Complete List Of Mountain Band Members

Feature Photo: 14 Nov 1970, page 41, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Mountain grew from the musical partnership between guitarist and singer Leslie West and producer, bassist, and vocalist Felix Pappalardi. Pappalardi produced West’s 1969 solo album Mountain, and the two musicians soon transformed that studio collaboration into a working band. Keyboardist Steve Knight and drummer Norman “N.D.” Smart completed the first lineup.

Mountain had played only a handful of concerts when the group appeared at the Woodstock festival in August 1969. Smart performed during that historic set before Corky Laing joined the following month. The lineup of West, Pappalardi, Knight, and Laing became the classic version of Mountain and developed one of the heaviest and most recognizable sounds of the early 1970s.

The band’s 1970 debut, Climbing!, featured “Mississippi Queen,” “Never in My Life,” “Theme for an Imaginary Western,” and “For Yasgur’s Farm.” “Mississippi Queen” reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Mountain’s signature recording. The combination of West’s massive guitar tone, Pappalardi’s melodic bass, Knight’s keyboards, and Laing’s forceful drumming helped establish a foundation for later hard rock and heavy metal.

Nantucket Sleighride and the partly live Flowers of Evil followed in 1971. The original run ended in 1972, but Mountain returned repeatedly with changing lineups. West and Pappalardi reunited the group in 1973, while West and Laing led later versions during the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.

Mountain released eight studio albums under the band’s name, concluding with the Bob Dylan tribute Masters of War in 2007. The final touring lineup featured West, Laing, and bassist James “Rev” Jones before the band became inactive in 2010. Leslie West died in 2020, ending the possibility of another reunion under the classic Mountain identity.

Corky Laing continues celebrating the music through Laing’s Mountain, a separate legacy project. Its 2026 lineup features guitarist Rowan Robertson, bassist Francesco Caporaletti, and drummer Titta Tani alongside Laing.

Leslie West

Leslie West was Mountain’s guitarist, lead singer, principal songwriter, and defining musical personality. Born Leslie Weinstein in New York City, he first gained attention with the Long Island group the Vagrants before working with Felix Pappalardi on the solo album Mountain.

West’s guitar style emphasized enormous tone, carefully placed notes, controlled feedback, and blues-based phrasing rather than constant speed. His playing on “Mississippi Queen,” “Never in My Life,” “Theme for an Imaginary Western,” and “Nantucket Sleighride” influenced generations of hard-rock and metal guitarists.

He appeared during every period of Mountain’s history and played on all eight studio albums. During the band’s first breakup, West formed West, Bruce and Laing with Corky Laing and former Cream bassist Jack Bruce. He also maintained a substantial solo career.

West continued recording after serious health problems led to the amputation of his lower right leg in 2011. His later solo albums included Unusual Suspects, Still Climbing, and Soundcheck. He died on December 23, 2020, at age 75.

Felix Pappalardi

Felix Pappalardi co-founded Mountain and served as bassist, co-lead vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and producer during the band’s classic period. His sophisticated musical background and production experience gave Mountain a melodic and carefully structured side that balanced Leslie West’s raw power.

Before forming Mountain, Pappalardi produced Cream’s Disraeli Gears, Wheels of Fire, and Goodbye. He also worked as a producer and arranger with artists including the Youngbloods, Joan Baez, Tim Hardin, and the Fariñas.

Pappalardi played on Climbing!, Nantucket Sleighride, Flowers of Evil, and Avalanche. He shared lead vocals with West and co-wrote much of Mountain’s material with his wife, lyricist and artist Gail Collins.

Hearing damage contributed to Pappalardi’s withdrawal from regular touring. He continued producing and recording after Mountain’s 1974 breakup. Pappalardi died in New York City on April 17, 1983.

Steve Knight

Steve Knight played keyboards in Mountain’s original and classic lineups from 1969 through 1972. His organ and piano parts added depth and atmosphere to a band otherwise dominated by guitar, bass, and drums.

Knight performed at Woodstock and appeared on Climbing!, Nantucket Sleighride, and Flowers of Evil. His understated approach gave Leslie West room to play with unusual freedom while still filling the arrangements with sustained chords and melodic detail.

After leaving Mountain, Knight returned to jazz and later worked outside the music industry. He became active in local government in Woodstock, New York. Knight died in 2013.

Norman “N.D.” Smart

Norman “N.D.” Smart was Mountain’s first drummer. He played on Leslie West’s 1969 solo album Mountain and performed with the newly formed band at the Woodstock festival.

Smart’s opening break on the Woodstock performance of “Long Red” became one of the most frequently sampled drum passages in hip-hop. The recording has appeared in tracks by numerous artists across several generations.

Smart left Mountain shortly after Woodstock and was replaced by Corky Laing. He continued working with artists including Todd Rundgren, Gram Parsons, Jesse Winchester, James Cotton, and Bobby Charles.

Corky Laing

Corky Laing joined Mountain in September 1969, replacing N.D. Smart. Although he was not part of the original Woodstock lineup, Laing became the drummer most closely associated with the band and completed its classic four-member configuration.

Laing co-wrote “Mississippi Queen” and provided its famous cowbell introduction and driving drum part. He appeared on Climbing!, Nantucket Sleighride, Flowers of Evil, Avalanche, Go for Your Life, Man’s World, Mystic Fire, and Masters of War.

After Mountain’s first breakup, Laing joined Leslie West and Jack Bruce in West, Bruce and Laing. He later returned for every major Mountain revival from the 1980s through the final touring period.

Following Leslie West’s death, Laing continued performing the catalog through his own legacy groups. His 2026 project is billed as Laing’s Mountain.

