Sly Stone (left), Freddie Stone and his Florentine-cutaway Gibson Byrdland (center), Larry Graham (right), and the Family Stone take the 1969 Woodstock
crowd higher. Photo by Jason Laure/Frank White Photo Agency
FREDDIE STONE
Despite playing in one of the most popular
funk bands of all time, Freddie Stone might
just be one of the most underrated purveyors
of funkitude ever. He and brother Sly Stone
cofounded Sly & the Family Stone in 1967,
and within that context Freddie set a new standard for integrating the guitar into a large band
setting without sonic redundancy. His chicken-scratchin’, choppy-grooved licks, and bluesy
R&B lines (played initially on big, hollowbody
guitars like Gibson L-4s, then later on Fender
Telecasters) always popped out of the mix in
the right places and added a “gut-bucket” feel
to the band’s prominent horn section.
Although his heyday was nearly four
decades ago, Freddie had an influence that
looms large to this day. It can be heard in the
styles of other influential 6-string funkateers
such as Ernie Isley (The Isley Brothers), Eddie
Hazel (Funkadelic), John Frusciante (Red
Hot Chili Peppers), and Prince. Check out
tunes like “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice
Elf Agin)” to see how Freddie integrates single
lines on the lower strings with sliding domi-
nant-9th chords on “Sing a Simple Song.” It’s
a riff so irresistible Jimi Hendrix borrowed
it for his album Band of Gypsys. Want more
evidence? Listen to the Woodstock version
of “I Want to Take You Higher” to hear how
Freddie finds elbow room sandwiched between
Sly’s loud, crunchy organ and Larry Graham’s
bionic bass. Take note of his discretionary use
of the wah pedal. He uses the right tool at the
right time and knows when to stop using it.
