And so farewell then, Mr Sly Stone, who has ascended the underlit-dancefloor-style stairway and departed for Fabulon to join that great, glittering funk band in the sky...
In the annals of "most influential musicians ever", Mr Stone was at the pinnacle. For where, without him and his "Family", would the whole genre that became known as Disco be? Would there have been a Rick James? Or Prince? James Brown is often credited with creating "Funk" (with Bootsy Collins by his side) - but as pop culture historian Jason Ankeny once said: "James Brown may have invented funk, but Sly Stone perfected it."
Suffice to say, he left one hell of a legacy...
[I always loved this song, but only knew the divinely decadent cover version by the uber-cool Ronny - hear her version and read more about the lady here - long before I found out that it was Sly's song...]All we need is a drummer
For people who only need a beat, yeah
I'm gonna add a little guitar
And make it easy to move your feet
I'm gonna add some bottom
So that the dancers just won't hide
You might like to hear my organ
I said ‘Ride, Sally, ride’
RIP, Sly Stone (born Sylvester Stewart, 15th March 1943 – 9th June 2025)!
The best!
ReplyDeleteHe was a pioneer - and who these days comes even close to maintaining his legacy? Jx
DeleteRIP, Mr Stone, or should I say funk in peace? Maybe not, as that sounds kind of wrong!
ReplyDeleteSx
He'd probably appreciate it! Jx
DeleteI saw that on the news last night. A matter of fact our local station ran about 2 hours of his music. If these passings keep up another era is going to be wiped out.
ReplyDeleteHe was 82, dear - there aren't that many of his generation left! Apart from the Rolling Stones. Of course. Jx
DeleteStones or Fossils?
DeleteThe Jurassic Stones! Jx
DeleteI loved his music at the time but as time has gone on I realise just how talented he was and just how good his music actually was.
ReplyDeleteHe was incredibly talented! Jx
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