Mountain

Mountain formed in 1969 when guitarist Leslie West joined forces with producer/bassist Felix Pappalardi. West's thunderous, blues-infused guitar tone collided with Pappalardi's muscular bass lines to create a heavy, groove-forward sound that became a staple of late-60s rock. The original trio—West, Pappalardi, and Corky Laing on drums—made an immediate impact on the live circuit and released their self-titled debut that year, showcasing their relentless riffing and high-energy attack. Formed in 1969, Mountain would go on to influence a generation of players with their earth-shaking dynamics and colossal guitar textures.

Mississippi Queen became Mountain's defining anthem, a propulsive riff that helped pioneer heavy blues-rock and set the template for subsequent hard rock. With albums like Nantucket Sleighride and Flowers of Evil, the band sustained their reputation as one of rock's premier riff-driven power trios. Felix Pappalardi's dual role as bassist and producer—most famously behind Cream's Disraeli Gears—connected Mountain to the broader hard rock movement and cemented their influence on rock guitar history. Formed in 1969 and primarily active through the early 1970s, with reunions in later decades.