Sly and the Family Stone: An Oral History by Joel Selvin

From genius to nightmare in a few albums

Sly and the Family Stone still get some radio airplay on classic rock stations, but most people under the age of 60 are unlikely to remember or comprehend the level of fame and critical acclaim this band achieved in their heyday. Formed and led by the incomparable musician and songwriter Sly Stone (born Sylvester Stewart), the Family Stone was one of the first prominent bands to feature black and white artists, and men and women, making rock and roll music together. And no one was a token member. While the band was in its prime, Sly made sure everyone got their juicy riffs and solos. When people my age praise what a musical genius Prince was, I can’t help thinking Prince learned 90% of what he knew from Sly and the Family Stone.

First published in 1998, Sly and the Family Stone: An Oral History, is a biography of the band compiled by rock journalist Joel Selvin. The text of this oral history is assembled from interviews with about forty different persons who lived and/or worked with Sly and the band. Notably absent from the interviewees is Sly himself. It would have been nice if he were present here to defend himself, but given that he’s been a recluse since the 1980s, that would be an unrealistic expectation. All of the other members of the Family Stone participated in Selvin’s project, with the exception of “Little Sister” Rose Stone. KC and Alpha Stewart, parents to Sly, Freddie, Rose, and Vaetta Stewart/Stone, tell their side of the story, as does Sly’s ex-wife. Most of the other participants are managers, bodyguards, record company execs, and other members of the entourage. There aren’t many big-name stars among the speakers, but Bobby Womack, Grace Slick, and the Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart are among the few notable rock and rollers who testify.

I’ve always found oral history to be an excellent format for rock and roll biography, especially when the artist in question has lived a scary and terrible life (see many episodes of VH1’s Behind the Music). A prime example would be the formidable I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon, but in terms of self-destruction, paranoia, and violent behavior, Sly may have Warren beat. The story the participants tell here is really a shocking and tragic tale.

Sly was a musical genius who wrote songs and produced records even as a teenager. He was a successful radio DJ in San Francisco before he decided to form his own band. Sly and the Family Stone blew the crowd away at Woodstock and put out classic albums like Stand! and There’s a Riot Goin’ On. Sly’s songs told of a better way of life in which love and brotherhood triumphed over oppression and hate.

The story behind the scenes, however, was much darker. Sly turned into a control freak, not just in the studio but outside as well. With escalating fame came escalating drug use, including a proclivity for PCP. Members of the band often lived together in Sly’s homes amidst his large collections of guns and dogs. (There is a dog story in this book that is one of the most incredibly harrowing scenes I’ve ever read.) Sly’s bodyguards behaved like mob goons, allegedly beating up band members. Sly’s derangement got to the point where he considered showing up for concerts to be optional. Over time he isolated himself more and more, until the Family Stone became a one-man band. This book is more than just a hatchet session by the people interviewed. Despite the broken hearts, physical injuries, and shattered careers, one can sense that they truly cared about Sly. His decline was a tremendous squandering of artistic potential. This oral history is definitely not a feel-good story, but it does make for a riveting and eye-opening read.
If you liked this review, please follow the link below to Amazon.com and give me a “helpful” vote. Thank you.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1SLII7TVTLY2J/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm