Latest news with #Parliament-Funkadelic
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Sly Stone's 5 essential songs, from 'Everyday People' to 'Stand!'
Sly Stone's 5 essential songs, from 'Everyday People' to 'Stand!' For Sly and the Family Stone, it was always all about that bass. The funk band, led by the mercurial genius who gave the band its moniker, joined James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic as pioneering artists who ushered in the fusion of rock, R&B and soul. Sly Stone – born Sylvester Stewart in Denton, Texas − has died at age 82, his family announced on June 9. But the music he created with the band − a lineup that included brother/guitarist Freddie Stone, sister/keyboardist Rose Stone, trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, drummer Greg Errico, saxophonist Jerry Martini and bassist Larry Graham − inhabits the music of artists ranging from Diana Ross & The Supremes to Michael Jackson to John Mayer. Sly and the Family Stone released 10 studio albums between 1967 and 1982, with many songs injected with passionate social consciousness and others existing as blissful foot-stompers. Here are five of the band's most essential songs: Sly Stone dies: The funk pioneer, who led Sly and the Family Stone, was 82 'Everyday People' (1968) The first No. 1 hit for the unit is also one of the most enduring in music history. A call for peace and equality is blanketed with a pop sheen including a singsong chorus ("There is a blue one who can't accept the green one for living with the black one trying to be a skinny one") and a bridge including the phrase, 'different strokes for different folks,' which was the inspiration behind the '70s sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes.' The song's covers include a memorable rendition by Joan Jett as well as Cher and Future, who recorded it for a 2017 Gap commercial. 'Stand!' (1969) Sly Stone wrote this minor, yet important, hit solo and also primarily used studio musicians to record it. Stone's message was simple, to stand 'for the things you know are right,' his words emphasized by a gospel choir. 'It's the truth that the truth makes them so uptight. … Don't you know that you are free, at least in your mind if you want to be,' he sings in a gravelly tone before a mid-song detour into a think stew of gospel and funk. The B-side of the single – 'I Want to Take You Higher' – is equally worthy of hosannas. ''Hot Fun in the Summertime' (1969) Though it was released just before the band's appearance at Woodstock, the No. 2 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 became a symbol of the music festival with its memo about carefree fun in the sun. Tapped piano notes and a gentle pillow of strings provide the song's backbone, and when the horns kick in along with the group's soaring background vocals, it's impossible not to get swept into the groovy vibe. 'Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin' (1969) Though the spelling of the title would cause much cringing among English teachers, the clever title (which translates to 'Thank You for Letting Me Be Myself Again') is one of many unforgettable elements of the funktastic singalong of individuality that still serves as a call to the dance floor. A sliding high hat pairs with heavy use of bassist Graham's legendary 'slap technique,' which he would employ throughout the band's duration and be emulated by Prince, Flea and Chic's Bernard Edwards, among others. 'Family Affair' (1971) The final No. 1 hit for the band and one of its most emulated, whether through its woozy electric piano (played by Billy Preston) or its syncopated rhythm. Prince and Madonna found ways to interpolate the song into their own recordings ('Y Should Eye Do That When Eye Can Do This?' and 'Keep It Together,' respectively), but, no, Mary J. Blige's song and album of the same name is not affiliated with Sly and the Family Stone's.
