Mountain - Mississippi Queen (REACTION)

[@dgator3599]

In the mid 70s, whenever I'd have this song cranked on my stereo, my mom, a 5' Japanese woman who loved going to the dance clubs in the late 40s and 50s, would break out doing the jitterbug to this tune! Yes, the jitterbug!! I'd bust out laughing and ask her, "Why do you always start dancing whenever I play this song?" and she replied, "I can't help it, It makes me do it!!" She's been gone since 2000, but every time I hear this song, it reminds me of her and I can't help but laugh and smile. P.S. Love the fact that the lead has a missing tooth and not giving a damn! Real life...real music.

[@daviddragavon7555]

This is a beautiful story. Hold on to memories like this. It will keep you heart warm when you are lonely. My own mother would dance at the top of the stairs to, of all people.. Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen , whenever I played them on our stereo in daylight basement. Parents can be hours of fun!

[@grimalkinmeow1434]

That was yer momz gittin smacked mit the Funk Stick! LUV it when it happens!😻

[@larpeiro1]

Your story brought a tear to my eye. Great memory, thank you for sharing

[@tomgoffnett5624]

100% love what you said. WIsh we you had a VHS tape of your mom doing the jitterbug to "MISSISSIPPI QUEEN", I'd watch that everyday. And AMEN about missing a tooth and not giving a damn < That might make a great song :) Throw that in "MISSISSIPI QUEEN, "MISSIN A TOOTH AND NOT GIVEN A DAMN".

[@daviddragavon7555]

@@tomgoffnett5624 That would make a great song or book title. "Missing a tooth and don't give a damn" Ha!

[@davidlitchke4964]

One of the best rock songs of all time!

[@mr.snicker-doodles7081]

100% agree!!

[@alanconrad8490]

yes indeed

[@thumpyloudfoot864]

I concur...

[@kensimonen6258]

It's in my top 20 for sure!!

[@Chillbill555]

I was gonna like this comment it, but I cannot be 70th like

[@johnprice6066]

A quick shout out to Felix Pappalardi and that fuzzed out Gibson bass... Felix also produced the "Disraeli Gears" album by Cream...

[@Irockthere4]

He was also shot by his wife with the derringer gun he had just bought her. Singer guitarist Leslie West ended up losing a leg and kept touring till he passed.

[@bobblethreadgill4463]

RIP Leslie and Felix... Nantucket Sleighride, hell yeah. Keep it up guys!!!

[@genetheroux7916]

RIP Leslie West.

[@chrishoff5291]

On the back of the album it states “To Be Played At Maximum Volume”

[@gregggillott8551]

The ONLY time I ever called a radio station to request a song was the summer of 1970, I was 11yrs old. As soon as they played it I'd call right back and say "Play it Again!"

[@ronpotter9810]

My favorite song by them is Theme From An Imaginary Western.

[@sukie584]

Felix sings it so beautifully…

[@gillespiehazlewood696]

Anything off of the Nantucket Sleigh ride album is dope.

[@marijuasher]

1970s local TV was out of this world. The band. The cuts. The crowd. America at its finest.

[@glennlawrence2965]

What I find funny is that this was taped at a local TV station in PA and the band killed it

[@freddymo3339]

Band was named for the amount of equipment they travelled with.

[@andychisarick6879]

Thats interesting...I always heard they got their name, at least partially. Because back in the day Leslie West was the size of a mountain. Over 300 pounds at one point, but then lost enough to look perfectly "normal", you know what I mean i'm not fat-shaming. Anyway I think that lifestyle contributed to him getting diabetes & losing a leg later in life, not sure. Anyway, sorry for rambling, your comment just got me to thinking, thanks man!

[@freddymo3339]

Mountain Climbing album explains and displays their stuff on the back cover of the LP.@@andychisarick6879

[@Maxxroad]

And not the mountain of cocaine they snorted.

[@Mitchell-lc5kj]

Freddy, the name came from two musicians who went to visit Leslie West at his mother’s house. She said he was two doors down that mountain of flesh on the bed.

[@FUBAR1986]

This is one of those songs that, as soon as it starts, everybody in the whole place turns their head to listen and find out who the hell is this

[@RmarkGillmer]

That's right. I thought there was something missing at the beginning. Replied to wrong message

[@brooksboyd1959]

This song never gets old…been listening to it since it came out and still turn it up when I hear it.

[@Xcris_crosX]

I’ve never seen this live version. Wow you guys, good job👍

[@PaulImprota]

Saw them in 1982 in a small club in S. Norwalk, CT. It was the loudest thing I ever heard.

