He had better melodies than JB, and generally far more interesting lyrics. Sly was about something.
Born in Dallas on March 15, 1944, Sylvester Stewart aka Sly Stone has a big birthday. Happy #60, Sly!…
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Sly Stone turns 60 - Comments Page 2
Article comments
26 - Admin
We're starting a website on Sly as there is very little out there on the internet. Only just started but people's suggestions as to what they want to see would be appreciated.
27 - Eric Olsen
hey Admin, great idea, please take a look at our bio here
28 - Al Barger
Outstanding! Sly definitely needs a better presence on the net.
I'm sure you'll get plenty of pictures and lyrics. Those things are obvious for such a project, and very good.
I'd be especially interested, however, in seeing actual writing about Sly's music, analysis of specific albums and songs. That's what would be unique and worthwhile.
29 - Admin
The bio is great Eric, done some comprehensive searches of Sly on the internet up to now and never seen that before. I think Google sources this page over the one.
Lyrics is a definite, though lyric sheets are given with some of the LPs, others are very hard to come by.
One of the problems with this project is that I know very little about Sly that I haven't either read in promient articles or one of the few published works on him. For this reason, rather than attempt to go into my own detailed analysis of his works (at least initially) I am going to open the floor to users of the site so they can add their own interpretations and review albums/songs.
I am currently sourcing some articles on Sly which I hope to get up there
Hope to get some nice videos up there too, if I can ever work out how to move stuff from DVD -> mpeg.
Want to try and pool information about tab/chords for the songs out there too, as there are only three song notations available on the internet for Sly Stand, Everybody Is A Star and If You Want Me To Stay (and that one's wrong!).
Some members are still active, so if there's any news to report on that front I will put it up.
30 - wally bangs
Sly was the bomb. That's all I have to say.
31 - Eric Olsen
great Admin, best of luck with it and thanks for the kind words - the workings of Google are still a mystery
32 - Jah Ruler
It was 1969 and on the island of Trinidad and Tobago a musical explosion took place. The DJ on the government owned radio station played a tune by Sly and the Family Stone and in an instant I was transformed into a fan for life. Sly showed us that men and women, Black and White are equal in the eyes of the creator. His words and music would live on in my mind forever.
33 - Eric Olsen
very powerful and poetic Jah! thanks so much
34 - Kathleen M.
Dear Sly and family,
I still listen to your albums a lot and have through all these years, just because - it's such good music! in school we would listen to the break and dance and say, yeah that's the baddest part. i hope that you have beauty, peace and health in your life now. once you came down to a jazz club i was working at but you stayed out in the parking lot in your van - i was a little disappointed to not see you but i understand, I've done that same type of thing myself more than once, and it was still great to know that you were close by -
thank you again -
35 - mpho
Are you familiar with his cover of "Que Sera Sera?" It's slammin'!
36 - chauncey
hey guys great site thank u on slys bday too
i have some things i can share get back to me
Sly Stone turns 60
Posted by Al Barger on March 15, 2004 10:55 PM (See all posts by Al Barger)
Filed under: Music, Music: Classic Rock and Oldies, Music: Funk, Music: Hip-hop, Music: Pop, Music: Rock - Scroll down to read comments on this story and/or add one of your own.
The Essential Sly & the Family Stone
Sly & the Family Stone
Music from Sony
Release date: 11 March, 2003
Born in Dallas on March 15, 1944, Sylvester Stewart aka Sly Stone has a big birthday. Happy #60, Sly!
Sly's principle achievement is turning funk into high art and pop at the same time. He took the recent rhythmic and stylistic innovations of James Brown and applied them to superior pop song craft, and state of the art record making.
He had better melodies than JB, and generally far more interesting lyrics. Sly was about something.
Sly was also John the Baptist to the messiah of pop known as Prince. Certainly Sly was the closest working model to the art/funk/pop model that Prince has worked so brilliantly in so many directions.
Stewart himself had a narrow window of creative productivity cut short by some sort of emotional/drug breakdown. Sort of the black Brian Wilson that way. Hey, they both survived.
He's gotten to be 60 though, and see his work from 35 years ago still reverberating throughout the culture. After all, he wrote and recorded...
Thank You (Falletinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
Everyday People
Family Affair
Sing a Simple Song
Stand!
Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey
Dance to the Music
(You Caught Me) Smilin'
You Can Make It If You Try
I Want to Take You Higher
...and they can't take that away from him.
More fine reading at Blogcritics.org. Scroll down to read comments on this story and/or add one of your own. Support Blogcritics.org by shopping at Amazon.com from this page.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Al Barger on March 15, 2004 10:55 PM (See all posts by Al Barger)
Filed under: Music, Music: Classic Rock and Oldies, Music: Funk, Music: Hip-hop, Music: Pop, Music: Rock
37 - Bike Rider
Thanks Sly.
