Leslie West Has Leg Amputed

Leslie West, the guitarist of classic rock band Mountain, had a leg amputated in an emergency surgery made necessary by sudden swelling June 18 and diabetes.

He was in Biloxi, Miss., to perform at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino with his band when he was rushed to an emergency room and the decision to amputate was made “in order to save his life,” according to a statement.

The guitarist behind “Mississippi Queen” is expected to fully recover. West, one of the most respected guitarists in rock from the Woodstock era to present, is preparing a new album, The Unusual Suspects, that features collaborations with other guitar gods including Billy Gibbons, Slash, Zakk Wylde, Joe Bonamassa and Steve Lukather, alongside Kenny Aronoff.