Legendary Guitarist Leslie West

He played at the original Woodstock and his music lives on as classic radio staples. But after ignoring Diabetes for decades, his choice was to lose a leg or lose his life. Here is an uplifting, heart-felt, informative and entertaining tale from a rock legend about dealing with the realities of life.

[@steveverdick2632]

Saw him when he was in West, Bruce & Lang in a small theatre in Hollywood. It was one of the best concerts I ever saw. No seats, everybody just stood and went crazy.

[@spookedhorse]

Leslie West died today, at the age of 75. Rest in peace. 1945-2020.

[@ralex3697]

Great talent rip Leslie

[@VintageGearMan]

I am three years to late! I had no idea. What a great loss!

[@plk5520]

RIP Leslie. You'll be missed.

[@JamesLittle-fk9mk]

one of their biggest hits to me; will always be ( Never in my life )!!!!!!!

[@glennschiffer1742]

great song

[@airtow6766]

I saw Leslie West and Mountain a number of times in the 70's and always came away knowing that he was a guitarist that was going to be remembered as one of the great ones. I was right!

[@nostalgia6578]

If this guitarist isn't in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by now, those folks who run it in Cleveland should resign. A-holes.......

[@bourboncowboy7715]

Great your facts straight dude. The A-holes who run it are in the slum that is new york.

[@richbornstein6484]

Could not agree more.

[@alexposadas9918]

RIP Leslie West! You are definitely one of the best rock guitarist ever!

[@travelinben1966]

Love and miss you Leslie.Felix too.👏👏👏👏

[@jimmyoleary8667]

What a great man and musician for sure! 🎸

[@richbornstein6484]

Agree on all accounts. Someone who has and continues to live life to the fullest.

[@richbornstein6484]

A great man and musician is the best way to put it.

[@iplaymytele]

I am a 68 year old Professional guitar player…🎶🎸🎶 Leslie West was absolutely the first guitar God I ever heard …! The first time I heard Mississippi Queen I was a kid and my family had all piled in a volks wagon bus in the summer heat , and drove across Illinois to go camping at Dietz lake in Indiana… Mississippi Queen came on the radio in that 45 mile an hour, hot volkswagon van , and it changed my musical world forever…! I cannot tell you how many times I have performed Mississippi Queen on stage in the spirit of my guitar hero Mr. Leslie West…🎶🙏🏻🙏🏻🎶 I too am a type two diabetic… Leslie is absolutely correct. Don’t ignore your diabetes….!!!

[@nasticanasta]

I got to see Mountain and West, Bruce & Laing.. still got my tickets $4 ....

[@dontswin]

Wow he got himself a fine young chippy. She's young enough to be his daughter. Good for him I guess. I really love that song "Never in my life". Mountain is just one of those bands that is so very original.

[@nostalgia6578]

Behind almost every great man, there is a woman who loves, cares for, and advises him. Leslie's got one. He's blessed. As a type 2 diabetic myself, I agree with Les - get off your a$$ and get your blood sugar checked!

[@acdcabcd1964]

@@nostalgia6578No. You're completely wrong, 'cause by saying that, you confess and/or imply that "almost every great man" is himself a total zero, loser, a waste of space without women.

[@morningstar8651]

We miss you Leslie West!!!

[@interstategar]

I went to Woodstock '69, and saw Mountain and many other bands. We left Sunday am since we had nothing to eat or drink since noon Friday. I didn't know adjacent to the grounds was a cook out for the attendees. It was never announced. I missed missed Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane etc. I did see Santana up close right at the base of the stage and saw myself on film during their last song Soul Sacrifice.

[@charlesnye1736]

What a legend, RIP my man.

[@htbud11]

Leslie West is an American treasure.

[@ddf235]

The king of tone!

[@Poppabill48]

As a Type 2 Diabetic and former Rock DJ, I give many THUMBS UP!!

[@richbornstein6484]

He lived his life, to be sure. A treasure who will be missed.

[@simoncrawley7430]

"Rock'n'Roll Pampeyon" Good Lord...

[@davidbutler8850]

A true legend Leslie West.... He's the one that started that to me that first beginnings of heavy blues metal and he hits it with his voice the guitar and everything I mean rest in peace my friend 🙏💞🙏

[@dylanesque66]

Dude, What you wrote in ‘69 has always been relevant.

[@billyshane3804]

Leslie West !!!

[@jamieconverse1029]

I remmber at age 9 when mountain first live album and climbing album came out. When I heard this dude. Crank from the Bronx. I said that's it I got my first Gibson es 335 cherry burst hollow body guitar in 1972 and never looked back kick ass leslie jamiejoe converse zephyhills florida

[@danrez42]

Thank you brother miss you. Dan r

[@anz2441]

God Bless you, Leslie West.. Guitar God Supreme...Tone, feel, and a shit ton of tude ! Incredible Man & Talent.

[@nicke.3782]

I love Leslie's guitar playing. He can do more with 10 notes than most guitar players can do with 100. Also, "Never In My Life" is just as a** kicking as Mississippi Queen or Nantucket Sleigh Ride. For whatever reason it just doesn't get the same attention.

