Mountain guitarist Leslie West has leg amputated

Mountain guitarist Leslie West's lower right leg has been amputated due to complications from diabetes.

The musician was rushed to a Biloxi, Mississippi hospital over the weekend after his leg began to swell and his foot went into septic shock.

West's wife Jenni explained that doctors tried in vain to save the rocker's limb, but eventually were forced to amputate in order to save his life.

Jenni told Reuters: "The nursing staff and doctors have taken excellent care of him and should be called angels for their efforts and tenderness they showed us in this time of crisis."

West is now resting comfortably and in stable condition, a rep for the Singing River Health System told Biloxi's Sun Herald.

A spokesperson for West claimed that will need to undertake extensive rehabilitation therapy, but is expected to recover.

Mountain was one of the pioneering bands of the heavy metal genre in the late 1960s, even performing at the Woodstock music festival.

Aside from his work with Mountain, West has also collaborated with Ozzy Osbourne and is a recurring guest on The Howard Stern Show.

West was working on a new studio album at the time of his ill health.

Watch Mountain perform 'Mississippi Queen' below: