In these Post’s, I will write a few Facts, Figures, Stats and Interesting Stuff on the Artist in Question, I will also include a Playlist of their Greatest Songs.
This Week’s Bass Player is my Second Favorite Player of All-Time…Larry Graham, not only a Great Bass Player of Funk Record’s but he also Recorded One of the All-Time Great Soul Ballads!
Larry Graham Jr was Born on the 14th August 1946, in Beaumont Texas USA, He is a Musician, Songwriter and Record Producer, as well as Playing the Bass, he Plays the Keyboards, and also a Great Singer!
He Moved to California when he was 3 Years Old, to be Raised by his GrandMother, as his Mother was an Piano Player in a Band, who were Touring the World!
Not to long later he was Moved again with his Family to Hawaii, again a few Years Later, he was Re-United with his Mother and they Moved to Oakland, California.
In 1961 he Joined his Mother in her Band, she was also Teaching him how to Sing, in the Early Days, Larry Graham used to Cover Ballads, by the Likes of Billy Eckstein and Tony Bennett.
He Joined Sly and the Family Stone, after a Request from Sly Stone in 1966!
The First Album (on Epic Records) from Sly and the Family Stone was Released in 1967, and Called “A Whole New Thing” it was Not a Big Seller!
It was the Following Year on 27th April 1968 that Sly and the Family Stone had their Break Through Album, it was called “Dance To The Music” and the Title Track was a Hit in the USA, both Pop and R&B Charts!
Larry Graham Featured on a Total Of 5 Albums with Sly and the Family Stone, before Leaving in late 1972!
The following Year of ’73, Larry Graham was Producing an Album for a Band named “Hot Chocolate” (Not the English Band) he was asked to Join the Band and they had a Name Change to “Graham Central Station”
GCS Released their Debut Album in 1974, it was Called “Graham Central Station” the Album reached the Top 20 on the US R&B Chart!
Larry Graham and GCS went on to Release a Total Of 7 Albums up until 1979, before Larry Graham Decided to go Solo and put GCS on the Back Burner for a Few Years!
By 1980 Larry Graham Released his First Solo Album, on Warner Brother Records, it was entitled “One in a Million You” it was a big Hit in the US, Reaching Number 1 on the R&B Chart and Number 9 on the Hot 100 Chart!
The Biggest Single on the Album was the Great “Sam Dees” Track, “One in a Million You” it Reached Number 1 on the US R&B Chart and Number 9 on the US Pop 100 Chart.
This is One of my Favorite All-Time Tracks!
Larry Graham went on to Release a further 4 Albums on Warner Brothers Records.
By the Early 1990’s he was back Touring with Graham Central Station.
In 1998 GCS Released their First Album in 10 Years, on NPG Record Label (New Power Generation), which was Owned By Prince, who also Co-Produced with Larry Graham.
Larry Graham and GCS are still Recording, with their Latest Album being Released in September of this Year entitled “Raise Up” again Featuring “Prince” a Great Comeback Album!
Larry Graham describes his Bass playing as Thumpin’ and Pluckin’ check out these Great Videos, on how to Play the Bass, and the Great Record “One in a MillionYou”
A few Great Tracks from Larry Graham and GCS.
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