Tag Archives: Everyday People

Music Monday: June 16, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last week music lost two revolutionary giants two days apart. Each one wrote a phenomenal chapter of American music which changed their respective genres in ways that remain significant & vital in every way.

Sly Stone passed away on June 9, 2025 at age 82. The musician, singer, songwriter, producer and arranger for Sly & The Family Stone-a band of black & white men and women-who perfected the sound of funk by infusing it with rock, pop, jazz & soul. Stone’s musical prowess began in childhood and by 1966, he had founded the band with his name. By 1968 they had their first Top Ten hit (“Dance To The Music”) followed by three #1 hits over the next three years before the affects of fame including addiction took their toll on Stone. But the legacy of what he & The Family Stone created stood on its own.

Two of their best live performances were captured on film. The first in 1970’s, “Woodstock”, where they were the only R&B/Soul performers during the “peace & love” concert weekend & in 2021’s “Summer of Soul (…or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)”. For more of an inside look into Stone’s life, his 2023 autobiography, “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)“, is an intense & provocative read.

Sylvester “Sly Stone” Stewart: March 15, 1943 – June 9, 2025.

Top: Sly Stone circa 1967. Middle: The Family Stone circa 1970. Bottom: Stone on “Late Night With David Letterman” in the 1980’s. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Brian Wilson, a founding member of The Beach Boys and the visionary behind their 1966 acclaimed Pet Sounds album, died on June 11, 2025 at age 82. He was the band’s primary songwriter, singer, producer & arranger who brought the surf sound from a novelty niche to a multi-sensory experience. I may not have been a fan of the summer soundtrack he & his band created, but Wilson’s talent was never lost on me.

The dark side of his musical gift was a life of struggle that began with a difficult childhood, mental illness, addiction and reclusiveness that left him vulnerable to people looking to manipulate him in his unstable condition. All of that cost him so much. But in the end Wilson found his music again, he found love again & he found life again. 

Brian Douglas Wilson: June 20, 1942 – June 11, 2025.

Top: Brian Wilson circa 1967. Middle: The Beach Boys circa 1964 (L-R): Dennis Wilson, Brian, Mike Love, Al Jardine and Carl Wilson. Bottom: Wilson circa 2015. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Sly & The Family Stone: “Everyday People” (1969, written by Sylvester Stewart a/k/a Sly Stone).

Sly & The Family Stone: “Family Affair” (1971, written by Sylvester Stewart a/k/a Sly Stone).

Sly & The Family Stone: “If You Want Me to Stay” (1973, written by Sylvester Stewart a/k/a Sly Stone).

The Beach Boys: “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” (1966, written by Tony Asher, Mike Love and Brian Wilson. Produced by Brian Wilson.).

The Beach Boys: “God Only Knows” (1966, written by Tony Asher and Brian Wilson. Produced by Brian Wilson.).

The Beach Boys: “Good Vibrations” (1967, written by Mike Love and Brian Wilson. Produced by Brian Wilson.).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: November 6, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

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Last month “CBS Sunday Morning” featured a surprising and fabulous update on the life of the inventor of funk, Sly Stone. He worked with Questlove, the man who brought us the Oscar winning documentary, “Summer Of Soul” which features an unforgettable performance by Sly and his band, The Family Stone, to bring us his story in a memoir named after the group’s #1 song from 1970, “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”.

sly-stone-cover-auwa

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Questlove also wrote the foreword for the book which was written with Ben Greenman. I am sure it will be an incredible read about the man born Sylvester Stewart, who celebrated birthday #80 earlier this year. The fact that the frontman for Sly & the Family Stone- who was born March 15, 1943 in Denton, Texas- survived the 1970’s, let alone has lived to see eight decades of life is remarkable, especially since the report revealed he has only been sober for the last four years.

Stone and his band charted three #1 singles in their career (featured below) while another Top 20 song, “If You Want Me To Stay”, just turned 50 years old after its peak at #12 in September 1973. But despite Stone’s musical prowess, his battle with addiction ended his career and sent him on a downward spiral for most of the last five decades.

While he did not appear in the the CBS segment, we learned from his three children that in addition to his sobriety, Stone is now living a quiet anonymous life in the outskirts of Los Angeles, California. His legacy as a creator of one of the most influential and groundbreaking sounds in music not only remains but continues to influence performers the world over. One of them-the multi-talented Questlove-closes out the report with these incredible words: “As long as Sly is breathing on earth, I consider that OK”. Amen.

