Are you kidding me?? No Bass Players could THEN or NOW sing and play simultaneously like LG!!!!! He's unequivocally the Father of Funk Fender Bass!!! Divinely Gifted!!!
The best Live band ever! one of the best Groups on the planet-authentic funk nothing today comes close-Larrys Bass pulsates right thtough you in concert!
He will be dearly missed, no one could play the hammond organ as funky as him and his legacy will live on in our hearts every time I listen to his funky organ. RIP
This is so wonderful to hear this music, and actually see them perform it again. I am 47 and lived for this group. I bought the very first album, and was hooked every since. GOD BLESS the whole band, thank you all for such brilliant funky memories!! What ever happened to ms.Patryce "chocolate" Banks??
i did not know that one of the true unsung keyboard/organ players ever to touch a organ had passed on. didnt really get his due. he and hershall happiness kenedy are two of my favorite players. lets give it up for mr robert butch sam.
The pictures on the back of this album was out of this world or as we used to say...outta sight! Looked like they just dropped in from the planet FUNK to put an exclimation point on our souls!
That group never disappoints. In fact, I've seen them live three or four times in more recent years in DC at, The Taste of DC Festival, Constitution Hall, Howard University's Cramton Auditorium, the Lincoln Theater. I've also seen the group outside DC in Virginia at the NISSAN Pavilion at Stone Ridge. I think Graham Central Station proper and Larry Graham, in particular, represent the best in just plain great music and just plain great live performnances. GScott
I've been trying to find this for years! I had it tape recorded but lost the second part of it. They came back on towards the end of this episode and REALLY turned it on with a heart stopping version of "Release yourself". If somebody can come up with that part, I would appreciate it.
Chocolate, or Patrice is doing well and writing books along with Poetry and still singing. It has been a few months since she and I last wrote but she is healthy and happy in LA.
This news just about floored me! I've been one of GCS'S biggest fans since '74. I was hooked with "Can You Handle It". Got To know Larry pretty good while working at LAX airport in the 80's and 90's. Robert Sam was his most loyal band-member. I am truly saddened by all this. First MJ. then Marvin Isley, Not to forget one of George Clintons bass Players! .A whole lot of good Funk/Rock! May they all RIP...
I mentioned this once before on this site, but does anyone have the last part of this concert? They returned later in the show to close out with "Release Yourself". It, to this day, was some of the dirtiest, nastiest, FUNKIEST music I've ever had the pleasure of hearing! If anyone knows what I'm referring to, please, if you can, post it! Fog machine started it off, and in concert, they would disappear!
I think one of the best GCS live shows I've seen was the one promoting the "Mirror" album. There were these huge mirrors on the stage at the old Capital Centre. GCS turned the joint out. GScott
Wow! thx for sharing. The intro in this medley until (0:11) is called "We've been waiting" Afterwards you can listen to "Hair" until 2:28. The part from 2:28 to 2:47 is taken from the song "I Believe In You". And the last part of this medley is "'Tis Your Kind Of Music"
Patryce Choc'let is doing great. In fact she released an EP in 2011. You can get it on iTunes and other outlets. She also has a youtube page. I don't think i can post her web link here so I'll try to send you a personal msg. Peace
No Prince may not compare to Larry but who needs to compare when one should enjoy what is being given? If I give you a slice of cake, a slice of pie, which would you put the ice cream on? 1 or the other or both? I would take both and enjoy what is being offered. Not many can compare to Prince either in talent. Larry shared a unique talent with the rest of us bass playa's. Enjoy and be plentiful.
I know. It's the record industry. The Bar-kays, Con-Funk-Shun and others appearing on Unsung sindicated that the music industry did not promote this type of music. Frankie Beverly said it best on an awards show to 2day's artist: "stay away from the flavor of the week - play what you like". Too many of 2day's artists are willing to sell out.
I believe you're right exnewsanchor !!!!!! That was the year. REALLY great show. I remember going back to Grambling in the fall of '77 and my buddy had that album. "Do u wanna Dance". Anyone know if you can order DVD's of the original Midnite Special ?????????
Wow! What awesome tone. I thought "Sunshine" is the white Moon 4 sting that LG plays..and "Moonshine" is what he calls the 5 string version of "Sunshine." I think the Moon 4 sting has passive Bartolini 9s pickups with a Bartolini TBT preamp.
@geosh78 Your'e so right and as Larry would often say "Thank you God" for the vision to replace Bette with Patryce " chocolate" Banks added to the funkiest rhythm section alive and bless us all cause it tis my kind of music too!
