Larry Graham Left Sly And The Family Stone At What Time?

Larry Graham left Sly and the Family Stone in 1972 after a post-concert brawl broke out between him and Sly Stone. The group was filled with violence and intimidation by November 1972, when Graham’s original bassist, Larry Graham, was run out of the group. Graham and his wife climbed out of a hotel window to escape, and Pat Rizzo gave them a ride to safety. In the early 1970s, Larry left Sly and the Family Stone and started producing a band named Hot Chocolate, which he eventually joined and renamed it Graham Central Station.

In 1971, while on tour with Sly and the Family Stone, Larry received a death threat that he would be shot as the sound of the music and the roar of the music echoed. Larry knew his time with Sly and The Family Stone was over and went on to found his own successful group, Grand Central Station. Meanwhile, Sly and The Family Stone began work on a new album, consisting of brothers Sylvester and Freddie, sister Rose Stewart, Greg Errico, Cynthia Robinson, Jerry Martini, and Larry Graham.

In 1972, Larry left to form his own band, Graham Central Station, which achieved considerable success, delivering groovy funk and soul hits filled with Graham’s deep, soulful vocals, thumpin’, and thumping. Alarmed by the drug abuse that had sent Sly Stone into a downward spiral, Graham left to form his own band, Sly and the Family Stone, in 1968.

The band’s first album, “A Whole New Thing”, provided a way for people all over the country to hear Larry’s unique bass. Between 1966 and 1976, psychedelic soul pioneers Sly and The Family Stone released eight albums. Larry’s departure led Sly to view him as a traitor who had left him in a time of need. Since his introduction in 1966 with Sly and the Family Stone, bassist Larry Graham has become one of the most influential musicians of the time.

Why Did Sly And Freddie Join The Family Stone?

Sly Stone, originally Sylvester Stewart, appointed his brother Freddie as the official guitarist for Sly and the Family Stone to streamline their musical efforts, as both were guitarists. To adapt, Sly learned the electronic organ and recruited bassist Larry Graham, who was related to their family, along with singer Vaetta Stewart. Key to forming the band was saxophonist Jerry Martini, who encouraged Sly and Freddie to merge their respective bands into one.

This led to the establishment of Sly and the Family Stone in March 1967, featuring Freddie on guitar while Sly took on the role of the frontman and organist. The band gained prominence for blending various genres of music, becoming a significant part of the soundscape of the era. Sly and the Family Stone also included Sly’s sister Rose on vocals and keyboards, saxophonist Jetty Martini, and drummer Greg Errico. They became known for their live performances, famously sharing the stage with artists like Jimi Hendrix.

The band first united in 1966, combining elements from Sly and The Stoners and Freddie’s group Freddie and The Stone Souls, creating a racially integrated and mixed-gender ensemble that celebrated diversity in music. However, despite their success, the band began to dissolve in the late 1970s due to various challenges, including Sly's personal struggles.

When Did Sly And The Family Stone Reunite?

On May 25th, 1997, Larry Graham joined original Sly and the Family Stone members Rose Stone, Jerry Martini, and Cynthia Robinson for a greatest hits medley at Sinbad's Soul Music Festival in Aruba, later aired on HBO. The band, pivotal in funk and psychedelic music since their formation in 1966, had their number-one Billboard Hot 100 single "Family Affair" in 1971, leading their album "There's a Riot Goin' On." Sly Stone, the band's frontman, lived a reclusive life, marked by limited public appearances; by 2011, he was in a camper van but later settled in an anonymous Los Angeles suburb.

In 2006, the band performed at the Grammys, marking Sly's return after 19 years. The group, recognized in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by the '90s, exemplified the free love generation through their racially and gender diverse lineup. After a reunion for an R&B Foundation Pioneer Award, they conversed on their influence during a 2013 interview tied to the release of the definitive "Hearing Sly and the Family Stone's Stand!" Their legacy includes groundbreaking songs like "Everyday People," a plea for unity that became a massive success. Despite past struggles, their artistry remains celebrated, with plans for a release of live performances from October 1968.

How Many Albums Did Sly And The Family Stone Make?

Between 1966 and 1976, Sly and The Family Stone, pioneers of psychedelic soul, released eight studio albums alongside their inaugural Greatest Hits album. Their innovative sound merged psychedelic soul, funk, and rock, establishing them as genre-defining artists. The core group produced seven notable albums before disbanding due to Sly Stone's personal struggles with drugs and paranoia. Post-split, Stone released one album solo and later reformed the band with new members.

The band's discography includes 10 studio albums, 2 live albums, 6 compilation albums, and 19 singles. Their influential fifth album, "There's a Riot Goin' On" (1971), indicated a pivotal moment in their career. They achieved multiple Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 singles, such as "Dance to the Music" (1968), "Everyday People" (1968), and "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" (1969), alongside celebrated albums like "Stand!" (1969).

In 2010, Sly and The Family Stone ranked 43rd in Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, with three of their albums featured in the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, solidifying their legacy in music history.

Why Did Larry Graham Leave Sly And The Family Stone?

After years of tension, Larry Graham left Sly and the Family Stone in 1972 following a post-concert fight with frontman Sly Stone. There were alarming rumors that Graham had hired a hit man to kill Sly, escalating the group's violent atmosphere. In 1971, Graham experienced a death threat while on tour, highlighting the dangers within the band. By November 1972, infighting and fear led to Graham's departure along with drummer Greg Errico. The situation deteriorated further as drug use became rampant, and Sly Stone's behavior turned erratic.

An incident at L. A.’s Cavalier Hotel marked the breaking point for Graham, who was alarmed by Sly's downward spiral. In search of safety and creative freedom, Graham quit to form Graham Central Station, a band similar to his previous outfit. He gained recognition not only as a talented bassist, credited with developing the slap bass technique, but also as a significant figure in music history. Sly, viewing Graham as a traitor, continued to struggle with drug issues and interpersonal conflicts within the group.

Despite their troubled relationship, both Graham and Stone had lasting impacts on music, with Graham introducing Prince to faith and collaborating on various projects. The tension within the Sly and the Family Stone ultimately contributed to its dissolution by 1975, although Sly continued to tour under the band's name with different lineups.