[@edwardfirst2867]

Two and a half minutes of pure rock and roll greatness

[@joescott8877]

Never seen this live version--outstanding as hell, with Leslie West doin that cool-ass scat singing at the end, and his unreal guitar tone and playing--sweet!

[@neilvines8821]

One of the best rock songs of all time

[@patseymour4922]

It's nice to see people of your generation enjoying music from my generation. Excellent choice of song Shirley, from an Era with so much great music.

[@JohnWarner-lu8rq]

In Miami back in 1970 our band opened up Janis Joplin, BB King, Jethro Tull, Mountain and a few others. We opened for Mountain twice. Felix, the Bass player, also worked for Atlantic/Atco as an East coast talent scout. Long story, but he was going to sign our band in 6 months, but two months later our singer was killed. Still some great memories. I recall that Lesli's little finger seemed as big as a normal persons thumb, but he kicked ass on guitar. This version isn't the same as the record and other live versions which, to me are quite a bit better.

[@dangaiser4729]

So interesting. What band were you with?

[@jacqueline4514]

I'm so sorry that your band suffered that loss.

[@JohnWarner-lu8rq]

@@jacqueline4514 Thanks. That was as close as we got to "making it." The story behind it is a tad long but interesting, doing half an album at Criteria Recording Studios, walking in and seeing Greg Allman sitting in the lobby, etc, etc.

[@edwardmunoz7853]

That's fkn awesome 🤘❤️ Janis Joplin WOW 😳

[@jacqueline4514]

@@JohnWarner-lu8rq Amazing. Truly.

[@vernonallen3370]

Guitarist Leslie West suffered from weight problems and drug addiction for many years , he lost a lot of weight later in life but diabetes took a hold and he lost the lower part of one leg but kept touring despite it and passed away in 2020 aged 75. After Mountain split he and drummer Corky Lang formed a band with Jack Bruce of Cream, imaginatively title West Bruce and Lang

[@louremington6975]

Aww. So sad. I didn't know that. Thanks for the info. My brother in law loved, Mountain. Actually, loved Leslie. I'm just now listening to his records.

[@ttrob93]

Nantucket Slay Ride is a must !

[@kathybwell]

Band was named Mountain cuz the lead singer, Leslie West, is a mountain of a man. He was also my neighbor in Santa CRuz, Ca in the mid-70s. Me and my friend were teenagers we'd go over to his place, smoke a bowl, and he showed us his extensive butterfly collection. Man had over 100 preserved butterflies and knew all their names!

[@AirplayBeats]

Wow. Great story!! Thank you for watching.

[@kathybwell]

@@AirplayBeats Absolutely, glad you enjoyed it!

Did Leslie play his guitar 🎸 for you?

[@kathybwell]

No, no he didn't

@@kathybwell that’s why he liked you.. 🍀

[@davidhattman7649]

Leslie West (guitar) was a beast and a much respected guitar player. The Album this song came from Climbing is album worth checking into

[@MrDirty-if7gc]

This song was such an influential part of all the metal music I love today, right on guys.

[@Widkey]

Mississippi Queen - A song that can't decide if it's rock, blues, soul or heavy metal - but its all good!

[@GrimrDirge]

I'm not a big fan of Mountain, but this song is near perfect. It should be twice as long.

[@mr.snicker-doodles7081]

Are you daffy!?? One of the most important bands in history!!! Influenced SOOOO many bands, UFO being one of the biggest! Leslie West's guitar tone is second to NONE!!! Felix Pappalardi was a GENIUS Arranger & Producer, he Produced CREAM for God-sake! Not to mention drummer Corky Laing, the human metronome..

[@ronwilcox7716]

It should play all damn day and rock on as long as anyone is awake!

[@JohnWarner-lu8rq]

And this isn't the best version. The album, and other live shows, has much better lead guitar riffs, and no scat singing.

[@submandave1125]

"It should be twice as long" - Check out the album cut. You will be pleased.

[@827dusty]

From 1969, Leslie West, one of the great Rock guitarists of the "Classic Rock": era. Great song. He just passed away at 75 I think, a couple of years ago. All of these great artists are passing away, and all are from the same era, and age group. At least we'll always have their music to enjoy. Thanks guys, keep em coming.,

[@Frank-pe9pk]

I saw Mountain at a huge nightclub in North Tampa in 77. Leslie West was so big his guitar strap kept coming off his guitar. He got so pissed he smashed his guitar on stage.

[@RmarkGillmer]

Saw them do this live back in the late 60s. Leslie West the singer, guitarist, writer, said that it was the first time playing this song live. Some of us were that close and were totally blown away. Thanks for another enjoyable video.