I believe that was 77 sounds like the NOW DO YOU WANNA DANCE Tour. The girl in the cage was Larry's wife Tina. Prince was and is a huge Larry Graham and GCS fan as well as Larry's first major group Sly and THE FAMILY STONE.
I would give almost anything to see the show i saw back around '75 or '76 here in Lake Charles. Best i remember, there was a girl in a cage above the stage dancing, Then i remember them coming out like a high school marching band or something like that. First time i'd ever seen anything like that before. Prince did kinda the same thing on Sign o the Times, but GCS did it first. But he really tore the house down. Anyone remember 7th Wonder(The Tilt) to name one i had almost forgotten about.
Now how did YOU know I'd like that? Then when I saw Pleasure's 'Glide' (I was speaking of yesterday) I said "that's it". That part from it sounds kinda' good. I used to groove off that. Thanks, Keedah
On GCS's, "Mirror" album, I uess LG used different strings and had different eq because the bass really came to life: more bottom when he thumped the, E and A, strings and certainly more mid and treble when he thumped and plucked the D and G strings. There was a guy in Silver Spring, Md, by the name of Rocky McCullough(awesome bass player) who similar beautiful tone out of a stock Fender Jazz. GScottOn
@bigdaddy45able Actually Larry, Hershall Happiness Kennedy,Willie Wild Sparks and Patryce Choc'Let Banks performed on Betty Davis' first album,Also TOWER OF POWER'S Lenny Williams who was on GCS' first album sang on it along with The Pointer Sisters. It was produced by Sly and The Family Stones original drummer Greg Errico. GCS was originally was called Hot Chocolate as it was going to be Choc'Let's band with Larry producing them.
Well stated Lonewolf36, you are so correct!! You cannot compare the two, It's like comparing Mozart to Beethoven, both are awesome composers. But me personally, Larry Graham laid lots of ground work for those who proceeded him, i.e, "slap bass", which was first really demonstrated by Larry on "Thank you for lettin me be myself".
The next night I believe they were in Norfolk I was front and center I got to meet the band that night. Gail throw her towel at me. i went back stage to get her to sign it and Hershall"Hapiness" Kennedy told me where the dressing room was unfortunatley I didn't get to meet Larry Graham that night he was busy but I did see him on the otherside of the dressing room. So I mainley spoke with Gail, Hershall and Tina Graham I brefly spoke with David Dynamite Vega R.I.P.
That entire band was bad! Hershel Kennedy was one bad heyboardist! He was overlooked something aweful. A real showman. Once Choc'let left, I think they lost something...edge.
Actually, Hendrix had been after Graham for a while. He saw the potential early on. They had performed at venues together before. The night he died he was supposed to be meeting with Sly to jam a little, is what I have heard over the years.
@geosh78 I was real sorry to hear that...A lot of great funk musicians have past recently..Charles Smith from Kool and the Gang pasted 1-2 years ago...
@hmorganman cutbacks my brova! No musical insturments in (or out) of school means that the talent pool is now much smaller...especially in poor areas which also tend to be where the most musically talented people are in the 1st place. Rap is actually ingenious when you look at what they have to work with. Not even taking insturments away can stop music.
They had the hit. "The Tilt" That was pretty much the only song I remember by them. The album was pretty good as i remember.They also came to L.C. in concert around '80 or '81. Tha'ts about all i remember from them. Since i've lost all my old albums and with the internet and all i've been trying to get all my old music back but i've forgotten a lot of stuff. Still looking for "Shotgun"
Yeah, this is GRAHAM Central Station, but ya'll know this ALL ABOUT CHOCOLATE, right?!?! I think this is the first time I've ever had a good look at her real face. Most of the time she's all made up or hair face is covered up by her hair, but she's a good-lookin' woman withOUT make-up!
Don't feel like the "Lone Ranger" on that age bigtexansfan cause I remember seeing them in early 70's here in Lake Charles,La live and he tore the house down. On ":Earthquake", he was Hendrix on bass. I remember he lit it on fire and went beserk. Really cool stuff.
@mikemll Sorry to tell you but Sly & the Family Stone, where Larry started were dressing like this in the 60's. Jimi can be credited for a lot of things, but if anything, in this instance, this cat was first. Check out Sly in Cincinnati '66 I believe it is, something like, but anyway, you'll see what I mean.
