West, Bruce & Laing

Following the exits of bassist/producer Felix Pappalardi and keyboardist Steve Knight, remaining Mountain members Leslie West (guitar) and Corky Laing (drums) forged a new alliance with ex-Cream bassist Jack Bruce. The hard rock supergroup's debut LP, Why Dontcha, appeared in 1972, followed a year later by Whatever Turns You On. The West, Bruce & Laing trio proved short-lived, however, dissolving prior to the 1974 release of the Live 'n' Kickin' concert set. West and Laing continued to work together occasionally after the trio's breakup. Leslie West died on December 22, 2020 at the age of 75. ~ Jason Ankeny