[@Friend_Of_The_Muse]

I saw them 1974 New Years Eve Felt Forum NYC. One of the best shows ever (and one hell of a New Years Eve). They ended the show with Mississippi Queen and Corky Lang the drummer on the downbeat would ping his stick off his cymbal at an angle that it would shoot out into the audience...grab another and keep doing it...aiming where he wanted it to go. And just to prove he had full control of where it went on the final note of the song he pinged it off the cymbal and it went straight up came down and Leslie West with out missing a beat reaches behind himself with his right hand ..catches the stick....gives it a spin and tosses it out in the audience. 😲🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@kevint9125]

This is the group that Ritchie Blackmore, Jimmie Page and others from Britain were blown away by, and wanted to emulate, this was the hardest rock that set the standard for the rest of the world to follow.

[@allenlocke1935]

Awesome! As good as this live performance was, the studio version is Iconic with a capitol "I" ! You'll definitely want to add it to your song library. It has to be one of the most hard hitting intros of all time!

[@cptight88]

This is one song where the studio version is the best version.

[@RmarkGillmer]

Yeah, I knew something was missing.

[@tomgoffnett5624]

Agree 100%

[@edwardcapobianco2975]

Riding with the bros and Mountain! Tremendous song. Love your guys channel. You mentioned you want more Allman Brothers . Well I got the song with a money back guarantee. It's called worried down with the blues. Make sure you see the live video version. Butch Trucks (drummer) his nephew Derek Trucks plays a ferocious slide guitar reminiscent of Duane! Warren Haynes( Dickie Betts replacement) absolutely destroys it on lead guitar. Interplay between him and Derek is smoking hot! I hope to see you check it out, I promise you,it's a gem!

[@jonathansmith3742]

53 yrs later and still kickin ass!

[@zeppelinmexicano]

Relentless Leslie West, 53 years later and it's still kicking ass!

[@robertprice6830]

See what I mean gents? Everyday something new and great was coming out. It was a glorious time for music. Rock, R&B,Motown, Soul, mixed in some bad ass blues. When the booze and drugs ran out( temporarily ) could always get high on the music.

[@AirplayBeats]

Yes indeed. That’s the feeling we are trying to produce with this channel. New music everyday.

[@realbser1956]

Perhaps the best cowbell intro ever recorded. Leslie was a beast on the vocals and guitar. Great song.

[@sukie584]

I’ll pick Honky Tonk Woman, but this is up there for sure.

[@Wreck-it_Ralph]

You guys found the best live version! They were playing sooo loud !

[@LouisFLamas]

Saw Mountain in Houston, Texas as the main headliner with Black Sabbath as the opening band, when really, no one knew of Black Sabbath. Somewhere around 1970 or 71.

[@WMalven]

Leslie "Mountain" West - guitar, vocals, Felix Pappalardi - bass, vocals, Corky Laing - drums, and Steve Knight - keyboards. They were a New York (Long Island) band. The band lasted from 1969-1972 before breaking up (drugs and road fatigue). West reconstituted the band in 1973 with Allan Schwarzberg - drums and Bob Mann - bass Consider the tracks, "Nantucket Sleighride," Theme from an Imaginary Western," "Land of Milk and Honey," or "Once In My Life"

[@Marshall-x9f]

I love that you guys appreciate this perfect rock song (my humble opinion). You both have class! Thanks for sharing.

[@raycewilliams3300]

This is Leslie West on vocals and lead guitar. This track is an absolute Rock Classic. It is partially attributed to the Heavy Metal which followed a few years later.

[@jamesferris4573]

This was from Hershey Pennsylvania from The Show, a program put on by the newly formed PBS television company. They gathered 57 artist who were popular and invited high school-age kids to attend and listen to the artist to address the political and social issues of the day. This was in the fall of 1969 and is the same program that the Grand Funk Railroad live performance of Inside Looking Out was from, as well as the first television appearance of Jerry Jeff Walker singing Mr. Bo Jangles, which he wrote as well as Deon singing Abraham, Martin and John, and too many other great acts to list. I have four parts of the show saved that I found on KZbin.

[@techrescuestl]

Leslie West - “I never felt like I needed a two- or three-pickup guitar, because you can get a lot of tones out of a single pickup. If you’re in a room filled with gasoline, how many matches do you really need?”

