Here’s Sly & the Family Stone live in the early 70s. Greg Errico (drums) and Larry Graham (bass) have already quit the band, but Sly’s relatives are still by his side. So is a violinist, for some reason. They perform “Thank You (Falletinme be Mice Elf),” “Everybody is a Star,” and “I Wanna Take You Higher.”
Here they are on the other side of their career, in 1968 or so, performing “My Lady” and “I Wanna Take You Higher,” at a televised talent contest at the Ohio State Fair. Sly takes the opportunity to do some crazy dances while Cynthia slides behind the organ to jam and Freddie and Larry Graham do a frantic version of the Chuck Berry duck walk. Needless to say, they walk home with the $10,000 prize.
And here’s one last later clip, with Sly clearly high, but nonetheless putting in a great performance of “Stand”
Has anyone seen any footage of sly performing any of the big tunes from There’s a Riot Goin On or Fresh? I’d love to see him singing my all-time favorite song, “If You Want Me To Stay.”