Sly Stone and Richard Pryor goof and play duet - Mike Douglas Show - Nov 1974

The day before Thanksgiving 1974 (11/27/74), rounding out Sylvester Stewart's week as Special guest on The Mike Douglas Show. Muhammad Ali had been another guest with Sly earlier in the week.

[@ernanidimassa4968]

I was there as a Mike Douglas Show producer... needless to say a rather unforgettable moment in my career.

[@SkibroDuck]

Seems like sly couldn't keep it together . You being there at that time is cool. A moment in history. Why did Sly call for Frank? Who is Frank?

[@goldking1438]

U would be dead

[@dannyd1572]

Very cool. Have you written a book yet? If you were a producer for Mike, you pry have enough to make a great book.

[@glenndouglas8822]

I bet the production company had to find a lot of coke for that rider 🤭😉

[@RobK32]

His guitar tech ​@@SkibroDuck

[@bbqeatinbuckeye]

Can we just give it up for Sly's hair?

[@4131947]

It was a very costumey tine. Men got to let out their inner peacocks!

[@SusanDoran]

It wasn't really "costumey" at that time, per se, was it? It seem more to be: do your own thing. Not do your own thing so people will look at you (as it is now). Or Do your own thing so you can talk about yourself and how brave you are to do your thing. It was do YOUR thing. Now that...is actually brave. Inner peacock or look at Ken Kesey--your inner rugby player--or whatever your thing. And it could change. And would. And didn't have to be named, labeled, cemented, or proclaimed. Now that...is actually fluid.

[@bbqeatinbuckeye]

@@SusanDoran Appreciate your insight. Thank you.

[@k.robert6279]

....another oh, no, fro.

[@elbinkogrande]

Mike Douglas was a pretty cool, relaxed and gracious host. Cats like Sly and Richard would not have bothered with his show if they didn't like him.

[@ersturdevant2831]

This is real and raw. Compare this to any current late night show. There is no comparison.

[@ladyd8028]

Talk Show: The Early Years. (I miss "Donahue.")

[@RayPaganJr]

Sly weighed about 90 pounds with his afro.

[@anitalenor1]

Right! body of a 12 year old..Woza..All that Talent.God Bless him!

[@debbierolland4209]

And i loved all of thosev90 pounds so much still do Sly is pretty funny in his own right.

[@shawnfisher8775]

With a 30 pound Afro...lol🤭

[@smithjedediah]

I kept on looking at his legs and I'm still not convinced those are actual human legs

[@MeLoNHeAd00]

David Bowie snow diet

[@thomassodomizer764]

As soon as Richard mentioned Coke it conjured up Sly.

[@butterflyborn4100]

You crazy!!!!! LOL!!!!!!

[@ernestbutler4141]

I didn't catch that.But I did hear RICHARD PRYORr.i.p.Say to the Audience That SLY is such a Ladies Man The Wicked Witch of The West Gave SLY Her Shoes.😆 sorry I missed that misster sodomizer?Love& Peace 😁😎 luv ya byo eJ..misster sodomizer?is that a gay term?not dat anything's wrong with it.🏃

[@bryanrendleman2001]

Lol ! Yea !

[@blooloo8707]

Without the Fro----Sly could walk through a harp.

[@smoothone1472]

Lol.

[@christopherneelyakagoattmo6078]

He still could: his 'fro would just look like Eraser Head. And he could pull that look off,any day. Man was smooth as wet silk.

[@lucyjohnson7974]

LOL

[@elizabethlinsay9193]

Love it!

[@Moluccan56]

Funny!

[@alanmorris7669]

Sly Stone was always stoned, but Richard knew how to hold it in the road. This was raw unadulterated, unrehearsed comedy at its best.

[@tsmith3522]

I think Mike was stoned too. Pun intended 😂

[@KearyFox]

?? RP blew this whole little thing... he held nothing in the road. Sly did...

[@mysteradio]

i dont know if the joke whooshed over me but Sly didnt like weed. he said so on Letterman.

[@hippydippy]

Other than Jimi ~ 2 of the baddest black cats that have ever lived... PERIOD.

[@SusanDoran]

or...comma AND Muhammad Ali :D

[@larisibbitt8528]

Facts

[@mitchleigh9588]

Prince

[@futiousstyles3315]

There are a number of others that could be added to that

[@jamesalfredstrong8106]

The baddest mama slama is Kanye....😊

[@craigenputtock]

Mike was so great with the musicians of the day! It's remarkable.