38 - Dominick Cuevas
Hey sly I grew up listing to your music your the greatest,It will be nice to hear from you playing God music You would be able to win many over to the lord by your testimony. So were ever your at it time to make a stand, an raise up.If you ever need a friend just to talk too just write, God has the master plan when He say stop then you stop til then you keep on playing because he gave that gift to use for his glory, life can be tuff but He will give you the strenght that you need,God love you sly stone He gave his only begotten son for you, If I can ever help you just let me know(I will always keep you in prayer). your friend in Christ Jesus Dominick
39 - keith Harris
He's unique in his own way. He's a pisces creative mysterious artistic enigmatic, He probably has hundreds of songs wherever he lives, He only chooses to satisfy himself at this time. That's why I keep music all around the bed,so I can call Frisky.
40 - the x man
Sly,
It's a good thing that a few of your live shows have recently come out in the open so that I can feel the hair in the back of my neck stand up once more.
I am one of the lucky ones as I saw the Original Family Stone perform about 20 times live. It left a permanent mark in my brain and the beat just won't quit.
Life is hard and drugs make it easy to hide behind, it's easier to run.
Hey, lets face it, you already made your legacy, but wouldn't it rip a new hole in the F&^%ing universe if you got up there and did your thing again, just one more time. Man, U just hit 60 and life is too short. The high is would be better than drugs and you would be giving every audience a high with every show. I never thought that Slyvester Stewart from San Fransisco Ca. wouldn't come on out and cut out a new ass for the next generation.
Quote your homey George Clinton: "Free Your Mind And Your Ass Will Follow" Did I see you smilin' again. ;)
Man, do you have a computer?If so read this and remember....When there is life there is hope.
The X man
41 - WAYNE CLARK
MARVELOUS INSIDE THE MIX OF EVERY THING THAT COULD BE THAT EVER WAS-IS-OR EVER SHALL DWELL IN TWIST OF MUSICAL EVENTS IN THE HIGHLIGHTS OF BLEND. YES - SLY -WE LOVE YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE - NOT THE ONE YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO BE. EVER CATCH A FALLEN STAR - AIN'T NO STOPPING TILL IT HITS THE GROUND - EVERYBODY IS A STAR - ONE BIG CIRCLE - GOING ROUND AND ROUND. SEE YA WHEN WE HEAR YA EVERY DAY AND NIGHT PEOPLE
42 - Yeruel
Happy Earthday Sly.
First I want to wish you good health to you and your family. Thanks for the music that change the world within the lives and minds of many people. Many people want to see you unite the original band back together for a reunion. That would be beautiful. I think it would be therapeutic for many folks who love you and Larry Graham despite the youthful indescretions of the past. This would be a tremendous display to the younger generation of hip hop artist who have seen the Biggie Tupac conclusion. Who else to learn from but the master poet. It's not the teaching it's the learning(In time).
43 - Duane Lance
Hipstirs and squares,
My brothers and I went to see the Phunk Phamily Affair at the Knitting Family in Hollywood on August 15th...the band got down- u ear me nephew! Composed of Lil Sis Vette Stone, Cynthia sitting on the throne, and Rsoe's daughter on vocals- they played all f Sly's hits...and who was sitting upsatis..no other than the man Sly himself!! He and Vet rode down Hollywood Blvd. on his motorcylce to the concert. Sly was right above me in a private booth- and I can tell you he enjoyed the show! i tried to take his picture but he kept ducking..I understand he may produce an album by Phink Phmaily Affair. Also, therte is an outfit doing a documentary called On the Sly (see their website at onthesly.com)...my brothers and I were interviwed for the documentary..Sly looked in great health!!!
44 - Brooklyn Bluesman
Al,
Thanks for paying homage to this all but forgotten music legend. I remember as a kid groovin to the nice pop of the Jackson 5, and being intrigued and even a little bit frightened by Sly & the Family Stone.It was probably those funky horns that startled me. Great music that has maintained it's relevance through today. I don't know how many times Sly was covered, but I fondly remember Magzine's version of Thank You-Staring at the Devil, looking at his gun....
45 - Alexander
Dear Sylvester
Simply put you are the Star of this entire generation, if you come back to take forward we will follow. Or die here where you left us.
Brooklyn New York
We are ready. R U ?
46 - Alexander
Dear Sylvester
Simply put you are the Star of this entire generation, if you come back to take us forward we will follow. Or die here where you left us.
Brooklyn New York
We are ready. R U ?
47 - Alexander
PS ..we got the internet now you can start here with us. Alexander in Brooklyn
48 - uao
Wow, I don't think I've ever seen such personal messages to a musician at Blogcritics before. Sly Stone obviously touched an awful lot of lives, more than he probably even realized.
Add my name to the list who wish him well and would welcome a re-emergence, were it possible.
Even if it isn't, he's obviously left more of a mark on the world than most people do in a lifetime.
49 - Skippy
Sly Stone is da man! There's a dude in the rock world that kinda takes Sly's sprirt into modern rock, his name is Doug Pinnick. For the past 25 years (he's 55) he has fronted a band called King's X as well as various solo projects. Long live Sly!
50 - David
I have heard a lot about this Sly siting at the Knotting Factory, however I have not seen pic one.Anyone care to comment.
51 - phun´
check out Sly's own site here
He is making a comeback.
