Had a great TMS taping last night in NYC. We went classic rock this week with two legendary artists on set. Leslie West of Mountain and Mick Jones of Foreigner. Two artists it is also INSANE have never been considered for the R&R HOF (and trust me I make that known in the show!). Both have decades of amazing stories and we were able to get a few in the time we had. Leslie is in a wheelchair now but still in great spirits and with a great sense of humor. I last interviewed him around 2007 for VH1C for Dean guitars. He surprised the heck out of me when he gave me a custom Mississippi Queen model guitar on the show (picture on my twitter). He has a great new album called Still Climbing featuring Dee Snider, Mark Tremonti and Zakk Wylde. Foreigner has made some of the greatest classic rock in history and it was cool to have Mick on as well for the first time. Mick said he would be returning to the stage with the band after a break to recover from some illness when they go out this Summer. We also had Marty Friedman on from Japan via Metal Modem (who as you will see is a big Mick Jones fan!). And for the first time we had a female musician play in the show. Lita Ford plays into the breaks. She was our first ever guest and now the first ever female player in TMS! See it all this Saturday at 11P ET on VH1C. Thanks for all the great response to this current season. It’s been awesome to do the show weekly.
Also some new additions to our remaining schedule. Dee Snider now joins us in studio soon and Yngwie Malmsteen will join us playing in two shows! Korn and Al Jourgensen had to cancel. Hope to have them in future seasons.
More soon.
SO many comments about the Kiss HOF stuff on the site. I said my peace and also comment in this weeks TMS. But as usual ALL are welcome on this site to post their thoughts as long as it’s done in a respectful manner. Any new credible news or developments I’ll let you know.
59 Responses
With all due respect, not EVERY band is worthy of the RRHOF. Certainly Mountain aren’t in the same class as Foreigner in terms of longevity, hits or album sales. Not taking anything away from Leslie West, just keeping it real. I’m sure the RRHOF doesn’t give two craps about the likes of Foreigner, Styx, Journey, Boston, etc… – all of whom have had big changes at lead vocals through the years. Probably why Heart was the first of that batch of commercial 70’s/80’s rock bands to get in.
Leslie West is a HUGE influence on many players past and present. Ask Satriani or Zakk. He played with Hendrix! As per the HOF influence is the number one criteria..
Not to mention outside of Steve Lukather, Leslie West is Eddie Van Halen’s favorite player.
Leslie West may be influential as a player, but the band just doesn’t have the catalog IMO to seriously consider them for RRHOF. They are known for “Mississippi Queen” and that’s it. (The first time I heard the song was when W.A.S.P. covered it for a 12″ single b-side!) If this were baseball, you would say Mountain just doesn’t have the stats.
I understand your position and agree, but FAR less impactful bands in so it’s a discussion
No disagreement with you there. It’s been very annoying to see the likes of Laura Nyro and Patti Smith get in before KISS, Rush, etc…
Mountain and Leslie West… they are absolutely not on anyone’s radar musically. Almost a one hit wonder that never charted.
But Leslie only influenced a ton of players like Satriani, Zakk, Randy, Tremonti and countless others, oh and played with Hendrix..oh and his latest album went to #1 on the rock blues charts..
if you haven’t listened how would you know…?
i bet none of you even know mountain had felix papalardi as a bass player… the man that produced creams disrali gears!!! lets also note that just because you haven’t even listened to there musical catalog docent mean its not great. it is great mountain climbing, lesi’s solo record b4 the band there both classic records. records that get no respect!
The man and his band tore it up at every festival I’ve ever seen them at! At the time an AM
hit was not what it was all about. Listen to “Theme from an Imaginary Western”, “Nantucket
Sleighride”, “Yasgurs Farm” or anything from Mountain Climbing or Flowers of Evil albums and see the genius. His tone was brilliant. They lost a lot when Felix left the planet, and didn’t last out the 70’s decade, but their contribtuion was huge. I wasn’t even sure Kiss was
a rock band, more of a show for kidees.
I agree with Ken. Mountain does not have the catalogue to make them worthy of the hall. I love Foreigner, but that band to me was really about Lou Gramm’s vocals. Once he left it was over for me. That is what will likely keep them out of the hall. To me, the legendary groups worthy of the hall have to have some longevity. 11 years was the main run for Foreigner. Not long enough.
Any info on the (hopefully!) upcoming 14th season of “That Metal Show”?
What is the number of your Guitar collection now?
When will Mick Mars be on?
A week from Saturday
Thanks for all the great TMS shows like the idea of having some classic rockers on show. Maybe a future show could feature a prog rock / metal show with bands like Porcupine Tree, Airbag(Norway) , Soundtrack of our Lives, Dream Theater and other bands of that genre. PS is their chance of having the makers of the Alice Cooper movie on (Adam Dunn).