He joined at a very exciting time! While in the group he:

added drums to several tracks on "There's a Riot Goin' On" (including the great drum part on "(You Caught Me) Smilin'")

found himself accidentally pushed underneath a limo

was threatened by an angry audience at the Apollo Theater, in Harlem

drove a baggage truck head-on toward an airplane leaving without him (somewhere in Alabama)

arrived in London only to be turned around and flown home

drummed for the group at a huge festival in the Poconos Mountains in Pennsylvania.

As you can imagine, by the time Gerry left the group in 1972, he was pretty road weary, and needed a large time out. He left the group at the same time as Larry.

Gerry and KC Stewart backstage in 1972

Before joining Sly & the Family Stone, Gerry was with Roy Head and the Traits. He moved to California for many reasons, a lawsuit being one. He played with Linda Ronstadt in a group called "Moccasin" which also featured Mike Halby of "Canned Heat," Bud Deal (who is now with "The Tractors"), and Tommy Poole of the old Noony Ricket band. When he took the job with Sly, he was playing with Michael McDonald (yes, THE), Mike Halby, and Bill McCubbin (Glen Campbell). After Sly & the Family Stone: Bobby Womack for two years, Jerry Riopelle for six years, studio work in L.A., as well as various L.A. local bands.

Gerry now works at Lowe's Home Improvements (like a Home Depot) and is a horticulturist, by way of other things. He worked the Dallas-Ft. Worth area for ten years, and became a "Texas Tornado." He currently lives in Nashville, done studio work from time to time, and has helped host a blues jam (he's also a member of the Nashville Blues Society). He is also busy raising his son (14) and daughter (10). In his spare time, he is involved with a Native American songwriter who is putting together an album, which he will market on the Internet. Check out the page for more details.

(Thanks to Gerry Gibson and Neal Austinson)

Creator and Webmaster: Jon Dakss