In a coma, on a ventilator after a coronary event of some type. Family at his side, apparently his passing is imminent. Leslie was of course best known for his work in Mountain and West, Bruce and Laing. The remarkable tone he got out of that most basic of electric guitars, the single pickup Les Paual Junior, made a big impression on many noted guitarists (excerpted article below from Blabbermouth music site)
Born Leslie Weinstein, West first gained worldwide recognition in 1969 as the guitarist and singer in the groundbreaking rock band MOUNTAIN. Included among Leslie's many fans and disciples are six-string luminaries such as Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, John McLaughlin, JETHRO TULL's Martin Barre, Warren Haynes and Ritchie Blackmore of DEEP PURPLE. Blackmore has stated that Leslie's phenomenal playing on "Mississippi Queen" served to redirect the course of DEEP PURPLE's music in an instant, ultimately resulting in the brutal hard rock intensity displayed on "Deep Purple In Rock".
For Barre, meeting Leslie in 1970 served to inspire the writing and playing on JETHRO TULL's most successful album in the band's history, "Aqualung". "Prior to going into the studio to record [1971's] 'Aqualung', I met Leslie, whose playing I absolutely loved," Barre revealed. "Leslie is well known for his association with Les Paul Juniors, and just after meeting him, I picked up a 1958 Junior because his sound was so incredible. I would say that he's the only guitarist who has ever influenced me directly."
Very sad to hear this.What a fantastic guitarist ,and a pretty good vocalist too. I had the pleasure of seeing Mountain at a small theatre in Melton Mowbray ,not far from where i live several years ago and met him and Corky Laing at the merchandise stall after the show.Also saw him on the "Night of the guitars tour " There is a video on you tube of him performing Theme from an imaginary western from this tour and it is incredible.
He is gone.
Yes, he died yesterday. Saw Mountain 3 or 4 times. SUCH an amazing guitarist. He made his guitar sound like some Gian Beast coming at you! So sad, all the Greats are dying.