The WEEKLY RIFF: LESLIE WEST & MISSISSIPPI QUEEN from THE SOUND AND THE STORY

With a new merch line about to drop that combines old school cool with an iconic vintage look, feel, and sound; we can think of no better riff to feature for this Weekly Riff than perhaps the king (or queen) of ALL riffs: Mississippi Queen. Oh yeah, make sure to turn it up, because the reverend, lord, and savior of rock n' roll is teaching you how it's done: the one and only Leslie West!
If you want a deeper, behind-the-scenes look at Leslie's story, check out our exclusive The Sound and The Story recording.

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Leslie West - The Sound and The Story
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💥THE SOUND AND THE STORY
Never-before-seen interviews, storytelling and in-depth guitar instruction with some of today's most influential guitar players. Full series:
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[@TheCream14]

No one else sounds like Leslie. Such a talent. He'll be missed, but his music lives forever.

[@bflo1000]

That's partly because he used the ONLY amp at the time (a PA amp, LOL) that had a MV; which he used. Hendrix was also one of the few who used loads of gain to make every note heavy as hell.

[@TheCream14]

@@bflo1000Yes! He used a Sunn Coliseum PA Head that was shipped to him by accident (instead of a Marshall).

[@kevins5833]

Didn't know he passed... when did this happen?

[@darthmaul3525]

@@kevins5833 he passed a little while after Eddie Van Halen did.

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

@@darthmaul3525 wouldn’t mind Sammy Hagar attempting a Mississippi Queen cover

[@jonolemon]

not only the sound of the guitar but THE VOICE too.

[@Prousto]

RIP, Leslie. Nobody had the touch, feel and soulfulness that you did; that vibrato now belongs to the ages.

[@captainbeyond7469]

Could not agree more. The greatest vibrato ever. R.I.P. big man.

[@if6turnedouttobe9]

Epic comment...and the smokin' Tone...

[@stepitupandgo67]

Soul, chops, and a great sense of humor...damn it

[@vincent15755]

❤

[@ilovealaska2000]

Mississippi Queen kicked ass then and its still kickin ass today. Truly one of the GREATEST rock song ever made.

[@RealMikePannone]

"This record was made to be played loud." The best instructive ever given to an adolescent!

[@hadnaymn3705]

The louder the better

[@Chrisamos412]

Very cool…loved this tune and still do!

[@phil4986]

Just an amazing last statement from a man full of life. Barely a month and a half after this video was released, Leslie would make the ride home one last time. Thank you Leslie for showing the world how to shred. "Do you know what I mean." Yes, Leslie, hundreds of millions do. You were Awesome.

[@williamrobinson6680]

"Cause I didn't know what I was doing in the first place." - Leslie West. So humbling. All God.

[@nickjh1968]

What a guy. A metal pioneer for sure. RIP brother.

[@skylightening5687]

Been 50 years since I first heard this song and it still has the ability to take me back in time; one of my favorites R. I. P. Leslie

[@Hugh_Manitee]

THE HEAVIEST SOUND IN CLASSIC ROCK. I saw him at a small club in Oak Lawn, IL. Maybe 300 people. He tore it up! I still have the pictures.

[@sairamr6886]

Leslie's tone is immediately recognizable. What a trademark!!

[@CrawfishBoil]

We all love Leslie for his heavy-ass tone, but that VOICE! It cuts through tha butta with perfection!

[@leanidis300]

RIP Leslie, I will forever cover Mississippi Queen to my last days...

[@sauletto1]

Pure awesomeness .... RIP Mr. West. Respect !

[@moj0ryzin]

It’s so amazing to hear him say he didn’t know what he was doing back then just reaffirms my belief that creative people aren’t hobbled by technical details. Leslie West, Mountain, and this song made a big mark on me in the 70s that is still as strong today.

[@JohnDoeEagle1]

That is why Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Via aren't any good and can't play anything except fast technical speed runs with NO SOUL...... Also why Eddie Van Halen ALWAYS beats them......Leslie West as well.

[@77news97]

Good point. I was going to comment the same. So many of us musical hacks come up with stuff intuitively, without knowing much musical theory!

[@hermano4242]

Well, as Joe Pass said, once you’ve learned something new for the day…..and worked to integrate that knowledge into your playing……it’s time to just play. Too much thinking can harm the result. I guess the key is to practice enough to integrate it all so that it comes out naturally. But what the hell do I know. Some pretty incredible art has been created by people who didn’t know jack sh*t. Perhaps we’re just innately creative and it naturally falls out of us.

