Sly Stone Sets The Record Straight About His Rumors | Letterman

The legendary singer talks about being romantically linked to Doris Day, performs "If You Want Me To Stay," and more.
(From "Late Night," air date: 2/21/83)
#SlyStone #DorisDay #Letterman
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Welcome to the Letterman KZbin Channel, home to all your favorite clips from Late Night and Late Show - as well as conversations with the writers, producers and performers who helped make it all happen. These highlights have been artisanly-produced, carefully-curated, and chosen completely at random by an old computer that used to pick numbers for the New York Lotto back in the 90’s.

[@a.azazagoth5413]

He has such kindness in his eyes and power in his mind.

[@richalderson6069]

This dude is so incredibly charismatic and such a natural innovative musician, singer and songwriter.

[@toreckman8899]

What he did at Woodstock was epic. Took funk to a new level in the 60s. Looks like he needed sister rose and Larry Graham doing higher at the end. What a band. RIP Cynthia Robinson.

[@dongiller]

Hiram Bullock had broken his leg the weekend before but insisted on being there with the band to play with Sly. He’d have his leg set after the taping and would be out recovering for the rest of the week.

[@jimmybaber]

That’s an awesome aside/ bit of backstory. Thank you!

[@dongiller]

@@HAL_9000__ October 14, 2013. I had planned to include it in my Alan Kalter Highlights compilation after he passed away, but it was getting too long.

[@bgbstrm2352]

Got to be one of the greatest interviews AND performances on Letterman - or any television show!!!

[@sadhbh4652]

Imagine being in the audience for Letterman when Sly performed. Must have been a dream evening.

[@pauld205]

Man, Sly seemed to marvel at his enjoyment of making music and experiencing the enthusiastic feedback from a receptive audience. I'm touched...

[@teazer999999]

"If you want me to stay", funky guitar, slapping bass, and the variety of feelings and sole in Sly's voice. One of my favorite Sly songs. And he looks great, clear eyes, clear head and healthy. Too bad the drug demons got a hold of him and dragged him down.

[@ZigbertD]

One of my absolute favorite Sly Stone tracks. So many funk and r and b artists emulated his vocal style, unreal how influential it is...

[@eleanorreyes512]

LUV SLY STONE!! A LEGEND!!❤❤ 🙏

[@kostyapolykova9879]

One of the most influential American musicians of all time.

[@AlmostReady504]

This man should be honored while he's still with us. I don't know why we wait until someone's gone to publicly praise them

[@mischiefmikeyo]

One of my favorite letterman performances. He went away for awhile and came back to remind us of his brilliance

[@bikeme218]

just amazing, man Dave had a great show, I miss those days

[@Some-guy-you-dont-know]

I don’t know how you pulled this off but I’m so glad you did.

[@aaronzimmerman1089]

One of the most genuine human beings in the country. What an incredible time to be alive during this generation of music.

[@chiefscheider]

Man these Letterman videos are coming fast and furious now. The memories are rushing over me in waves! 👍🏻

[@mikemyersmusic]

Thanks so much for posting this! Sly is one of the all time funkiest dudes on the planet!

[@dr.stevenwalker3385]

Sly: “Have you ever heard of a jigger?” Dave: (shakes his head cautiously) 😂😂 Thanks for all the great late nights, Dave. You have no idea how happy you made many people’s lives.

[@kentstokes653]

Isnt that the best cut-to you've seen in a long time😁

[@dr.stevenwalker3385]

@@kentstokes653 the look on his face was classic Dave

[@FUNKINETIK]

The Jigger, designed by same guy who designed the ‘rover’ that didn’t land on the moon.

[@aaronsmith5433]

@@FUNKINETIK "astronauts on the moon 🌙, ah ha ha ha 😂 " ___C o n e h e a d s

[@FUNKINETIK]

@@aaronsmith5433 to be fair it was a long time ago, at the time I believed it was real, but I was only 5 years old. P E A C E : )

[@deballen6241]

Sly Stone Master of musical magic. Much love.

[@FlBirdLover]

I love Sly Stone...great performance. Thanks, Dave.