Top: Sly Stone circa 1973. Bottom: Sly and the Family Stone in their heyday circa 1972 (L-R): Rose Stone, Larry Graham, Sly Stone, Freddie Stone, Greg Errico, Jerry Martini (seated) and Cynthia Robinson. Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sly & The Family Stone: “Everyday People” (1968, written by Sly Stone). It hit #1 in February 1969 for 4 weeks.

Sly & The Family Stone: “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” (1969, written by Sly Stone). It hit #1 in February 1970 for 2 weeks.

Sly & The Family Stone: “Family Affair” (1971, written by Sly Stone). It hit #1 in December 1971 for 3 weeks.

Stay safe and well.

Music Monday: March 20, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

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One of the premier artists who defined a progressive sound in music celebrated eight decades on this planet last week. Sylvester Stewart a/k/a Sly Stone was born 80 years ago on March 15, 1943 in Denton, Texas. He is best known as the frontman, songwriter, producer & musician for Sly & The Family Stone. Their sound was a monumental fusion of funk, rock, soul, gospel & psychedelic music.

Stone formed the band when he was 24 years old in 1967. And in the middle of one of the most racially charged years of that decade, the group’s mere existence cut right through that tension & the looming gender divide by showcasing equality. As the The New York Times noted in 2015, the band “whose inclusion of black and white musicians of both sexes, and its hippie style, made it a living poster for the ideals of the counterculture”.

The group’s debut album, A Whole New Thing, came out in 1967. The title track from their next album, Dance to the Music, put them on the charts in 1968 with their first Top Ten hit. Over the next seven years Stone & his group would enjoy incredible success complete with three number one songs, numerous awards & accolades and sold out concerts. One of their incredible live performances is featured in the 2021 Oscar winning documentary, Summer Of Soul.

I think 80 years of life deserves to be marked with, at the very least, two songs. The first pick was released in 1968, it was the band’s first number #1 song (for four weeks in 1969) and in less than two & a half minutes, it defined equality for one and all. Talk about timeless.

“I am no better and neither are you
We’re all the same whatever we do
You love me you hate me you know me & then
You can’t figure out the bag I’m in“.

Today’s second track is also celebrating a milestone. It was released 50 years ago and peaked at #12 in September 1973. Sadly, it was the last Top 20 hit for this man and his unbelievably talented group. But they went out with the proverbial bang as this song features one of the most fabulous base lines ever recorded.

“And when you see me again
I hope that you have been
The kind of person that
You really are now“.

Top: Sly Stone circa 1968. Bottom: The band circa 1968 (L-R): Rose Stone, Larry Graham, Sly Stone, Freddie Stone, Greg Errico, Jerry Martini (seated) and Cynthia Robinson (Bottom picture credit-Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. (Top image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sly & The Family Stone: “Everyday People” (1968, written by Sly Stone).

Sly & The Family Stone: “If You Want Me To Stay” (1973, written by Sly Stone).

Stay safe and well.

Music Monday: June 27, 2022

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Music Monday

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Let’s send the month of June out on a funk-filled note. My favorite group from that genre is Sly & The Family Stone. Formed in 1966 and headed up by the incredibly multi-talented singer, songwriter, musician & producer Sly Stone, the group’s sound was unique & infectious. They had one of the first diverse lineups which included black, white & female members. And when they took the stage, there were few bands who could match their talent and energy.

Today’s song, the first single from their 1968 album Stand, went to #1 for four weeks the following year. The track was a commentary on inclusion extended to anyone who saw themselves in the lyrics or who just wanted a place in the dance party. All were welcome, even if you were on the sidelines just tapping your foot to the beat. The group’s invitation was open to all and brought them to the top spot on the charts for the first time in their career.

“I am no better and neither are you
We’re all the same, whatever we do
You love me, you hate me, you know me and then
You can’t figure out the bag I’m in“.

Sly & The Family Stone Portrait

Sly & The Family Stone circa 1971. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sly & The Family Stone: “Everyday People” (1968, written by  Sylvester Stewart a/k/a Sly Stone).

Stay safe & well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 47

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Peanuts music

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I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

The success of soul music, R&B & Motown in the 1960’s lead the way for a new genre called funk.  One of the best known groups that mastered this sound was Sly & The Family Stone.  They brought it to the mainstream and were so successful with it they even played at Woodstock.  Their string of hits included “Stand”, “Hot Fun In The Summertime”, “Family Affair”, “Dance To The Music”, “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” and “Everybody Is A Star”.  But for me, today’s song was their best and earned the band its first number one song.

Sly  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sly & The Family Stone:  “Everyday People” (1968, written by Sly Stone).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.