Sly & the Family Stone Members, Gear & Sound

Genre

Rock Folk rock Funk rock Disco Funk Classic rock Psychedelic soul Motown Pop soul Soul classic soul

Members

Select a Sly & the Family Stone band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Larry Graham

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Prince Graham Central Station Eddie Murphy and The Psychedelic Psoul The French Fries

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Sly Stone

Roles:

Guitarist Keyboardist Composer

Groups:

The French Fries Sly Stone & Freddie The Stewart Four

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Rose Stone

Roles:

Singer Keyboardist

Groups:

Elton John Band The Stewart Four

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Freddie Stone

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Freddie & The Stone Souls The French Fries Sly Stone & Freddie The Stewart Four

Needs more gear

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Greg Errico

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Quicksilver Messenger Service Santana The French Fries Sy Klopps Blues Band

No gear added

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Vet Stone

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

Little Sister The Stewart Four

No gear added

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Gail Muldrow
No gear added

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Pat Rizzo

Roles:

Saxophonist

No gear added

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Rusty Allen

Roles:

Bassist

No gear added

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Dawn Silva

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

Funkadelic Parliament The Put Yo' Body Where Yo' Mouf Iz Choir The Brides of Funkenstein

No gear added

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Val Young

Roles:

Singer Composer

Groups:

The Gap Band Mary Jane Girls The Brides of Funkenstein

No gear added

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Jerry Martini

Roles:

Saxophonist

Groups:

The French Fries

No gear added

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Gerry Gibson

Roles:

Drummer

No gear added

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Elva Mouton

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

Little Sister

No gear added

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Dennis Marcellino

Roles:

Singer Saxophonist

No gear added

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Cynthia Robinson

Roles:

Singer Trumpeter

Groups:

Graham Central Station The French Fries

No gear added

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Bill Lordan

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Gypsy

No gear added

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Adam Veaner

Roles:

Drummer

No gear added

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Andy Newmark

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

ABC Roxy Music Balance Mark Farner Band

No gear added

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About

Sly & the Family Stone is a pioneering American musical group known for their genre-blending sound and revolutionary lineup. Formed in San Francisco in 1966, the band was led by the charismatic Sly Stone (vocals, keyboards, guitar). The group included Freddie Stone (guitar, vocals), Larry Graham (bass, vocals), Rose Stone (keyboards, vocals), Cynthia Robinson (trumpet, vocals), Jerry Martini (saxophone), and Greg Errico (drums). Sly & the Family Stone is celebrated for its fusion of funk, rock, soul, and psychedelic music, and for being one of the first major American rock bands to have a racially integrated, male and female lineup.

How to Sound Like Sly & the Family Stone

To capture the vibrant and eclectic sound of Sly & the Family Stone, focus on their dynamic and rhythmically driven music, defined by a blend of funk grooves and rock energy. The bass lines, particularly from Larry Graham, are foundational, often utilizing his pioneering slap bass technique, which can be closely emulated using a Warwick Larry Graham Signature Bass Guitar combined with an Acoustic Control Corporation 360 Bass Amp for that deep, punchy tone. Sly Stone's use of keyboards, such as the Hammond B-3 and Farfisa Professional, adds a rich, layered texture to their music, while the ensemble's horn section contributes vibrant, syncopated accents that drive their infectious energy. Emulating their sound involves a mix of rhythmic precision and a willingness to blend diverse musical elements into a cohesive, danceable whole.

Discography

A Whole New Thing

1967

Dance To The Music

1968

Life

1968

Stand

1969

There's a Riot Goin' On

1971

Fresh

1973

Small Talk

1974

Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I'm Back

1976

Sly & The Family Stone At Their Best

1977

Back On The Right Track

1979

Ain't But The One Way

1983

Sly & The Family Stone: The Woodstock Experience

2009

Live at the Fillmore East October 4th & 5th 1968

2015

Sly Stone's Early Works

2025

SLY LIVES! (Aka The Burden Of Black Genius)

2025

The First Family: Live At Winchester Cathedral 1967

2025

Get the Sly & the Family Stone Sound

Want to sound like Sly & the Family Stone? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.