Mississippi Queen

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as The Zoo Crew spins the iconic Mississippi Queen by Mountain from their debut album Climbing!. This hard-rocking anthem, released in 1970, is a staple of classic rock radio, and its creation is packed with wild stories. According to drummer Corky Laing, the song’s roots trace back to a chaotic night at a Nantucket club when a power outage forced him into an hour-long drum solo, belting out “Mississippi Queen, do you know what I mean?” while pounding a cowbell to keep a dancer moving. That raw energy inspired the song’s infectious chorus. Guitarist Leslie West, in a 2011 interview with MusicRadar, described the writing process as effortless: “Corky had maybe half of the lyrics… I soon came up with the riff and the chord changes. The next thing we knew, we were in the studio.” The song’s legendary cowbell intro wasn’t planned—West told Songfacts that producer Felix Pappalardi demanded multiple takes, and Laing used the cowbell to count off, which Pappalardi loved so much it stayed in the mix. Despite West debunking myths of endless takes, claiming it was nailed in just two, the cowbell became so iconic that Spin magazine in 2004 crowned it the top cowbell song of all time, comparing Mountain’s mastery to “Dostoevsky to the Russian novel.”

The song’s gritty vibe and three-chord simplicity made it a rock behemoth. West, in a 2022 Guitar Player interview, boasted, “Any idiot can play it. I just happen to play it better than anybody.” Its raw power, driven by West’s 1957 Les Paul Junior through a 50-watt Marshall amp, created a tone so explosive that guitarists scrambled to snag Les Paul Juniors after its release. Posts on X, like one from @pvmckeown in April 2025, echo its enduring appeal: “Mississippi Queen is one of the first rock songs I fell in love with. Still sounds incredible today.” The song’s lore includes rumors of it being inspired by a Mississippi stripper or a friend’s drunken girlfriend in a see-through dress, as noted in a 2022 Medium article, adding to its mystique. Its cultural reach is massive—featured in Guitar Hero III, Rock Band, and even a Miller Genuine Draft commercial, it’s a track that keeps on giving, with covers by artists like Ozzy Osbourne, who collaborated with West in 2005.

Mountain formed in 1969 on Long Island, New York, with a lineup that became legendary: Leslie West on guitar and vocals, Felix Pappalardi on bass, Corky Laing on drums, and Steve Knight on keyboards. The band’s name came from West’s 1969 solo album, and their sound—a mix of hard rock, blues, and heavy metal—drew heavily from Cream, whom Pappalardi had produced. West, a self-proclaimed Eric Clapton fanboy, channeled blues melodies into electrified riffs, creating a style that influenced heavy metal’s evolution in the 1970s. Their big break came at the 1969 Woodstock Festival, where they played their third gig ever, earning a rabid fanbase despite not appearing in the festival’s main film. Climbing!, released in March 1970, cemented their legacy, with Mississippi Queen hitting number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band’s intense touring and Pappalardi’s production prowess fueled their rise, though internal disputes, including over Mississippi Queen’s songwriting credits, led to their 1972 breakup. They reunited sporadically until West’s death in 2020, leaving a legacy celebrated by fans and musicians like Slash and Eddie Van Halen.

While Mountain’s official website offers a deep dive into their discography and history, their social media presence keeps the spirit alive. Check out their Facebook page for updates on tours and tributes, and follow them on Instagram for throwback photos and fan love. On X, they share memories and connect with Zoo Freaks worldwide. Fans keep the flame burning through communities like the Mountain (the Band) Fan Group on Facebook, where devotees swap stories and rare live clips. For more fan-driven content, Leslie West Mountain is a tribute site packed with photos, interviews, and gear details, perfect for diving deeper into the band’s raw, riff-heavy world. So, Zoo Freaks, keep rocking to Mississippi Queen and let The Zoo Crew know you’re feeling that cowbell!