Tag Archives: Family Affair

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 263

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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?

kurt v

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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.

On this day in 1971 Sly & The Family Stone hit the #1 spot with today ‘s song where it would stay for three weeks. It spent five weeks at the top of the R&B chart as well. It was released Nov 9, 1971 and by December 4 it was the number one record in the country. Unfortunately, it was to be the group’s third & final top selling hit. But what a way to go out.

This tune was a departure for the group because this was more of a solo effort for Stone. He not only wrote, produced, arranged and sang today’s song but he also played bass guitar, electric guitar and programmed the drum box. Two of his musician friends joined him on the track-Billy Preston on electric piano & Bobby Womack on rhythm guitar-and Stone’s sister, Rose, sang the refrain. So despite its title, this song was not a “family affair” by group standards. But it was still a fabulous record and a testament to Stone’s immense talent.

“One child grows up to be
Somebody that just loves to learn
And another child grows up to be
Somebody you’d just love to burn“.

Sly and family

Rose Stone (L) and Sly Stone (Right, front) with The Family Stone circa 1971. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sly & The Family Stone: “Family Affair” (1971, 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.

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2018: Day 21

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Hi, Everybody!!!  Welcome back to the countdown.

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I will admit it:  I was never enjoyed watching “Frosty The Snowman”.  Quite frankly, the Scarecrow who needed a brain in “The Wizard Of Oz” had more sense to me than Frosty.  I never understood the whole “Happy Birthday” exclamation every time he came to life.  I guess I was spoiled.  The first snowman I saw on television was the wise, articulate and adorably handsome Sam from “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer”.  He was so dapper with his hat, pocket watch, vest & umbrella.  He was like the animated version of another sage soul, Mr. French from “Family Affair”.

I also liked the song Sam sang much better over the one about Frosty.  Actually Sam sang three in the special:  the title song, Silver & Gold and today’s pick, which is my favorite.  In fact, it is in my top five list of Christmas songs and it is this song that I need to hear for it to officially feel like the holiday season to me.  Written by Johnny Marks in 1962 & made famous by the very cuddly Burl Ives in 1964, it is such an incredibly festive and happy song full of good wishes to everyone who hears it.  And I just love it.

Sam the Snowman

Burl Ives:  “Holly Jolly Christmas” (1964).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  🙂

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!