[@OlafProt]

Its really good to see an interview with Sly where he's not in trouble. Coherent and seemingly positive about life.

[@jfh9209]

An amazingly good performance by Sly and the entire band, I will treasure it.

[@romulus_]

One of the last decent performances and interviews of a great, great artist.

[@tonyt8805]

Sad but absolutely true! 💯

[@AlmostReady504]

Agreed. Paul is a bit too loud in the mix. This is all about Sly. I remember this He sounded absolutely perfect

[@plaws0]

You got the music clearances! Fantastic! Right out of the Museum of the Hard To Believe, Sly is nearly 80. Of course our hero, Dave, is 75, so ...

[@grady187]

Never thought we’d lose Prince before Sly (apologies to Sly but he was doing some hard living)

[@redacted2275]

Wow, a pleasantly healthy Sly! Sylvester Stewart was totally shunned by the entertainment industry in a way that's unbelievable, I see tons of tributes and mentions to George Clinton, James Brown, Stevie Wonder but not so much to Sly Stone... the tribute dedicated to him at the Grammys was utterly pathetic. A bunch of musical heroes fell to the wayside in the past and yet no one was treated like it has some contagious disease like Sly Stone. He was the only soul man up to par with The Beatles in terms of experimentation and music vanguard... he was also the only black artist in the 60s/70s who walked the walk in terms of racial unity in life and in his band. There was no concessions about it, we are all everyday people. The most coherent and the most forgotten artist of the entertainment industry.

[@tonyt8805]

🔥 💯 🔥

[@BennieWilll]

No idea why... but you are 100% correct.

[@PamelaGrow]

Well said. His music is as relevant today as it was the day he created it.

[@robertbeckerbecker1354]

He is hands down one of the greatest (top ten), but not sure about coherent, definitely not in this interview, definitely high on something.

[@desertfish1460]

I went to a concert of his in the 70's and he was hours late! It was ok Frankie Beverly and Maze opened for Sly and the Family Stone and played overtime! Sly and the Family Stone was so memorable- he's so good! Miss those days!

[@Regal13717]

I saw him in the 70’s as well. He was an hour late and half way through the show he turned his back to the audience as if he was mad or something, and just let the band play. Near the end he turned around and finished the song. It seemed weird at the time but it was still a great performance!!!

[@arloross]

Sly Always brings that Soulful Funk. Definitely 1 of the Greats from his era, and influenced a generation. Also: Sly talks about 'NOT BEING' Romantically involved with Doris Day.

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Had never seen this performance. Fantastic. Thanks.

[@lottie9273]

I had gone to a couple of his concerts and he was always late but well worth the wait. God Bless you Sir.

[@stephengiese7549]

He has got to be me! Very cute and very informative interview! Never heard him speak like that his before. He can be funny and serious. Very glad to see him perform with Paul and the boys! They were the best talk show band ever! Thanks utube.

[@mikemclenison8200]

Great interview and performance! I miss those days!

[@kaljic1]

Back in the day, I didn't see Sly in two of his concerts. He was "sick" they said. Love that guy!

[@Sawlon]

I saw him live in Michigan in the early 70s and he was late, so the people started booing the opening band which made me so mad! When he and his band did show up they did sound great, I just felt so bad for the opening band getting booed, which were really good.

[@lpardo7769]

Oh man!! This was super cool. Love this man! Great interview.

[@g-pa-Rok-n-Tok]

Damn! Paul & The World's Most Dangerous Band!! Kicking Ass!!!

Simply the greatest artist on Earth❤

[@TheBrettWilson]

Will Lee got to play one of the greatest bass lines of all time for Sly himself! Steve Jordan can't contain his joy on drums!

[@davidlean1060]

Is that who that is? I love that guy! I don't think I have ever heard him play a drum fill. He just sticks to the groove and never moves off it.

[@FUNKINETIK]

Sly . . . as funky as funk can be . P E A C E : )

[@flicewatter]

Hes so awesome..Sly is the best.❤..

[@drlcartman]

please upload all of the opera logs

[@keltonsweet196]

He still looks super young there in '83

[@presbyterian8603]

Legend!

