Leslie West. By his own admission 'a foot shorter'.

LESLIE WEST: Can Now Climb the Mountain

Leslie West is now able to tour thanks to the generosity of a vehicle manufacturer in Indiana. After having his right leg amputated above the knee last June, West couldn't find a vehicle to accommodate his wheelchair. But the Vehicle Production Group, a new American car company that makes specialty vehicles, has given West a brand new MV-1, the first vehicle designed specifically for wheelchair accessibility.

West, who received his new wheels in December, says, "This is nicer than any guitar I have ever owned... I was speechless." Company chairman Fred Drasner is a longtime fan of West and he says he was "thrilled to be in a position to help him get back on the road."

West will put the vehicle to the test when he hits the road at the end of the month with former Scorpions guitarist Uli Jon Roth. He'll be touring in support of his latest album, Unusual Suspects.

• 1/31 - New York, NY - B.B. Kings
• 2/1 - Foxborough, MA - Showcase Live
• 2/3 - Sellersville, PA - Sellersville Theatre
• 2/4 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom