Way Down Around Vicksburg, Around Louisiana Way

The Mississippi River is one of the longest rivers in the world at 2350 miles, but only falls 1475 feet from its headwaters in Minnesota to where it empties in to the Gulf Of Mexico.

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Due to its short fall (the altitude difference from a river's beginning to its end), the Mississippi River is an easily navigable river. The river has few natural obstructions, such as waterfalls or rapids, to vessels whose keel is not far below the waterline.

In 1811, the first Mississippi River steamboat, the "New Orleans" plied the waters of the Mighty Mississippi between St. Paul and New Orleans. The steamboat revolutionized commerce on the Mississippi River by dramatically increasing the amount of cargo that could be shipped. Today, 400 million tons of goods are transported annually.

Mention of a Mississippi River steamboat is customarily accompanied by reference to Mark Twain and his writings about life on the Mississippi and his career as a steamboat pilot.

The Mississippi Queen is one of a trio of steamboats operated by The Delta Queen Steamboat company that continue to ferry passengers from St. Paul, Minnesota, and New Orleans, Louisana, and back again.

A 9-foot shipping channel is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Minneapolis, Minnesota. A 45 foot channel from Baton Rouge past New Orleans to Head of Passes allows ocean-going vessels access to ports as far upstream as Baton Rouge.

Quoting from Mark Twain's book, "Life on the Mississippi," "The military engineers have taken upon their shoulders the job of making the Mississippi over again - a job transcended in size by only the original job of creating it."

In 1969, Leslie West and former Cream producer Felix Pappalardi formed Mountain. The name was in reference to West's girth. His weight at the time is estimated to have been around 300 pounds.

Mountain made their fourth live performance ever at Woodstock.

Pappalardi was shot and killed by his wife in 1983.

Leslie West, once known as "The Great Fatsby," began experiencing weight-related health problems, and has since lost over 100 pounds.