Sly & The Family Stone weren’t just a band; they were a vibrant explosion of sound and color that redefined the landscape of American music. Emerging from theSan Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s, they shattered musical boundaries, seamlessly blending funk, soul, rock, and psychedelia into a potent, irresistible concoction. At the heart of their groundbreaking sound and infectious energy was the seminal track, “Dance to the Music.” This wasn’t just a song; it was an invitation, a call to unity, and a declaration of musical liberation that resonated across a generation and continues to inspire today. Their music wasn’t confined to genres; it was an experience, an embodiment of inclusivity and unadulterated joy, urging everyone to simply dance to the music Sly & the Family Stone were creating.
Sly and the Family Stone
From Diverse Roots to a Unified Sound: The Genesis of The Family Stone
To truly understand the impact of “Dance to the Music,” it’s essential to delve into the unique origins of Sly & The Family Stone. The band was the brainchild of Sylvester Stewart, later known to the world as Sly Stone. A musical prodigy from a young age, Sly had already worn many hats in the music industry – from gospel singer to radio DJ, and even record producer. This diverse background gave him an unparalleled understanding of different musical styles and audiences.
Sly’s vision was revolutionary: to create a band that mirrored the changing social landscape of America. He intentionally brought together musicians from diverse ethnic and musical backgrounds. The “family” was literal, with Sly’s brother Freddie Stone on guitar and sister Rose Stone on keyboards and vocals. Rounding out this extraordinary ensemble were Larry Graham on bass, Greg Errico on drums, Jerry Martini on saxophone, and Cynthia Robinson on trumpet – a woman in a traditionally male-dominated instrumental role, further challenging conventions.
Before forming the Family Stone, these musicians had honed their skills in various genres. Jerry Martini played sax in a band that straddled R&B and rock, experiencing the challenges of breaking racial barriers in the music scene. Greg Errico’s drumming was rooted in soul, while Cynthia Robinson had a background in blues and R&B, backing touring musicians. Larry Graham’s innovative slap bass technique was already developing, adding a distinctive rhythmic foundation to their sound.
This melting pot of experiences was crucial. Sly was acutely aware of the racial divides in music, where “Black” music and “white” music were often rigidly separated. He famously played artists like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones on an R&B radio station, challenging narrow definitions of genre and race in music. He wanted to tear down these walls and create music that resonated with everyone, regardless of background. This vision was about to take shape in a song that would become an anthem for unity and pure musical expression: “Dance to the Music”.
“Dance to the Music”: A Calculated Masterpiece of Spontaneity
The creation of “Dance to the Music” was a pivotal moment for Sly & The Family Stone. After their debut album, A Whole New Thing, while critically acclaimed among musicians, failed to achieve commercial success, CBS Records urged Sly to create something more accessible, something people could dance to. This directive, rather than stifling Sly’s creativity, sparked an ingenious response.
Jerry Martini recounted Sly’s reaction: “Sly threw it down and he looked at me and said, ‘Okay, I’ll give them something.’ And that is when he took off with his formula style. He hated it. He just did it to sell records.” While Martini perceived it as a compromise, the result was anything but formulaic. “Dance to the Music” became a testament to Sly’s genius for crafting commercially appealing music without sacrificing innovation or soul.
The song’s structure was deceptively simple yet incredibly effective. It was built around a driving beat, infectious horn riffs, and a call-and-response vocal arrangement that showcased each band member. The lyrics were minimal, focusing on the sheer act of dancing and feeling the music. The opening, with each instrument joining in one by one – drums, bass, saxophone, trumpet, guitar, keyboards, and finally vocals – mirrored the band’s electrifying live performances, where each member was given space to shine.
This structure, reminiscent of King Curtis’s instrumental hit “Memphis Soul Stew,” built anticipation and excitement. The line “Ride, Sally, ride” was a nod to “Mustang Sally,” further grounding the song in familiar dance music territory. Even a studio accident became a stroke of brilliance. During rehearsals, a moment of forgotten lyrics led to Sly improvising “boom boom boom,” which Freddie and Larry spontaneously echoed, creating a catchy vocal hook that became a signature element of the song and their live shows.
Another serendipitous element was Jerry Martini’s clarinet. Intending to play saxophone on an overdubbing session, Martini brought a clarinet instead for convenience. Sly, hearing him casually playing in the background, decided to incorporate it into the track. This unexpected clarinet solo became a defining feature, adding a unique sonic texture rarely heard in soul music and further setting Sly & The Family Stone apart.
“Dance to the Music” was a calculated move towards commercial success, but it was also a brilliant distillation of everything that made Sly & The Family Stone unique. It was a song born from a creative challenge, infused with spontaneity and accident, and ultimately became a groundbreaking hit that invited the world to dance to the music Sly & the Family Stone were making.
Sly and the Family Stone
Beyond the Dance Floor: The Musical Innovation of Sly & The Family Stone
While “Dance to the Music” became their breakthrough hit, it was just the tip of the iceberg of Sly & The Family Stone’s musical innovation. They weren’t content with simply creating danceable tunes; they were pushing boundaries and experimenting with sound in ways that would influence generations of musicians.
Their music was a melting pot of influences. Sly’s deep understanding of music theory and composition, combined with the band’s collective experience in various genres, resulted in a sound that was both sophisticated and raw, accessible and experimental. They drew inspiration from The Beatles’ melodic inventiveness, Bob Dylan’s lyrical depth, and the raw funk of James Brown and Otis Redding.
This fusion resulted in “psychedelic soul,” a genre that Sly & The Family Stone arguably pioneered. They incorporated elements of the San Francisco counterculture – its psychedelic textures, its emphasis on freedom and experimentation – into soul music. Songs like “I Want to Take You Higher” and “Everyday People,” while undeniably funky and danceable, also carried a message of social consciousness and spiritual uplift, resonating with the era’s burgeoning social movements.
