Tag Archives: Sly Stone

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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 364

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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?

March 2021 Blog

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I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life 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.

Today we celebrate another birthday from the musical calendar, this one belonging to the man who helped define the sound of funk in the late 1960’s & early 1970’s. Sylvester Stewart, a/k/a Sly Stone, front man for the group Sly & The Family Stone, was born 78 years ago on March 15, 1943. in Texas. He got his start in gospel music performing at church with his siblings & future band mates, Freddie, Rose & Vaetta,

But Sly was the prodigy, mastering several instruments including the guitar & keyboards by the age of 11. He played in a few bands in high school and after graduating he worked as a radio disc jockey in California. He met Cynthia Robinson through a band in 1966 & she helped him form Sly & The Family Stone soon after. By 1967 they had their first hit, “Dance To The Music” and they were on their way.

Sadly Stone’s erratic behavior, his & other members drug use & failure to show up at performances led to the group’s demise in 1975. Many members went on to modest solo careers, including innovative bassist Larry Graham who had a hit in 1980 with “One In A Million You”. Several members of the group also worked with other artists as well. But none of them could recreate the lightening in a bottle that was The Family Stone, led by the master of funk himself. Happy birthday Sly Stone.

“Got to get in straight,
How could I ever be late,
When you’re my woman taking up my time“.

Sly

Sly Stone circa 1972. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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

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

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 337

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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?

Feb 2021 Blog

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life 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 February 14, 1970 today’s song hit the top spot for the first of two consecutive weeks. I do not think anyone played funk music like Sly & The Family Stone. Twenty years later when I saw Eric Clapton on the “Journeyman” tour, he played a sample of today’s song when he introduced his band. It was an unexpected twist to an already great show & a fabulous tribute from one groundbreaking musician to another. And it made me adore Clapton even more which I did not think was possible.

“Dance to the music
All night long
Everyday people
Sing a simple song“.

Sly Fa,ily Stone

Sly and the Family Stone circa 1970 (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: “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” (1969, 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.

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.