Sly Stone on Letterman, February 21, 1983 (expanded)

[@davidmccall4776]

I saw him in '77 in Asheville NC, and he was late, as usual, but once he hit the stage, everyone forgot all about his tardiness! The man is an absolute musical genius, no doubt about it! I've been a fan since Woodstock, and I wish him the best in his struggle against the demons that have haunted him for so long, and hope that he can recover some of the millions that he was screwed out of in various ways by his management and recording industry executives. Keep fighting Sly, you deserve every dime that's owed, plus interest! BTW HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳

[@kahlesjf]

At least in his public appearances, no matter what condition he is in, you cannot help but love this guy and root for him, hoping he will make it. Such an enormous talent and a tragic figure...tragic whether you blame him in full or in part for the trajectory of his music career and his life. (And somehow still with us at age 80)

[@monilaninetynine3811]

He's the portrait of a survivor. I just don't see him as tragic.

[@bobbyhenderson1987]

Sly is a winner

[@anandapandya1]

That’s the truth!

[@triviaone1628]

AMEN & AMEN!!!

[@mindsigh4]

life is a tragedy beautiful sometimes terrifying poignant hilarious mad surprising & then 🚪

[@tigerscott2966]

Sly's sacrifices have paid off...more young People are listening to his music and Performing his songs in live shows. Music is universal ...the amount of joy It brings to people will be around forever.

[@charlottemckenzie5259]

bro I'm almost ten on my mom's phone😂

[@AprilCampbell]

Voices like his and Prince are just fantastic. It’s a joy to hear them speak in that deep voice but so mannered and calm. I love Sly Stone.

[@3fsw3]

Sly was and always will be the musical innovator that changed so much of what funk, soul, and rock could be!!

[@gregrosen9616]

Sly is a genius songwriter . Most don’t realize how huge he is to music.

[@susantaulli6580]

“If you want me to stay” is an all time favorite of mine.

[@bmuhamad]

​​@@susantaulli6580Thank you" is one of mine, and one of my dad's. Thank you, Madame. 😊

[@bluehawkdreamer]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@scor440]

What a happy guy and does not take a backseat to anybody in the industry.Jimi saw him and he gave Sly a standing ovation!

[@tonym994]

Jimi, in order to keep the money in his pocket, appeared on a S&FStone track, 'sex machine' w/ out a credit. that's the story, anyway.

[@jeffsmith1354]

@@tonym994 False, it's Sly's brother Freddie who played that solo. This is how rumors start.

[@GS-uy4xo]

You’ll never how much you gave us - THANK YOU 🙏🏼 SLY!!

[@annabrewer8054]

Sly is the greatest. Happy that Hiram got to play with him. Thanks Don!

[@OU812cheeto]

I love his speaking voice, so low and rich.

[@reclaim7107]

sly stone is one of my major influences and i am a 26year old musician who works his ass off because of bands like this... to share a sound like they did leaving a mark on our worlds timeline

[@reclaim7107]

@John Siket maybe Bruno Mars is the closest... they just don't make em like they used to...

[@bigolebot]

We got youngsters liking Sly Stone? 😎👍 Favourite Sly album?

[@dougtodd305]

The one,the only,the pioneer,the original funkateer, classic, old school, master.

[@lynnsalisbury3080]

The man the myth the legend Sly Stone. ♥️ The enigma.

[@bapples]

Hope Sly is doing well now. What a musical genius. Thanks for posting. 🙏🏻

[@robsash8991]

Last I heard he's living in an RV i Compton. Not doing well...

[@Baci302]

@@robsash8991 didn’t he win something like a $5 million verdict against the record company not too long ago?

[@rubicon-oh9km]

@@Baci302 No. Sly is penniless and living in an RV in LA

[@tf7223]

@@rubicon-oh9km his family came out and he did win a couple million that i think a label stole from him and they said he lives there willingly.

