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Sly Stone: Back On The Right Track?

10:48 AM GMT 25/01/2010

Sly Stone in 2009, with film-maker Willem Alkema

IN A STARTLING NEW interview with MOJO Magazine, long-sequestered soul-funk-rock legend Sly Stone reveals that he has new material ready to go, with an album mooted for later in 2010.

Stone, the genius behind Dance To The Music, Stand! and There's A Riot Goin' On, survives in straitened circumstances, living out of hotel rooms and a minibus in LA after two serious accidents left him with crippling medical bills. Now he plans to turn his life around the only way he knows how: with music.

"In two weeks I hope to have my royalties back," he tells MOJO. "I want to start a production company, a record company from where I can also pay the monthly bills."

In a freewheeling, frequently bizarre tête-à-tête with MOJO, Stone reveals the existence of a Jimi Hendrix sex tape before discussing his refusal to play ball with the Black Panthers and the incident in 1972 when he was arrested for pulling a toy gun on a police officer.

On a more positive note, he also explores the egalitarian principles on which he founded Sly & The Family Stone, his inspirationally bi-gendered, multi-ethnic band, and its predecessor, San Fran doo-wop outfit The Viscaynes.

"There were people coming up to me saying, 'Are you paying the girls as much as the guys?'" he recalls. "I said, 'Why not? That's what they earn...' I never caught on with that discrimination."

Stone's copyrights are currently owned by the Michael Jackson estate, and with legal ructions pending he turned down his invitation to the latter's memorial service.

Besides, Mike Tyson really wanted the tickets. And as Stone jokingly points out, "you better not say no to Mike Tyson!"

Danny Eccleston
Photo: Willem Alkema/Dwars Productions

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Read the full interview, conducted by Dutch writer Willem Alkema, in the latest issue of MOJO magazine. Alkema's Sly Stone documentary, Coming Back For More, will be released on DVD in the spring.

Posted by Danny_Eccleston at 10:48 AM GMT 25/01/2010

Related MOJO content:

Sly & The Family Stone , Sly Stone

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Click here for House Rules

  • the highlight of West Fest, the Sept 2009 Woodstock Memorial was the Stone band.... without Sly, but with members of WAR.

    Posted by Bas Freewheeler at 10:37 PM GMT 29/01/2010 Report Abuse

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