[@JohnValentineKorea]

Sometimes, it's hard to put into words what a song means to your soul when you hear it or actually, when you feel it. This is one of those songs. It's fun and interesting to listen to Leslie West talk about how little he knew about the technical details of the song. He played it like he felt it. When a band plays "Mississippi Queen", I can smell the beer and cigarettes in the air of a small, dirty, sweaty bar late on a Saturday night. It's perfect. Heaven better be like this or I ain't goin' in.

[@brokenpoolhall]

Picked up the guitar, because of this man. He still remains my biggest inspiration today.

[@pantera29palms]

The best thing about Mississippi queen is that it takes you there….and you know exactly what it’s about.

[@louislamboley9167]

So sad he's gone. A great singer song writer with so much natural talent. He's way too modest. That guitar riff and his singing was signature Leslie West.

[@tonyr669]

I love Leslie West. I cannot believe he i# gone. I play his stuff every day on my guitars. My way of keeping him alive.

[@7M-7]

R.I.P Leslie West. Your music soothes us from the emptiness of your loss but also grieves us to how great the loss is. I will see you again

[@thefilthygringo9228]

He said it’s not rocket science and that it’s easy but goddamn what a fucking classic riff that just changed everything for me. That’s rock ‘n’ roll

[@mudnducs]

GREAT voice GREAT tone. Solid, ass kicking, totally unapologetic

[@billythekid5258]

Saw Mountain, West, Bruce & Laing, and Leslie "solo" twice... THE BEST!!! ABSOLUTELUY THE BEST!!! I've seen most of the Rolling Stone Top 20 guitar players... LOVE LOVE LOVE Leslie West!!! Nobody POWERS the guitar like him!

[@johnfoster2592]

Absolutely brilliant! One of the best guitarists in history. Lesley West!

[@joelwatts5260]

I remember hearing Mississippi Queen for the first time. I was blown away by the sound of that guitar. The louder i cranked up the volume on that stereo the better it got!

[@lisaa8795]

He looks really good here - sorry to hear he has passed away. One of the best RnR songs to hit the Billboard 100. Not just in 1970, but ever.

[@williamtynertyner1425]

This guy was so fucking cool.I'm so glad he lived, loved, and made great guitar noise much longer than anybody thought he would.This is a real guitar God kids.

[@glenminnick3724]

I discovered this band in 1970, blew me away! This is an excellent video!

[@chrissvenningson1747]

God Bless Leslie West. I wished I knew him and could teach him how to manage Diabetes. I have mastered it, and I know I’d be able to keep him around another ten years. I love this riff, the song, and how it was rocked and presented.

[@vinskeeter]

Bonafide face melting riff. Thank You Leslie.

[@luckyrocks1]

Yes! More Cowbell 🤘😁👍 Fortunate to see this band way back in the 70’s. Still love this tune today! Thank you Leslie!

[@gened9787]

Thank you for all your music. R.I.P Leslie West one of the best.

[@cruzincondo3395]

Sure is GREAT to hear his voice again.

[@TheBigdutchster]

"i didn't know what I was doing. anyway." The tone, the attack, the bends, the cow bell, the vocals, the lytics. An American classic that must have influenced many that followed. I hesitate to say that this was the first hard rock song ever, but I certainly feel like it was. Oh, and the song is too short, but still it's the perfect length. I have always been curious as to why Leslie didn't have a bigger career. "Nantucket Sleighride" is also one fine song that tells a great storey.

[@mahatmagandhi7588]

When I think about how long ago that song, and guitar riff, came out it blows me away. This was practically the birth of hard rock guitar playing. I do miss this guy. Many young guitar players owe their careers to Leslie and others like him.

[@seanwelch71]

Felix was a brilliant player and producer.

[@williamocallaghan5504]

Saw you Leslie nobody rocked it like you R.I.P. BIG MAN🎸🇺🇲

[@chosenone2964]

That absolutely made my day, Leslie West just banging out MQ for us..🤘

[@alansmith9948]

So nice to listen to a man who doesn't gloat, no BS with Leslie he's straight up! RIP

[@troymattingly3071]

Watching the old performances, it was clear that Leslie was letting us hear from his soul. Much admiration from fans, continuing, is a celebration.

[@andymine8612]

such Power .. Rest In Peace Mr West 🎸🎼🎸

[@aidanmcguire1369]

Leslie's version of theme from an imaginary western at the night of the guitars in '88 I think it was is one of the most stunning performances on guitar I have ever heard .His tone was like nothing else you will ever hear...R.I.P sir ...

