West, Bruce and Laing
| Company type | Supergroup |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1972 in London, England |
| Founders | Leslie West, Jack Bruce, Corky Laing |
| Defunct | 1974 |
| Headquarters | London , England |
| Products | Music albums |
West, Bruce and Laing (abbreviated as WBL) was a power trio supergroup blending Scottish, American, and Canadian influences, specializing in blues rock. Established in 1972, the lineup featured Leslie West on guitar and vocals (formerly of Mountain), Jack Bruce handling bass, harp, keyboards, and vocals (previously with Cream), alongside Corky Laing on drums and vocals (also ex-Mountain). Their discography includes two studio albums: Why Dontcha released in 1972 and Whatever Turns You On from 1973. The group dissolved in early 1974 prior to the release of their third album, Live 'n' Kickin'.
In 2009, West and Laing briefly resurrected the ensemble for tours across the UK and North America under the name 'West, Bruce Jr. and Laing,' with Jack Bruce’s son Malcolm stepping in on bass.
Formation and record contract
The band originated in London in January 1972 during the concluding phase of Mountain’s 1971–72 European tour promoting Flowers of Evil (1971), following the announcement that Mountain’s bassist, vocalist, and producer Felix Pappalardi would be departing. Having produced Mountain and worked extensively with Cream, Pappalardi influenced WBL’s sound to reflect Cream’s musical style. Jack Bruce was considered an ideal successor to Pappalardi for this new project, generating considerable attention from record labels.
Managers Bud Prager (representing West and Laing) and Robert Stigwood (representing Bruce) vied for control. Prager ultimately secured a leading role by brokering a three-album deal worth US$1 million (approximately $7.5 million in 2024) with CBS/Columbia Records, a landmark agreement at that time. This contract involved distribution through CBS under the Windfall Records label run by Prager and Pappalardi, along with reissues of Mountain’s back catalog via CBS/Windfall. CBS executive Clive Davis characterized these negotiations as an intense example of "record-company competition at its fiercest."
Touring achievements and debut album
Drawing from material originally performed by Cream and Mountain, West, Bruce & Laing commenced touring immediately after Mountain disbanded, completing a 30-date North American circuit before finalizing their contract with CBS. Throughout 1972, they maintained strong audience appeal; notably, a November concert at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall sold out all 6,000 seats within four hours.
Following their CBS signing, WBL began work on their debut record, Why Dontcha, released in November 1972. Production setbacks were partially attributed to substance abuse among band members and production staff; upon submission, CBS executives expressed dissatisfaction with the album’s quality and limited its promotional support. Nevertheless, Why Dontcha achieved moderate commercial success, reaching #26 on the Billboard charts and charting for twenty weeks.
Challenges, sophomore album, and breakup
Extensive touring across North America and Europe took place through late 1972 into early 1973 to promote Why Dontcha. However, the band’s heavy drug consumption negatively affected live performances and disrupted their touring schedule. Corky Laing later reflected on these difficulties:
The group halted touring in spring 1973 to record their second studio effort, Whatever Turns You On, at a London studio. The sessions were fraught with tension—co-producer Andy Johns described them as "really nasty because of the smack"—prompting West and Laing to depart for New York prior to mixing completion. Released in July 1973, this album peaked at #87 on Billboard.
These recording sessions marked the final collaboration among West, Bruce & Laing. Their disbandment was publicly announced only in early 1974, shortly before the release of their post-breakup live album Live 'n' Kickin'.
Post-breakup
Following the dissolution of WBL in 1973, West and Laing briefly performed under the name Leslie West's Wild West Show. Subsequently, West reunited with Felix Pappalardi to form a new iteration of Mountain, which Laing later joined. The band Mountain remained active through 1974 and experienced a revival in 1985 without Pappalardi, who had passed away in 1983. West and Laing continued to perform intermittently until 2010.
After WBL disbanded, Jack Bruce resumed his solo pursuits, working notably with guitarist Robin Trower and producer Kip Hanrahan. He also reunited with Cream in 2005. Bruce died in 2014.
In 2009, West and Laing embarked on a tour alongside Malcolm Bruce, Jack Bruce’s son, under the name West, Bruce Jr. and Laing. This lineup was occasionally advertised as a WBL reunion, with Malcolm stepping in for his father.
Leslie West passed away in 2020, leaving Corky Laing as the last living member of WBL.
Discography
| Date | Title | US Chart | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Why Dontcha | 26 | |
| 1973 | Whatever Turns You On | 87 | |
| 1974 | Live 'n' Kickin' | 165 | Live Album |