Corky Laing facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Corky Laing
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Laing; February, 2016, Hamburg
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Laurence Gordon Laing |
| Born | January 26, 1948 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Labels |
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Laurence Gordon "Corky" Laing (born January 26, 1948) is a talented Canadian rock drummer. He is most famous for being a long-time member of the American hard rock band called Mountain. Corky and the band's guitarist and singer, Leslie West, were the only members who played on every one of Mountain's albums.
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Corky's Early Life and Music Journey
Corky Laing grew up in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He was the youngest of five children in his family. His older brothers gave him the nickname "Corky" because they found it hard to say his real name, Gordon. This fun nickname stuck with him throughout his whole music career!
Corky started playing drums for a singing group called The Ink Spots in 1961. Later, he joined a band named Energy. This band was produced by Felix Pappalardi, who would later become Corky's bandmate.
Joining the Band Mountain
In 1969, Corky left Energy to join a new hard rock and heavy metal band called Mountain. With Corky on the drum kit, Mountain released three albums between 1970 and 1971. They also created their famous song, "Mississippi Queen", which is still loved by many rock fans today!
After Mountain broke up for the first time, Corky and Leslie West formed a new blues-rock band called West, Bruce and Laing. They were a "power trio" because they had only three members, including Jack Bruce, who used to be the bassist for the famous band Cream. This new band made two studio albums and one live album.
Mountain later got back together, and Corky rejoined them in 1974. They recorded an album called Avalanche. Mountain broke up again but reformed in 1985, and Corky continued to play with them. In 2007, they even released an album of Bob Dylan cover songs called Masters of War.
Other Music Projects
Corky has worked on many other music projects. He formed a group called Cork with Spin Doctors guitarist Eric Schenkman and Noel Redding, who was the bass player for The Jimi Hendrix Experience. In 1975, Corky played conga drums on some songs for Bo Diddley's album, The 20th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll.
In 1991, Corky played drums on a cover version of The Beatles' song "I Am the Walrus". This song was recorded by the band Men Without Hats and can be found on their album Sideways.
Corky's Life in the 21st Century
In 2003, Corky Laing and Leslie West wrote a book together called Nantucket Sleighride and Other Mountain on-the-Road Stories. This book shares stories about their time with the band Mountain and their music careers.
Corky lives in Liberty Village in Toronto, Canada. He was even interviewed for a documentary film about the area in 2006. He also provided music for the film from his band, Cork.
In 2007, Corky recorded an audio version of his life story called Stick It!. He also wrote his autobiography, Letters to Sarah, which was released in 2019.
After Leslie West passed away in 2020, Corky became the last living member of Mountain's classic lineup. In 2016, he started a new band called Corky Laing's Mountain.
Corky's Music Collaborators
Corky Laing has worked with many amazing musicians throughout his career, including:
- Bo Diddley
- Mahogany Rush
- John Lennon
- Bobby Keys
- Ten Years After
- David Rea
- Mylon LeFevre
- Meat Loaf
- Mick Ronson
Corky Laing's Music Albums
Corky has released many albums, both as a solo artist and with different bands.
Solo Albums
- 1977 – Makin' It on the Street
- 2019 – Toledo Sessions
With Mountain
Studio Albums
- Climbing! (1970)
- Nantucket Sleighride (1971)
- Flowers of Evil (1971; part live)
- Avalanche (1974)
- Go for Your Life (1985)
- Man's World (1996)
- Mystic Fire (2002)
- Masters of War (2007)
Live Albums
- Mountain Live: The Road Goes Ever On (1972)
- Eruption (2004)
Compilation Albums
- The Best of Mountain (1973)
- Over the Top (2001)
With West, Bruce and Laing
- 1972 – Why Dontcha
- 1973 – Whatever Turns You On
- 1974 – Live 'n' Kickin'
With Leslie West
- 1975 – The Great Fatsby
- 1976 – The Leslie West Band
- 2005 – Guitarded
With Bartholomew plus III
- 1965 – "She's Mine" / "You're Not There"
- 1967 – "When I Fall in Love"
With Cork
- 1999 – Speed of THought
- 2003 – Out There
With Ian Hunter, Mick Ronson and Felix Pappalardi
- 1999 – The Secret Sessions
With The Mix
- 1980 – American Glue
With The Perfect Child
- 2013 – Playing God
As Corky Laing's Mountain
- 2017 – Live in Melle
- 2019 – Live At Howard's Club H
Guest Appearances
- 1969 – David Rea – Maverick Child, drums
- 1971 – David Rea – By the Grace of God, drums
- 1972 – Bobby Keys – Bobby Keys, drums
- 1976 – Bo Diddley – The 20th Anniversary of Rock N' Roll, congas
- 1987 – Charlie Karp & the Name Droppers – Charlie Karp & the Name Droppers, percussion
- 1991 – Men Without Hats – Sideways, on "I Am the Walrus", drums
Other Albums
- 2004: Jason Hartless Jr. – First Division
- 2012: Corky Laing and The Memory Thieves – House of Thieves
- 2018: Pompeii – The Secret Sessions
