The Sly Stone Meltdown (keyboard technical problems) + Stand - Coachella 2010

Making people check out his new songs in his laptop. Goodness.
"Let me hear you say 'Hell Yeaaa!'"
I feel bad for his band who, for sure, rehearsed a lot for this.
Vid is kind of long but this really gives you an idea on how it was throughout.

[@makeadifference4all]

It breaks my heart to see this. 40 years earlier, Sly produced great music with upbeat messages and vibes. He was on top of the music world and has given people so much happiness, but now he's a broken man. Imagine seeing Stevie Wonder or Paul McCartney like this in a concert today--it would tear you up.

[@lwmson]

That's what drugs do. A true musical genius who was self destructed.

[@nunyabuisness9658]

And they keep relaxing drug laws to make it easier for people to destroy themselves. Sad. Sly had the charisma and talent of genius.

[@Da_Publick]

@@nunyabuisness9658 People who want to destroy themselves will find a way, laws or no laws. All drug laws do is criminalize behavior so that people can do time. And there's a whole industry making billions off of it.

[@nunyabuisness9658]

@@Da_Publick drug laws are a deterrent to some, not all. Better to save a few than none at all.

[@Eyemallfunkedup]

Sly still having an impact. Video made me laugh and cry. Love you man. PEACE

[@jimmatherly]

Props to the band for trying to keep it upbeat

[@christian_cantarutti]

When you prefer the crackling of a pipe to the applause of an audience.

[@RayPaganJr]

I find this so hard to watch. I can't understand why they let this concert go on. The crowd seemed equally fucked up, applauding at anything. Watching one of my heroes spiraling out of control.

[@markal6004]

Such a Musical 🎼 GENIUS Can only Imagine what other Great Music he would have created. It's amazing he is still alive after all the abuse.

[@coleodin]

Oof... this was just brutal to watch. I was there from the beginning to end, and it was heart-wrenching to see the band in such an uncomfortable scene. Eventually people booed, things were thrown, & the crowd got fed up. I can't convey the uncomfortable feeling in the tent. It was simultaneously epic, and tragic. Hot fun, family affair, and if you want me, were at moments, glorious, but they all fell apart It coulda been the moment of the weekend, but instead, it was the punchline. Sad... :(

[@briva]

Nothing but love for Sly, and I am the biggest music snob you'll ever meet.

[@MrJoeythebabykangaro]

Then I am the 2nd biggest music snob : ) and I LOOOOOOVE Sly

[@TheBluesmanBlue]

The hell with that keyboard his voice sound good his backup vocalist sound good and the band sound good that's all that matter to me keep it up sly and the Family Stone I was young growing up listening to your music never seen you tour because of my age 6yrs old and it's good to know you guys are still out there making music

[@ericthompson2044]

Please understand he's still suffering from severe stage fright

[@BassGuyGG]

OMG this is so sad. Sly, PLEASE get it together and come back on top of your game. The world needs you and your positive message.

[@tacitus2244]

The sad thing is that he still sounds great, he just can't get it together.

[@ericthompson2044]

🧠 his mind is Gone. Too far Gone.

[@stevenmelia8421]

Love you Sly.. Thanks for the music.

[@mrtakse8782]

It's so heart breaking, but at the end of the day he's still my hero and influenced a generation, one of the true pioneers and a funk icon, so brothers and sisters give it up for mr sly stone.

[@MADDGOATTV-ln5xs]

This is more like a sound check than a performance. This is not what Sly should be doing at this point in his Legendary career as a Top notch musician, singer/songwriter. Love his voice though and he still can make that piano sing.🎵🎹🎶🎤

[@philhatfield8905]

I saw a lot of concerts in the 1970's, and a nice woman took me to see Sly And The Family Stone in early 1974, and we were all set to have a great time. Earth Wind And Fire opened the show and they played a superb thirty minute set; and then the house lights came up for an hour and forty five minutes! Finally, Sly And The Family Stone hit the stage and their barely forty minute set was a joke! Sly did not appear to be wasted on drugs; but he was rude and did not seem to give a damn. By the time his lame set had stumbled to its conclusion, more than half of the crowd had already left the arena. Sly also pulled the old 'I'm having trouble with my keyboard' act at our show; and it was because he kept hitting the on/off switch by mistake! A roadie had to come out and put electrical tape on the control panel, so that his organ would stay on!