[@jesincere8589]

These two had great chemistry together.

[@letmetellyalilstory9122]

Cocaine chemistry

[@congoashanti4935]

All 3 high as a mofo

[@mrswimmyboy]

Fun to see but its a true fact Richard & Sly destroyed themselves with drugs. Makes it a little less funny.

[@debbierolland4209]

All three? I doubt mike is high...wtf is wrong with you the other two are.yes definately!!!!!!.mike dont look high sre you high??? Writing such tripe...

[@minkrobeII]

I love seeing this decade...the 70s was the most amazing decade of American history in terms of fashion, culture, and music! No other American decade comes close

[@Moluccan56]

It WAS fun!

[@misterfunkygroove7612]

El look de Sly es BRUTAL!! Tremendo! ❤

[@delmofritz3964]

the 60s

[@SusanDoran]

And 1970s film too. The '90s were pretty great too!

[@markjackson6134]

What's great about this,..whatever they had "Scripted" to do,..ended the second Sly showed up.

[@nonrepublicrat]

whatever

[@coachrobinson8350]

I can't believe I've never seen this! I am in tears. 😂😂😂

[@SusanDoran]

So glad you appreciate as much as I did :)

[@ghusaghusa2135]

Sly's hair weighs more than his body

[@moehammondmedia]

@2:30 translation- Richard I got real good cocaine back stage that I'm gonna share with you.

[@KingDominusBeats]

moehammondmedia lol that pack was in his left vest pocket

[@bazzleb684]

💙💙💙💙

[@jeffmcclure6347]

Sly is a good pianist and Richard is good on drums.

[@larisibbitt8528]

Sly Stone is actually super funny 😄

[@SusanDoran]

yes, he actually is - like most incredibly smart and creative people 🙂

[@courtneywilliams1695]

Sly was talented af even high

[@SusanDoran]

"EVEN" high...? A lot of people are particularly talented WHEN high.

[@AnthonyWilliams-li5mz]

God the fashion the hair the weight. I do miss the 70s

[@Alexthegreat27]

This was great! Sly just having fun, and Richard played on Sly's vibe to make it hilarious. 4:23 - 4:35 is a laugh out loud example. Mike Douglas was such a cool guy. He just let them be themselves and rolled with it. Many hosts would've gotten uptight.

[@markmonroe7330]

Dec 2022 - Sly is still with us while the rest are gone. Loves me some Sly .

[@skipads5141]

Coca Cola did a helluva business backstage that day.

[@SusanDoran]

Coca Cola was a helluva a beverage.

[@Michelle-ns2rq]

Blacks really stood up for each others then and enjoyed one another..Those damn drugs

[@mrcrazyjonpresents4312]

Hilarious watching two guys flying off each other through happy powder

[@mommypearltoomer6878]

lol to happy

[@winningwithwarriors9914]

Brother, you hit the nail on the head. As funny as this is, this was two heavy and what appears to be, high drug users having a moment! It makes it even funnier for me.

[@adonaiyah2196]

Very high i always wanted to see someone high

[@adamrobinson2078]

that must have been one hell of an after party!

[@kennymega61]

Happy powder? Oh cocaine

[@delonzo83]

High as a kite😭😭😂😂😂😂👌

[@ortizmusic7115]

Ayo it's crazy how sly was letting Rich know he had the goodies in his pocket, Rich started making crazy moans.

[@scoobydooo5364]

Sly Stone should make a movie about himself Oakland Bay Area will be in the movie

[@NDGOCHYLD]

High as hell....🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@czgunman4512]

Cocaine is a hell of a drug

[@deecee3499]

They high as hell😂😂😂😂😂

[@reearean]

These two are a mess

[@miapdx503]

@11:03, I got chills. That voice, and they were playing like it was rehearsal...thanks for this.

[@SusanDoran]

glad you appreciate it - it's amazing

[@VIRGONOMICS]

God bless Sly, I hope he is living better these days. Kind of tragic, but it's sad to know he was living in a van for a few years recently.

