Rock and Roll; Interview with Larry Graham [Part 4 of 4]

Martha Washington D.C. Ladies and gentlemen in this corner we have grounds. If it was almost like it was going to be it is the battle of the heavyweight to self-monitor what people with they would like to favor a hard right is like Graham Central Station sign a family style and you messed up a gear that cowboys sent to Washington D.C. that was that was really a concert that people with so excited about I mean it was like. Grand Central Station and sly and Family Stone. I mean people would would pretend like it was like it's going to be this battle with Muhammad Ali against Joe Frazier

in this corner we have a secular station where you know the Jewish people like coming from all over all over the States I mean coming to see this concert and and in fact the place was beyond capacity. Musta been about 20 to 23 thousand people inside but about five or 6000 I heard were outside. And you tell me that they broke down the doors and people on the outside forced their way inside I mean places like packed out and something in people's minds they were looking at it like this great battle that's going to take place I was looking at it like that. I mean to me it was going to be a treat to be able to be on the same stage hopefully we get up there do something together. But anyway that's what was in people's minds so they were all pumped up. And and you know we were waiting and waiting to start the show and then the promoter.

Came back in and said well there's a there's a problem look like flies not going to make it you know and we will. We were wondering if you would go out and tell the people this last night going to be here. Yeah I don't think so. No way I'm going to be the person to go out there and kill the people that kill meal. Whatever happened to Larry Graham when you know he walked on stage and he told people and so I saw the women the crowd me mentioning you know not me. I told I said no but I tell you what you can let the people know that we will play play play and we will play extra you know. So I didn't have a choice if they want to stay and get in the Grand Central Station and if they don't give me money back you know. And so that's what he did he went

out and gave the people a choice and told people if they wanted to leave they could get their money back. You know people stay. We went out me played and played and played and played and played and played and it was one of the best shows. And and actually from that point on Washington D.C. capital center which is really in Landover Maryland because you know it's right next to D.C. It became like the biggest market in the whole United States. Right. Oh yeah that was one of my own hair people last seen everywhere. Wow.

You're down to really all that hair. I think film is the thing. Well if you don't mean that now watch me. I just don't believe this man now that you're a man by the amount of here's my out here a big day here a week. I got into that because people used to really ask me everywhere is that really all you have. Because I had this hair it was like you know I mean it was like you know hang it down it's a big big fro Supro you know and people would with new glasses so that's why I wrote the song

you know on the on the family style is very important. But it doesn't mean when you're not listening. Deeper than anything I've heard up until now. Well Graham Central Station even though it wasn't planned. When I left sly and Family Stone had become the view the natural progression to what you know what we got into musically and my bass became more prominent me being the leader of the band now as opposed to you know being the leader in TV and featured most of the time assign a Family Stone. Now I was the featured

vocalist in you know as far as my base was concerned to be out front and so like hair for example the song was actually built around the base the base is very prominent and that even though there's the vocals and melodies and harmonies and so forth even songs like Release yourself. If you're feeling like sometimes you want to let yourself go you know you don't like. Probably going to get round in the argument always the wrong one could get in there you know. But still that the base was like probably King you Halleck and your family had seen your children bad Telmex Kenya will have you know again the base problem saying and melodies and stuff but the base would always be light. Yeah you know just behind me there's the bass so the bass did become

more prominent ground station. Well let's just talk about that. What is Jane soul music good day round on the sun and and soul music was what was what was happening at the time when you find a family stone in the sea. And again it's music from the heart. You know you had joined in couldn't live. Maybe I've heard again several tracks and One Night Live stuff you know and that's the feeling that you got from his record. Roy and you know and and there were other other groups but I think for solace. And so

I think James is probably the most prominent at that time. Yeah that's sort of his influence with a lot. What did you feel about well for me Hendrix was really I'd say Jimi Hendrix was like my favorite guitar you know. Martin. Jimi Hendrix was. One of my father Everett overall guitar players I mean of course there's nobody to play like Freddie with Brady played. So. There's no way excluding him. But overall he knew it was my favorite. The lead in of all the stuff that he did in his whole.

Concept. I think he probably was the most influential. Guitar player of all times that I'm aware of. And. You know. One time we were at this club. And the New York underground in Hendrix was there in the club chillin and decided to go up on the stage and sit in and took the guitar and. You know turn it upside down and got into some stuff that was just awesome. It was just beautiful. And as he was leaving the club I was leaving at the same time he asked me on the ground. I want to come down to the studio and down with me and you. AND THE FAMILY STONE We were kind of like into not playing with other people that you know it was kind of like a. Thing that it was an unwritten rule we just didn't do it right. And I always wonder to this day what would that would have been like if I want to have the privilege of going in studio and playing with Jimmy and oh boy I was so sorry I didn't take advantage of that opportunity you know.

But you know we can we can think about it and smile. I think probably had it. Has an effect on most. Musical groups. I mean they had an impact on the world. So naturally that was going to be some influence to some degree you know even if it's just a little bit you know on on almost popular music. Because that was the thing that was like at the top. You know. So naturally. Flavors of Beatle stuff. But I got my. Stuff. Mark.

