Felix Pappalardi

Felix Pappalardi
Pappalardi playing a Mellotron in the '70s
Background information
Birth name	Felix Albert Pappalardi Jr.
Born	(1939-12-30)December 30, 1939 New York City, U.S.
Died	April 17, 1983(1983-04-17) (aged 43) New York City, U.S.
Genres	Rock, blues rock, hard rock
Occupation(s)	Music producer, songwriter, musician
Instruments	Bass vocals keyboards guitar
Years active	1964-1983
Formerly of	Mountain, Creation

Felix Albert Pappalardi Jr. (December 30, 1939 – April 17, 1983)^[1] was an American music producer, songwriter, vocalist, and bassist. He is best known as the bassist and co-lead vocalist of the band Mountain, whose song "Mississippi Queen" peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a classic rock radio staple.

Originating in the eclectic music scene in New York's Greenwich Village, he became closely attached to the British power trio Cream, writing, arranging, and producing for their second album Disraeli Gears. As a producer for Atlantic Records, he worked on several projects with guitarist Leslie West; in 1969 their partnership evolved into the band Mountain. The band lasted less than five years, but their work influenced the first generation of heavy metal and hard rock music. Pappalardi continued to work as a producer, session musician, and songwriter until he was shot and killed by his wife Gail Collins in 1983.