Larry Graham |
 |
|
Sat. August 14.1999 3:04 AM EDT |
||
Larry Grahamby Frank Tortorici |
||||
|
||||
 |
Larry Graham also backed such musical legends as Jackie Wilson and John Lee Hooker. ( ) |
|
||
Larry Graham, Jr., earned a place in the rock-history books as a key member of funk pioneers Sly and the Family Stone before leading his own soul outfit, Graham Central Station. He is now a solo performer who often gigs with The Artist and records on
Graham, who possesses a three-octave vocal range, was born 53 years ago today in Beaumont, Texas. He moved with his family to Oakland, Calif., at age 2. As a teenager, Graham learned to play guitar, bass, harmonica and drums. He began playing guitar and bass professionally with his singer/pianist mother, Dell Graham. After attending college for a while, Graham backed artists such as John Lee Hooker, Jackie Wilson and the Drifters. In 1967, Graham became a founding member of Sly and the Family Stone, a highly influential group that combined funk and rock. Their hits included such classics as "Dance to the Music," "Everyday People," "Hot Fun in the Summertime," "Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin," "Everybody Is a Star" and "Family Affair" (RealAudio excerpt). Graham's percussive bass was an integral part of the Family Stone's sound. Graham left the group in 1972 and formed the soul/funk Graham Central Station, whose 1974 eponymous debut yielded the hit "Can You Handle It." The band's biggest-hit LP was 1975's Ain't No Bout-A-Doubt It, which included the top-40 single "Your Love." Graham Central Station's last effort was 1979's Star Walk. In the '80s, Graham became a solo singer of ballads. He had a top-10 smash with the title track to One in a Million You (1980). The next year's Just Be My Lady featured the R&B hit title cut. In 1982, Graham scored R&B hits with "Don't Stop When You're Hot" and the title song of Sooner or Later. Five years later, he teamed with soul queen Aretha Franklin on "If You Need My Love Tonight." In 1993, Graham's new band Psychedelic Psoul toured with Eddie Murphy. Later that year, Graham re-formed Graham Central Station for a tour. Along with the Family Stone, he was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In addition to gigging and recording with The Artist in recent years, Graham issued Graham Central Station 2000 (1999), featuring such cuts as "U Move Me" and "Love 4 1 Another." In June, Graham and The Artist joined Santana onstage in Minnesota. On Sept. 4 in Minneapolis, Graham and The Artist will perform at the Mill City Festival, a musical celebration of the city's background. Other birthdays: Dash Crofts (Seals & Crofts), 59: David Crosby, 58; George Newsome (Climax Blues Band), 52; Terry Adams (NRBQ), 49; Sharon Bryant (Atlantic Starr), 43; and Sarah Brightman, 38. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  |
 |
 |
Receive Free Music News Daily Via Email |
|
Receive Free Artist Updates Via Email for Larry Graham |
|
All news for Larry Graham |
|
Breaking Music News |
 |
Add VH1 News to My Yahoo |
|