USA Today
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
George Clinton sues former business partner for 'fraudulently' acquiring 90% of music
George Clinton sues former business partner for 'fraudulently' acquiring 90% of music George Clinton is suing his former business partner for "fraudulently" acquiring the rights to nearly 90% of his work. The Parliament-Funkadelic singer-songwriter filed the copyright lawsuit in the Northern District of Florida on Tuesday against music producer Armen Boladian and his entertainment companies, including Bridgeport Music. Clinton claims Boladian has acquired the rights to his and Parliament-Funkadelic's music – including the hit songs "Atomic Dog," "Flashlight," "One Nation Under A Groove" and "We Want the Funk (Tear the Roof Off)" – by "adding fictitious songwriters to dilute Clinton's share in songwriters royalties," urging Clinton to sign blank contracts and signing agreements on his behalf without his consent to claim ownership of his music. Boladian's reps could not be reached for comment. Clinton and Boladian worked together from 1968 through 1975, and 1981 through 1990, according to the suit. Boladian and his "one-man" companies are most notable in the music world for their own frequent lawsuits for copyright infringement via sampling of Clinton's music and previously being referred to as a "copyright troll," according to the filing. The companies "employ little to no staff and have no assets other than copyright," the filing alleges. Boladian is "collecting royalties from Clinton's catalog while fraudulently denying Clinton tens of millions of dollars," the filing reads. While Boladian and his several entertainment companies are "suing other producers and artists who sample songs to which (they) fraudulently acquired rights," they are also failing to provide an accounting of royalties owed to the funk bandleader, according to the lawsuit. Boladian and Bridgeport Music have sued hip-hop artists such as Jay-Z, Public Enemy, The Notorious B.I.G. and N.W.A. for copyright infringement. The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient says he has "suffered and continues to suffer significant economic injury" as a result. Clinton's team claims Boladian has stolen the masters or exploited other "young, gifted artists" and alleges there may be a racial component to Boladian's motivations. "Boladian expressed his views that Black artists lacked the education and intelligence to understand issues such as copyright infringement and legal proceedings," the lawsuit claims. "Accordingly, he felt emboldened and entitled to defraud artists like Clinton." Clinton is requesting a jury trial. Clinton and Boladian have had multiple legal disputes as far back as 1981. The singer-songwriter has for years claimed Boladian stole his copyrights, including in his 2014 memoir, "Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain't That Funkin' Kinda Hard On You?," for which Boladian brought a defamation lawsuit. In 2021, Clinton defeated the lawsuit, with the jury finding that the legendary musician did not defame the producer.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel Announces Return of Award-Winning Outdoor Summer Concert Series
Two-Weekend Event Featuring Parliament-Funkadelic, HANSON, P.O.D., and More Summer Concert Series SEATTLE, March 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Get ready for an unforgettable summer as Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel proudly announces the return of its Summer Concert Series, featuring two weekends of high-energy performances from legendary and rising artists. The highly anticipated event will take place June 6-8 and July 24-27, 2025 at Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel's Mountain View Plaza, bringing music lovers together for an electrifying outdoor experience with breathtaking views of the Cascade Mountains. This year's star-studded lineup includes: June 2025 - June 6: Melanie Fiona with The Gap BandJune 7: 8: Joel Chan July 2025 - July 24: Parliament-Funkadelic featuring George Clinton July 25: HANSONJuly 26: The Rumba KingsJuly 27: Austin Jenckes with Special Guests A Diverse and Local Celebration of Music Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel's diverse lineup features a rich blend of 24 local Native and non-Native musicians performing. These talented artists represent a wide range of genres and cultural influences, ensuring a unique and authentic experience that highlights the depth of the Pacific Northwest's vibrant music scene. By supporting both local talent and world-renowned performers, the casino continues to celebrate community, diversity, and artistic excellence. 'We take immense pride in reintroducing our entertainment program. In this endeavor, our team has been guided by a strong commitment to celebrate our culture and support the local entertainment community by offering a platform for these bands to showcase their talents. Our venue has a reputation for being inclusive and dedicated to creating opportunities for local artists, emerging acts, and indigenous performers. As we move into a larger space, we aim to broaden our efforts to provide even more opportunities for bands of all levels to perform.' –Troy Wyatt, Entertainment Operations Manager Tickets & More Information Tickets for the Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel Summer Concert Series go on sale March 7, 2025 at For more details on artist lineups, world-class dining, and exclusive offers, visit or follow Snocasino on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates. About Snoqualmie Casino & HotelJust 30 minutes from Downtown Seattle and the home fields of the Seahawks, Sounders, and Mariners, Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel combines breathtaking valley views with a sophisticated gaming setting. Featuring Washington's first sportsbook, nearly 1,700 state-of-the-art slot machines, and 58 classic table games—including blackjack, roulette, and baccarat—Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel offers an unparalleled entertainment experience. Guests can also enjoy national entertainment acts, five distinct dining experiences, and the region's best cigar lounge. Opening in summer 2025, the highly anticipated hotel expansion will introduce a world-class destination spa, a dynamic new sports bar, and a 2,000-seat entertainment and convention space, further enhancing the casino's offerings. For more information, visit Media Contact:Amanda Beltran PR and Advertising StrategistSnoqualmie Casino & Hotel (425) 429 -0845abeltran@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