[@SusanDoran]

he seems to be doing ok now

[@chrisedwards3214]

+Susan Doran he lives in a trailer and he still does drugs

[@jimmmgrimmm2498]

chris edwards .... you are dead wrong....He has a custom built mobile recording studio/home parked right in front of his own house... He likes the outdoors and as of now he is drug free... Don't buy into the crappy lies peddled by the media.... How many wealthy people live in mobile homes? Answer - many

[@cheapthrilll6323]

Jimmm Grimmm good to know. Willie Nelson does the same thing.

[@davidperry7271]

Well of the 3 sly still living he will be 78 march 15 2021

[@moussetache1815]

The time when coke was in the air, all the time

[@RochelleEskue]

Very Cool MD. _uckin' Richard Pryor talkin' sh_t 'bout Sly's shoes! So funny. Thanks for the UL.

[@barrydavis3998]

Barry

[@SusanDoran]

You're welcome :)

[@superflysoulbrother]

Sly all cocky after standing up to Ali a night or 2 before.

[@smoothone1472]

Lol.

[@leelohaskin7941]

I would be, especially if I lived to tell about it🤣🤣

[@sparx180]

Mike Douglas was the best! I did not know was so skinny. Richard was one of the greatest comedians ever!

[@robertmcnealy4897]

I never seen this show until now on 12-15-21 this was hilarious.Sly and Richard had great friendship like chemistry.Sly seems like a lay back kind of guy.Too bad both Sly and Richard are gone

[@SusanDoran]

@Robert Mcnealy - Sly is still alive and wellish!

[@robertmcnealy4897]

@@SusanDoran Oh! I'll look it up

[@277fnkymnky]

Sly is still alive

[@invisiblesun6595]

@@SusanDoran Please tell us that Sony finally paid him back royalties. Last I checked he was homeless and Sony was still making a mint off his albums. A judge did rule in his favor that Sony was to pay him I think $2M but I don't think they ever did. Apparently the law doesn't matter much these days.

[@jg6698]

@@robertmcnealy4897 what's to look up? Sly is here

[@eddygsmusicworld1708]

this is so wacked out,its great

[@mactire1288]

Sly is the coolest cat to ever walk the earth, furthermore he is a bonafide genius

[@SusanDoran]

100% agree

[@MsMaureena]

I watched Mike Douglas all the time when I was a kid. Mezmering to me then, never knew why, now I do.

[@sylvesterstewart868]

What's lost to many is how smart Sly (Richard too.) was before he cooked his brain with cocaine. He had the world eating out of his hands.

[@mrnelsonius5631]

“Even Henry Kissinger can’t negotiate his contracts” when Pryor said that I knew this would be worth the time haha. Smart, genius artists here having fun.

[@SusanDoran]

Not just drugs, tho--Life was generally a little too harsh to hit straight on for a genius of his sort ("You might be scared of something---look at Mr. Stewart! He's the only person he has to fear---he only let himself get near---he don't trust nobody") btw @Sylvester Stewart - how did you come to use this moniker?

[@niqulusviii987]

@@SusanDoran SEE you caught it! Sly was writing many things about himself

[@ninettam8372]

@@SusanDoran Yes you nailed it. Thank you for uploading this video btw!

[@SusanDoran]

@@ninettam8372 glad you appreciated it!

[@aydicee]

Ummm Sly and Rich snorted a few lines before they came out on stage.

[@smoothone1472]

Lol.

[@Optics21]

The loved the coke

[@balasmj]

I thought they memorised lines...

[@lolitadiaz0113]

Omg these 2 legends were really really locos and funny😄😃😎

[@artvandalay9711]

Is Sly lil Wayne's father? Very similar sound and looks

[@brianarchibald7904]

Hugh Johnson Trinidad James

[@u.s.n.retired1995]

Mike didn't even need to be there. Richard and Sly, two cool cats. This I enjoyed.

[@marcyfan]

mike had them on so he deserves enormous credit.

[@chrisedwards3214]

I can imagine the drugs sly and Richard took after the show

[@Vor_Tex_Sun]

And before

[@debbierolland4209]

Or before or during love rhem both cant believe Sly still alive enjoying his royalties settlement of 5 million hope he enjoyed the money he so well deserved!!!

[@imperialbodega3536]

Pryor: "gotta check my breath" Sly: "oh i thought you was gonna do something else, I got something for you" Pryor: "oooooooooooooo"

[@ahmad.tillery.1987]

BEST INTERVIEW EVER

[@mommypearltoomer6878]

they so high and what Sly give Richard, and Mike trying to hide it. lol2:14 oh the 1960s & 1970s, l love this area.

