COURTESY OF COUNT BASIE THEATRE
Sly Stone, left, made a surprise appearance with The Family Stone at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on Sunday.
Fans of the classic funk group Sly & the Family Stone got a nice surprise at the ’70s Rock & Funk Fest at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, Sunday. The Family Stone headlined the show, which also featured Rick Derringer, Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels and Badfinger. But Sly Stone himself, who is 72 and has made few public appearances over the last few decades, made it a family affair by joining them on the song, “If You Want Me to Stay,” singing and playing keyboards. Check out the footage below.
The band’s current lineup includes original members Cynthia Robinson, on trumpet, Jerry Martini, on saxophone, and Greg Errico, on drums, in addition to Stone’s daughter, Phunne Stone, on vocals and keyboards.
Sly & The Family Stone had an incredible run of hits in the late ’60s and early ’70s, including “Dance to the Music,” “Hot Fun in the Summertime,” “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” “Everyday People” and “Family Affair,” but Sly Stone (born Sylvester Stewart) has had only sporadic involvement in the group since the mid-1970s.
