Guitarist Leslie West recovering, leg amputated

[June 21, 2011]  BILOXI, Miss. (AP) -- Leslie West, guitarist for the rock group "Mountain," is recovering after his lower right leg was amputated.

Manager Bob Ringe says West's leg began swelling Friday after a plane trip from New Jersey to Biloxi, where the group was to play Friday night. He says the 65-year-old musician went to Biloxi Regional Medical Center, and the operation was done Monday morning.

Ringe and publicist Steve Karas said the leg problem was related to West's diabetes. Neither knew further details.

Ringe said West's right leg was amputated below the knee. Karas says West has family with him in Biloxi. He wouldn't give details.

Mountain was among the groups that played at Woodstock. Early hits included "Mississippi Queen," "Never In My Life," "Theme From An Imaginary Western" and Nantucket Sleighride.

[Associated Press]

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