Leslie West Delivers a Late-Career Statement of Power with “Busted, Disgusted or Dead” (2013)
By 2013, Leslie West was no longer simply a legendary guitarist associated with the formative years of American hard rock. He had become a veteran artist using new material to reflect a lifetime shaped by music, survival, and resilience. His performance of “Busted, Disgusted or Dead” stands as one of the most compelling statements of his later career.
Contrary to common assumptions, “Busted, Disgusted or Dead” is not a song from the classic Mountain era. The track originates from West’s solo album Still Climbing, released in 2013, and represents a fresh creative effort rather than a revival of earlier material. This distinction is important, as the song captures West speaking from the present, not revisiting the past.
One of the most significant aspects of the studio version is the participation of Johnny Winter, West’s longtime friend and fellow guitar icon. Winter’s contribution adds a layer of emotional and historical weight to the recording, as it would become one of his final studio appearances before his passing in 2014. The collaboration feels less like a guest spot and more like a shared farewell between two musicians who had spent decades shaping the language of blues-based rock.
Musically, the song is rooted in heavy blues rock, driven by West’s unmistakable guitar tone, thick, vocal, and deliberately unpolished. There is no attempt to modernize the sound or soften its edges. Instead, West leans into feel, phrasing, and space, allowing each note to carry emotional weight. His vocals, weathered but expressive, reinforce the song’s themes of endurance and defiance.
The live performances from this period further underline the song’s importance. Rather than relying on nostalgia or past hits, West positioned “Busted, Disgusted or Dead” as evidence that his creative voice remained intact. It was a reminder that authenticity does not fade with age, and that new material can carry just as much truth as classic recordings.
In the final years of his career, Leslie West proved that legacy is not only built on history, but on the courage to keep creating. “Busted, Disgusted or Dead” stands as a powerful chapter in that story, honest, uncompromising, and deeply human.