No that was Sly. Larry already left the Family Stone when Family Affair was recorded. You can watch Sly & sister Rose sing it live here. Copy CNQpYz1ztx8 into search bar
Willie Wild was much better...so was Gaylord Birch..There was a vid of GCS with Willie Wild but the copyright police took it off...Do you remember that vid..??
Are you kidding me?? No Bass Players could THEN or NOW sing and play simultaneously like LG!!!!! He's unequivocally the Father of Funk Fender Bass!!! Divinely Gifted!!!
Graham Center Station... one of the Greatest bands to ever hit the music scene. I love this!!!
The best Live band ever! one of the best
Groups on the planet-authentic funk
nothing today comes close-Larrys Bass pulsates right thtough you in concert!
Patryce Banks was a great part of Graham Central Station. I loved hearing her voice. I wonder what she is doing now"
He will be dearly missed, no one could play the hammond organ as funky as him and his legacy will live on in our hearts every time I listen to his funky organ. RIP
This is so wonderful to hear this music, and actually see them perform it again. I am 47 and lived for this group. I bought the very first album, and was hooked every since. GOD BLESS the whole band, thank you all for such brilliant funky memories!! What ever happened to ms.Patryce "chocolate" Banks??
i did not know that one of the true unsung keyboard/organ players ever to touch a organ had passed on. didnt really get his due. he and hershall happiness kenedy are two of my favorite players. lets give it up for mr robert butch sam.
GCS the baddest group from east to west...still. David Dynamite R.I.P.
GREATEST BASS SHREDDER EVER!
The pictures on the back of this album was out of this world or as we used to say...outta sight! Looked like they just dropped in from the planet FUNK to put an exclimation point on our souls!
That group never disappoints. In fact, I've seen them live three or four times in more recent years in DC at, The Taste of DC Festival, Constitution Hall, Howard University's Cramton Auditorium, the Lincoln Theater. I've also seen the group outside DC in Virginia at the NISSAN Pavilion at Stone Ridge. I think Graham Central Station proper and Larry Graham, in particular, represent the best in just plain great music and just plain great live performnances.
GScott
i remember watching this on the Midnight Special back in 1974, i never forgot their performances, thanks for posting
I've been trying to find this for years! I had it tape recorded but lost the second part of it. They came back on towards the end of this episode and REALLY turned it on with a heart stopping version of "Release yourself". If somebody can come up with that part, I would appreciate it.
seeing Graham Central Station on the Midnight Special brings back a lot of memories, thanks
Great version, much dirtier than the studio versions. Larry Graham is unbelievable. Thanks for posting
Chocolate, or Patrice is doing well and writing books along with Poetry and still singing. It has been a few months since she and I last wrote but she is healthy and happy in LA.
Believe it or not, I was at that concert. I'd never heard of them before, but they rocked the house.
Rest in Peace Robert "Butch " Sam Original Organ player for GCS
This news just about floored me! I've been one of GCS'S biggest fans since '74. I was hooked with "Can You Handle It". Got To know Larry pretty good while working at LAX airport in the 80's and 90's. Robert Sam was his most loyal band-member. I am truly saddened by all this. First MJ. then Marvin Isley, Not to forget one of George Clintons bass Players! .A whole lot of good Funk/Rock! May they all RIP...
I'm really showing my age by saying this, but I remember this episode of the Midnight Special. They kick ass!!
5:50 a musical genuis at work...Hershall if you see this you were the bomb..it was great meeting you..I wish you were back on the music scene.
Whoa-- what an unbelievable clip. Early, at their dirty funkiest.......
Larry! I am 47 and am still screaming you name!
I mentioned this once before on this site, but does anyone have the last part of this concert? They returned later in the show to close out with "Release Yourself". It, to this day, was some of the dirtiest, nastiest, FUNKIEST music I've ever had the pleasure of hearing! If anyone knows what I'm referring to, please, if you can, post it! Fog machine started it off, and in concert, they would disappear!
I think one of the best GCS live shows I've seen was the one promoting the "Mirror" album. There were these huge mirrors on the stage at the old Capital Centre. GCS turned the joint out.
GScott
Wow! thx for sharing.
The intro in this medley until (0:11) is called "We've been waiting"
Afterwards you can listen to "Hair" until 2:28.
The part from 2:28 to 2:47 is taken from the song "I Believe In You".
And the last part of this medley is "'Tis Your Kind Of Music"
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHOC' LET !!!