[@lwmson]

And you were lucky! At least he did show up for the gig. He missed a lot of concert appearances at that time.

[@philiphatfield5666]

We did not consider ourselves 'lucky' for enduring a bad concert. Most of us left that show as ex-Sly Stone fans! We were not alone. This sorry scene was repeated all over the United States. No rock star ever threw away an entire fan base better than Sly Stone did!

[@Da_Publick]

​@@philiphatfield5666 THAT'S the Sly Stone that we're seeing in this video, the unprofessional self-saboteur. Everybody wanted to see Sly's return but all that meant was a return to his old shenanigans.

[@beloit22]

Thank God for the Band/Back-up Singers !!

[@jmusic45]

He should not have performed. It was obvious he wasn't in shape. it's nothing to laugh at. He needs to be fully helped before they let him be in the public again. you got those that support him, and those who saw this and just laughing and talking about him. I hope those who care help him before he leaves this earth. He is a musical legend.

[@CraigMansfield]

He can still sing really well

[@CertifiedLeeHawkins]

He can still sing. God bless you Sly.

[@psykomystro]

He can screw up for the rest of his life, his legacy is sealed with the contributions he made in the late sixties and early and mid 70's. The man is in his 70's, by now there's room for era, now if he was doing this in his prime, like some of the crap cats like Axl Rose pulled before he completely nuked Guns N Roses, then this would be disgraceful. He gets a pass from me, he's paid his dues. All the comments of him not reaching his potential, are almost comical. His contribution to modern music as we know are undeniable...

[@rudimwongozi2369]

He WAS doing this kinda crap when he was still in his prime. Him being 70 is not the reason

[@johnsantacruz7417]

agree totally, sly was and is a genius. For people expecting sly in his 70's to be like the man in his musical prime, does sly no justice. A true genius. Bunch of buffoon critics who have never contributed musically, whatsoever. Even the late, great Miles Davis had his problems as have Stevie Ray Vaughn ......What have any critics ever done?..... Nothing.

[@cody7378]

John Santa Cruz Everybody is a critic "what have u done"!

[@annetteb2432]

psykomystro He is "STILL"one of the greater "EVER" 👑THANKS💋

[@denverdanoreno]

Agreed, but he let down his band mates is the only reason they don't let him play around them anymore. They took him to lunch to dinner and now they just plain took his stage name. Fuck'em, grass snakes.

[@TheArtofBlues]

Made me start crying when he started singing STAND. Greed fucks up everything but besides that sly was speaking the truth just listen you might learn a thing or 2. ✌️

[@loupremo]

what's so new about this? he's always been high as fuck and out of his mind since the 60's

[@UnomeDz13]

I'm dizzy because the camera is moving all over the place

[@3rdeyevisualizations207]

Sly was much like miles on stage, you just had to wait and see what the night would bring, we will be singing his songs forever just as we hum and scat miles. He will live in our hearts always. Much respect due to you Mr. Stewart, you and your contemporaries wrote the soundtracks to our lives, and we thank you for it. Peace and blessings.

[@anthonywalsh6997]

It is what it is don't like it don't watch it

[@breedsauce101]

This made me sad. Drugs suck. Sly, we love you Brother, get some help,

[@tonycapt1]

He is in pathetic condition, and he is embarrassing himself. It is so sad!

[@MegaGum1]

Cynthia been there from the start. From the root to tha fruit. Cynthia on the Throne.

[@terrencemiller5284]

damn, should've set him up with a Farfisa Pro Organ which he had in the 70's. he'd remember that. hard to watch but his legacy lives !! I grew up on sly. much love

[@jazz4randall]

Wow - Poor little fella - anyway. I just noticed that the sax player is from the original band (Dennis Martini), who happens to be the father of the drummer from my own high school band... I'm just say'in, "When all else fails, throw in a plug"! I will always love Sly Stone,

[@kidcalabria]

Jerry Martini...

