Description:

Mountain "Mississippi Queen" Handwritten Lyrics/Sheet Music, 1969 (2)
More than 35 years after its release, "Mississippi Queen", thanks to a cowbell and guitar riff as memorable as any in rock history, remains one of the definitive anthems of the genre. Mountain drummer Corky Laing's working lyrics for the song include numerous crossed-out lines, variations on the final released version and corrections. Laing relates in his and Leslie West's book, "Nantucket Sleighride", that the seeds of the song were written when the master fuse blew during a gig with his band, "Energy" at Nantucket's 30 Acres Club. In Laing's words: "...summer of '69...anyway on this night, we were jamming, they were dancin', and it was hot...my buddy was dancin' with a gorgeous southern babe, Molly, and I couldn't take my eyes off her and her see-through, flower print, skin-tight dress...the juice goes out and the band are suddenly unplugged. But no way was I stoppin' and losin' Molly on the dance floor. I started smashing the cowbell, a la cha-cha-cha and with the help of the soul pills I started streamin' Mississippi Queen in honor of Molly...'Mississippi Queen do you know what I mean? Do you know what I mean, Molly'. She looked at me with this beautiful southern smile and she knew exactly what I meant. That night the song continued conservatively for over an hour; until the electricity came back on." Written on the reverse of this sheet of Windfall Records stationary is the address and phone number of the Los Angeles clothier to fashion-conscious rockers and hipsters, "Granny Takes A Trip". LOA from Corky Laing. This historic page of lyrics appears in West & Laing's "Nantucket Sleighride". Written on the reverse of an unlined sheet of Windfall Records stationery, the 8.5" x 11" page exhibits numerous folds and staining. Also comes with "Mississippi Queen" sheet music! From Corky Laing's personal collection.

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October 22, 2009 2:00 PM EDT
Uncasville, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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