Yeah. Yeah. Cold Sweat you know it was just. You know I was like. Yeah. Yeah. But I was just so C.J. doing them steps the slide no one LED all across the stage is like. I mean nobody could do. Stuff you know. And he employs.

So many people not only with saying him but he was. Dancin. Every day. His band. This is your showmanship. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah yeah yeah. I think that with the prominence. Of James Brown Sly and The Family Stone. Hendrix he leaves all those type of groups that were. Strong in what and what they did.

You couldn't help but influence each other. You know. I'm sure that that when you really listen carefully you hear. People taking little bits and pieces from each other. You know just just the influence I hear. You know. Overall. You know I hear James Brown's music and in a lot of other people you find found in your influence. You know that overlapping and that's what happens when you're that prominent and that strong and what you do people. People will imitate and emulate you even if they're not really consciously trying to do so. Can't help it. You have the influence at that time. We lacked a phone. We did a show with them.

In Radio City Music Hall in New York City Grand Central Station Parliament Funkadelic. And it was plenty because because George. The way they do the show he would roll the coffin out on the stage all the life would be down in this coffin would open up and then this on would pop out and in his leg would pop out. You know listen we'd like the punk now all right I need to go like nuts right. But my wife is watching this whole performance not the coffin and all this you know. And after the show I tell him hey baby I want you to come backstage I want you to meet them I said. I sent you to me George Clinton. He said. When I said look he's really a nice guy you know. Oh no. And so finally I was able to convince him to come backstage and meet him the whole time she was in a dress you know she was like stand behind me like picking up what.

She likes and enjoys like oh hi Mrs. Graham how you you know pleased to meet you really nice and courteous is the blue Latino way but she was really scared and she calmed down after she met him he was so nice. Years later last year when slyness Family Stone was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Who does the presentation but George Clinton right. So when we are in the back room you know a little reception room and we see George and we're talking here you know good to see you. And he has a wife who say you know by the way he said I remember when you were backstage at that concert in New York. He said I know you're scared of me. And we're like she was like. Really. It was like all blushing and embarrassed. It was funny that he really knew how scared she was and told her years later with Parliament-Funkadelic. Had been bad bad you are just going to. Write.

About. Oh but yeah he got his I mean he got his thing where. You know when he plays. You know with boots and. He has his own bag you know saying you know right away you know his his his sound his approach his attackers at a yabba dabba doo but you know I like you know I didn't like Lucy you know and I mean another bass but I really love Stanley Clarke. You know we did a tour together in fact we play Stanley Clarke We were we were asked to do a gig in Japan and Stanley and so we decided to do it just base two bases and drums. Nothing else right. So Stanley coming over to my house and I was living in Hollywood at the time and he comes over for rehearsal and we sit down on the couch and we get to talking and my wife Bring us and gives of psyche outtakes of saki and we sit there we talk it is like. Well. That was her house. We did pick up X is that all we just about. We go

do this and do that. And we went to the DA and he came up on one side of the stage. I came from the other side with watching morning we getting closer and closer they close and got to the center stage here. They were just going crazy in a crowd where. And the whole show must men about I don't have a so it's just bases to bases and draw and that was it and it was one of the most incredible shows. I mean I'm not saying that just because I was the one who was in it I mean I had never done anything like that right. The people. Just went all in after that we get busy it's been about a month or so. It was a little. And of course we keep the burning white Earth Wind Fire this base right here in this place burning gave me this. I came home Lou came home we live in a Marina Del Rey and came home one day and got to the

guard gate and they said well we got a package for you. Say oh I'm expecting little you know mail or something because I just big old blacks you know I was like What was this. Mr. Brody White that this for you. Know put it up and you just need a full. Face and he gave me. Thank you Bernie. As my buddy. Went on. Yeah I think that I think the slant of Family Stone had a big influence on Earth when a fire you can you can you can hear that. But then they have their own thing that they do I think find a font families I was just an influence like it was for many other groups but earth when a fire got into their own zone and you could hear them doing anything to be a commercial on television or radio and right away if when a fire you know it could be a 15 second spot.

So they have a very unique sound and then of course the mistake will focus on Mr. Philip Bailey you know. Will sound like that you know and I mean just. They have a uniqueness about them that when they win we're going to show people right. You know. Parker. The Ohio Players. When I think. Of. The Ohio Players also think of the brothers now you're probably wondering what. And I won't leave you hanging. They made some of the best sound and records. I mean these folks went into the studio and they just had it mastered down they had the technique down of how to make a record just jump off you know jump off the radio I mean just jump out at you you know.

And and. I just really just always love. That's why I just come to together to meet. They have some of the best sound and record. They really know how to work in the studio. And then of course I had the privilege of touring with both. Bands Ohio Players and Isley Brothers we did an extensive tour together and it was always fun. You know and here they're back out now and hopefully we get a chance to do something again because for it it was fun. Yeah my problem right. Now. So I want. Of course you do. Yeah you had a sly influence in figures boys like you had the sly influence and mores wife voice. You know a lot of people that that influence. Just him alone with his voice.

Yeah won't man. I'll be out of town that day. I'll be a babe about what I say. I mean like that you know. What I'm. Right.