Patryce Choc'let is doing great. In fact she released an EP in 2011. You can get it on iTunes and other outlets. She also has a youtube page. I don't think i can post her web link here so I'll try to send you a personal msg. Peace
Woaw !! Never seen that video before !! Great upload. Gotta love Larry's super thumpy tone. :)
No Prince may not compare to Larry but who needs to compare when one should enjoy what is being given? If I give you a slice of cake, a slice of pie, which would you put the ice cream on? 1 or the other or both? I would take both and enjoy what is being offered. Not many can compare to Prince either in talent. Larry shared a unique talent with the rest of us bass playa's. Enjoy and be plentiful.
I wonder if there's any unreleased GCS material from both back in the day and later years. I'd bet the stuff would be great either way.
GScott
He has soul brother!
I know. It's the record industry. The Bar-kays, Con-Funk-Shun and others appearing on Unsung sindicated that the music industry did not promote this type of music.
Frankie Beverly said it best on an awards show to 2day's artist: "stay away from the flavor of the week - play what you like". Too many of 2day's artists are willing to sell out.
ohhh s-t!!!! RARE!!!!!!!
I believe you're right exnewsanchor !!!!!! That was the year. REALLY great show. I remember going back to Grambling in the fall of '77 and my buddy had that album. "Do u wanna Dance".
Anyone know if you can order DVD's of the original Midnite Special ?????????
Wow! What awesome tone. I thought "Sunshine" is the white Moon 4 sting that LG plays..and "Moonshine" is what he calls the 5 string version of "Sunshine." I think the Moon 4 sting has passive Bartolini 9s pickups with a Bartolini TBT preamp.
I used to play the keyboard part to this back in the day.
GSC the baddest group from east to west
@geosh78 Your'e so right and as Larry would often say "Thank you God" for the vision to replace Bette with Patryce " chocolate" Banks added to the funkiest rhythm section alive and bless us all cause it tis my kind of music too!
This performance is just plain nazstayy!!! No one funks like this no more. Stevie and P Funk all in my brain.... Larry jams with Prince now!
her name is Patryce ' Choc' Let " Banks
Thanks for awesome up!
Patryce Banks I wonder where is she now.
nasty, man this is a good performance. it sounds just like the record
The greatest Funkster ever!
Thanks....
GREAT POST!! Is that Sly Stewart on keyboards?? Mr.Graham is one FUNKY MUTHA PLUCKA!!! Thanks for sharing geosh78!!!!! ONE LOVE!!!
I believe that was 77 sounds like the NOW DO YOU WANNA DANCE Tour. The girl in the cage was Larry's wife Tina. Prince was and is a huge Larry Graham and GCS fan as well as Larry's first major group Sly and THE FAMILY STONE.
wow! can u see the hendrix influence in the costumes? jimi touched every kind of music in the early 70s after he died
I would give almost anything to see the show i saw back around '75 or '76 here in Lake Charles. Best i remember, there was a girl in a cage above the stage dancing, Then i remember them coming out like a high school marching band or something like that. First time i'd ever seen anything like that before. Prince did kinda the same thing on Sign o the Times, but GCS did it first. But he really tore the house down.
Anyone remember 7th Wonder(The Tilt) to name one i had almost forgotten about.
Now how did YOU know I'd like that? Then when I saw Pleasure's 'Glide' (I was speaking of yesterday) I said "that's it". That part from it sounds kinda' good. I used to groove off that.
Thanks,
Keedah
On GCS's, "Mirror" album, I uess LG used different strings and had different eq because the bass really came to life: more bottom when he thumped the, E and A, strings and certainly more mid and treble when he thumped and plucked the D and G strings.
There was a guy in Silver Spring, Md, by the name of Rocky McCullough(awesome bass player) who similar beautiful tone out of a stock Fender Jazz.
GScottOn
A small part of "I Believe in You" was played between Hair and "Tis Your Kind Of Music"
@bigdaddy45able Actually Larry, Hershall Happiness Kennedy,Willie Wild Sparks and Patryce Choc'Let Banks performed on Betty Davis' first album,Also TOWER OF POWER'S Lenny Williams who was on GCS' first album sang on it along with The Pointer Sisters. It was produced by Sly and The Family Stones original drummer Greg Errico. GCS was originally was called Hot Chocolate as it was going to be Choc'Let's band with Larry producing them.