[@debbierolland4209]

Its era not area

[@pinkgypsytees]

@@debbierolland4209 LOL😂

[@pinkgypsytees]

@@debbierolland4209 LOL😂

[@stevemilligan8708]

Wow good eye

[@scoobydooo5364]

I can tell the world that I knew mr. Paul Moody first met him in Oakland California Soul beat cable channel station on stage with Paul at the Black Repertory Theater in Berkeley California

[@Tyrman82]

4:26 that was suspect how sly reached in Richard crouch

[@sainttrunks1982]

#KennethWilliams That was Beyond suspect brah.

[@felinefokus]

They all was gay. Rick James, Paul mooney, Eddie Murphy, redd fox, & I can't think of the short black man who had his own show who they hung with 2 right now

[@felinefokus]

Flip Wilson

[@sainttrunks1982]

@@felinefokus I don't know about Redd Foxx tho.... he didn't come off as g4y at all.

[@felinefokus]

sainttrunks1982 none of them did to the extreme tbh. You have to look at the era being open about ones lifestyle would get them shunned. There are manly men who prefer to keep their masculinity but have sex with men. You see this in the penitentiary. It's not obvious like eddie, Rick James, & paul Mooney because the way they carry themselves. But if you watch enough of redd fox other projects: interviews, movies, stand ups, other shows he has featured you would be able to read between the lines. How you think they all got they own show?

[@pod831]

Pryor was so quick witted he could find something humorous to say about any comment or situation.

[@SusanDoran]

In today's world he'd either not be famous or giving interviews about how he has used humor as a crutch for his mental health challenges, and the difficult hand of hardships he was dealt.

[@Vaniteez]

Sly and Rich seemed like they could be brothers

[@nikahyawilliams9447]

They high as hell 😂😂😂

[@carolynlee2512]

They Hiiiigh. Richard holding that cigarette like a joint

[@amsedelm]

Sly seems like such a lovable dude. 8)

[@eclay432]

We all had stupid shoes and bags of white powder in our pockets, one hit bullets in our pockets in those days. That's why everyone went down the tubes and lost everything including our minds in those days. Drugs, drugs and more drugs was the order of the day. Too bad for us all.

[@josephharden5592]

J P if we click Sly's shoes together, everyone can go back to those times 😂😂

[@lolitadiaz0113]

J P so were u stuck in that dark hole of drugs too? Hope u okk now😨😱😎

[@gabbyc3444]

Wish I experienced the 70s

[@sidneyrash9718]

Speak 4 your self some people

[@jg6698]

Everyone? Who are you to speak for us? Lol. Probably a 30 something fraud.

[@jackmeoff9116]

Them Brothers been to the moon together!! Mike Douglas is like theses Nukkas are krazy!!

[@milboltnut]

how you gonna fired me on nat'l TV chump !

[@mogomarkas3187]

I missed this episode of Mike Douglas back in the day. Thank you!

[@silkyrobinson5079]

Respect these Good Men. Many people got high or whatever in Some way in those days. ...and many people still do.

[@silkyrobinson5079]

Heck ...even the audience is stoned. Mabey, theres nothing wrong with that. 💙💚💜💛❤🌍🐱🐾🍀🌲🐍

[@minorsnow5306]

Black on Black tension on t.v.!!WOW!

[@jg6698]

Imagine that

[@TheBFN]

Ol sly tore up from the floor up... Lol...party after the gig brother 😂

[@caracasboogie]

Cold blooded, fired Rich on the drums, crazy shit.

[@flexibilitymanager]

damn i would've loved to see him play that guitar

[@methenyjazz]

You know they hung together!

[@Milkybutta]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing…. I bet they were so funny off camera.

[@SSChitownWild100s]

I don’t know why lil Wayne reminds me of sly…

[@SusanDoran]

I'll have to think about that...maybe there's a certain intelligence and a goofiness to them both...?

[@saturnsabyss]

3:43 I just learned that "out of pocket" was used at least as far back as the early 70s

[@valm3346]

Thanks Beefing 313 for the morning laugh😅

[@SusanDoran]

Glad you enjoyed it! What or Who is Beefing 313? :)

[@kingeliii9011]

Mike Douglas always had the welcome mat down for black entertainers back in the day that's why I always watched his show. I miss television from these times.

