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 chickenscratchin’,
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 ri
ght 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 dominant-
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.
Sly & the Family Stone was pivotal in the
development of soul and funk rock, and they
were the first highly successful American band
that was both racially mixed and gender diverse.
Their style of church-influenced psychedelic
funk continues to inspire to this day. Freddie
Stone’s gut-bucket guitar and screaming-from-the-
pulpit vocal style changed lives and sent
many a guitarist to the woodshed to investigate
the full potential of unadulterated funkiness.