[@johncagnettajr344]

Mountain made this national debut at the original Woodstock Festival

[@Lookfishlamp]

Love how the drumming attacks those drums when it starts. Crazy energy

[@carolmckay9067]

This is like, Who can be louder!! In the Best way ! Love this song. Also, Love Your channel ❤️❤️

[@jamesleathers5488]

Legendary !!! I was a young soldier during the time this came out and we rocked the barracks with this. I still go to this when I need to get my mind right. It is not just the sound either. The lyrics kick ass too. For example: "Mississippi Queen she taught me everything" and "You know she was a dancer, moved better on wine" on and on man. Leslie West was a force of nature and the rest of the band are bad mofos too. Like that drummer leaves it all in the beat. Damn, wild memories flooding back. I am so glad you liked this. Hell great music is great music. Time means nothing.

[@DSRQ1]

This song was a huge hit when it came out. Thanks for posting, you guys. Music can bring us together.

[@i43pammy30]

First time I've listened to this in a long minute! Loved it and your reactions!

[@wpollock1]

God.....that was great! I have never seen this and that piano was so cool.....it came through clearer than the studio version!

[@TheDeecue]

That guitar riff....whoa...Leslie West set the bar high in the early 70's.

[@DRAGNET-pn5vf]

THAT WAS A BAD MAMBA JAMBA!! THANKS GUYS!🇺🇸❤️👍🏻

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Leslie West was that dude, legendary

[@Potus-he4sl]

OMG amazing truly a God 😮

[@andrebasquit1633]

Corky is one of the most underrated drummers. This guy goes crazy . Love him ❤️

[@jacqueline4514]

This song always hits so hard!!! Believe it or not, with this gritty sound about a Mississippi Queen, they are from Long Island.

[@michaelbarr1411]

I actually road a train with them from Portland to Seattle back in 2004. Got to talking to them before even knowing who they were. After a wile I was like you guys are in a band. They said yes laughing. I said who are you. They said Mountain and I was like 🤔 huh. They said Mississippi Queen and I was like no way! I love that song. Great bunch of guys

[@stevieceee2287]

I love this reaction! I can’t believe those people were sitting on the floor in front of the performance. Like you, I’m wondering how their eardrums aren’t blown out. lol. Mountain was going crazy!

[@tjmasson1013]

One of the the most played classic riffs in rock. 🔥

[@michaelgray4964]

Leslie West, the Great Fatsby. One helluva guitar player!

[@trep8387]

You guys continue to hit the classics of those days .. Great job

[@AncientWisdomTeachingsLLC]

Classic! Love Leslie West singer guitar player he had a very muscular style. You should listen to the studio version where they had the rhythm guitar constantly so he didn’t have to do double duty and he was free to dig into the solo more. Very influential band did a lot of people who became Rockstars in the 70s grew up listening too. Leslie was a diabetic later in life he would have a below knee amputation, but he would still get on stage in a wheelchair and rock out just as hard

[@shasta810]

The live version of young man blues by The Who 1970 is a mountain of sound and great energy!

[@johnprice6066]

Here's another awesome performance from Beat Club in Germany with Mountain playing "Don't Look Around"... Aside from Leslie West's guitar, the rhythm section of Pappalardi and Corky Laing really stands out... Pretty much all the stuff that came out of German TV at the time was awesome, like Beat Club, Rockpalast, and Musikladen... kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4Kbi36YZrKKkJY

[@shannonways]

One of the funkiest songs of all time! It grabs you right at the beginning and never lets go!

[@ericoh123]

Leslie West (vocals/lead guitar) and Mountain used to tour extensively through the midwest and weren't afraid to entertain the locals in the smaller cities in many a medium-sized auditorium. Down-home hard blues rock. From $5.00-$7.00 tickets back then, and you'd also get one or two 'warm-up' bands that were either nationally or internationally known as well. These venues were major 420 cloud city, socially open and friendly crowd, where you could lay back and relax, not have to worry when bringing along girls there, or bein' messed with much.

[@robertpiekosz7470]

Mountain was one of the Greatest American Bands of All Time!!

[@MamawT65]

Gosh I hadn’t heard this song in so long ! Great reaction!

[@Ziggy-pp4tw]

Great song. U need to listen to the studio version also.

[@jwmarc123]

So glad you caught the groove of Leslie West... ... history......Music for the soul...

[@mstewart109]

Remember this was played a lot on the radio. I couldn't name another song by them. Lol. That vocal was so powerful.

[@scalisque5403]

A southern classic.

[@WMalven]

Mountain was from New York.

[@scalisque5403]

@@WMalven yes but a song about a southern lady

[@diverdown631]

I don't know how a New York Jew, a New York Italian, and a Canadian qualify as Southern rock...

