Laurence Gordon "Corky" Laing (born January 26, 1948) is a

Canadian Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

drummer A drummer is a percussionist who creates music using drum The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments. In the Hornbostel-Sachs classification system, it is a membranophone. Drums consist of at least one mem ...

, best known as a longtime member of pioneering American

hard rock Hard rock or heavy rock is a loosely defined subgenre of rock music typified by aggressive vocals and distorted electric guitars. Hard rock began in the mid-1960s with the garage, psychedelic and blues rock movements. Some of the earliest hard ...

band Band or BAND may refer to: Places *Bánd, a village in Hungary *Band, Iran, a village in Urmia County, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran * Band, Mureș, a commune in Romania *Band-e Majid Khan, a village in Bukan County, West Azerbaijan Province, I ...

Mountain A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited Summit (topography), summit area, and ...

20th century

A native of

Montreal Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-most populous city in Canada and List of towns in Quebec, most populous city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian ...

Quebec Quebec ( ; )According to the Canadian government, ''Québec'' (with the acute accent) is the official name in Canadian French and ''Quebec'' (without the accent) is the province's official name in Canadian English is one of the thirtee ...

, Laing was the youngest in a family of five children. His eldest sister Carol was followed by triplet brothers, Jeffrey, Leslie, and Stephen, and then by Corky. According to Corky, his brothers called him "Gorky" because they could not pronounce his given name "Gordon". "Gorky" eventually morphed into Corky, a

moniker A nickname is a substitute for the proper name of a familiar person, place or thing. Commonly used to express affection, a form of endearment, and sometimes amusement, it can also be used to express defamation of character. As a concept, it is ...

which has remained with him throughout his career. Getting his break playing

drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...

for

vocal group A vocal group is a performing ensemble of vocalists who sing and harmonize together. The first well-known vocals groups emerged in the 19th century, and the style had reached widespread popularity by the 1940s. Types Vocal groups can come in se ...

The Ink Spots The Ink Spots were an American pop vocal group who gained international fame in the 1930s and 1940s. Their unique musical style presaged the rhythm and blues and rock and roll musical genres, and the subgenre doo-wop. The Ink Spots were widely a ...

in 1961, he later played in a group called Energy, who was produced by

Cream Cream is a dairy product composed of the higher-fat layer skimmed from the top of milk before homogenization. In un-homogenized milk, the fat, which is less dense, eventually rises to the top. In the industrial production of cream, this process ...

collaborator and Laing's future bandmate

Felix Pappalardi Felix A. Pappalardi Jr. (December 30, 1939 – April 17, 1983) was an American music producer, songwriter, vocalist, and bassist. He is best known as the bassist and co-lead vocalist of the band Mountain, whose song "Mississippi Queen" peaked at ...

. Laing left Energy in 1969 to replace drummer N.D. Smart in a

outfit and heavy metal forerunner Mountain, who, with Laing at the

drum kit A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player ( drummer) typically holds a pair of matching drumsti ...

, released three albums and the classic song "

Mississippi Queen "Mississippi Queen" is a song by the American rock band Mountain. Considered a rock classic, it was their most successful single, reaching number 21 in the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in 1970. The song is included on the group's debut album and sev ...

" between 1970 and 1971. Corky Laing

After the band's first breakup the following year, Laing and Mountain bandmate

Leslie West Leslie West (born Leslie Abel Weinstein; October 22, 1945 – December 23, 2020) was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. He was the co-founder, guitarist and co-lead vocalist of the rock band Mountain. Life and career Early years: 1 ...

went on to form blues-rock

power trio A power trio is a rock and roll band format having a lineup of electric guitar, bass guitar and drum kit (drums and cymbals), leaving out a second rhythm guitar or keyboard instrument that are often used in other rock music bands that are quartet ...

West, Bruce and Laing West, Bruce & Laing (WBL) were a Scottish–American blues rock power trio super-group formed in 1972 by Leslie West (guitar and vocals; formerly of Mountain (band), Mountain), Jack Bruce (bass, harp, keyboards and vocals; ex-Cream (band), Cream) ...

with former

bassist/vocalist

Jack Bruce John Symon Asher Bruce (14 May 1943 – 25 October 2014) was a Scottish bassist, singer-songwriter, musician and composer. He gained popularity as the primary lead vocalist and ‍bassist ‍of British rock band Cream. After the group disbande ...

. West, Bruce and Laing produced two studio albums and a live release before Mountain reformed without Laing in 1973 for a Japanese tour releasing the

live Live may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Live!'' (2007 film), 2007 American film * ''Live'' (2014 film), a 2014 Japanese film *'' ''Live'' (Apocalyptica DVD) Music *Live (band), American alternative rock band * List of albums ...

