Leslie West: A Massive, Previously Unpublished 1979 Interview

[JasO]

In 1979, about a year after I became an editor for Guitar Player magazine, word reached me that Leslie West was living nearby. It had been four years since he’d released the excellent The Leslie West Band album. I’d loved West’s playing and singing ever since I heard him on Woodstock II, so I gave him a call. He invited me over, and over the course of two days, we did more than four hours of interview. None of this material has ever published, though, until now.

Leslie is remarkably candid about his rock and roll lifestyle, his recordings, the rise and fall of Mountain and West, Bruce & Lang, and his solo career. He offers poignant insight into Woodstock, Jimi Hendrix, Cream – especially Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton – as well as his own bandmates Felix Pappalardi and Corky Laing. He’s also unabashed about drug use and other rock and roll excesses of the 1970s.

Naturally, there’s a wealth of information about electric guitars (especially Les Paul Juniors!), playing techniques (especially finger vibrato), soloing, and songwriting. At 19,000 words, this interview is longer than several music magazine cover stories put together. If you’re interested, here’s the link:
http://jasobrecht.com/?p=4771

[getbent]

I love when you post this stuff.... you made such a huge impact on me as a young man... I used to be so thrilled when GP would come and if you had an article in... doubley so...

Thanks for putting this material up... it is deeply meaningful for many of us.

[soul-o]

woo hoo, psyched to read this. Thanks for digging this out of the archives, Jas!

[Bill]

I'll second what Getbent said. Even better was being taking your history of the blues class.

I'm off to read the interview.

[soul-o]

Has that material with Steve Marriott ever come out? That sounds like a very potent combination.

[Throttleneck]

Well, I'll never think about vibrato in the same way again.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Junior, what are you doing in there?"

"Nothing Ma, just practicing my vibrato"

[Wyzsard]

Thanks for posting this Jas. I'm both a LP Jr fan and a Leslie West fan, and will enjoy the read I'm sure.

Rock on

[uriah1]

Yea, be a nice read.

He was just in VG...I guess he lost his foot recently....so sad,..but, on a positive note, he finished recording with a whole lot of heavy weights....Bonamass, Zakk Wilde, Bill GIbbons

Be nice to see his woodstock video..

[Wyzsard]

[Crawz]

Thanks for this Jas. I used to take lessons from your mate Jim Ferguson when I was going to school at UCSC in the 70's. I remember seeing Mountain in '72 (in Cortland, NY of all places) and fully appreciating that concert and the band then. I will check out this outsized interview. Much appreciated receiving the heads up.

[Randypttt]

I bookmarked it for later but I wanted to thank you for posting this. I've been a fan of Wests since his bands inception.

[boneyguy]

My gawd I was in love with LW's guitar sound and his playing. Mountain and the other bands of his were a huge part of my sonic youth. My favourite though was probably the Lelsie West Band that I had on 8 track which I played continuously while delivering pizza in my orange VW bug in high school. I'm listening to Dear Prudence right now on YouTube as I write this. Fanfriggintastic!!!!

[JasO]

Originally Posted by boneyguy

My gawd I was in love with LW's guitar sound and his playing. Mountain and the other bands of his were a huge part of my sonic youth. My favourite though was probably the Lelsie West Band that I had on 8 track which I played continuously while delivering pizza in my orange VW bug in high school. I'm listening to Dear Prudence right now on YouTube as I write this. Fanfriggintastic!!!!

Hey Boneyguy -- You're right about that album. For several days now, Leslie's "Dear Prudence" solo has been running through my head. It's is a masterwork of tone and taste!

[Controller]

Thanks for the time capsule interview link. Back then I was so amazed how a big guy like that could play that little guitar so well. Looked like he was playing a toothpick!

Sorry to hear about his health problems, I hope he can make music for a long time yet.

[Stubee]

Man that was a great read, thanks much.

I sent it to a guitar player buddy who's a big Leslie West lover & like he said "Sweet"!

[B Valley]

I know it's tacky, but I want a Dean Leslie West 'Mississippi Queen'.

[twintwelve]

Thanks Jas for sharing more of your outstanding work with us, you have interviewed so many of my musical heroes over the years, and you always do an outstanding job.

[dented]

Stood way up front for Mountain/Black Sabbath way back when, March 31, 1971. Still get the spazz going on when Mississippi Queen comes on. Can't wait to read the interview.

My friend told me after the concert that his guitar was a Melody Maker, duh. So I went out and bought one. Still have it. They were awesome in concert back then.

[Crawz]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0go8GlEcaP4

The levity is not lost here. Nice glasses collection.

[boneyguy]

Originally Posted by JasO

Hey Boneyguy -- You're right about that album. For several days now, Leslie's "Dear Prudence" solo has been running through my head. It's is a masterwork of tone and taste!

Hey Jas. The other song that sticks out for me from that album is 'We Gotta Get Out Of This Place'. He does a great version of that song. It's been a lot of years since I listened to that album. It's funny how thinking of a record or a song will bring back a flood of memories and all kinds of emotions and feelings!!

I gotta find that 8 track again. I gotta get another orange '72 VW bug. Oh I feel a huge mid-life crisis comin' on.