Leslie West - Respect - The Depper Vagrants Tribute

From the album As Phat As It Gets, Leslie West tributes the band he started with.

Like fellow New Yorkers the Rascals, the Vagrants prominently featured a Hammond organ, and often played soul-influenced rock. The Vagrants were far more guitar-based than the Rascals, however, as well as projecting a more garagey, less mature outlook; their later material lands somewhere between the Rascals and Vanilla Fudge.

Most famous for featuring Leslie West on guitar in his pre-Mountain days, the Vagrants were extremely popular in their home base of Long Island, NY in the
mid-'60s. Although they never charted, several singles are now choice collectibles.

One of the few rock bands signed to the folkie Vanguard label, the Vagrants cut some fair singles between 1965 and 1968. "I Can't Make a Friend," which shows up on some garage compilations, is the most well-known of their initial efforts. The group took their closest swipe at stardom after Felix Pappalardi helped them sign to Atco. A rock version of Otis Redding's "Respect" (which surfaced on the Nuggets compilation) was a hit in some Eastern regions in 1967. After a couple of other singles on Atco, the group broke up in late 1968, when West formed Mountain (which also included Pappalardi). Much of the Vagrants' material was reissued in the mid-'90s.

Today, it's Leslie West who remains a rock 'n roll legend. In fact, the term "legend" is no exaggeration. Leslie's exploits include rare demo "jam" sessions with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. His creative partner, the late Felix Pappalardi, took Leslie into the deep space that is "superstardom." Mountain's "Climbing" and "Nantucket Sheighride" are staples in any classic rock collection. Later, as "West, Bruce and Laing," Leslie filled stadiums.


This is my tribute to a time long gone.

Leslie West - Guitar, Vocals
Peter Sabatino - Lead Singer, Harmonica, Tamborine
Larry West - Bass, Vocals
Jerry Storch - Organ, Vocals
Roger Mansour - Drums, Vocals

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Leslie West
• Vagrants
• Mountain
• Long Island

[depper]

Its Live Mountain fans! Check out the new Mountain Fan Club website! .. and Forum!

For the link check my page!!!

[provital5]

I went to the Action House every week for years. I saw the Doors there before they had their first hit and got high with the band in the dressing after the show on Friday night. I went the next night and while the band was playing Jim Morrison whipped out something he shouldn't have and the band walked off the stage and that was that. Used to love the Vagrants and the Illusion and knew Leslie and Larry when their last name was still Weinstein. Leslie did a great version of Gimme Some Lovin' too

[woodhous]

@GinoAtlanta What he said! I was from upstate, but found myself at the Action House during a 1 week stay in Long Beach in '66. One way or another I caught all those bands. My musical Renaissance! The Vagrants came to Albany months later. My friends and I were let into the club early. We saw them warm up, saw a riff that Les developed right there and he got it into almost every lead in the night. Very few can appreciate what was going on down there. It was remarkable!

[GinoAtlanta]

The Action House, The Long Beach Inn...what great memories, The Rascals, Vagrants, The Rich Kids, The Bit 'A Sweet, The Illusion, The Vanilla Fudge..so many groups, so many local bands, some made the national scenes, some stayed home...a hell of a good time for all..

[saunders49]

Went ot Forest Hills High School with all of them. Roger was a close friend...we were in the same homeroom. They used to hang out at the Cue Club in Rego Park.. Whenever they would come in, we'd play Respect on the juke box. Those were the happiest days of my life!

[enlightenedjohnson]

The Action House was my favorite place to hear rock bands and drink (and in those days, drive!). The Vagrants, The Illusion, Vanilla Fudge were my favorites but I also saw Mott The Hoople and Moby Grape! What names... but what great music! Thanks for the post!

[camelguy12]

@woodhous those were great times..Nathans for hot dogs and fries after did'nt hurt either..IMO, Johnny and the Illusions rocked.Young people of today have no clue.I'm 63 :) And few may know.. The Fudge were called the Pigeons before..They used to play at Ungan's in the City..

[lifinhead]

The best band ever not to "make it" - Action House, great memories - I live in Long Beach and whenever I drive past where it was located I smile....thanks for the song and the clips and keep on rockin' Mr. West!

[TheMrharleydude1]

That was cool

[spyguys]

Great guitar playing by Mr. West with such feeling in each note. Singing is excellent also!

[DYNODRUM]

@woodhous What ! [Inferior] Rascals -I,also was there /seen all these bands ,knew them well , and They [most ] Opened for The Rascals ",if " they were indeed Lucky. None of these Bands; at the time all Together, sold more records or had ANY # 1Hits as The Rascals did .They were Huge and I am from L.I.,Knew Leslie's Drummer ,One time I, was at a show, w/ three of these bands opening for them ,THREE. The Illusion were neighbors, and they came later on. Billy and Leslie got big much later also.