Obituary
Leslie Abel Weinstein (A.K.A Leslie West), 75, a recent transplant to Ormond Beach, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2020, at Advent Health Palm Coast, after suffering a cardiac arrest two days earlier.
Leslie, born on October 22, 1945, originally from Forest Hills, New York, attended Quintanos School for Young Professionals, as well as Forest Hills High School in NYC.
Leslie was an iconic guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and storyteller. He has left a legacy that to this day is celebrated by peers and fans across The World.
Leslie first emerged in the music scene as a member of The Vagrants. He would go on to form Mountain with Felix Pappalardi, a few years later, a band that was amongst the first to pioneer the genre that would become known as Heavy Metal. Hits that include “Mississippi Queen,” “Theme From An Imaginary Western,” and others established an indelible voice and guitar tone that remains legendary to this day.
In 1969, Leslie played at Woodstock with his band Mountain. As the decade turned, he formed the band West, Bruce and Laing with his bandmate from Mountain drummer, Corky Laing, and Cream’s Jack Bruce.
West also appeared in films that include Family Honor (1973) and The Money Pit (1986). He was a regular guest on the Howard Stern Show, and over the course of decades Leslie and Howard remained friends.
West was inducted in to the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2006, and appeared on dozens of other recordings from a vast universe of artists.
Leslie is survived by his wife Jenni West, whom he married on stage at the Woodstock 40th Anniversary performance; brother, Larry West-Weinstein, nephew Max Weinstein, stepchildren Sam, Jypsie, and Tatiana Maurer; grandchildren Damien, Zakkry, Lailoni and Maddox, as well as several stepfamily and cousins most dear to his heart.
Services for Leslie are private at this time; however, a public memorial will be planned for a later date.
I’m so happy you got to see the copies of the Christmas Family photos, I took back in the day.
So many years of memories. Thankfully, I have my many photos to go with them. Rock in Peace ✌️We all miss you!!!
xoxo J
To me he was a friend with a million great stories with his unique sense of humour.Anyone that knew Leslie knows you could always pickup with him no matter how long it was the last time you saw him or spoke to him like you were continuing the conversation.His musical voice came to us though his guitar , singing and song writing. I loved him before I knew him asa person. We became friends after I did a version of Mississippi Queen he liked that charted. You will always be on my mind. Thanks for the guidance. I know you are in the Rockin’ Roll Hall of Heaven..... EddieM
I first became acquainted with Leslie's music when I was 11years old , just after Mississippi Queen was released and his 1st solo album and the early Mountain material with Felix was like a Holy Grail for me.
I still remember him slapping me 5 after the Capital Theater show in Passaic , NJ late 1971 and thinking , I'm going to be able to play better now because Leslie touched my hand, such was the admiration I had for him.
I thought his style, tone and the emotional intensity of his playing made him stand out above the rest.
I got to meet and talk with him at the Les Paul Jr.Tone Showdown , where he played and evaluated the tonal qualities of a collection of Les Paul Junior guitars , which took place at Montana Studios in Manhattan, on a Sunday in July 1995 and which had an article followup of the highlights of the event appearing in Vintage Guitar Magazine.
Leslie was jocularly amusing and informative regarding different aspects of his guitars , other gear and playing.
Leslie seems to have lived a very full and rewarding life in which he shared of himself with others making this world a more fulfilling and interesting place
Everyone may have different spiritual views as far as what happens to the soul after we leave the physical body, although I believe that whatever thoughts we have should be as supportive / positive as possible , because they will travel to him wherever he is .
The Music of his that I'm thinking of is Taunta, Kings Chorale and Because You are My Friend.
Thank you Leslie West for all you shared with us , your music , your humor , the glint in your eyes and yourself.
Now it's time for all of us to say Goodbye.
All Hail to the Mountain King !
Om Peace Shanti Shalom
Leslie West at the Imperial Theatre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
You were - and always will be - a true Legend.
Condolences to the family.
Jerome
Rick Shane
Leslie was that kind of guy - a true rock legend and a real sweetheart. I’m honored to say that we became friends and touched to say that we ended each conversation with “I love you” we spoke last on 12/19/20. God bless Jenni for loving you . She truly was your “Angel”
Rest and rock in peace my brother
Love Carl
Above it all
From:
Colin Laing
Condolences to the family
I was approached by Leslie afterwards ,and took him and Felix a pizza over to the Holiday Inn We had a nice visit.