PEOPLE
-- Time Magazine, June 17 1974
| "There is a religious nature to the ceremony you are about to witness." Master of Ceremonies Don Cornelius advised the 21,000 rowdy wedding guests assembled at Manhattan's Madison Square Garden. Acting as if it were news to them, the mostly white crowd -- who had paid $6.50 to $8.50 a ticket to watch Rock Star Sly Stone, 30, marry Actress Kathy Silva, the mother of his nine-month-old child -- whistled and hooted when the preacher launched into the Lord's Prayer. The nuptials were billed as a "golden affair." Halston, the designer of the costumes explained "Sly is such a golden god." |
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| Yet the proceedings yielded mainly dross in an atmosphere heavy with cannabis. Among the few taking matters seriously was the groom's mother, Alpha Stewart, 57, who gave her maternal blessing. "If this couple can live 40 years married as my husband and I have lived, well, they can make it if they try," she declared. There were those in the audience that thought she was perhaps referring to Sly's former reputation for failing to fulfill engagements. Then she introduced Family Friend Bishop B.R. Stewart of the Church of God in Christ, who had replaced, at her insistence, the Rev. Ike. Explained a Sly aide: "The only denomination Ike knows anything about is $5, $10, $20." |
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While a dozen bridesmaids in black jerseys waved giant golden palm fronds, Sly's musical Family and his flesh-and-blood kin gathered onstage with the Silva family. Finally the happy couple appeared in dazzling golden unisex gear. Planting a kiss on the cheek of Trumpet-Playing (sic) Sister Rose, Sly diddy-hopped over to Kathy's side on cue, only to freeze momentarily when required to answer "Wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife?" Careful prompting helped him finish the ceremony. As a relieved Bishop Stewart declared "I'm fixin' to pray now," an ignorant fan yelled "He can sing 'Babies Making Babies' now and really mean it." Instead of the traditional Mendelssohn, Sly delivered a couple of his own numbers, taking a break from "M'Lady" to enjoy a 30-second smooch with Kathy, for which he received an ovation. Then they moved on to a more exclusive reception at the Starlight Terrace of the Waldorf-Astoria, where 450 privileged admirers, including Geraldo Rivera, Daine von Furstenburg, Marlon Javits, Andy Warhol, Baby Jane Holzer, Amanda Burden and Peter Cook enjoyed a Japanese buffet and champagne plus a slice of the five-tier cake, topped with a golden pastry record. Taking a breather from the hectic dance floor, one bridesmaid said, "I can't wait for the divorce." Later it was revealed that the elaborately staged arrangements had suffered a hitch. The 1,000 white doves that were supposed to have been released as Sly proclaimed "I will" were grounded by an ASPCA threat to call the cops. |
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CAPTIONS:
After Sly and Kathy made their vows to Bishop Stewart, who was framed by brides-maids bearing palms, the groom showed how he was going to lift his wife over thethreshold. Then the dazzling couple displayed their wedding finery to the guests. TV Commentator and wife Edith cutting up at the reception on the Waldorf's Starlight Roof. Two revelers create their own rites to honor the newlyweds. Peter Cook confers with bridesmaid. Halston puts on shades to admire this "golden affair" while Sometime model Pat Ast congratulates him with a hug.
Color photo courtesy of Stephen Paley. |
