In the year following the assassinations of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, America was in a constant state of unrest.

But then a Bay Area band took the stage at Woodstock as a visual and musical interpretation of King’s “beloved community.” The lead singer wore a larger-than-life afro with matching mutton chops. He was backed by musicians of different races and genders that captivated the audience from their first note. Sly and The Family Stone’s eclectic sound – with a message of love and unity – struck a chord with the entire world. Their lyrics, often with the underlying theme of the common threads among humanity, were as captivating as their groundbreaking instrumentations that transcended genre.

“I Am Everyday People,” is a prime example.

Sly Stone, the brainch

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