SLY STONE CIRCA 2012

My full interview with the recently deceased musical innovator

The Holy Grail of my career as a music journalist was to interview the mercurial Sly Stone. While a full time reporter in the 1980s and early ‘90s, I never encountered the man, though the stories of his missed concerts, drug use and mysterious moves fueled many late night conversations. When I started directing on the Finding the Funk documentary Sly was an essential interview. But how do I reach them. I heard that one of his daughter’s, Novena Carmel, was on Facebook, so I DM'ed her on Facebook. Miraculously she returned my message. One afternoon as I sat in Washington Square Park we talked. She knew my work and said her father was aware of me too! Was an interview possible?

After some negotiations that included an envelope with some cash, I traveled with a small crew to Novena’s apartment in Culver City in a blazing hot summer day. While we waited on Sly, Novena played us a gospel record he’d made as a teenager, which was as amazing as it sounds.

Of course I was nervous. He’d stood up concert promoters, band mates and record executives since the ‘70s. And the, after having some Thai food, there was Sly Stone sitting in a chair in front of me. It was clear from the stat this was not going to be your typical Q and A as you’ll see.

As a bonus we also interviewed Novena about her Dad. At the time she was a talent booker for various venues around Los Angeles. Today she’s a host on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic, where her impeccable taste and bright personality shine daily.

RIP SLY STONE. THE MUSIC LIVES ON.