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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.

On June 25th, the story of Sly and the Family Stone kicks off a new season of TV One’s “Unsung,” the NAACP Image Award-winning series celebrating the lives and careers of successful artists or groups who, despite great talent, have not received the level of recognition they deserve or whose stories have never been told. Read more at EURweb.com. Here is an excerpt from TV One:

Among the most influential groups in the history of popular music, Sly & The Family Stone fused funk, soul, rock, and r&b to create a sound that resonated well beyond the charts. Led by the brilliant and charismatic Sly Stone, it was a sound that by turns reflected the idealism of the sixties, and the fracturing of those ideals in the decade that followed. The band’s performance at the Woodstock festival in 1969 showed a group at the height of their powers, while suggesting a future of unlimited musical possibilities. But even while crafting great music, the group gradually disintegrated. On this ground-breaking episode of ‘Unsung’, Sly Stone emerges to tell that tale, with the help of bandmates and family members – a unique and remarkable musical journey that, after four decades, is still unfolding.

Sly and the Family Stone cut a phenomenal swath through the landscape of popular music in the late 1960s and early 1970s, blowing up music festivals (including Woodstock) and releasing some of the greatest rock and roll music ever recorded. Happy 69th birthday to Sly Stone! In honor of his birthday, PopMarket.com is offering this Sly and the Family Stone CD bundle today at the exclusive discount price of $49.99!

The bundle includes 10 titles for one great price!

• Every studio album released by the original group!
• The 2-disc Woodstock Experience CD w/bonus poster.
• The Essential 3.0 compilation featuring 43 of the best Sly & The Family Stone tracks including hits not found on studio albums!
• Different Strokes by Different Folks – Classic hits by Sly & The Family Stone: Remixed, Re-funked and Re-imagined!
• 181 Tracks spread out over 13 CDs!
• Hits, rarities & previously unreleased bonus cuts!
• Packages include beautiful graphics, rare photos, memorabilia, liner notes and more!
• Remastered for incredible sound!

This offer ends at 12 p.m. EDT on March 16th, so get yours while supplies last! Not a PopMarket member? Join for free now to get the hottest deals on the coolest music.

Check out this awesome picture of Sly and the Family for your daily photo fix!

Visit the gallery here!

With careers spanning over 40 years, Sly and the Family Stone have become undoubtedly one of the most influential, game-changing bands to have graced the world of music. Chart-topping singles such as “Dance to the Music,” “Everyday People” and “Hot Fun in the Summertime”, and groundbreaking albums such as Stand (1969) and There’s a Riot Goin’ On (1971), are all arguably so innovative that they were decades, centuries, thousands of light-years ahead of their time.

The Family Stone are back with a 2011 worldwide tour. And not only are three of the original, founding members together, but they’ve added some new folks to their family unit. Founding members include Jerry Martini on Sax, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Cynthia Robinson on trumpet, and fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and R&B Pioneer Award recipient Greg Errico on drums.

In an interview published by SoulCulture.co.uk, The Family Stone talk about their legacy, their purpose and influence as a band, their relationship with Sly, Cynthia’s advice, Jimi Hendrix, their love for London, the future for The Family Stone, some Glastonbury Festival 2013 performance talk, and the possibility for a family reunion…

The Morton Report recently interviewed Ray Manzarek of The Doors, and asked him about collaborating with Sly Stone for the new album “I’m Back! Family & Friends.” Manzarek contributed to the classic “Dance To The Music” for the new album. When asked if he wanted to play on the album, Manzarek said, “Who wouldn’t, for God’s sake. Yeah I was very excited, of course. I’m a big fan of Sly and the Family Stone.” Read more at TheMortonReport.com.

Sly Stone’s new album, “I’m Back! Family & Friends” is now in stores! The album, which features collaborations with artists including Jeff Beck, Bootsy Collins, Ray Manzarek, Ann Wilson and more, has received a three-star review in Rolling Stone! The magazine wrote, “Of prime interest are three new songs – a brass-and-organ-driven take on the gospel standard “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” and two originals: the gutbucket funk of “Plain Jane” and “Get Away,” a gorgeous soul vamp with a refrain – “Keep singin’ that melody!” – that whets the appetite for a full-fledged Sly comeback. “

Bootsy Collins was honored to contribute to Sly Stone’s new album, TheMortonReport.com reports. I’m Back! Family and Friends is in stores August 16th and features Bootsy on “Hot Fun In the Summertime.” “It’s one of those kind of songs where, you know, you’re in your convertible and you’ve got the top down,” he said. “It’s perfect for me to be on. It’s one of my all-time favorites.”

The Morton Report has published an interview with drummer Carmine Appice, who talked about recording for Sly Stone’s new album, “I’m Back! Family & Friends,” which will be released on August 16th. “They gave me a couple of song choices. So we did ‘Stand!’ and it went great,” he said. “I actually had Sly’s voice singing in my ears. He wasn’t in the studio with me, just on the tape. They did a basic track with a basic drum machine or drummer, and then they actually gave out the track that way with Sly’s voice on it. So everybody was able to listen to Sly. I said, ‘That’s very cool. I like that.'”

Read more at TheMortonReport.com

Fans of Sly and the Family Stone, be the first in America to experience Spotify! Spotify is currently available in the U.S. by invitation only, but you are one of the lucky few to get access. All you need to do to create your free Spotify account is follow this VIP invitation link from Legacy Recordings.

Once you’ve created your free Spotify account, you can listen to your favorite artists and add them to your personal playlists. We hope you enjoy!

Spotify is the award-winning music platform that gives you on-demand access to over 15 million tracks in high-quality audio, wherever you go. Whether you’re searching for the hottest new releases or hits from the past, your favorite tracks are just a click away. If you’d like to learn more, come this way.