stuff Dave...

[@tooManywaystoFall]

If anyone could do justice to showcasing his licks it is you Mr. Late Night, rest in peace Leslie, you will be missed...

[@michaeleaster1815]

RIP ... just saw a tweet by Joe Satriani with the sad news. Thanks for the lesson... a fitting tribute (though we know it was recorded before the news)

[@elitecombatfitnesscentral6170]

Leslie West inspired a lot of people Randy Rhoads and Michael Schenker to name a few

[@jperryfan]

EVH Too!

[@elitecombatfitnesscentral6170]

@@jperryfan Yes but EVH praised Clapton much much more.

[@willardarmbruster8111]

And Martin Barre

[@boomboomerton7394]

George Lynch cites leslie west too

[@sabbster1157]

His tone is why Leslie was one of Michael Schenkers favorites and most inspirational

[@adamwarlock5286]

Yes Michael is very sparing in his praise of other rock guitarists but he spoke very highly of Leslie. Ed and the guy out of saga , michael Crichton I think he also mentioned ?

[@mandanglelow1442]

@@adamwarlock5286 You can hear Leslie's influence in Michael Shenkers solos with UFO, of course Michael was a much faster player but you can totally hear the influence. He loved Leslie!

[@TheSpydersBand]

On my Top 10 list of the tastiest guitar playing songs would be the recorded version of Theme For An Imaginary Western. A master lesson in tone and feel.

[@atteljas]

His passing was sad news. He came to my radar when late 80s he picked to comment on Slashs playing and Leslie was all about feel. Later when I heard Leslie play it was all clear why he was chosen to comment on Slash. Great player and will be missed.

[@danielfournier735]

L. West !;! 1 of the best ! From east to west !;! I saw him play twice with moutain in the earley 70;;s at the masonic temple in mich. Real good concerts. R. I. P. Magic fingers.

[@chaisehombre7723]

Leslie West died today. R.I.P.

[@natemendsen1629]

Awesome for putting this up now man even if it was dark serendipity

[@jboughtin7522]

This is the first I have heard of his passing. He was a talented guy and a true creative force. I'm familiar with the video you referenced and another from that concert. He was doing a great job of finessing that wall of Sunns behind him, everything from delicate picking to roaring like a beast.

[@namcat53]

Thanks for doing this. I saw the broadcast of Mountain's set that summer afternoon; I believe it was simulcast on our local FM stereo station; very cool. Theme from an Imaginary Western was beautiful, a great version.

[@usmessenger3199]

LESLIE WELL ALWAYS BE ONE OF THE GREATEST GUITARIST TO EVER PLAY GUITAR, ROCK HAS LOST HIS FORSIGHT ,HE WAS ,LIKE JIMI ,AHEAD OF HIS TIME.RIP L.WEST🎸🔊🎶☮️😎 BOB.

[@richardfinney3179]

All the bands that you mentioned played at Woodstock Santana ,ten years after, mountain they were so great I love Mississippi Queen Jimi Hendrix loved it also

[@pomod]

RIP Leslie. Great licks.

[@timothyholmes4588]

awesome 3 for all . Leslie West is a rock riff master.

[@dankmazzi2376]

RIP F.P. AND L.W. MOUNTAIN FOREVER ✌the 1970s was my decade.....good times great music.

[@mikefay4323]

Go and watch Leslie West on the Howard Stern Show singing "Blowin In The Wind." His voice is incredible. I think it's the best music performance I have ever seen on Stern and I think there has been some great ones. This is another great guitar lesson as usual.

[@henchmusic5878]

R.I.P. Leslie. "Never in my Life" is an all-time favorite.

[@kleptogiver]

I can listen to that tune all day.......

[@sotirios6882]

May Leslie Wests soul forever R.I.P. A True legend of his time. Joe Satriani once said that just one note Leslie played compared to him playing several notes at a time just blew him away . Those whole n a half step bends was something EVH n Jimmy Page did often. Tnx for getting to another one of my suggestions. Awesome Dave ROCK ON.🎸 P.S "HAPPY FESTIVUS" "MERRY XMAS "

[@mandanglelow1442]

Pound for pound the best Natural guitar tone ever. It's ALL in his fingers. No racks of efx. Just Leslie.

[@rogerf7265]

Another little known fact is that when Mountain played Woodstock it was only their third gig. I was 5 when I heard Mississippi Queen for the first time and it absolutely blew me away. So much so that it was I think the second record that I ever owned. The first was Cream Sunshine of Your Love.

[@daverenick5830]

Great muscian, first and last. I like the earliy stuff, long red , mississippi etc., playing the LP jr. Later on, he may have improved his technique, but the less digital distortion that he got with the marshalls and the 1 PUP gibson, where he had to use his hands and pick attack more, gave him the sound that influenced me......less is more, no pun intended. I saw him live, late 60's or very early 70's I imagine, in Evanston Il, and he was terrific, although in those days we were all so stoned it's hard to say just what we heard. We joked that he needed that weight to ballast down those screaming notes that were so defining. My favorite song is Stormy Monday live on the Isle of Wight performance......he has moments that have to be called gorgeous playing. He was very unique. From interviews he seemed like a great guy....down to earth with a sense of humor.

[@Riverdeepnwide]

LESLIE! Love ya man, you mean so much to me. “Theme From an Imaginary Western “ ✨💖✨

[@elinino5275]

I just listened to that. So moving. Full of emotion 😢

[@KaptainKopter]

I have always maintained that the top 5 licks in the history of rock is Mountain jamming off Dreams of Milk and Honey! Incredible!

[@damonstewart70]

I love this channel

[@dougfa3515]

Me too.

[@allan4276]

Great stuff thanks

[@Scottocaster6668]

B🐓 and Everyone here have a Merry Christmas 🎄 and be safe & be good to each other ✌️😉.

[@MrAxman53]

Theme from an Imaginary Western, written by Jack Bruce, sung by Felix Pappalardi and my all time favorite recorded Leslie West solo. Rock on bro...

[@SG51]

I saw them about that time at Wilson High School in Portsmouth, Virginia. I don't know if anyone knows but "I believe" those exact Sunn amps were originally owned and used by Jimi Hendrix, before he went to England. Being from Seattle, Washington, they were probably gifted to Jimi for promotional reasons. On another note, I saw both shows that night, got to meet them all, got a signed picture. Corky Laing was definitely the most personable, and was driving the band to Richmond, VA for a shown the next night in a green Pontiac Bonneville. Great memories.

[@billymoretti8437]

My Favorite Leslie West riff is "Never In My Life"..I consider that the BEST riff ever IMHO

[@leeherring470]

May he rest in peace I have Mississippi Queen engrained into my soul. Seems like all of my idol/legends are passing on. Welp thanks for your videos they are inspiring. And. Merry Xmas!

[@damonstewart70]

If you want to learn SONGS and play fierce lead study leslie, huge tone attitude and bonafide badassery!!!

[@bluemovie5871]

Mountain was also one of the first rock bands to use double bass on drums

[@MrAschiff]

Leslie Weinstein from Queens, New York City, would have been proud of your tutorial of his playing.

[@allendean9807]

I’ve loved your videos for a couple years now- west was a big early influence on my playing. Recently posted a tribute video on my channel Thank you for this video, as well as the whole series of licks!