Twin Peaks ''Twin Peaks'' is an American Mystery fiction, mystery serial drama television series created by Mark Frost and David Lynch. It premiered on American Broadcasting Company, ABC on April 8, 1990, and originally ran for two seasons until its cance ...

''. Laing rejoined in 1974 recording ''Avalanche'' only for Mountain to break up again shortly after. The band would once again reconvene with guitarist

and Laing in 1985 for the release of ''Go For Your Life'', and Laing has continued with them, most recently working on the band's 2007

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Often regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture during a career sp ...

cover album An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as Digital distribution#Music, digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early ...

Masters of War "Masters of War" is a song by Bob Dylan, written over the winter of 1962–63 and released on the album ''The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan'' in the spring of 1963. The song's melody was adapted from the traditional songs, traditional "Nottamun Town." ...

''. In late 1977, he recorded an album with

(former

bass player), Ian Hunter (from

Mott the Hoople Mott the Hoople were an English rock band formed in Herefordshire. Originally known as the Doc Thomas Group, the group changed their name after signing with Island Records in 1969. The band released albums throughout the early 1970s but fail ...

) and

Mick Ronson Michael Ronson (26 May 1946 – 29 April 1993) was an English musician, songwriter, arranger, and producer. He achieved critical and commercial success working with David Bowie as the guitarist of the Spiders from Mars. He was a session music ...

. This album was not released at the time but was subsequently released in the UK in 1999 as "The Secret Sessions". In addition to Mountain, he has recorded as the group

Cork Cork or CORK may refer to: Materials * Cork (material), an impermeable buoyant plant product ** Cork (plug), a cylindrical or conical object used to seal a container ***Wine cork Places Ireland * Cork (city) ** Metropolitan Cork, also known as G ...

, with

Spin Doctors Spin Doctors are an American alternative rock band from New York City, best known for their early 1990s hits "Two Princes" and "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong", which peaked on the Billboard Hot 100, ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart at No. 7 and N ...

guitarist/vocalist

Eric Schenkman Spin Doctors are an American alternative rock band from New York City, best known for their early 1990s hits " Two Princes" and "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong", which peaked on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart at No. 7 and No. 17, respe ...

and

Noel Redding David Noel Redding (25 December 1945 – 11 May 2003) was an English rock musician, best known as the bass player for the Jimi Hendrix Experience and guitarist/singer for Fat Mattress. Following his departure from the Experience in 1969 a ...

, formerly bass guitarist of

The Jimi Hendrix Experience James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942September 18, 1970) was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most ...

. In late 1975, he played congas on several tracks on

Bo Diddley Ellas McDaniel (born Ellas Otha Bates; December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), known professionally as Bo Diddley, was an American guitarist who played a key role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. He influenced many artists, incl ...

's all-star album ''The 20th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll''. In 1991, he was featured on

Men Without Hats Men Without Hats are a Canadian New wave music, new wave and synth-pop band, originally from Montreal, Quebec. Their music is characterized by the baritone voice of their lead singer Ivan Doroschuk, as well as their elaborate use of synthesizers ...

's cover version of

The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...

's song "

I Am the Walrus "I Am the Walrus" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1967 television film ''Magical Mystery Tour''. Written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney, it was released as the B-side to the single "Hello, Goodbye" a ...

" on drums. This is available on the ''

Sideways ''Sideways'' is a 2004 American comedy-drama road film directed by Alexander Payne and written by Jim Taylor and Payne. A film adaptation of Rex Pickett's 2004 novel of the same name, ''Sideways'' follows two men in their forties, Miles Raymo ...

'' album.

21st century

In 2003, Laing and Leslie West authored ''Nantucket Sleighride and Other Mountain on-the-Road Stories'', a chronicle of their time with Mountain in its heyday and their careers in the years following. Laing lives in Toronto's historic

Liberty Village Liberty Village is a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is bordered to the north by King Street West, to the west by Dufferin Street, to the south by the Gardiner Expressway, to the east by Strachan Avenue, and to the northeast by the ...

and was interviewed for the 2006 documentary film, ''Liberty Village - Somewhere in Heaven''. He contributed the music for the film from recordings of his band

. In 2007, Laing recorded ''Stick It!'', the audio version of his memoirs with Cory Bruyea in

Oakville, Ontario Oakville is a town in Regional Municipality of Halton, Halton Region, Ontario, Canada. It is located on Lake Ontario between Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario, Hamilton. At its Canada 2021 Census, 2021 census population of 213,759, it is List of tow ...

