Mountain Website:http://www.mountaintheband.com
Rick Derringer Website: http://www.rickderringer.com
Mountain & Rick Derringer Live! At The Ridgefield Playhouse-January 15, 2005
Ridgefield, CT-I looked forward to seeing the two rock legends Rick Derringer and Mountain for a long time. The trip to get there was long as well, over 3 hours. The venue was located out in the middle of nowhere U.S.A. and when we got there, it looked like a school rather than a playhouse. When we walked in and went to the box office my name was on the guest list, there was only one problem; 20 people overbooked the list. I was then informed that I had to go sit backstage because the auditorium held only 500 people and every seat was occupied. I figured it was small but not that small! So I went towards the back where there was a security guard, he gave me a hard time, so I decided to leave and head back out, there was no way I was going to sit backstage after making a long trip like that. I wanted to watch the concert. To make a long story short, I spoke with the right person, later to find out it was the Executive Director of the establishment. She let us stand behind the last row next to an emergency exit. This was a great view; it was so small there, it was comparable to being five rows back in the orchestra pit at medium sized concert hall. At this point I was grateful that I was not one of the journalist stuck backstage just listening. I looked forward to a fun night.
I have been listening to these two artists since the 70s so I feel fortunate that both acts are still touring. Leslie West (guitar, lead vocals) and Corky Laing (drums) remains the core of Mountain with newcomer Richie Scarlet (bass). Scarlet looked totally out of place on stage with West and Laing, in fact, he looked very rock ‘n’ roll last night, as if he could have been onstage with some of the 80s hair bands. Nevertheless, he is a fantastic bass player and showman.
Article comments
1 - Chris Marksbury
You are so absolutely right. Rick Derringer has been a driving force for rock guitar all along. I saw him recently at The Turning Point. Really a great show !! He blew me away. I think his playing has gotten more fluid and tastier than ever. I recently was fornuate to get to hang with Leslie West a bit and photograph him for his "Got Blooze" album. He is a world class player and a great guy. I was proud that my photos accompanied an article and interview with him in 20th Century Guitar last May. These are [2] legendary players who have every right to be playing to packed houses whenever they venture out. Corky Laing is a monster drummer as well - he is a show himself !! I can't say enough about both bands. It's a real treat to see them playing around.