Sly Stone Joins Family
Funk legend makes first appearance in twelve years to support his sister
The last time the world saw Sly Stone was at his 1993 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. His appearance at the ceremony was a surprise, his speech brief: "See you soon," was all he said. More than a decade has passed since his remark.
On Monday night, however, there was a rare sighting of Sly Stone at Hollywood's Knitting Factory. Stone's little sister Vet was performing with a Sly and the Family Stone tribute band, the Phunk Phamily Affair, in a show to benefit the Los Angeles Braille Institute.
Pulling up in front of the club on a four-wheel Harley, Sly was whisked upstairs to the VIP room where, ironically, he went unnoticed by the roomful of mostly blind musicians who were guests of the club that night. Keeping his motorcycle helmet on throughout, Sly smiled widely as he watched the ten-piece perform a scorching ninety-minute set featuring Stone hits "Dance to the Music" and "Hot Fun in the Summertime."
"He looked like an astronaut coming off the second tier, just as cool as can be," says Michael Rubenstone, a documentary filmmaker who, with partner Greg Zola and indie One-Four Productions, has spent the last two years talking to the reclusive singer's extended musical family for On the Sly: In Search of the Family Stone. With interviews from original Family members guitarist Freddie Stone, singer/keyboardist Rose Stone, drummer Greg Errico and trumpet player Cynthia Robinson already in the can, Vet Stone had convinced the filmmakers that if the Phunk Phamily Affair played a gig in L.A., her big brother would show.
"It was a dream come true," says Vet, "but I was happier for him than I was for myself. I think he was overwhelmed with emotion to see so many people still moved by his words."
Though she admits being a little biased about her brother, Vet maintains that Sly's songs continue to resonate. "His music brings people together, regardless of nationality," she says. "Not to say that rap isn't relevant, but people won't be quoting [rap songs] in twenty years."
In addition to the upcoming documentary, Different Strokes by Different Folks, an album of Sly and the Family Stone covers remixed with the band's original masters -- and, more importantly, Sly's artistic approval -- is due for wide release this September through Sony Legacy. Featuring the Roots, Moby, Chuck D, Maroon 5, Buddy Guy and Will.I.Am of Black Eyed Peas, the album is exclusively at select Starbucks this summer. And there are rumors that Sly is interested in producing, or even performing with, the Phunk Phamily Affair.
"I've always considered Sly to be a chosen person," says Vet. "People sing songs like 'Everyday People' in church! He's always had a message."

Thanks sunlite for posting this! I can't wait until that docu comes out.

That's a great post!

I've always seen Prince as being capable of disappearing one day leaving all of us to wonder "What If?".

Thank God, it's so far been the complete opposite. The man just works and works and works.

But Sly Stone's absence is like when Bobby Fischer disappeared for over twenty years, only to come back a shadow of his former self and perhaps certifiably crazy.

I hope that when he comes back, he comes back harder than ever...

aww, KOOOLLLL!!!!!


...

sunlite said:

Amen to that!!!

Wonderful news to hear. I so hope that we can hear from him again. Whether in music or just an interview, I'd just like to know how he's doing.

SLY!!!!

I hope he comes out of his shell more in the future

.....

What a happy day. Hopefully this is his first test of the waters and he'll start stepping out again, even if just to receive the accolades he's received all these years. He don't need to write/record another note, he can just reign supreme as is.

Really cool! 12 years since he's been out in public? Damn!

Hmmm, he made his entrance on a harley huh? Seems to correspond with that other article that says that sly spends his free time riding bikes and recording at his home studio. Hopefully this may mean he'll decide to release some of the music he's been making since his reclusion.

jacktheimprovident said:

He don't need to write/record another note
But wouldn't it be cool? Opinions will vary but I for one would be happy he was doing something musically. Not to go into the politics of Sly but he influenced so much. He's needed.

Bfunkthe1 said:

I met Sly around 1983. I was about 21. My band Spellbound, a local R&B/Funk group from Cleveland, OH opened for Bobby Womack at the Front Row Theatre, a very cool auditorium with a revolving stage. I was carrying my keyboards in the building, and watching Womack doing a sound check with his band, and almost bumped into a tall dude wearing an all white jumpsuit. I looked up and saw Sly Stone! he said "What's happening brother, and shook hands with me. I found out later he was the "Special Guest" Bobby Womack was advertising on the concert flyers. Sly had just gotten out of rehab, (Bobby urged him to go in.)

After my band opened the show Sly played a short set of his classic songs with Bobby Womack's band. He seemed a bit nervous, but he sounded great! When the show was over he talked with us for about an hour, mostly about music and the business. I think the pressures of the music biz got to Sly, probably escalated the drug use. Same thing happened to Bootsy. He had to get out of the biz for a few years & went home to Cincinnati to chill.

DrWood said:

Thanks for the info.
Much needed.
B

DrWood said:

Cool story, thanks for sharing it.

When I read this article the other day I couldn't help but think Sly is bigger than life for the music he's done. I love the line in the article, "they sing "Everyday People in churches" and talk of "The Chosen One", pretty powerful comments for any musician.