The Doctor

The song "The Doctor" by West, Bruce & Laing from their 1972 album Why Dontcha is a blues-rock anthem that became a signature track for the band, often highlighted in their live performances. According to fan discussions on platforms like SonicHits, the song’s raw energy and Jack Bruce’s soulful vocals, paired with Leslie West’s searing guitar riffs, captured the band’s gritty essence. One intriguing piece of trivia comes from a fan’s analysis on SonicHits, noting that the lyrics, credited to Jack Bruce and Pete Brown, reflect a dark, introspective mood possibly influenced by Bruce’s struggles with heroin addiction during this period. The song’s driving bass line, described as “absolutely fantastic,” showcases Bruce’s virtuosity, making it a standout track. Additionally, a fan who attended the band’s 1972 and 1973 concerts at the Philadelphia Spectrum recalled the electrifying performances of "The Doctor," emphasizing its role as a crowd favorite.

Another layer of intrigue surrounds the song’s context within the band’s tumultuous history. According to Wikipedia, the recording sessions for Why Dontcha were marked by the band’s heavy drug use, which impacted their performances and tour schedules. Corky Laing later reflected on this “very dark time,” mentioning a bizarre incident where a heroin connection offered him $250,000 to smuggle drugs in his drum kit, an offer he declined. This chaotic backdrop adds depth to "The Doctor," as its bluesy lament of despair and loss mirrors the band’s internal struggles. Fans on Reddit have praised the song for its raw power, comparing the band’s sound to a cross between Cream and Mountain, cementing its place as a cult classic among Zoo Freaks spinning it at THE ZOO.

West, Bruce & Laing was a power trio formed in London in 1972, bringing together Leslie West (guitar and vocals), Jack Bruce (bass, keyboards, and vocals), and Corky Laing (drums and vocals). Leslie West, born Leslie Weinstein in New York, began his career in the 1960s with the Long Island R&B band The Vagrants, gaining attention with their 1967 single “I Can’t Make a Friend.” His distinctive guitar tone led to the formation of Mountain in 1969 with Felix Pappalardi, producing hits like “Mississippi Queen.” Jack Bruce, a Scottish musician, rose to fame as the bassist and primary vocalist of Cream, formed in 1966 with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker. Bruce’s jazz and blues influences, honed through early gigs with the Graham Bond Organisation, shaped his innovative bass playing. Corky Laing, born Laurence Gordon Laing in Montreal, joined Mountain in 1969, bringing a hard-hitting drumming style developed through his early work with various Canadian bands.

The trio’s formation came after Mountain’s 1971–72 European tour, when Pappalardi left the band, and West and Laing connected with Bruce, who was seeking a new project post-Cream. As detailed on Wikipedia, their manager Bud Prager secured a $1 million, three-album deal with CBS/Columbia Records, a significant signing for the era. The band toured extensively, leveraging Cream and Mountain’s back catalogs, and released Why Dontcha in 1972, which reached No. 26 on the Billboard album chart. Despite their success, internal conflicts and drug issues led to their breakup in 1974, with a posthumous live album, Live 'n' Kickin', released shortly after. In 2009, West and Laing briefly reformed with Jack Bruce’s son Malcolm Bruce as West, Bruce Jr. and Laing, touring the UK and North America.

Official online presence for West, Bruce & Laing is limited due to the band’s dissolution and the passing of Jack Bruce in 2014 and Leslie West in 2020. There is no active official website or social media for the band as a collective. However, Jack Bruce’s legacy is maintained through his official website, jackbruce.com, which includes discography and tributes. His official Facebook page shares updates on his music and estate, while his Instagram and X accounts offer archival content. Corky Laing maintains an active presence via his official website, Facebook, and Instagram, where he posts about his ongoing projects and Mountain-related activities. No official X account exists for Laing.

Fan communities continue to celebrate the band’s legacy. The West, Bruce & Laing Fan Group on Facebook is a vibrant space where Zoo Freaks and other fans share memories, rare photos, and concert stories. The SonicHits page for the band includes fan-contributed lyrics and song analyses, while Discogs offers a detailed discography and marketplace for vinyl collectors. These fan-driven platforms keep the spirit of West, Bruce & Laing alive, perfect for THE ZOO’s hippie DJs to share with their devoted listeners.