. Laing's interest in education led him to attend the KoSA Music Camp in Vermont for the summer of 2012. In 2019, he released his autobiography, ''Letters to Sarah''. Following the death of Leslie West in December 2020, Laing became the last surviving member of Mountain’s classic lineup.

Collaborators

Mahogany Rush Mahogany Rush was a Canadian rock band led by guitarist Frank Marino. Formed in Montreal, Quebec in 1969, the band had its peak of popularity in the 1970s, playing venues as large as California Jam II. The band is perhaps best known for Marino' ...

John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of ...

Bobby Keys Robert Henry Keys (December 18, 1943 – December 2, 2014) was an American saxophonist who performed with other musicians as a member of several horn sections of the 1970s. He appears on albums by the Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Harry Ni ...

Ten Years After Ten Years After are a British rock group, most popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Between 1968 and 1973, the band had eight consecutive Top 40 albums on the UK Albums Chart. In addition, they had twelve albums enter the US ''Billboar ...

* David Rea *

Mylon LeFevre Mylon R. LeFevre (born October 6, 1944) is an American Christian rock singer best known for his work with his band Mylon and Broken Heart. He is a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. He travels around the United States, ministering, teachi ...

Meat Loaf Michael Lee Aday (born Marvin Lee Aday; September 27, 1947 – January 20, 2022), known professionally as Meat Loaf, was an American rock singer and actor. He was noted for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and theatrical live shows. He is on t ...

Discography

With Mountain

Studio albums

*''

Climbing! ''Climbing!'' (also known as ''Mountain Climbing!'') is the debut studio album by American hard rock band Mountain, released in 1970 by Windfall Records. Background In 1969, Leslie West recorded his debut solo album, titled ''Mountain'', with ...

'' (1970) *''

Nantucket Sleighride A Nantucket sleighride is the dragging of a whaleboat by a harpooned whale while whaling. It is an archaic term from the early days of open-boat whaling, when the animals were harpooned from small open boats. Once harpooned, the whale, in pain ...

'' (1971) *'' Flowers of Evil'' (1971; partially live) *''

Avalanche An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a slope, such as a hill or mountain. Avalanches can be set off spontaneously, by such factors as increased precipitation or snowpack weakening, or by external means such as humans, animals, and earth ...

'' (1974) *'' Go for Your Life'' (1985) *'' Man's World'' (1996) *'' Mystic Fire'' (2002) *''

'' (2007)

Live albums

*'' Mountain Live: The Road Goes Ever On'' (1972) *''Eruption'' (2004)

Compilation albums

*''

The Best of Mountain ''The Best of Mountain'' is the only compilation album by American hard rock band Mountain. It consists of material recorded throughout 1970-1971, culled from their first three LPs. On 15 April 2003, the album was remastered and reissued in an e ...

'' (1973) *''Over the Top'' (2001)

West, Bruce and Laing

* 1972 – ''

Why Dontcha ''Why Dontcha'' is the first studio album by power trio West, Bruce and Laing. The album features "The Doctor", which received heavy FM radio airplay upon the album's release and became a signature song in live performance for the band. Other ...

'' * 1973 – ''

Whatever Turns You On ''You Can't Do That on Television'' is a Canadian sketch comedy television series that first aired locally in 1979 before airing in the United States in 1981. It featured pre-teen and teenage actors in a sketch comedy format similar to that of ...

'' * 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''

As Corky Laing

* 1977 – ''Making It On The Streets'' * 2019 – ''Toledo Sessions''

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'', drums * 1976 –

– ''The 20th Anniversary of Rock N' Roll'', congas * 1987 – Charlie Karp & the Name Droppers – ''Charlie Karp & the Name Droppers'', percussion * 1991 –

– ''

'', on "

", drums

Other

*2004:

Jason Hartless Jason Hartless (born November 5, 1994) is an American musician, best known for being the drummer for guitarist and fellow Detroit native Ted Nugent. He has also toured and/or recorded with Eric Martin (musician), Pop Evil, Sponge, Mitch Ryder, ...

Jr. – ''First Division'' *2012: Corky Laing and The Memory Thieves – ''House of Thieves'' *2018: Pompeii – ''The Secret Sessions''

References

External links

Official Mountain website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Laing, Corky 1948 births Living people Canadian rock drummers Canadian male drummers Jewish Canadian musicians Mountain (band) members Musicians from Montreal Epic Records artists Elektra Records artists West, Bruce and Laing members 20th-century Canadian drummers 20th-century Canadian male musicians