My Tribute to Sly Stone

Happy Father’s Day to My Husband and First Guest Contributor

Image: Publicity photo of the American band Sly and the Family Stone in 1968. From left to right: Freddie Stone, Sly Stone, Rose Stone, Larry Graham, Cynthia Robinson, Jerry Martini, Greg Errico.

I wish my words could do justice to this creative genius who had a big impact on me. Sly was my favorite artist of one of my favorite genres of music. Not only did he transform and expand the language of funk, he transformed and expanded the makeup of bands with his ethnically and gender inclusive Family Stone that defied the segregation of the time. My first professional band I was in had the same variety: a band centered around a family, with extra musicians, like myself, who were treated like family. We had male and female members and were ethnically diverse. We weren’t consciously trying to copy Sly and the Family Stone, but we looked a lot like them. Later on, so did Prince and the Revolution.

Not only did Sly give us inclusivity, he featured Larry Graham, who created the slap bass technique, which became a staple of funk. Sly wanted to take us higher, and he did exactly that in so many ways. The obvious answer was through drugs, but he also lifted us higher by bringing us together—not just in the way I mentioned earlier, but also through his unique mixture of musical styles and elements. Listen to his cover of “Que Sera, Sera” for just one of many examples. My favorite musical example of Sly lifting us higher is in his song “Stand!” which not only lifts us lyrically, it literally takes us higher with the chords and melodic path in the chorus, which finally delivers us into a funky nirvana at the end of the song.

As for my favorite Sly song, don’t ask; there are just way too many examples. I mean, how could I choose between “Hot Fun in the Summertime,” “Can’t Strain My Brain,” “Everybody is a Star,” “Loose Booty,” “Everyday People,” “Family Affair,” “Sing a Simple Song,” “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” “If You Want Me to Stay,” and “Heard You Missed Me, Well I’m Back,” to name a few … and that doesn’t include “Dance to the Music,” “Runnin’ Away,” “(You Caught Me) Smilin’,” “M’Lady,” and of course, “I Want to Take You Higher.” This may seem like a long list, but I feel guilty for leaving so many gems out.

I am glad that Sly had a Keith Richards level of ability to survive drug use and that he lived long enough to see Questlove’s moving documentary Sly Lives! (AKA The Burden of Black Genius), which was a fitting tribute that only fell short by not giving much weight to Sly’s great 70s albums. I only wish that we could have heard more from him during his later years, but I’m more than grateful for what he gave us. It’s a lasting legacy that I continue to draw inspiration from.

Thank you, Sly, for being mice elf agin. May you make more great music on a higher plane.

RIP, Sylvester Stewart (AKA Sly Stone)

Photo Image: Geoff Grace stands in the foreground of the magical Château d’Orquevaux artist-in-residence in France. He is dressed in a sage green puffer jacket and a winning smile.

Geoff Grace has created music at the top levels of the record business, television, film, and the video game industry. As both a composer and a recording artist, his music can be heard on all major streaming platforms and on network television.

Happy Father’s Day, My Love

Thank you, Geoff, for gracing us (little pun there) as my first guest contributor, with your touching musical tribute to Sly. One of the many things that brought us together as a couple was our shared love of music, particularly funk and Sly and the Family Stone. Now, here we are, 35 years later, and saying goodbye to the man whose music has been a soundtrack to our marriage and journey as parents.

Thank you for filling our lives with music, love, laughter and joy. You’re a devoted father and husband.

Gracie Justice

and I, (

Sage Justice

), love and appreciate you more than you will ever know.

Read the book FREEDOM ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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