Leslie West Performs for First Time Since Leg Amputation

Former Mountain guitarist Leslie West heroically rolled onto the stage of New York’s BB King Blues Club Tuesday night (Jan. 31) to perform in public for the first time since he was forced to have his lower right leg amputated as a result of diabetes complications.

West had recently been forced to cancel a tour because he didn’t have an automobile that could transport his wheelchair. But this show was able to go ahead as scheduled, thanks to the gift of an MV-1 automobile from the Vehicle Production Group.

According to the company, the MV-1 is “the only factory-built mode of transportation that meets or exceeds the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) direct from the factory.”

West, who performed while sitting in a wheelchair, opened the show with ‘People Get Ready’ — but was forced to pause halfway through after being overwhelmed with emotion, as the crowd responded with a standing ovation.

West certainly has maintained a positive attitude about the ordeal, recently telling New Jersey paper The Record: “Hey, thank God it wasn’t my arm.” He’s currently touring with Uli Jon Roth and Michael Schenker and is scheduled to perform tonight in Foxboro, Mass.
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Leslie West is Back - 1st Public Appearance

Leslie lit up faces around the world when he made his scheduled appearance at the Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp at Gibson Studios on August 13, 2011 in New York, just 2 months after losing his leg in a near fatal medical emergency. Here's a raucous Leslie West inspiring not only this small group of fine musicians, but in fact the world over.

If Heartaches Were Nickels - Leslie West

I'm sorry that I can't find a video for this but I think it is terrific! Leslie West has made a number of great blues albums over the past few years and this is a fine example. (And we wish Les well with his current health issues. Best to you pal!)

Listen up!

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Unusual Suspects - Leslie West - New release review

I just received a copy of Leslie Wests new recording, Unusual Suspects. The release is well put together and has all the pyrotechnics expected from a Leslie West recording. I don't know how many of you have been keeping up with West's recent releases but his last 4 or 5 releases have been primarily blues recordings and really spectacular. West has a great voice for blues and of course then there's his guitar tone!! Alas no videos from these releases so I'm happy to be able to finally present you with some real footage!!

This release is more rock in nature but still has the blues overtones and plenty of guitar to go around.

Leslie West, Legendary guitarist and the founder of one of rocks most influential bands, Mountain, will release a brand new solo album, 'Unusual Suspects', on Monday September 19th.
The album features West alongside a hand-picked line-up of the world's finest guitar players; including Slash, blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa, Black Label Society front man and ex-Ozzy guitarist Zakk Wylde, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and Toto's Steve Lukather.

Released by ProvogueRecords, the album follows the shocking news that, in late June, West underwent life-saving surgery, when his leg was amputated above the knee. While such an ordeal would surely deter lesser artists, West insisted on honoring the 'Unusual Suspects' album’s September release date and is gearing up for a US tour in October.

"These guys don't just show up to play on everybody's albums," says West on his special guests and the album's title. "They're all stars in their own right, and fantastic players - everyone with their own sound and style, about as far from the usual suspects as it gets."

If you like your blues with a flavor of rock you'll wanna give this a listen and if you want hot nasty blues that screams make sure that you catch one of his most recent releases. They are all killer!
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Leslie West... Just a Rocker...Think Again!!

Everyone knows Leslie West is the guitar player behind Mountain who screamed out Mississippi Queen on his Les Paul Jr. (Yeah, that's why they're collectible). leslie has reduced from his mammoth size of a young man and has been back on the scene as a blues man of great breadth with terrific chops. I have been picking up his newer cd's and they are mind blowing if you are a guitar blues freak like me. Although most of his newer albums have a number of cover tunes, Leslie never fails to blow the doors off. This is a redo of one of his own tracks Theme For an Imaginary Western. Like I said, blues comes in many forms... enjoy!!
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