Mountain frontman Leslie West will make his first public appearance following the partial amputation of his leg on August 13 at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp in New York City. In addition to his Fantasy Camp visit, where he will jam with bands and offer critiques, plans for a full national tour supporting his album Unusual Suspects are underway.

The new album, due out September 20, features several guests including Slash, ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons, Black Label Society’s Zakk Wylde, Steve Lukather and Joe Bonamassa, alongside drummer Kenny Aronoff.

“These guys don’t show up to play on everybody’s albums,” West said. “They’re all stars in their own right and fantastic players – everyone with their own sound and style, and about as far from ‘the usual suspects’ as it gets.”

The musicians all have musical and personal connections to West, whose band Mountain formed in 1969. He and label-mate Lukather, who adds acoustic guitar to “One More Drink for the Road,” have been friends for decades. Both Slash and Wyle cite West as a great influence. Gibbons and West met during Z.Z. Top’s first major tour, when Gibbons’ band got its big break opening for Mountain.

Since Mountain’s appearance at the 1969 Woodstock Festival, West continues to influence musicians as a guitarists and a vocalist. “I’m happy because I’ve kept evolving,” West said. “My singing has gotten better and, as a player, I’m more melodic and have a better vibrato. As I get older, I think I’ve gotten better.”

Despite the amputation of his right leg due to complications of his diabetes in June, West promises to keep playing, and he keeps his sense of humor.

“Call my podiatrist and see if I can get half off. I guess I’m a foot shorter now.”