[@bethbartlett5692]

@@rubicon-oh9km Sly received a court settlement and should be secure now. He obviously has a Mature perspective and has experienced challenging decisions and circumstances. I've little doubt he has taken the experiences from a Higher perspective and is a stronger Genius and special man.

[@chariotwofilthy8374]

Hi edagdwg thanks You Tube for sharing this history of a real singer and band player and dancer Mr. sly Stone and family love them Linda j peace.

[@chariotwofilthy8374]

Hi edagdwg thanks for sharing this story of what happens when you have away to singing about what my. Life is real God bless him he is a real entertainer love him 💯💯💯❤️❤️💯💯🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋☮️☮️☮️☮️

[@juskoolca1986]

Sly influenced so many others Earth wind and fire Prince and many more .Went to see him in the 80s he was late but it was a great concert ,just wish a I had a cell phone back then

[@poppyallgood6918]

Wow, this upload alone justifies KZbin’s entire existence. Thank you, that was spectacular and then some!

[@mischiefmikeyo]

Great performance Sly is the man

[@cameramanzoomit]

A Sly Stone public appearance. More rare than an alien sighting. Or maybe the same thing. Amazing stuff!

[@ethanhill9460]

He is the brother from another planet.

[@helenmurphy3143]

GREAT

[@willmac12]

Hey

[@andymullarx6365]

Sometimes even when he's scheduled to perform. He was like the Pavoratti of funk. Eric Clapton chuckled at telling the story of the time he brought a guitar as a gift for Jimi Hendrix to a venue where Sly Stone was to perform and Jimi was to be in the audience. Well Jimi didn't show and Eric never saw him again but Sly also didn't show and I kind of suspect that the two of them were off partying together somewhere.

[@stephendijoseph7027]

I just love this guy....GREAT music!

[@J.T.Broderick]

The extended commercial playing is tremendous, made my whole month! Loved hearing Hiram do the vocal parts on "Hot Fun"! Thanks as always, best channel in KZbin history.

[@Alexthegreat27]

Great performance by Sly! Never seen the interview before and really enjoyed it! It's too bad he couldn't shake the drug bug and, besides an appearance in Jesse Johnson's Crayzay in '86, faded into relative obscurity after this... S&TFS are the highlight of Questlove's 'Summer of Soul' regarding the Harlem Music Festival of 1969, appearing on Hulu on July 2nd, and Questlove is reportedly working on a Sly documentary. Sly & the Family Stone are one of the musical titans of the late 60's/early 70's.

[@susancain8505]

when so many of that Era have passed its great to still have Sly here with his health is in decline but he has outlasted most of those who followed him ie LM and Prince grew up listening to Sly and Family Stone he is a part of my youth my musical journey as he is for many of my age group

[@KokoTheGorilla69]

I've seen his performance before but never the interview, thanks Don!

[@thedonwesley5279]

Amazing, even the complete break music included. Thanks lots Don ! !

[@mattkaustickomments]

Just when Sly looks like he’s got a shot at getting his life and career back together, crack starts flooding the streets...

[@neheboi1012]

Sad…

[@airdarwin9924]

Government funded crack can't forget that

[@naj_z]

Lets blame that almighty entity "the streets" for getting hooked up on crack 😅. I'm sorry for him, he is an amazing artist, but we must not forget that people do this shiat to themselves. First step in getting rid of your addiction is knowing that you are addicted and only you can change the course, "the streets" won't change it. Only YOU.

[@rcair123]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent with the world Sly you make life funky.

[@ClueSign]

He sounds so sharp, funny, and together. Not to mention savvy, handsome, and that deep voice...

[@pearlbmiller8050]

I always thought SLY's music was making ME realize a better lifestyle was waiting and it was😊👍STAND, STAND, STAND! THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME 👍BE MYSELF 😊

[@MrNategriffin]

i love sly. such a troubled genius. that stand album has so many inspirational songs.

