Hey music lovers here in Cherry Hill Township and across the globe! Get ready to ignite your Friday night with a dose of pure, unadulterated live music magic, right here on Live Jam! As you know, at Live Jam, every track we spin is the real deal – the raw energy, the spontaneous improvisations, the electric connection between artist and audience. That’s the Live Jam promise.
And tonight, as the stars begin to pepper the New Jersey sky, we’re firing up a very special edition of our Friday Night Lights Radio Show. Every Friday night, starting at 9 PM Eastern Time, we bring you a monumental live release played in its glorious entirety. It’s our way of honoring the artists and the unforgettable moments they created on stage.
This week, we’re taking a trip back to a time of groundbreaking sound and powerful messages, with a heavy heart but immense gratitude for the music. We are profoundly saddened to share the news that Sly Stone, the visionary leader of Sly & The Family Stone, passed away on June 9, 2025, at the age of 82. His family cited a prolonged battle with COPD and other health issues as the cause.
It is with this in mind that we celebrate the indelible legacy of the one and only Sly Stone and his revolutionary band, Sly & The Family Stone, by featuring their iconic Live at the Fillmore East 1968 performance! This broadcast now serves as a powerful tribute to a true pioneer.
Sly & The Family Stone weren’t just a band; they were a cultural phenomenon. Hailing from a time of significant social change, they burst onto the music scene with a sound that was utterly unique and undeniably infectious. Imagine a sonic melting pot where the gritty soul of James Brown collided with the psychedelic explorations of Jimi Hendrix, all infused with a potent dose of funk and a resounding call for unity and inclusion. That was Sly & The Family Stone. Their fearless fusion of funk, soul, rock, and psychedelic elements shattered the rigid boundaries of genre and paved the way for countless artists who dared to be different. They proved that music could be both deeply groovy and profoundly meaningful, resonating with audiences across all walks of life.
Sly Stone was, without a doubt, a significant figure in music history, known for single-handedly redefining pop, funk, and rock as we know it. His influential songs are woven into the fabric of popular culture, including timeless anthems like “Everyday People,” “Dance to the Music,” and the groundbreaking “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”. Beyond his work with The Family Stone, he also made significant contributions to early folk rock and psychedelic bands, showcasing his incredible versatility and influence. While his later years were marked by well-documented struggles with addiction and the eventual breakup of the band in the 80s, his creative spirit continued to burn bright.
Indeed, Sly Stone remained remarkably active in recent years, leaving us with a final burst of creative output. His autobiography, aptly titled Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), was published in October 2023 to widespread positive reviews, offering an intimate look into his extraordinary life. His family has also revealed that he recently completed a screenplay about his life, a testament to his enduring storytelling ability. Furthermore, the Questlove-directed documentary about Sly Stone, SLY LIVES! (aka the Burden of Black Genius), premiered to acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2025 and is now readily available for streaming on Hulu. To complement the documentary, a soundtrack featuring classic Sly & The Family Stone songs alongside previously unreleased material was released in February 2025.
Since the news of his passing, there has been an outpouring of heartfelt tributes from across the music world and beyond, all recognizing his immeasurable musical and cultural impact. The recent documentary and memoir stand as powerful testaments to his enduring creativity and undeniable genius, ensuring his legacy will continue to inspire for generations to come.
Live at the Fillmore East 1968 isn’t just another live album; it’s a time capsule that transports you directly into the heart of one of the most legendary music venues in history. The Fillmore East in New York City was a hallowed hall where countless iconic performances unfolded, and this recording captures Sly & The Family Stone at the absolute zenith of their early, raw power. You’ll feel the sweat dripping from the stage, the roar of the crowd, and the sheer, unbridled energy that defined their live shows.
Prepare to be swept away by the incredible musicianship of Sly Stone, the innovative basslines of Larry Graham, the driving force of Cynthia Robinson on trumpet, the electrifying guitar work of Freddie Stone, the soulful vocals of Rosie Stone, the solid groove laid down by drummer Greg Errico, and the dynamic saxophone of Jerry Martini. This isn’t a polished studio creation; it’s a raw, unfiltered snapshot of a band pushing the boundaries of what live music could be. It’s a vibrant historical document that allows you to witness firsthand the moment they redefined the possibilities of funk and soul.
So, set your reminders, music enthusiasts! Tonight, Friday at 9 PM EST, tune into Live Jam for a sonic journey back to 1968 with Sly & The Family Stone – Live at the Fillmore East. It’s an essential listen for anyone who appreciates groundbreaking music, electrifying live performances, and the enduring power of Sly Stone’s vision.
But the Friday Night Lights party doesn’t stop there! Mark your calendars, because next week, we’re shifting gears to celebrate another musical titan: the legendary Brian Wilson! We’ll be featuring The Beach Boys Live from Knebworth, bringing you those iconic California harmonies and timeless melodies as they resonated across the fields of one of the world’s most famous music festivals. You won’t want to miss that unforgettable performance either!
This week, though, it’s all about the funk, the soul, and the revolutionary spirit of Sly & The Family Stone. Get ready to groove with us tonight at 9 PM EST on Friday Night Lights, only on Live Jam – where every song is alive!
Stay tuned, keep the music loud, and have a fantastic Friday night, New Jersey! Remember that next week, we’re shifting gears to celebrate another musical titan: the legendary Brian Wilson! We’ll be featuring The Beach Boys Live from Knebworth.
PS: In order to avoid duplicate songs tonight on this four-show set, I am using one version from each of the four nights. The total recording is about an hour and a half of normal showtime, and we will not play the entire 3-hour and 45-minute album. You will hear different songs from the two various nights and four shows that year at The Fillmore.