[@SusanDoran]

He was really great. I watched it for black entertainers as well as high-quality non-black entertainers. He gave a lot of people a chance to speak at length and in their own way, unlike someone like the phony stilted Merv Griffin.

[@denverdanoreno]

Richard never could be 2nd fiddle especially with another black man. Love you Sly,

[@STEVO-hn5su]

Sly...Cooler than a bag of Eskimos.

[@onelove1541]

I suddenly want to go drive a Pinto with an 8 track in it listening to the Isley Brothers....haha.

[@JeffreyCollinsHarper]

This is as funny now as it was back then! I'm dying. Dead. Done. Bless them!

[@na-ho1rh]

So much coke

[@chrisedwards3214]

Richzrd birned himself up years later almost died freebassing Sly becameba hermit who played out in mater years

[@certifiedbeatz]

The coke was real then,l😅

[@angus7278]

Pryor obviously couldn’t keep a beat, playing it for laughs I guess.

[@toddnelson4334]

Sly I thought 💭 you gone do something else 😂

[@ABN6565]

Naturally funny right there Remember my pops watching this and falling out. All day long

[@ronjoshua8356]

Two geniuses, musical and comedic, on the Mike Douglas Show on Jimi Hendrix' birthday(even though he had passed just over 4 years earlier).

[@skipads5141]

Didn't notice that detail. He obviously had a huge influence on Sly and Jimi delved deep into genius funk on his Band Of Gypsies albums.

[@bethbartlett5692]

This was too fun!!! I so love Sly. God Bless him Happy and Well always and bless Richard's soul with a dose of the laughter positive energies he always inspired! 😘

[@SusanDoran]

thanks for your comments -- I love Sly so much -- he & Richard Pryor are such artists

[@harrylazard805]

MD: "Who in the hell booked these two?" "Next time it's Donny Osmond and Andy Williams!"...

[@SusanDoran]

LOL! nah, he dug them.

[@sunwalla77]

Sly said I got something for you and Richard response was classic

[@DaymondMayhall]

Love me some sly....Panthers waz negative....ali...slipped

[@Maxximillion100]

I wonder if Lil Way is related to Sly. 🤔🤔🤔

[@Slime-xl2of]

They don't do talk shows like this anymore.

[@SusanDoran]

That is for SURE!

[@Native5]

Both got high before and after the show. I can imagine what was going in the green room.

[@peterjonas4971]

Richard's playing bebop jazz drums here, pretty damn incredible. I'm not sure why he's not playing 4/4 soul groove, but he still kills it. Sly is simply a genius, as was Richard at his craft.

[@angus7278]

Uhhh….more like when you let a 4 year old loose on your drum kit! Crash boom crash! And Dad says “That’s Jazz”!!!😂

[@zemarquez4662]

Sky’s fro is impeccable

[@LittleJacob208]

Yeah that’s why he bought it.

[@mikeornelas5243]

Classic!

[@djpants]

I love Sly so much

[@SusanDoran]

me too

[@graxjpg]

Damn! Sly was so fuckin thin!!

[@5blingsninersrule]

That was long before the JUST SAY NO Campaign.....

[@SusanDoran]

Thank god

[@1blastman]

I wish Sly didn't succumb to drug addiction, he would've become a real long term influencer.

[@SusanDoran]

He is tho!

[@1blastman]

@@SusanDoran His influence and life philosophy are still felt by those who knew him, but he could have reached a lot more people.

[@SusanDoran]

@@1blastman Maybe he reached those with ears to hear.

[@gabejurewicz713]

How you gonna fire me on national TV, chump!? 😆

[@rgsultracomedy2867]

Amazing television

[@billoreilly6117]

I didn’t know who the (:) these guys were in 1974 when this was made. But later, I realized that Sly’s band’s big moments were already passed them..although I just read they still had a top twenty album in ‘74. So was Sly still a face on TV during the mid-70s and late-70s disco boom. Would he have looked out of place in ‘Saturday Night Fever’? Pretty soon, slick disco was unstoppable and funk was kinda not mainstream. Hits like ‘Fly Robin Fly’ or ‘Get Down and Boogie’ were huge and they each had a total of six words .

[@SusanDoran]

Thanks for your comment and for watching the video. I'll reply tomorrow because it's more than I can get into right now, but many of your presumptions aren't quite on-point.