52 - Gonecat
Sly's sister, Vet, is auctioning Sly's custom built 4-wheel Harley Davidson on ebay, check Sly's site for info and a recent and ultra rare photo of Sly on the bike with Vet:
www.phattadatta.com
Yes, Sly was at the Knitting Factory show to see his sister's tribute band, PhunkPhamilyAffair. Check PhattaDatta for the full story.
53 - Tony
To all who enjoy Sly music he had a new webstie and will be producing some new music he his doing ok and is healthy check out his new site working on Vet new Cd so forget all the old stuff in past and be ready to enjoy some music. Phattadatta.com is his new site address. peace.
54 - Mistuhbig
Sly,
More important than your music, I hope you are doing well. Thank you for your music. I am 36 years old amd always had a love for your music because my older brother played it. I think my parents played a lot of your music when my mother was pregnant with me. I probably was listening to you in the womb. Your music could not be classified as just rock and roll, funk or any genre. Just plain old good music. Sex Machine is an example of how hellified Sly and the Family Stone was. Whether you make another record or not, your music has left a legacy. I tell my nephew and some of the young cats, not realizing that is your beats, along with James Brown, that are among the most sampled. Once again, Thanks, and God Bless You.
55 - Donny
Hey Sly,
Missing your music man...I believe I've everythang you recorded. When will you grace the world w/ some fresh music...we are suffering w/o you man!!!!!!
56 - Alexander
Are you watching ? Brooklyn
57 - Alexander
Sly, I know you are reading this < ok doing someing the world waits
58 - Tony B
Everyone does my dad good(he's not really my dad)I just call him that because he was the one I followed when I heard him on a 45 in 1968(Higher).
It blew my mind, there was nothin and no one on the planet like Sly and Family Stone. I was 11 yrs old at the time. I even picked out Larry G as a no other on the planet too.
One bone to pick and that is with the guy Al Barger who wrote the artical at the top of the page. Are you young or nuts, maybe both. Nobody follows SLY... PERIOD. Prince is a follower no matter what he has done. Withouy Sly there would not be a ton of groups or music that FOLLOWED.
And this thing with James Brown, I grew up first hand listening to both of them and I don't hear what the young ears hear. Sly is like Jimi you can't touch. Don't touch.
The Real Sly & and The Family Stone Fan
59 - Sherry D.
I had the opportunity to visit Sly at his house in Beverly hills in Sept. '05. My son is a good friend of his. Sly is amazing! He is constantly writing music. He sat down and talked to me for about half an hour. He's very down to earth, but has such a presence. I feel so privileged to have had him open up his home to me. Sly, if you're reading this, please know that you are #1 in my book. AND, it was great seeing you at the Grammys on Feb. 8, 2006. YOU ROCK AND RULE!!! SMD
60 - Cassius B.
Mr. Stewart, my hero!! I can't call him by his first name. I remember as a kid putting on an afro wig, grabbing my older bro's guitar and singing along to Mr. Stewarts jams as I looked in the mirror "to see how I was doing". Will never forget those days. Of course it would be nice to hear some new music but - I am more happy he is still alive and appears to be well. Long live Mr. Stewart!!
61 - Bindirana56
Mr. Stone if you read these things, please, come back into public space. We need you! Turn and look around...this world, specifically this country...has become an ehthical wasteland....no one is "about anything" anymore. The fervor and passion, and political conscience of the people has suffered a mortal blow. The "work" we started in the 60's and 70's isn't complete!!!! The "all about me" 80's damn near wipped out all the good that was done! Alot of us "believers" still have the fire in the belly! And I can't believe that you lost your's...that righteous indignation that that pulsed and lived in your music....never dies....it's eternal!It came from your soul! We need "the prophet of funk" back to beat the drum and ignite the fire and passion of activism, once again in the soldiers of righteous cause and social awareness! I ask you this question..."have YOU done all the things you set out to do???"....if not, then STAND < STAND < STAND! We need you!
62 - BROOKLYN WE SEE U SLY
YOU GOT ONE MORE SONG TO SING , IN THIS THING ITS A SHAME WE HAVING HEARD FROM YOU.
WE PLAYING YOUR MUSIC EVERYDAY,
I KNOW U READING THIS
AND I'M (WATCHING)
ARE YOU GOING OUT LIKE THAT ??? ///
FROM THE HEART OF WORLD! BROOKLYN !!!!
MY ZODIAC SIGN (.popluar in The 60's)
TAURUS THE BULL. I SAY SHUT THEM DOWN !!
I KNOW YOU SEE ME. ! WORD OUT
63 - backed
join the discussion forum at www.slyandthefamilystone.net
(forum link from front page)
64 - Bob
Sly:
What goodness I learned growing up, I found in your words. My night with you and Bobby Womack in Rochester, NY in 1984, is etched in my mind. Thank you, Sly. God bless you.
65 - Ruby Tuesday
Sly, Wishing you well from Dallas.
from ,
Ruby the PsychGuru
66 - Dori
Sly, Thank you for letting me be myself, which I did through your music. I was a little child back then. Every weekend I had to go take dance lessons and your music was always in the air.
You are a Pioneer and bought down our Funkiness. For this I thank you.
Live life with love.