Their second album, also titled Dance to the Music, solidified this direction. It was a more cohesive work, packed with high-energy tracks like “Ride the Rhythm” and the extended medley “Dance to the Medley,” further exploring their signature blend of funk, rock, and soul. Even tracks like “Higher,” a reworking of an earlier song, showcased their evolving sound and their knack for incorporating diverse musical references, this time nodding to Jackie Wilson’s “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher.”
Sly & The Family Stone’s impact extended beyond genre-bending. Their integrated lineup, featuring both Black and white musicians and female instrumentalists, was a powerful statement in a racially charged era. They embodied the message of unity and inclusivity that was central to their music, and their very existence challenged the segregated norms of the music industry and American society.
“Everyday People” and the Height of Their Message: Unity and Optimism
Following the success of “Dance to the Music” and the Dance to the Music album, Sly & The Family Stone reached even greater heights with “Everyday People.” Released in 1968, this song became their first number one hit and an enduring anthem for unity and understanding.
“Everyday People” was simplicity perfected. Built around Larry Graham’s iconic single-note bassline, the song had only two chords and a melody that was as catchy and universal as a playground chant. Yet, within this simplicity lay profound messages about acceptance and equality.
The lyrics directly addressed racial intolerance, advocating for a fundamentally optimistic view of race relations. In the late 1960s, amidst the Civil Rights Movement, there was a palpable sense of progress and hope for a more integrated future. “Everyday People” captured this sentiment, suggesting that while societal problems existed, individual acceptance and understanding could pave the way for a more harmonious world. Sly’s philosophy at the time, as expressed in the song, was about recognizing shared humanity beyond skin color, urging listeners to see past superficial differences.
The song extended its message beyond race, encompassing class and social differences, resonating with the hippie counterculture’s ethos of peace and love. In a time of social upheaval and division, “Everyday People” offered a vision of unity, suggesting that despite differences in “different strokes,” everyone deserved respect and a chance.
“Everyday People” became more than just a hit song; it became a cultural touchstone. Its message of “different strokes for different folks” entered the common vernacular, and the song was covered by a vast array of artists across genres, from The Staple Singers and Ike & Tina Turner to Dolly Parton and Peggy Lee, each bringing their own interpretation to its timeless message. It solidified Sly & The Family Stone’s position not just as musical innovators but as cultural commentators, using their music to promote positive social change.
Sly and the Family Stone
Woodstock and Beyond: The Peak and the Descent
The summer of 1969 was a whirlwind for Sly & The Family Stone, culminating in their iconic performance at Woodstock. They played a string of major festivals, sharing stages with diverse acts, showcasing the breadth of their appeal across musical and cultural boundaries.
Their Woodstock performance was a defining moment. Despite facing delays, a sleepy and massive audience, and equipment problems, they delivered a set that Rolling Stone hailed as triumphant. Their extended medley of hits, including “Dance to the Music,” “Music Lover,” and “I Want to Take You Higher,” ignited the crowd, transforming a potentially disastrous situation into a legendary performance. Sly’s energy and the band’s tight musicianship transcended the challenges, solidifying their reputation as a phenomenal live act.
However, this peak also marked the beginning of a slow descent. The pressures of fame, coupled with internal tensions and the burgeoning influence of drugs, began to take their toll. Cocaine, in particular, became increasingly prevalent within the band, especially affecting Sly and Freddie Stone.
Personal relationships within the band fractured. Larry Graham’s relationship with Rose Stone ended amidst complex personal and external pressures, creating further friction. Sly’s increasingly erratic behavior, fueled by drug use, started to impact the band’s dynamics and their professional commitments. They became notorious for late arrivals and missed performances, damaging their reputation and straining relationships with management and promoters.
Despite these challenges, Sly & The Family Stone continued to create music, releasing albums like Stand! and There’s a Riot Goin’ On. Stand! produced more hits like the title track and “I Want to Take You Higher,” showcasing Sly’s continued songwriting brilliance, even as internal cracks widened. However, There’s a Riot Goin’ On, released in 1971, marked a significant shift. It was a darker, more introspective album, reflecting Sly’s deteriorating mental state and the growing social disillusionment of the era. While commercially successful, it signaled a departure from the optimistic and unifying messages of their earlier work.
The Legacy of a Revolution: Sly & The Family Stone’s Enduring Impact
The original lineup of Sly & The Family Stone eventually dissolved in the mid-1970s, succumbing to internal pressures and Sly’s increasingly self-destructive behavior. While subsequent iterations of the band and Sly’s solo work followed, they never recaptured the magic of their initial era.
Despite their relatively short lifespan, Sly & The Family Stone’s impact on music is undeniable and far-reaching. They fundamentally changed the sound of popular music, pioneering psychedelic soul and influencing funk, rock, and soul artists for decades to come. Their genre-bending approach paved the way for artists like Prince, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Wonder, who built upon their fusion of funk, rock, and soul. Their influence can also be heard in Talking Heads, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the development of disco and New Wave.
“Dance to the Music” remains a timeless classic, a testament to their innovative sound and infectious energy. It embodies the spirit of unity and joyful expression that was at the heart of Sly & The Family Stone’s music. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its simple yet powerful message: to let go, embrace the music, and dance to the music Sly & the Family Stone created.
Sly & The Family Stone’s story is a cautionary tale of creative brilliance intertwined with personal struggles. But ultimately, their legacy is defined by the music they left behind – a vibrant, revolutionary, and eternally danceable body of work that continues to inspire and uplift. They took us higher, and their music continues to resonate, urging us all to dance to the music of unity, joy, and boundless creativity.
