IWTA, Episode 31: Corky Laing

Drummer Corky Laing is best known for his work with the hard rock band Mountain. Born in Montreal, he began his career with the famous soul doo wop vocal group The Ink Spots, before joining the band Energy, produced by a young Felix Pappalardi. In 1969, he left Energy and joined Pappalardi and guitarist Leslie West in Mountain, (replacing N.D. Smart). Along with Cream and Blue Cheer, Mountain would become "one of the seminal power trios in modern heavy psychedelic rock music." (-AllMusic.com) The band broke up in 1972, but has reunited several times and is still active today. Corky Laing has recorded and performed with Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, The Allman Brothers and many more legendary rock artists. He has been credited as the drummer responsible for turning the cowbell into a rock n' roll staple. In this conversation Corky talks about how being the youngest of five children led him to the drums, Keith Moon's influence, the road, drumming as a primal instinct, the importance of listening, and how drumming is "the most beautiful choreography you can do without standing up".