[@blachubear]

Rest In Paradise Leslie & God Speed.

[@rael1999]

RIP Leslie lad ....Mountain use to be on the turn table growing up in the 70's, great band. His missus was brilliant too, difficult decision to make for him there, but the right one. She comes across as the right person to have by your side when the clouds turn all dark and moody. Real glad he had someone there for him like that.

[@margueritemazzeo2904]

Saw them in 1974...New Years Eve at the Felt Forum in New York City..so loud and that feedback..omg..so glad I saw them.🥰💯🎊🥳

[@derekemrie2987]

It's not how great a guitarist he was, it's how great he knew he was not, never tried to amaze with incredible technical abilities, but lent such soulfulness to the songs, never over indulgent in notes, and wow, all that TONE!

[@elmono3939]

Finally got himself a new set of teeth ! RIP, LW !

[@brianmatzen9617]

Rip what a legend

[@richbornstein6484]

Indeed. I keep hearing his songs in my head ...

[@brianmatzen9617]

@@richbornstein6484 natucket sleigh ride and dreams of milk and honey give me chills of joy and excitement and peace when I hear them and it never gets old even though they were made 50 years ago

[@hotwheel6663]

I was pre-diabetic with hypertension lost 50lbs now numbers normal without meds so it don't take much weight. I was 240 at 5'11" now 190 so you don't have to be like 300lbs or more like some think.

[@browningautomatic2393]

GOOD VIDEO ! SATURDAY 10/7/23 OCTOBER 7, 2023

[@marcennis]

I liked the bio video very much. I was an immediate fan the time I got a demo album from a best friend who’s aunt in NYC had worked at the studio where Windfall records was recorded Mountain Climbing by Mountain. I was in Jr. High School at the time in 1970 and told my friends about this band Mountain and at the time it was getting air play on the radio stations which really helped them as they toured.

[@kutzbill]

I am happy he is still kicking. I met him once, he was a very nice guy to everyone. He does not get enough credit for his musical skills. I am having to try and help my Wife. She has went thru stage 4 cancer, and is going toward being diabetic. She is still eating as much sugar as before, maybe a little more. I have never been a nagger, and I have to figure out how to stop this before she goes to full blown diabetes. Her Doctor told her he can cure the cancer, but there is no cure for diabetes.

[@nonexistenceisbliss9528]

Actually, there is no “cure” for either. There are only treatments.

[@electraglideclyde]

I've been Type 1 for 50 years, taken over 73,000 shots and counting. I haven't always been diligent about taking care of myself, especially my teenage years through about 25. Then I had children and my perspective started to change. The sad irony is Leslie ignored his Dr's orders and paid the price (sadly). He could have still been playing great music. RIP brother, will see you soon.

[@davidr5961]

Yes, I agree its a shame he didn't heed the advice of his Dr.'s years before, and change his eating lifestyle. Kind of reminds me a little of Jerry Garcia. Listening to his drummer Mickey Hart saying, he ate whatever he wanted to, and simply didn't care about his health. Never received any check ups. RIP Leslie, you were the best

[@davehooper5115]

LEGEND

[@saxonsteve]

Great Guy and Guitarist. Rest In Peace, Leslie.

[@mjwolosz9224]

Yes RIP bro

[@Guitardiv2]

I can only say the same, I first take notice of the Band in the early 1970, and living in Denmark I've since then, hope to se Mountain 'Live' i my country. It was close for some years ago, but illness in the band, did not allow and they had to cancel, none of us gets any younger.

[@kenwest.5735]

Rip Leslie from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺

[@warrenbutterfield4208]

🎸🎤🧨 Always seem like a sweet guy, down to earth, spoke his mind. That’s probably why Howard Stern liked him. He’s definitely legendary…. Think of everybody he’s played with or gotten to know…🤔 Then there’s that killer tone we’ve all been chasing since we picked up guitars. Saw him at my high school actually in 1976 when he broke out on his solo tours…. “The great fatsby”….. the killer tone, louder than bombs. With the bonus of Spooky Tooth, opening the show… Mick Jones., who was then beginning to form Foreigner. The first and last ever concert at my high school… The school board wasn’t ready for the crowd, the smoking, and the damage to the auditorium. In other words, it was EPIC🔥

[@robertbrown9912]

I was right down near the front of the stage on Saturday night when he played Woodstock in '69. I had never heard of Mountain as they had little or no air play in Canada where I lived. All I can say is "Wow!" Blew everyone away. And he seems like such a good guy.

[@tomm9493]

Theme From an Imaginary Western is an amazing classic song.

[@PeterRabbit70]

dammit!I was just gonna write him a fan letter, telling him about seeing him in Atlanta in 1971, and several other places near Auburn, Alabama. Too late, to write to the great, late, Leslie West. Rest in Peace, friend, we loved you dearly.

