Leslie West Honors Cream Classics in Electrifying NYC Live Performance
A remarkable live moment from legendary guitarist Leslie West has been resurfacing online, capturing the attention of classic rock fans around the world. On October 29, 2016, West delivered a powerful performance at B.B. King’s Blues Club in New York City, offering memorable renditions of “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Politician,” two iconic songs originally by the British rock band Cream.
West, best known as the founding member and frontman of the hard rock band Mountain, was widely respected for his distinctive guitar tone and soulful vocal delivery. His decision to cover classic Cream tracks was more than just a tribute performance. West’s deep musical roots and longtime connection to the hard blues-rock tradition made these covers especially meaningful. Cream’s original song “Sunshine of Your Love” is one of the most recognizable rock compositions of the 1960s, blending blues rock and psychedelia built on a legendary bass riff and emotive guitar lines.
While Cream’s version of “Sunshine of Your Love” became one of their most enduring tracks, West’s interpretation brought his own signature guitar sound to the material. In live settings, West often celebrated the music that shaped his artistic outlook, and his performance of “Politician” further highlighted his connection to the blues-infused rock tradition that Cream helped pioneer.
The 2016 B.B. King’s show offered fans a rare opportunity to hear West tackle these classics with both reverence and personal flair. His rendition was not a note-for-note replication but a heartfelt reinterpretation from an artist whose career spanned decades and whose influence inspired a generation of rock and blues musicians.
For longtime followers of West’s career, this performance serves as a reminder of his versatility and enduring passion for rock music. It also stands as a shining example of how legendary artists can honor the music that inspired them while making it uniquely their own.