By Thomas Semioli

Beat is gettin’ stronger, beat is gettin’ longer too, music’s soundin’ good to me, but I want to, said I want to, I want to take you higher…

Not only did he propel he instrument higher and higher as the anchor of Sly & The Family Stone and their crossover hits and album tracks – his creation of the slap technique afforded the electric bass its most potent identity. No longer was the electric bass perceived as the bastard child of the upright and /or electric guitar! As did Jamerson before him, and Jaco following him, Larry Graham Jr. forged a music (and cultural) revolution through our instrument. His influence on funk, disco, soul, dance, rock, contemporary pop, rap, jazz fusion, hip-hop and every permutation thereof is incalculable.

Bass icons Stanley Clarke, Prince, Marcus Miller, Bootsy, Flea, Verdine White, Mark King, Bernard Edwards, and Victor Wooten, to cite a few, all owe their watershed careers to Larry. And consider that Graham is among the “Godfathers of Funk” even metal prog gods such as Geddy Lee slap / pop given the opportunity!

Ironically, necessity was the mother of all popping – or as Larry says “thumpin’ and pluckin’. In brief, the ensemble that young Larry was working in with his mom, Dell Graham, lacked a proper percussionist, hence his thumb became a de-facto kick drum and his index finger assumed the role of the snare. Pop goes the bass string – it was that simple!

Graham is also a master finger-style player who employed a wide range of effects (flange, fuzz, wah-pedal, octave dividers, phase etc.) to further enhance his artistry. His pedal tones combined with his intuitive rhythmic variations afforded his bandleader’s vamp – single chord compositions a signature flavor.

Larry’s weapons of choice are the Fender Jazz, his Warwick Signature bass, along with a Vox Sidewinder, and a custom Moon Larry Graham bass, among others.

A gifted songwriter, vocalist, showman, and recording artist, Larry’s approach serves the song first and foremost. Unlike bassists who employ his slap technique as a platform for dexterity and flash, every note Larry thumps has a musical purpose. His lines sing and dance – as do the generations who have heard him since A Whole New Thing appeared in the magical year of 1967.

After his tenure with Sly, Larry kept the funk flag flying with his ensemble that continues to this day – Graham Central Station.

Dig Larry on these Sly anthems….

“Higher” https://youtu.be/BqWQzOzK3kw

“Thank You…” https://youtu.be/wj5VODa-eTY

“Everyday People” https://youtu.be/JJt-C6I6EDs

“Dance to the Music” https://youtu.be/N_LwJCxR7F4

Dig Larry with Graham Central Station:

“Can You Handle It” https://youtu.be/ck4AlFfu5pM

“The Jam” https://youtu.be/Is665CtmBUc

“Feel the Need” https://youtu.be/B10-z3dXDCg

Dig Larry and Prince:

“The Christ” https://youtu.be/NfqO-rt0BDI

North Sea Jazz Festival 2013 https://youtu.be/vweqb8xilWI

BB King’s New York City 2010 https://youtu.be/NfqO-rt0BDI