Mountain is an American hard rock band that formed in New York in 1969. The band's original lineup consisted of vocalist and guitarist Leslie West, bassist and vocalist Felix Pappalardi, keyboardist Steve Knight, and drummer N. D. Smart. Known for their signature blues-influenced hard rock sound, Mountain is celebrated for their powerful live performances and influential works, most notably their 1970 hit "Mississippi Queen". They are often lauded for their significant contribution to the development of heavy metal.