A Rare Television Moment Leslie West and Joe Walsh Unite on Rocky Mountain Way
The performance of Rocky Mountain Way by Leslie West and Joe Walsh on The Howard Stern Show in nineteen eighty seven stands as one of the most unusual and least seen moments in late twentieth century rock television. Recorded for a pilot episode of The Howard Stern Show produced for Fox TV, the footage was never broadcast, making it a rare document from a transitional period in both music and media.
The appearance took place during the production of several pilot episodes intended to bring Stern’s radio style to television. Although five pilots were completed, none ultimately aired, leaving performances such as this one largely hidden from public view. At the time, Stern was already well known for his unfiltered approach and deep interest in rock music, frequently bringing musicians into a setting that felt closer to a rehearsal room than a conventional television studio.
Rocky Mountain Way, originally released by Joe Walsh in nineteen seventy three, was already considered a classic by the late nineteen eighties. The song represented Walsh’s signature blend of hard rock structure and blues based phrasing, anchored by one of the most recognizable guitar riffs of the era. In this performance, Walsh shares the stage with Leslie West, whose work with Mountain had earned him a reputation for powerful tone and economy of expression.
What makes this moment particularly significant is the rarity of the pairing. Despite a long friendship and shared musical roots, Leslie West and Joe Walsh seldom appeared together in a live performance setting. In this instance, West takes on a solid rhythm role, allowing Walsh to lead while adding weight and texture to the arrangement. The result is a loose but confident performance that reflects mutual respect rather than competition.
The setting is informal and spontaneous, very much in line with Stern’s television vision at the time. Walsh appears relaxed and unguarded, while West remains focused and grounded, anchoring the song with his unmistakable feel. There is no attempt to modernize the track or adapt it to prevailing trends of the period. Instead, the performance leans into the song’s original spirit.
Historically, the footage carries added weight because it captures veteran rock musicians maintaining visibility during a decade often associated with rapid shifts in popular music. While styles and platforms were changing, moments like this show how established artists continued to assert the value of live performance and musical connection.
Though never officially aired, the Stern pilot performance of Rocky Mountain Way remains an important archival piece. It documents a rare collaboration, a forgotten television project, and a shared commitment to rock music at a time when such appearances were becoming increasingly uncommon.