[@juriemanahr5630]

Randall Ulmer q

[@girlygirlsuehaila]

I am praying for Sly's recovery and his family's ability to cope with this reality. I am unsure if that is his daughter (the 2nd background singer from the left) but her expression shows how overprotected she is of her Dad and her pain. Praying for God to heal Sly from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet...and for deliverance from the mistake that caused him to fall many years ago. I love you Sly...Get well soon please.

[@pucchibaby]

I Love What Sly Music Has done for me and made me feel I Love You Sly no Matter What.Period

[@tammyphillips1018]

Mr Sly Stone I love ❤️ you and your musical contributions. You are and were just a human . I’m never here to judge . Because no one is perfect. I’m glad you are still here you have out lived a quite a few performers. God bless

[@brittdavid8591]

Okay my note..............The Musical Director (Band Leader)who was yet to be determined maybe due to no control of there own Should Have, ** Repeat Should Have, made Eye **contact with the Back up singers and played snit bits of each of his set list material, and turned it into a singalong. Sly may or may not have wanted that but Hey, He's a Giant we're in his space, But you also do what a Player gotta do( IMPROVISE,) if Sly enjoys the platform of sound you give him he can ad lib on top and float over it as he feels it, This is why they call it Rehearsal and sound check, Again Sly is a Giant don't Diss the show HE is the Show. The MD or Greg UCKED FAY up Here, this was Avoidable. Everybody has flat nights, Oh ME I would set his table (Stage) and he could stand,sit, walk, sing, & wave and enjoy his Moment, But I wouldn't let His Music Suffer, you keep that Band on lock, pumping the Shit outta those Songs, this Band Sounded good But the MD failed to have a contingency plan so he should return his Pay, Think about it now would Wynton Marsalis leave lets say Duke Ellington or would Colonel Tom Parker leave Elvis Hanging? I doubt it ............................................................

[@tedkay3750]

sly! is the bomb! you can do what he do! when you SLY STONE! ANOTHER MUSICAL GENEIUS !

[@steverosten7101]

What an actual bummer I had so many of his records he was cool, this hurts so bad I can't understand he is what talent is ,,,,those songs,,,,I freegin loved him ,so many things aren't what I thought they were,,,

[@bobrusso1814]

That industry is like a meat grinder. Music he created . . . Priceless. Drugs ate him up a revival live show impossible, the economics of fielding such a large band is impossible ., breaks my heart. God bless you Sly.

[@powerinself]

tears in my eyes

[@RandomNest]

Smh.. Terrible! That's a sad state of affairs. Smh

[@TheGetterdone]

@sir0623. I agree. Played in a band in Mansfield,Ohio,Touch of class. Excellent sound crew.Sound was cued long before we were on stage.

[@jimisanta]

i loved sly, but he should not have made a comeback, its very sad indeed,! he is only damaging his legendary status,, seriously,, cheers

[@johnnyjm11]

As even his own son said that he never grew up from a teenager, always wanting to party.He seems to always wanting to take himself higher instead of giving the drugs up.If only what he could of did with his career if he would of left the drugs alone, its a wonder that he is still alive.What a god given talent that didnt get to fullfil its destiny.

[@HootmonAZ]

+Johnny Medeiros He did a helluva a lot with his career, set funk on its way and is an indisputable icon. People too young to remember his superb sound should Google, otherwise it's your loss.

[@johnnyjm11]

Golden Rule​ oh i remember what he did in the late 60's thru mid 70's ,shit he lived afew miles from me and rode in his white Caddy with his girlfriend afew times when they werent jammin somewhere .What i was trying to say is he had SO much more to give like Stevie ,Marvyn ,Smokey ect..instead of only ahand full of yrs. ... i followed his history and he shortchanged himself and his fans with drugs mainly crack ...watch afew docs about him..im from East Oakland And he lived in the Oakland Hills in a mantion off 98th ave .i am 56 yrs old so when his hits ers came to be i was a teenager and was into it....new his ole lady and the girl with the big natural that was on vocals.

