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Sly & The Family Stone’s “Everyday People” was covered on the inaugural episode of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” by Mavis Staples and the show’s house band. Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard, members of Beirut, Buddy Guy, Ben Folds, Aloe Blacc, Derek Trucks, and others were alongside Staples during the cover performance.

Read more and check out the video at Pitchfork.

“Oh my god, it’s Sly!”

That’s what one audience member exclaimed Sunday, Aug. 23 at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank when music icon Sly Stone made an ultra-rare appearance on a concert stage, with no less than the Family Stone, which features several original members of Sly & The Family Stone.

Stone popped up on stage to play keyboards on the band’s hit, “If You Want Me to Stay.”

“It was quite a surprise, a pleasant surprise and it was cool,” said Family Stone member Greg Errico after the show. “I couldn’t see people’s faces in the audience but everybody told me there was a lot of crying going on — it was emotional.”

Read more at the Asbury Park Press.

Photo credit: Count Basie Theatre

The White House joined Spotify today, creating daytime and evening playlists featuring some of President Obama’s favorite summer songs. On the daytime playlist — Sly & The Family Stone’s “Hot Fun in the Summertime.” Enjoy the full “Day” playlist, featuring Sly & The Family Stone, below!

The President’s Summer Playlist: Day

1. Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – The Temptations
2. Live It Up – Isley Brothers
3. Memories Live – Talib Kweli & Hi Tek
4. Tombstone Blues – Bob Dylan
5. So Much Trouble in the World – Bob Marley
6. Paradise – Coldplay
7. Tengo Un Trato (Remix) – Mala Rodriguez
8. Wang Dang Doodle – Howlin Wolf
9. Another Star – Stevie Wonder
10. Hot Fun in the Summertime – Sly & the Family Stone
11. Boozophilia – Low Cut Connie
12. Wherever Is Your Heart – Brandi Carlile
13. Good Day – Nappy Roots
14. Green Light – John Legend
15. Gimme Shelter – Rolling Stones
16. Rock Steady – Aretha Franklin
17. Down Down the Deep River – Okkervil River
18. Pusher Love Girl – Justin Timberlake
19. Shake It Out – Florence + The Machine
20. La Salsa La Traigo Yo – Sonora Carruseles

The Sly and the Family Stone: Live at the Fillmore East — October 4th & 5th, 1968 box set has been receiving great reviews in the press since its release last month.

“One doozy of a box… pure groove… vintage audiophiles will just about bow down before the quality of these tapes.” – The Boston Globe

“A portrait of a large funk and soul band on fire.” – Los Angeles Times

“A long belated affirmation of the Family Stone’s ceremonious soul charge.” – Lexington Herald Leader

“The first thing you hear is pure energy: the nuclear reaction of musical power that Sly and his Family Stone generated onstage.” – Stereophile

“These discs are a showcase of [Sly’s] genius.” – The Root