Well stated Lonewolf36, you are so correct!! You cannot compare the two, It's like comparing Mozart to Beethoven, both are awesome composers. But me personally, Larry Graham laid lots of ground work for those who proceeded him, i.e, "slap bass", which was first really demonstrated by Larry on "Thank you for lettin me be myself".
thanks this s great
I used to wear a Derby because of Hershall. Ive got a yearbook picture of it ! LOL
man geosh78 this is a great post thanks
@aliquippawill Hey my wife is from The Burgh. I got to meet GCS in 77. I'm blessed to have grown up with Larry's music and to know some of them.
COOL!!!
GCS Rocks! Nuff said.
The next night I believe they were in Norfolk I was front and center I got to meet the band that night. Gail throw her towel at me. i went back stage to get her to sign it and Hershall"Hapiness" Kennedy told me where the dressing room was unfortunatley I didn't get to meet Larry Graham that night he was busy but I did see him on the otherside of the dressing room. So I mainley spoke with Gail, Hershall and Tina Graham I brefly spoke with David Dynamite Vega R.I.P.
Whoa! How to go from this to "One in a Million"?
you've got that right !!!! been trying to reach you
Awesome...just as I remember the group back in the day at the Capital Centre outside DC.
GScott
That entire band was bad! Hershel Kennedy was one bad heyboardist! He was overlooked something aweful. A real showman. Once Choc'let left, I think they lost something...edge.
FONK !!!
Actually, Hendrix had been after Graham for a while. He saw the potential early on. They had performed at venues together before. The night he died he was supposed to be meeting with Sly to jam a little, is what I have heard over the years.
HELL YES!
YES ITS POSTED UNDER "YOUR LOVE BY GCS"
I have looked everywhere for a great GCS tune called "Your Love." Anyone know if it's been posted elsewhere on RUclips?
We gotta Clone Larry
Whoa!
@geosh78 I was real sorry to hear that...A lot of great funk musicians have past recently..Charles Smith from Kool and the Gang pasted 1-2 years ago...
groovey
@Staggerbaroque Ni , that was Graham..he also sang the tune "Family Affair"...
@hmorganman cutbacks my brova! No musical insturments in (or out) of school means that the talent pool is now much smaller...especially in poor areas which also tend to be where the most musically talented people are in the 1st place. Rap is actually ingenious when you look at what they have to work with. Not even taking insturments away can stop music.
My, my, my :-)
They had the hit. "The Tilt" That was pretty much the only song I remember by them. The album was pretty good as i remember.They also came to L.C. in concert around '80 or '81. Tha'ts about all i remember from them.
Since i've lost all my old albums and with the internet and all i've been trying to get all my old music back but i've forgotten a lot of stuff. Still looking for "Shotgun"
Yeah, this is GRAHAM Central Station, but ya'll know this ALL ABOUT CHOCOLATE, right?!?! I think this is the first time I've ever had a good look at her real face. Most of the time she's all made up or hair face is covered up by her hair, but she's a good-lookin' woman withOUT make-up!
Don't feel like the "Lone Ranger" on that age bigtexansfan cause I remember seeing them in early 70's here in Lake Charles,La live and he tore the house down. On ":Earthquake", he was Hendrix on bass. I remember he lit it on fire and went beserk. Really cool stuff.
@mikemll Sorry to tell you but Sly & the Family Stone, where Larry started were dressing like this in the 60's. Jimi can be credited for a lot of things, but if anything, in this instance, this cat was first. Check out Sly in Cincinnati '66 I believe it is, something like, but anyway, you'll see what I mean.
Come to the South , Larry, " We are waiting so long". Get Sly out of rehab. to join you, LOL.
@bigdaddy45able Yeah man! The albums you listed, now do u wanta dance, and my radio sure sounds good to me, were too bad albums
Is that Willie Wild on drums or the "deacon"...???
What happen to Robert Sam...????
Can someone please tell me the title of the last song in the medley?
@geosh78 whats happening G ?
Actually, Hendrix was trying to get Graham to join him. Don't know what stopped it, other then his untimely death.
the Bad Brains covered this song.
Prince cant compare to Larry Graham
Prince has tried to copy Graham but doesnt come close to Graham!
No that was Sly. Larry already left the Family Stone when Family Affair was recorded. You can watch Sly & sister Rose sing it live here. Copy CNQpYz1ztx8 into search bar
Willie Wild was much better...so was Gaylord Birch..There was a vid of GCS with Willie Wild but the copyright police took it off...Do you remember that vid..??
Killer huh?
I have to be honest...The drummer is dragging the tempo...