News RSS

It’s a good deal: Jerry Martini never gets tired of playing songs by Sly and the Family Stone, and people never get tired of hearing them.

He attributes the material’s longevity to the fact that band founder Sly Stone wrote “absolutely brilliant lyrics” with a message, and that the music really is about everyday people and families: “There’s no swearing,” he says.

Read more at the San Francisco Examiner.

It in no way minimizes Sly Stone’s genius to state that the primary instrumental force of Sly and the Family Stone was Larry Graham. Larry, who turns 66 today, was a true pioneer of the bass guitar: through that instrument he invested Sly’s songs with a power unheard of in pop music, and he is credited with inventing the “bass slap,” a crucial element in all funk music. Larry is also beloved for his baritone vocal interjections: “I’m gonna add some bottom!” Here he is, far right, with the band in 1970.

The Family Stone has been touring with three of the band’s original members — saxman Jerry Martini, trumpet player Cynthia Robinson and drummer Greg Errico. Rounding out the group and helping to deliver the band’s trademark grooves are lead singer/keyboardist Alex Davis, Blaise Sison on bass, lead guitarist Nate Wingfield and vocalist Trina Johnson Finn.

During a conversation with Pollstar, Jerry Martini talked about The Family Stone’s past, how the “door is always open” for Sly Stone and what the future has in store for “Everyday People.” Read more at Pollstar.com.

Sly and the Family Stone were featured in the season premiere of “Unsung” on TV One. If you missed the show, the full episode is available at TVOne.tv.