[@paulguapo5808]

what a magnificent talent sly is

[@hippydippy]

The COOL just oozed from his pores! Bless his heart.

[@haaree826]

thanks for uploading and sharing, and expanding with the complete songs performed off-air. well done.

[@MissPamR]

Thanks for posting this! Sly looks and sounds good!

[@FranktheTank70]

Superb video quality Don and thank you as always.

[@mikea8293]

Great clip! Thank you for posting. !

[@GChizo]

Great!! The band was KILLIN!!!!!!!! Great post

[@RobynJ729]

Agree,

[@nojimmyray]

sly & family were so far ahead of their time.....

[@porkpad]

Breaks my fucking heart.

[@changstein]

incredibly lucid and smart. sly is very intelligent

[@leerowland9621]

Sly is a total legend and this is a great performance. That little nod at 20:38 and then the subsequent musical change is sublime.

[@magnavision207]

Brilliant guy don’t remember him doing many of these interviews back then except Mike Douglas

[@marymetz8395]

U may be too young. It was always hit & miss with the man. Like he said his rep of not showing up wasn't his fault!

[@exiles_dot_tv]

Whew! Sly's still doing okay... Great video!

[@JoyceG-yo3tw]

Love Sly.❤❤ He is soooo talented.

[@bmuhamad]

Thanks Don Giller, for posting. 🎉

[@philhatfield8905]

This lively David Letterman outing, and a late 1980's gig on an HBO special honoring concert promoter Bill Graham and his iconic Fillmore music halls marked the final times that the legendary Sly Stone was showcased on television. I'll never forget what Bill Graham said shortly after Sly performed an energetic set on the show, and Mr. Graham said it directly to Sly Stone himself: "Hey Sly Stone: get your ass back to San Francisco, where it belongs!" Bill Graham didn't say it jokingly either! It is a shame that Sly Stone did not do a whole concert with the Letterman group. Sly was in near peak form here.

[@dougtodd305]

I would love to meet Sly.l love soul music,l love Studebakers,We would find. Something to talk about,lm sure.I met Bill Graham and he was a perfect gentleman, got to shake his hand. Both the guys are great people ,down to earth, l have much respect for them both !

[@AndySalinger33]

We love you, brother Sly.

[@VivaMcCrilly]

This performance is just second to the James Brown on Letterman performance! Killer stuff

[@SunsetKetch]

This is a sick community. Very cool to be here with you all seeing this in at a slowed, timeable pace. Pack the bowel, pour the wine... Use the restroom. Lets hang with Sly and Letterman from 83, music breaks and all

[@douglasmclaughlin4173]

I'm with you on most of this, but not packing the bowel... Bowl, I think, was meant ✌🌈

[@funknflow]

this is probably one of the greatest things I've seen in awhile, thank you so much for this upload! I just wish I had seen it earlier!!

[@whoamellie5610]

That extra info in your description space, makes me wanna read Paul's book even more! 😊 Fascinating stories to me, both having a major level of interest in music, as well as being a fan of Paul :) Guess it's also time to get around to watching his music interviewing show too! I have 2 episodes rec'd & waiting, haha. Thanks for the inadvertent reminder :D

[@MMm-zt5dq]

LOVE you SLY

[@777jones]

I love that you can hear his funky keyboard work!

[@happythedog2013]

wow, great job on the extra segments

[@martinhenson131]

All I can say is the GREATEST IN MY OPINION

[@marilynm5052]

This was awesome!

[@Hans-v6k]

Just by only speaking.. this guy's voice is great...

[@helenmurphy3143]

WOW SUCH TALENT HIS STUFF ROCKS

[@alevine1951]

Wow what a great post! And Huntz Hall set to appear tomorrow night - holy cow that's a blast from the past! Sounds intriguing! :)

[@1areyouserious]

Damn!!!! I wish I would have been there.

[@morenazo6412]

So proud that Sly is from Texas!!