[@margueritemazzeo2904]

Leslie has the real New York accent..😹💯😂

[@gearhead2017]

I have type 2 also,at first it was scary but as time goes by you can live with it and it's been 3 years now and w type 2 there's neuropathy associated w type 2 and I play guitar also,a disease isn't gonna stop me from rockin out,I could've quit doin things I love but no,not a quitter,RIP leslie west,rock out w eddie,jimi,dimebag,randy etc,Jenni is a good woman to help him realize its no joke,yes leslie she wants you around

[@scottcollins5060]

One of the first bands I ever really got that let's get down to the business of jamming our asses off.

[@Braglemaster123]

RIP 😥

[@justinherbert9146]

Wow Leslie's wife was young and hot - RIP

[@Yannis_z]

RIP Mr West 😢

[@mastermooky]

no sugar, no bread, no pasta, no milk, get serrapeptase, natto, garlic, mooing powder. long life man

[@christopherdunn317]

Then there's no point to live LOL ! Your time is your time, people have even lived longer than they should smoking or drinking not to mention bad drugs.

[@wolfgangwylde5889]

Love this guy 💙🤘

[@daverenick5830]

great muscian and personality

[@tonym994]

he's rumored to have cooked 2 chickens backstage at Woodstock. saw him (on formerly Yasgur's farm)in '99 for the 30th anniversary w/ Mountain. it was great!

[@bikerjon8934]

my grandma has the same glasses

[@gwenjones8]

😑😉

[@cynthiawilson4112]

Great Stuff,Always good.!

[@jordandickerson4069]

We miss You Great Fatsby.

[@johnpike8415]

luv ya Les

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

There is some guy masquerading as Depper. He has stolen his identity and using it as his own. Leslie was a friend of mine. If you know who he is, any help would be appreciated.

[@jackoshaw]

Thanks for posting this... I have Diabetes and this was an inspiration to me... It gave me a lot to think about.....

[@richbornstein6484]

Thank you.

[@TheALBIECHASER]

prayers sent

[@gav25x]

Oooh that'll make a difference, give yourself a clap

[@mo9504]

Saw them in Providence R.I. with Kiss, some assh*le, threw a smoke bomb and caught his hair on fair, they walked off stage, I was crushed, then I saw him again N.Y.C back in the early 90's, I got closure. I am at Peace when it come to Leslie West. True Story.

[@hanovergreen4091]

Rest.

[@temeculajoe]

Saw mountain play inside diamond head in Hawaii 1975. Fuckin mind blowing

[@warrenbutterfield4208]

Got thrown out of Diamondhead by a soldier for shagging golf balls into the valley from the parking lot… We just had to get back in the car and start driving around the island with our (brand new drinking product) wine coolers then…. Me and a great friend summer 1985…… good Lord, the vodka, the pineapple on everything and in everything, including the women… Good Lord Almighty, the women. Gorgeous, tan, lonely, and running away from crummy men in their lives.… It was a total smorgasBROAD ‼️🤠 Just realize you saw something incredibly epic that you will never see again. I doubt they’ll let anybody sit there doing any busking at this point in the crater let alone a full-blown concert. You have to rank that one right up there with Pink Floyd Pompeii. 🎸🧨🤔💎👍🏼😱😆

[@mjwolosz9224]

The heaviest before anyone else even sabbath and page

[@catholiccowboy8545]

A Mountain on wheels.

[@russc.9618]

Rest In Peace

[@kyleknight6027]

My first thought was "damn, Miss Jane put on some weight ".

[@glenneric1]

How funny. Could never guess from the song that he was a Yankee. 😃

[@gwenjones8]

That is exactly what I thought. Strangely disappointing. 🤷‍♀

[@johnwinger2240]

Oh lord the thumbnail. Thought it was Rosemary Clooney.

[@ralex3697]

Omg I can’t stop laughing John, yes he looks like her.

[@kuyog7649]

Goldigger.

[@josesouza1561]

Aquela foto com jimi hendrix sem comentários.

[@dadasha]

FUCK I DIDN'T KNOW HE LOST HIS LEG!!!!

[@christopherbako]

You can't play Mississippi Queen in 1 Day.

[@mudchair16]

She certainly got her money out of it.

[@captainbuck5969]

Who??

[@jansixsmith8144]

S

[@tnekkc]

eat meat, not carbs

[@johniverson2161]

Rappers in Hall of Fame. West not. Hall of Fame sucks.

[@1969mikemac]

never seen a pretty young girl with a poor old man... that says it all... it is never about love... it is about dollar signs...

[@christopherdunn317]

I know what you mean, but this girl is one of a kind, and very rare !

[@warrenbutterfield4208]

She seems realistic, and she apparently was very dedicated to him. Thank God for her she kept him around longer for us. Not everybody is a Golddigger. Right now as times are getting really ugly all you keep hearing about is gold gold gold. You can’t carry it around, you can’t eat it you can’t really put it any place safe at home. When the shit hits the fan and it will… What would you rather have?….. gold or family, food, some means of self protection, and above all faith in your creator. Like I said above not everybody is infatuated with gold. It’s kind of an ugly color as well especially on guitars.

[@allencrider]

Go vegan.