[@wilfredoriverajr.]

fkn bad ass!

[@krisscanlon4051]

Love Sly and this phase is very interesting and funny...Sly understood Letterman's show...utilized its goofy nature...Sly very smart and clever fella.

[@Chalkhead]

@8:20

[@josephzummo9685]

Wow sly was so good. When he sang the hair stuck up on the back of your neck!

[@ExoplanetaryMedia2516]

Glad to see one of the classic music performances! Hope we can get more of this. If I could bring one from the vault, it would be Bob Dylan playing his rocking "Jokerman." That was a rather unique version of that song.

[@Tubulous123]

Yes!!! Thank you!!! 1Nation4Life

[@Jeff-kz5kl]

Not to be confused with Sly Stallone. What incredible performances and what a great guy!

[@cindygrogan6263]

He reminds me a little of Prince in his slightly-goofy shyness...

[@kgraydakota]

I have a question about this youtube channel. It is kind of obvious that this is Dave's channel. My question is, How did Dave get these old videos from when he was on NBC. I remember when he went over to CBS, and NBC would never let him use any of his old shows.

[@kgraydakota]

@@HAL_9000__ It's my understanding that Dave reached out to an executive at NBC to ask permission to use his old shows, and the executive replied " I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that"

[@jackleonardo2167]

The clips are from Don Giller’s extensive library of old clips particularly Letterman’s. He’s the guy who oversees this channel. Maybe he has some workaround to prevent NBC from taking down clips which NBC has the rights to or somethin’-or maybe Dave’s company purchased the rights or worked out an ex-deal or whatever. That said, these uploads, especially the early to mid-80s ones sure bring a lot of memories and show how Dave changed the talk show/comedy landscape back then. He also had the coolest bands and artists on his show; the only other program I can think of having cool upcoming bands and legends on their show being SNL-what with Paul Schaefer having his imprint and pull on both shows.

[@kgraydakota]

@@jackleonardo2167 Thanks for the info Jack. I have been a subscriber to Don's channel for a while now. I didn't know he was involved with this channel. He has quite a large library of Dave's shows. I was only kidding around in my reply to HAL 9000, I was just having a little fun with his screen name.

[@aaronsmith5433]

@@kgraydakota "Dave, . . I feel like I'm losing my mind.... Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do, I'm half c r a z y ......

[@sugarjoe50]

I dislike hosts trying to put guests on the spot like in this instance.

[@danroux4010]

He's got a healthy dose of Ray Charles in him

[@somethingyousaid5059]

I was expecting Sylvester Stallone after reading the title. My brain glitched.

[@williambrown8654]

Just a real black man!!!!!!!!

[@bradwelljackson6385]

In this interview, does Sly look completely composed, astute and articulate, or does he look more disjointed?

[@Paul-dw2cl]

Paul Schaffer’s synth is way too loud at the start of the song

[@thedude4672]

I heard that he's homeless in LA now. Is that true? A great artist and cultural icon like Sly Stone is broke and homeless?

[@JoanieAdamms]

I believe so, quoted as "Homeless but happy", perhaps he's found his inner sagacious equilibrium near the end of his life, or perhaps he truly is down and out, I certainly hope not so

[@JoanieAdamms]

@chris72010 Absolutely, especially to this growing American problem, has been and continues to be so, no one can be beyond that fact of the poverty line

[@tonyt8805]

He wasn't homeless!!! He was living in a customized van at his sons house. It was even on a television special. 💯

[@rickyrydell]

That song is VERY derivative of Leon Russell's 'Tight Rope'.

[@Ston3dNinja13]

Anyone else see parallels between him and Kanye West??

[@jebstewart666]

no

[@birgitfouts342]

Absolutely none.

[@angus7278]

Zero…

[@jonunderscore]

Of course. They're both Black geniuses who changed music forever.

[@JRM---516]

Letterman was such a creep in this interview!

[@shaftlamer]

he didnt do nuthin.

[@davidlynn3631]

Letterman was one of the worst late night host ever.

[@airportsexy]

This is actually one of Sly's more coherent interviews

[@FUNKINETIK]

Sly . . . as funky as funk can be . P E A C E : )