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| 1997: | 
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The consumer world was taken by surprise when auto giant
Toyota
launched an enormous
ad campaign in the mediums of television, radio and print, all based on
Sly & the Family Stone's 1969 smash hit "Everyday People"
(RealAudio 28.8). Most surprising
of all was that the campaign was crafted in a manner which neither tarnished
the memory of the song (as most ad campaigns using pop hits often do) nor
discredited the company. In fact, many critics have noted that the commercials,
which only feature the rhythm track and final chorus of the song, provide an
impetus to listen to the song in its entirety.
As of February 1998, Toyota's "Everyday" campaign is still going strong.
Thanks to The Dream Factory for the audio file. |
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| On Sunday, May 25, 1997, Larry Graham reunited with original Sly & the Family Stone members Rose Stone, Jerry Martini and Cynthia Robinson to perform a Sly & the Family Stone medley (along with Graham Central Station songs) at Sinbad's Soul Music Festival in Aruba. The performance, which was shown on HBO later that year, was a result of Sinbad checking out the Graham Central Station Web Site while he was in the Bay Area and learning that Larry Graham & Graham Central Station would coincidentally be performing there that very night. He checked out the show and the rest was "history!" Sinbad also booked the group for his Summer Funk Festival, and when the Festival appeared in the Bay Area, Greg Errico stepped in on drums. The audience witnessed five of the seven original members of Sly & the Family Stone paying tribute to the group's music. |
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| PBS devoted a portion of their History of Rock and Roll series to Sly and the Family Stone. Introducing them between James Brown and the Motown label, PBS aired footage of the band ca. 1970 performing "Thank You," "Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey," "Dance to the Music" and "Stand!" Interspersed between these clips were footage of the band members in 1995. Cynthia, Jerry, Freddie, Greg, and Rose are shown seated together, talking about Sly and about their music. They even sing a little a capella rendition of "Dance to the Music." There's also a clip of them walking, presumably leaving the place where they had been filmed, and Freddie and Jerry are clearly seen carrying their instruments, prompting some unanswered questions about what went down. Larry is shown on a Jamaica beach, first strutting in the sand with his bass performing his famous bassline for "Thank You," and then playing and singing his parts on "Dance to the Music" and talking about the "fuzz" box he used on that tune. Aside from the early pictures of Sly as a DJ, and clips of him performing with the band, he makes no appearance on the special. |
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| On January 12, 1993, all of the original members of Sly & the Family Stone appeared together to receive an award marking their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They were inducted along with music legends like Cream, Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Doors. After being introduced by P-Funk leader George Clinton, all of the members except Sly walked onto the stage. Larry then led all members in a capella renditions of "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" and "Dance to the Music" after which the six members of the Family Stone made short, thankful speeches Just when it seemed as though Sly was not going to appear, he stepped onto the stage accompanied by a standing ovation. He made a hasty speech, uttered the words "See you soon" and left the podium. |
The Sly & the Family Stone Discography
Creator and Webmaster: Jon Dakss