[@HootmonAZ]

You are a very knowledgable and informed fan of SS. You are correct in saying he could have done so much more. What I'm trying to say is that he did contribute a significant piece of work to funk and its growth. Yes, he possibly could have done far more - but that's if he would have walked the straight line. Perhaps he was simply incapable of doing that because of the demons he fought (or the ones he let win). He was too wrapped up in his own mind, yet who are we to know why that was? Mental health issues are only now being seriously addressed by the medical community. In my opinion they have neglected the issues for far too long, thus we have millions of people struggling daily. To ease their pain they turn to drugs. Some of the most creative and intelligent people face these struggles and are misunderstood by their own families. It is a sad state of affairs. I'll still take a dunk in the funk and use soul to pump up my heart any day.

[@johnnyjm11]

Golden Rule Sly"s hit years were from 1969 thru 1973 after that no more hits only hard partying which led to of coarse sadly NO MORE HITS. He was a genius in that time and opened minds to future musicians and his fans alike. I watched a documentary about a year and a half ago that said and showed he was living in a van that had a small built in recording section next to his bed and he was so skinny and not the genius mind that he once possessed but a mere fraction of style ,looks and vocals that he was once so popular for .His son said in this documentary that his father never grew up and always wanted to stay 19 and party party party which led to his downfall. He now lives in that van in south Los Angeles and had been a crack addict for many yrs and often failed to get away from .Crack has really taken a toll on Sly .But there is on You Tube some vids of him jamming not with his original band but none the less he still tries to jam in recent yrs ..I wish all the luck to him as I was a big fan of his which started out me playing his music from his albums and 45s to 8 tracks to cassettes and still now thru his CDs and videos....as he wanted his music always took me higher

[@raycroal]

crossword puzzle,time for livin, those were after 73 and are true masterpieces also

[@MrKgbronx12]

He's still the man though! Nothing changed! Still can sang!

[@johnnymalonejr4895]

+Solo Romero Are you kidding me; I'm in a Sly Stone tribute band and love Sly's music; but there is no way in hell that you could possibly say that nothing's changed, and that he can still sing;. You must be either tone deaf or very young and musically uninformed.

[@hndrxuntilidie]

Ain't no going around it. Sly is a legend...period!

[@ericthompson2044]

"WAS!"

[@TheBbinca]

If you have love in your heart, please pray for this situation. I don't know all the facts, ut I know someone who does...God in heaven does. We don't know if there's pain, shame, guilt, temptation or what kind stronghold he's unable to let loose. Sly made us feel happy when things were going good. We have to return our love by being supportive in prayers and respect for those who can't see their way. "Stand" by Sly just like his sister does so proudly in this video. Sorry this is long.

[@niksank91]

i hope sly has found some peace.

[@blancamiranda4153]

😯😒😞One of the greatest...this is painful.💽🎤🎹

[@leroylang2453]

That must have been a long evening.

[@edmundcoyle8856]

Sly is a legend in his own time, a real positive guy, mr race relations repair man,

[@MrLifesavers1]

Thats the chances you take when you accept that Coachella paycheck. You must get a band, get equipment, get a crew, rehearse and then play the set. Retirement is an option, but i'm sure there is a manager pushing for these "shows". So sad.

[@mjgodloveu]

I am impressed that with the drugs and being his age he still sound good a drug habit is a life time fight for now he is still in the fight he made it to the age he is now where a lot of musician died before their thirties and he is still making a positive contribution regardless

[@RobRokken]

I'd SOOO pay to see this!!!

[@DexterHaven]

He's got a sweet heart. The drugs chewed up his mind and nerves.

[@cedricliggins7528]

Stop blaming the dope. A sweet heart would not disrespect his audience or embarrass his daughter 2:17

[@blancamiranda6661]

👤⭐forever!!!⭐

[@ogrebattle22763]

Damn.... Oh well... Sly will always be Sly...

[@davidames1746]

performance Art

[@scottdelong1]

Props and kudos to the lady on his right trying SO HARD to keep things going and up beat. She must have the toughest job in show biz.

[@darlenehershey9345]

I find it sad that people will continue to make money from him in this condition.