[@joeyliggio6216]

Amazing because now 50 years I realize how much I enjoy Leslie's Talent and how great that song is ! A real NY guy Too....

[@neonxrunner7820]

U know when he standed up right after he started that bridge, u know he means some fucking serious guitar business 😎 True legend.

[@j.d.o5709]

I don’t think I’ve heard any player from Leslie West’s generation of guitarists pull off those super sweet and perfectly timed pinch harmonics as good as he did. Obviously later metal players did too but Leslie’s touch is so subtle yet creates such a massive sound. What a legend.

[@Slimjim260]

That song never gets old, love the drummers cow bell!

[@steverherb]

Love how Leslie launches into the vocal part at 4:04. He was a helluva funny guy and told great stories, too

[@johngerson7335]

I know, right?! His guitar playing is monumental, but his voice is up-front star quality too!

[@rheubengreen8612]

What a singing voice!!!

[@Hugh_Manitee]

The top favorite classic rock recording of mine. The vocals are just as strong as the guitar solo. Saw him live in a small.club near Chicago in the 1980s. Awesome.

[@grahamburgess2498]

What a legend glad I saw him live.

[@hollowdog9049]

Seen Mr West play solo at a very small club in Colorado 40 some years ago. He was incredible.

[@joshuawalls7102]

This man was so underrated. I also love how he never plays Mississippi queen the same twice ive never heard him ever play it the same as the record ever its always different, but i still love the recorded version the best we all do or we wouldnt love the song as much as we do lol

[@yesterdayproductions1019]

Besides being an obviously innovative great guitar player, he had GREAT high pitched powerful tenor rock voice. Listening to him talk, you wouldn't think he could sing that high over & over. LOL

[@SteveGamlin]

In addition to having that rich voice and killer tone (the Gates of heaven are no doubt already rattling off their hinges)...Leslie was one heck of a storyteller.

[@christoofart]

God Bless Leslie West.

[@bldallas]

It’s funny, I first “got to know” Leslie West from all his old appearances on the Howard Stern Show. Though I knew this song, I was never into Mountain. Now, years later, I know what an amazing guitar player he was. A true original.

[@jerryjohnson4625]

Mountain - Climbing. One of the first albums I bought. I was probably 13. Rock on Mountain ! 🎙🎸

[@mediclimber]

Met him at an anniversary party for Reading Motorcycle Club years ago. He was good people. Thanks for everything Leslie, R.I.P.

[@mikelawson6456]

One of the most recognizable riffs in rock and roll...thank you Leslie...RIP

[@vincentbearinger2242]

I could have hung out with that guy for the rest of my life what a master and a hell of a guy

[@scottanderson4175]

RIP Leslie keep rising 🥂

[@catcancrunch7260]

I love his honesty, he was a real talent ❤

[@johncrace911]

He was a guitar God.I saw the original Mountain at Pirates World.SUNN stacks and Flying V.

[@rockdaddy2168]

My favorite song. Been playing it since 1970. Whenever I play this it perks up the crowd. Everyone likes this song. Thanks brothers West and Pappalardi. Your eternal gift to us.

[@gl3605]

Man he was one of a kind. Saw him in the mid 80's at the Jumbo in Somerville, MA. Stood about 5 feet away from him for the whole show. Did the same a few times for Alvin Lee and SRV. Talk about right place(s) right time.

[@Bulletguy07]

Yeah I saw him in the late 80s early 90s when he played a small club in London and I sat maybe 10ft away. I'll always remember his wacky hinged glasses he wore....never seen anyone with those before or since!

[@bobkeenan2907]

I'm from Somerville. My older brother went to that show. I was too young, sadly. The Jumbo is no more.

[@Hugh_Manitee]

Leslie also started on the chorus on NEVER IN My Life. A close second to Mississippi Queen in huge guitar fury.

[@guanyu5091]

RIP You are a huuuuuuge influence on my guitar playing. I've been trying to replicate your tone for years and will try forever more. Rest easy from a young fan.

[@manvsbridge1611]

I love Ron Whites new look. And who knew he could get down like that?

[@satorimystic]

Natural call and response, at its best 😁

[@raymondpappalardi2304]

RIP Leslie You always been the best

[@21Piloteer]

Quality, not quantity. 🤘

[@ajizzle4rizzle]

One of the GOATs 🐐 for sure. This guy is still inspiring new generations even after being gone. I’m 35 and my parents would put this album on for me when I was a child. I can honestly say he was one of the players that had so much soul. Ask ZakK Wylde. If you haven’t seen that video, you should. Peace ☮️ ✌🏻Mr. West.

