The two-thirds of the 70s supergroup West, Bruce & Laing will do four dates in January 2010 accompanied by the son of its famous bass player.
The original lineup combined Mountain members Leslie West on guitar and Corky Laing on drums with Cream bassist Jack Bruce to form one of the 1970s’ first super groups.
But it was a short run. The trio released its first album – Why Dontcha – in 1972. One studio album, one live album and 63 concerts later the band called it quits in 1974.
Now Laing and West have hooked up with Jack’s son Malcolm. As West, Bruce jr. and Laing, the trio will do a short coast tour in January.
“Playing with Jack Bruce was the thrill of a lifetime,” West said. “Playing with his son Malcolm has given Corky and me a second chance to recreate this music.”
The quickie tour begins Jan. 28 in Ridgefield, Conn., at the Ridgefield Playhouse. Westbury, New York, is the next stop as the group plays the Capital One Theatre at Westbury Jan. 29. Jan. 30 is Montclair, N.J., at the Wellmont Theatre and Jan. 31 is Collingswood, N.J., at the Scottish Rite Auditorium.
Tickets for Montclair and Collingswood go on sale Nov. 13, Westbury Nov. 15 and Ridgefield Nov. 16.
Evidently, the plan wasn’t always to include Malcolm. West and Laing originally approached the elder Bruce about the reunion but the bassist was unavailable. Six months later while West and Laing were wrapping up a Mountain tour where the band appeared as the special guest of Joe Satriani, Laing was contacted by Malcolm who was in the U.S. recording his own album. The talk quickly turned to working together.
“As a hockey-loving Canadian, I can liken it to this. I feel like I’m scoring a hat trick,” Laing said. “After playing with Felix Pappalardi and Jack Bruce and now with Malcolm Bruce, I feel like the game is just beginning.”