[@juanmancha2167]

AMEN!!

[@najinelson6742]

Sly Stone and the Family is the best band on this planet. So sad to see what drugs do to a genius.

[@cedricliggins7528]

He did it to himself

[@glennlewis9526]

it's okay, still love you! thank god!Dj killer. clear water FL.

[@dkapone]

"Cocaine iz a helluva drug"..........Rick James.

[@jazzdad24]

THANK YA,'ALL Good night!✌

[@TheScunion]

If I only heard him do one verse live in my entire life I would be estatic.

[@bennylevine387]

Not sure what's more concerning, Sly's condition or the fact that you can get more than one person to sign off on the idea that he was still viable in 2010.

[@AngelsTakeMe2Heaven]

What a train wreck. And people stand around and smile like he isnt totally fucked up. So sad.

[@mymusicdaze]

I love Sly Stone. He gave us some great & Happy music. Why he is up there I don't know but if I were in the audience I would applaud. People & so called fans sure can be mean. Don't you ever get tired?

[@MCShapiro88]

Yeah that was a shame. He looks extremely shitty when he takes off his costume and his sunglasses. I don't think I can think of another rock star that has treated his body so poorly like this and is still alive. Even keith richards looks better, and is older to boot.

[@Theloverealm]

man I'm sick of the drugs and alcohol ..so sick of it..what a waste of precious gifts.

[@TheCarguymiami]

It's Painful to view,Wow!,Please Sly folks don't let him do this ever ever ever again..

[@KafeSociety]

I don't want my last memory of the great Sly Stone to be this drugged out, pathetic wasteoid. I'd rather remember him at the height of his powers, tearing the sky off at Woodstock.

[@SPCBatonRougeANDDenton]

I noticed Sly Stone’s daughter Novena Carmel is on lead vocals in this concert

[@BassGuyGG]

OMG this is so sad. Please get it together and come back fierce. The world needs you at the top of your powers to spread your message again.

[@Tzipporah36]

Sly ...broke the mold. Don't negate his greatness

[@locadisa]

IF WE ALL SHOW MORE CONCERN ABOUT TREASURES LIKE HIM THEN MAYBE WE CAN GET HIM TO QUIT WITHOUT HIM LOSING HIS LIFE LIKE AMY WINEHOUSE LOST HERS. SHE WAS OBVIOUS TOO LOST AND ALONE TO SURVIVE HER BATTLE. LET'S DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO HIM. IT WILL REFLECT ON US AS A PEOPLE IN THE DESTRUCTION OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT SO FORTUNATE AS US.

[@sirrodneythedire]

The cut-off title in the sidebar made me think this might be the ONLY sly stone meltdown EVER. I was disappointed when it just seemed like a regular youtube video, but yeah it sucks if Sly is not revving up the crowds these days. Maybe he would if he could!?

[@athorpe630]

Yeah thats sad he was not ready to be on stage.Someone should have cought that before the show started I used to be in a band so I can feel there pain.I feel sorry for them.The crowd was lost when he kept talking.

[@lowriderbandfan]

Check out 'Sly Stone sues his former manager' video here on KZbin and maybe you will get a better understanding of why Sly is where he's at now. GET YOURS SLY!

[@blairchatmon3612]

Im hurt watching this genus spiral out of control.

[@81nitestan]

unlike some bullshit reality shows...there are some people who TRULY dont give a fuck what you say or think when they're doin what they do...that may be what made SLY a legendary genius. I only wish that he would make a better showing for all you "NORMAL PEOPLE"who don't have any faults

[@jazz4randall]

I just get angry at Sly for doing that to himself. I would never make fun of the man. He's a genius, He's simply injured himself beyond repair. His daemons consumed him, but he's Sly Stone , and I can't thank him enough for those great tunes. The greatest hits album of 1970 was the first album I ever bought. I dmn near wore it out.

[@DJCJamI]

Randall Ulmer The bloody smartest thing written here. Genius comes with issue and Sly like many turned to chemical help for "creativity" or to quell the feeling we all get, despite being in a position most would love to be in: "So this is it?". I also think he liked the PCP and that shit will cook your brain.

