American guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter born Leslie Weinstein on October 22, 1945, in Forest Hills, New York; died December 23, 2020. Co-founding member of Mountain (1969-1971, 1973-1985, intermittent reunions) and the West, Bruce and Laing supergroup with Jack Bruce and Corky Laing (1972-1974). Distinguished by his big-toned blues-rock guitar style.
Released over a dozen solo studio albums between Mountain (1969, a Felix Pappalardi production credited as a Leslie West solo album that effectively launched the Mountain band) and Soundcheck (2015). Best-known recording: "Mississippi Queen" (1970, with Mountain). Had his right leg amputated below the knee in 2011 due to complications from diabetes. Died at age 75 of a heart attack.