[@binksterb]

Leslie and Felix, god bless them. Grew up on,Hendrix, Mountain, and Deep Purple.

[@ultrakool]

I remember when this first came out, my 12 y/o self thought "that guitar opening sounds heavy". I didn't know what heavy even meant, but I knew that sound was it🤷‍♂

[@leezeidel4826]

Leslie was the best such a raw talent R.I.P. 😢

[@JakelikejakefromSF4936]

Killer, killer riff.

[@BattlecatRed]

Big Leslie fan here...love that song!

[@johnbrady1211]

This song never gets old. For a self taught guitarist, he sure made some great rock. I saw him play this at the Academy Of Music in NYC when the Flowers Of Evil album came out. Surprised to hear that he laid all those tasty fills in later in the studio. He played them equally well live. And never really played it the same way twice. He also changed the lyrics slightly, depending on how he felt at the time. We all miss you Leslie...

[@briangriffin5524]

The Academy? Who did I see there? I think my first show was The Band, recorded for Rock of Ages. I would later see, Hot Tuna, ZZ Top and The Grateful Dead among others.

[@danielfournier735]

My ! All !;! Time ! Favorite guitar player and band ! Mountain. Saw him twice ! Early 70;s at the masonic temple in Detroit. Both times got there early ! First ! Row stage. The best ! Featuring !;! West. Sunn amp stacks back then.

[@bigolyd]

Simply a beast of a guitar player. That tone is crazy. Like a lot of folks, I am a big EVH fan, and he always mentions Clapton and Page as his big influences. However, when I listen to Leslie West, I think Eddie listened to a lot of Mountain and was much more than influenced. That tone and trainwreck style is a LOT like Leslie West.

[@sairamr6886]

The brown tone of brown tones

[@Mitch_Master]

What a voice

[@pschocker]

Can’t like this enough times. What a gifted guy he was. Damn.

[@michaelstratton6701]

Loved LW

[@thebit1287]

What a cool dude!

[@2010jimn]

That guitar is a museum piece!

[@mudnducs]

His talent comes from putting sooo much feeling into his songs. Wringing every last ounce of emotion out of the simplest songs. True greatness. Arguably, I put him with talents like Billy Gibbons / zztop and the band Steppenwolf.

[@troymattingly3071]

Yes, your comment is, well written. You make accurate points. I appreciate it!💯👏

[@gearhead2017]

RIP leslie west,his tone was huge,I discovered mountain when I was a kid and read the band was the basis of hard rock/heavy metal in the 70s,hell yeah and so was black sabbath

[@mandanglelow1442]

As Thick and fudgie as his Guitar tone was his singing voice was HIGHLY underrated. 👍😎🍺

[@Marc-js8rx]

I only learned yesterday that my older brother saw Mountain perform in 1970, two years after seeing Cream in concert. He said Leslie was SO Much more impressive with the endless sustain from his Les Paul Junior and NO effects (except a wah pedal) compared to all the effects Clapton needed on stage. I never hear that story before, but I knew I loved that song, even at age 13. Such a favorite, so I had to learn it myself from the source. RIP Master West!

[@DerSchatten137]

Love you leslie miss you man RIP

[@sierraridgereaper]

Not enough superlatives, what a voice... The guy, the guitar and the song is a mountain in itself... 😎

[@JohnDoeEagle1]

Example #31 is my favorite and a good example of why Leslie West was such a powerful, great guitar player who is revered by countless guitarists. It's all about the "soul" and emotion. That is very hard to copy and get right if you don't have "it" to start with.

[@DeMangoWasTaken]

Have always loved the song. I'm only sorry that I have only recently realized what a genius this man was. So sorry he is gone and rock and roll will miss him forever.

[@timtompkins6752]

Historical gold. When he starts to sing along, wow! I need a Jr.

[@henrys.6864]

Love that guitar. I want one! 🎸 Leslie and Felix you both are missed! RIP! 😢

[@djc7039]

The guitar is great but what I always remember on that song is the vocals and the guitars. Love it

[@Derflz58]

I bought a LP junior just to play this song and the right sounding crunch.

[@greensombrero3641]

safe travels Leslie West - love your music.....that's a mfer great guitar man. Sounds just great

[@outtathyme5679]

We salute you, LW

[@TIO540S1]

SOOOO much fun to watch and listen to this legend! And so New York too!