[@rgordon2691]

This is the Most Sober i have ever seen Sly Stone...Man if he could have stayed this way He could have done so much More 😢

[@helenmurphy3143]

HE WON HIS MONEY HE WAS OWED HIM

[@jjs490]

With his talent should have been a multi-millionaire

[@davidvawter4859]

And probably was at one point. He lived in Bel Air for years.

[@keithbeck2300]

The entire show should have been Sly Stone performing songs and it would have been Letterman's best late night show early in his career in 1983.

[@sloburnjo]

best 'late nite' band.

[@sloburnjo]

another awesome post DG, TU!

[@kenlieck7756]

Whoa! Is this the legendary rare interview where Sly showed up completely not stoned out of his gourd? Alright!

[@porkpad]

He's high

[@sabrinaf7139]

Sly is so cute and funny here

[@GeneBurnett]

This channel has some of the most comprehensive video descriptions on yt.

[@FALL3nGodz]

the way he genuinely made sure he said his friend and fellow business musicians number national tv with david letterman was HONORABLE to do and it was very telling of who he was as a person really cool

[@RobiYorkMusic]

Dave’s reaction to the Jigger question lol almost like he was thinking “I’m not saying that”

[@jeffdawson2786]

Still an amazing singer and songwriter.

[@elaineisabelle427]

I love Sly, great musician, thx

[@slida65]

Sly you are a world known icon. The clothes don't make the man. His gift to the world of his talent does.

[@marynorris8314]

Just found your app this is November the 10th I love you already you're brilliant !

[@v2vroth]

We love you Sly!

[@kebsmifMilo]

The Master Sly

[@reginafris6822]

Never saw the Late Night house band happier than when they were playing with Sly. Good vibes.

[@anthonysingleton1988]

AND JAMES BROWN!!!! DAVID LETTERMAN HAD HIM DO THE WHOLE SHOW!!!!

[@mvm3016]

The funk don’t get no deeper. Dang, Sly.

[@JudithSweeney-p1o]

Love Sly's growl.

[@philwilliams8328]

Yeah, I was at one of those concerts where he never showed up back in 1969 but that never changed me from loving his music.

[@leemcclinton836]

Sly you are an incredible sincere humble musical genius

[@billytrack]

Sly they can mock you all they want but they'll never have your dignity, talent, or sensitivity

[@craigfazekas3923]

Nice choice, Herr Giller !! When considering your next compilation, can you assemble a James Brown set ? If you haven't already- have yet to scroll your stuff for it, admittedly...😎

[@jmss1858]

Damn Sly was show nuff good!

[@ericheine2414]

I ran into Sly Stone pumping gas into a white Continental in Laytonville California. I said" hey" He said "hey." We both pumped gas.

[@ConfordConford]

He looks good for fourty!

[@klecoxs2]

A one off that’s for sure 👌

[@OutbackinLasVegas]

I wish I would followed sly growing up. What a nice guy and talented musician. That’s what great about you tube I can see what I should of seen while I was growing up. Just to immature to recognize there were things I should of paid more attention too.

[@timothysullivan6783]

Boom shakalaka boom

[@bmuhamad]

Love these outakes.

[@frosty-lw3tx]

The most beautiful man and what talent God blessed him with! I’m so sorry he got caught up like so many others. I believe it was designed to destroy and if you were vulnerable you could easily fall into the trap😢

[@mikespencer7749]

Commercial break during playing "Thank You" was straight all funked out!!!!!!👍👍👍

[@hansmueller3029]

SLY IS FUCKING AWESOME

[@Bubba603]

They’re on fire

[@jameswinch-yd9wy]

Genius. And we admire wannabees like sting and dross such as coldplay. Sly gives strangth.

[@SuperC888]

never heard this song before !!

[@sloburnjo]

incredible! listen to them all.

[@marymetz8395]

How fun watching the JOY on the mans face!! He usually hides under his famous hats!

[@jega157]

Smart dude. Love him.

[@freezerjoe]

The house band are in fire