[@scalisque5403]

@@diverdown631 they did when they made this banger

[@WMalven]

@@scalisque5403 That sole fact isn't nearly enough to qualify them or this song as "Southern"

[@rebeccatyrrell-zn6kt]

Love that. One of my favourites

[@rebeccatyrrell-zn6kt]

Thank you Shirley and La and Che

Loved Mountain 🏔️ saw them in 71 at Washington U Field House with all my buddies. We were 13.. Corky was my favorite drummer and Moonie too 😂😂😂

[@ri2k]

My dad said this was the loudest band he's ever seen. That included Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, AC/DC and Zepp. Said in a gig there was so much smoke in the room, when they played the first note the smoke flew back in a shock wave

[@PechorZasol]

Just watch their show in Paris. That is mindblowing one. Drummer throws sticks to the vocalist, he catches them and throws to the crowd.

[@KarlMcMAn]

I been enjoying y’all’s channel. Keep up the awesome job. Cheers

[@JamesFrost74659]

Leslie West, this has always been one of my top 5 Rock and Roll songs. Leslie got his tooth fixed and lost a lot of weight. Because of his weight he had diabetes and had to have one of his legs amputated. He died a few years ago.

[@charlesgarner2177]

Saw them in early 90s in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Leslie played thru 32 Marshall stacks (4 high 8 across) and sounded AWESOME! Corkey had a box of drumsticks beside him and broke about 3 sets per song and kept on goin without missing a beat. Still got my half a stick from that night. Been to 100s of concerts and this was fantastic! Felt honored to witness the greatness.

[@petersalerno4298]

I was 16 and I loved Mountain.

[@docbearmb]

Mountain was one of the very first HARD rock bands. Pioneers. Leslie West killer on guitar and vocals. Bassist Felix Pappelardi was great songwriter; wrote several tunes for Cream. He was shot dead by his wife. Now that’s rock n roll for ya.

[@AmbassadorJenks7086]

Singer guitar player is Leslie West! The drummer is Corky Laing. The bass player is Felix Pappalardi and the keyboard player is Steve Wright.

[@paulmanley8997]

I saw mountain in 1970 and was less than 6 feet away from him. He had the fattest fingers U have ever seen. He did a lot of blues numbers too. Knocked my 16 year old socks off!! Lee michaels at the same gig did ‘Stormy weather’ worth a listen.

[@johnhickman2033]

Felix Papalardi rocked one of the heaviest bass guitars ever!

[@jimbusby8298]

One of the most covered song by about every rock band 🎵🎶😉 Great Classic Tune

[@amachvt]

Much partying was done to this song back in the day! Great song!!

[@johnfrank3177]

Hey fellas. My former band "Harvest" opened for Mountain at the Ritz in New York on April 11th,1970. Got to meet them and it was great. There are plenty of great Mountain tracks to react to. I always liked "Never in my Life". Peace.

[@robertdawson8522]

Listen to that Bass!!

[@SeanLawn71]

My Dad and I were just talking and he mentioned you guys. I’m 51 so my Dad being a fan shows your reaching many generations! Great stuff. I’m proud to say I had this song on a 45! Great song. This is a different version than the one I had. Sounds a little faster but still a classic!

[@Soothsayer-rs5nb]

Right between the eyes! ... coming in HEAVY !

[@christopherdonnelly6167]

Caught them in 1970 at the Filmore East! About 6 times after that! Radio City they rose up in full jam doing “Never in my Life!!!”

[@36karpatoruski]

A Gem from the vault!

[@karenhardy7964]

Never knew who this band was, but DAAAYUM, I do now.

[@dannycasson1551]

Now that was old school! I think the guitarist/vocalist was just getting warmed up. Iv'e never seen this song performed live.

[@yesterdayproductions1019]

Besides the great guitar tone & playing, Leslie had a GREAT high pitched rock voice. His band is awesome.

[@anthonyblakely399]

1 hit wonder......Love this band!!!! Love this Song!!!! Love this sound!!!!!

[@zunbake3]

Leslie West was one of the nicest guys in Rock History. My vote for the greatest Power Chorder in History!

[@JimmyRJump]

Saw Mountain twice later in their career. First at the U.K. Reading Rock Festival (1981 or 82 I think) where they were invited by organizer Harold Pendleton (owner of the famous London Marquee Club, where a lot of known bands got their baptism) and a few years later (1985) as openers for Deep Purple in Belgium as part of Deep Purple's "Perfect Strangers" reunition European tour. Thanks for the memories, guys. You made me remember stuff I didn't know I knew.