Allan Schwartzberg

Allan Schwartzberg joined Mountain on drums when Leslie West and Felix Pappalardi reformed the band in 1973. He toured Japan with the lineup heard on the double live album Twin Peaks.

Schwartzberg also participated in the sessions surrounding Avalanche before Corky Laing returned. He went on to become a prominent studio drummer whose credits extended across rock, pop, soul, jazz, and film music.

Bob Mann

Bob Mann joined the 1973 Mountain reunion on rhythm guitar and keyboards. A former member of Dreams, he supplied additional harmonic texture and allowed the reformed group to expand beyond the original four-piece arrangement.

Mann appeared on Twin Peaks and contributed to Avalanche. His combination of guitar and keyboards provided support beneath Leslie West’s lead work during the reunion period.

David Perry

David Perry played second guitar with Mountain during the 1973 and 1974 reunion. He joined a larger lineup built around Leslie West, Felix Pappalardi, Bob Mann, and the drummers who participated during that period.

Perry contributed rhythm guitar to Avalanche and performed with the band before its second breakup at the end of 1974.

Miller Anderson

Scottish guitarist and singer Miller Anderson joined Leslie West and Corky Laing when Mountain returned during the early 1980s. Anderson had previously performed with the Keef Hartley Band, Savoy Brown, and numerous British blues-rock musicians.

He played bass and contributed vocals during the early stages of the reunion. Visa and scheduling complications ended his tenure before Mountain completed its next studio album, and Mark Clarke took over the bass position.

Mark Clarke

Mark Clarke joined Mountain on bass during the 1980s reunion. The former Colosseum, Uriah Heep, Tempest, and Rainbow musician brought a strong singing voice and melodic approach to the role once held by Felix Pappalardi.

Clarke appeared on Go for Your Life in 1985. He returned when Mountain reformed again during the mid-1990s and played on Man’s World.

Richie Scarlet

Richie Scarlet joined Mountain as bassist and vocalist during the 1992 reunion with Leslie West and Corky Laing. Known for his work with Ace Frehley and numerous New York rock musicians, Scarlet brought both guitar and bass experience to the group.

He returned during the 2000s and contributed to Mountain’s late-period recordings and live releases. Scarlet played bass on Masters of War and also became a frequent collaborator in Corky Laing’s later legacy projects.

Randy Coven

Randy Coven replaced Richie Scarlet as Mountain’s bassist during the 1993 touring period. Coven was known for a highly technical electric-bass style and for his own instrumental rock projects.

His tenure was brief but placed him within one of the many lineups led by Leslie West and Corky Laing between Mountain’s studio reunions.

Noel Redding

Noel Redding, best known as the original bassist of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, performed with Mountain during 1994 and 1995. He joined Leslie West and Corky Laing for live appearances during a period when the group’s lineup changed frequently.

Redding’s participation connected two bands associated with the heavier side of late-1960s rock. He did not appear on a Mountain studio album.

Elvin Bishop

Elvin Bishop appeared as a special guest guitarist during selected Mountain performances in the mid-1990s. His blues-based playing complemented Leslie West’s style and added a second lead voice to the touring lineup.

Bishop was a guest rather than a permanent recording member, but his appearances remain part of Mountain’s later concert history.

Chuck Hearne

Chuck Hearne contributed bass to Mountain’s 2002 album Mystic Fire. The record reunited Leslie West and Corky Laing under the Mountain name and also included bass work from Richie Scarlet.

Hearne’s participation was centered on the studio project rather than a long-running public lineup.

James “Rev” Jones

James “Rev” Jones joined Mountain as touring bassist in 2008. Previously associated with the Michael Schenker Group and other hard-rock acts, Jones brought an energetic tapping style and strong stage presence to the trio format.

He toured with Leslie West and Corky Laing when Mountain opened for Joe Satriani. Jones remained with the group through its final period before Mountain became inactive in 2010.

Laing’s Mountain Legacy Project

Corky Laing began performing Mountain’s catalog through his own legacy project in 2015. These groups are distinct from the Leslie West-led Mountain lineups but preserve music by Mountain, West, Bruce and Laing, and related artists.

Rowan Robertson

Rowan Robertson joined Laing’s Mountain as guitarist and vocalist. The British musician first gained international attention when he recorded and toured with Dio as a teenager. He became part of Corky Laing’s 2026 lineup.

Francesco Caporaletti

Francesco Caporaletti performs bass and vocals with Laing’s Mountain. His role supplies the melodic low end and vocal support needed for material originally associated with Felix Pappalardi, Leslie West, and later Mountain bassists.

Titta Tani

Titta Tani performs drums and vocals in the 2026 Laing’s Mountain lineup. His addition allows Corky Laing to share performance duties while remaining the leader and historical link to the classic band.

Former Laing’s Mountain Musicians

Musicians who have participated in earlier versions of Corky Laing’s Mountain include bassist and vocalist Joe Venti, guitarist and vocalist Phil Baker, keyboardist Ken Sidotti, guitarist Chris Shutters, bassist Mark Mikel, and guitarist Richie Scarlet. Their lineups toured North America and Europe while performing Mountain classics and material connected to West, Bruce and Laing.

Mountain Studio Albums

Climbing! (1970)

Nantucket Sleighride (1971)

Flowers of Evil (1971)

Avalanche (1974)

Go for Your Life (1985)

Man’s World (1996)

Mystic Fire (2002)

Masters of War (2007)

Selected Mountain Live Albums

Mountain Live: The Road Goes Ever On (1972)

Twin Peaks (1974)

Eruption (2004)

Live in Texas 2005 (2006)

Top 10 Mountain Songs

Updated August 1, 2026.

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