[@jazz4randall]

Your right, prodigy performers often dip into drugs .. it' seems to be a byproduct of a super creative genius. But like I said, I love Sly's musical mind. All I can say is thanks for the music, Sly (the rest is really none of my business).

[@juanitajackson5206]

I GIVE YOU NOTHING BUT PURE RESPECT SLY!!!! I FUCKING LOVE YOU , YOU ARE A GENIUS A FUCKING MUSICAL GENIUS!!!!!! EVEN IF YOU MESSED UP I WOULD STILL PAY TO WATCH YOU PERFORM!!!!!!!

[@michaelredd4642]

Nice Melody....I love it.

[@raycroal]

the guy is more important than john lennon ffs! how can anyone talk about unfulfilled talent he is fukn peerless

[@louisgreen3915]

somebody should have told him he was not ready to make a come back yet.

[@philiphatfield5666]

Sly Stone's 'comeback' attempts have been laughable since he started trying them in 1976----back when Gerald Ford was President! For one thing, he hasn't been able to write a decent song since 1975, nor has he been able to even keep a band together.

[@ericthompson2044]

🎼🎵🎶Stand, we're gonna change this, Fuckin' song!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Eyemallfunkedup]

This is not Sly's fault. And guess what, it was was still great.

[@TheBbinca]

Correction: Not his sister there, but Cynthia standing strong on the trumpet.

[@horus1971]

Yea he is the blame for his own demons how ever i wld pin most of the blame on the GREEDY promoters and band members looking to profit off of an obviously sick man. Any sain individual cld see that this guy was not fit to carry a show!

[@PaulSouthernCross]

No, that's not a technical problem. He's in bad shape. As he's been for years. Not exactly a secret. It's sad, some can clean up and some can't. It's a real shame and loss. Was just watching an interview with him from 1974 on the Mike Douglas Show, and another on Dick Cavett, and he was definitely out of it. So what we see in this video is over 30 years of drug abuse. Very sad period, for anyone, but more considering the magnitude of his talent.

[@AngelsTakeMe2Heaven]

True - but even on that Cavett appearance, he was relatively intelligent and coherent. His brain is fried now.

[@cedricliggins7528]

2:17 his poor daughter looks so embarrassed and concern. Imagine having a junky for a father how sad

[@randalllogan5806]

How about being that poor daughter’s uncle watching the poor daughter more pissed off after reading your words about her father and her and your punk ass won’t even drop your location you punk bitch

[@hershysquirts187]

i know he needs the money. but why would they let him go out like this. smokey robinson should let him live in one of his houses.

[@mrtakse8782]

STAND My brother, You can make it if you try. Thank u 4 lettin me be mice elf again. As we just Every day people. Fresh y'all.

[@elpkhan]

If he took that wig off he could see what he's doing . Look like he was lip singing

[@rexagarvin1408]

Just say no to drugs kids! Its amazing Sly is still sly! Tribute band please!! This is hard to watch,when you know better!

[@ralphsrec]

Man, that's gotta be a tough gig, working with him. The band seems fine, they should go on without him. The redhead tries her best to keep it going, but Sly is too far gone to function. The old Sly would've grabbed the mic, brought the crowd to its feet, and carried on, while technical problems were being fixed. They seem to be searching for some musical tidbits Sly can still remember....

[@redpilledmarine]

Why is everybody Down on Sly? As a SoundGuy myself, They should have had EVERYTHING qued up for Sly BEFORE he hit the stage. WTF?????

[@StanfordSCOPE]

at 5:38 it seems like he isn't singing...but his voice is still coming through. they just played the CD and he was supposed to sing or lip synch over it? or was that a back up vocalist trying to carry the water? sly is a legend. this is depressing.

[@andrewr62]

I prefer to remember the great Sly Stone who was an amazing song writer and performer.

[@stub2022]

Couldn't watch the whole thing. Greatness is a double edged sword, I suppose. They did make some of the best music, though.

[@donaldellis8952]

That was joyous to start made me cry and than made me very sad and I cried even harder

[@johannbachmann1243]

even that little dab did it 4 me