Name: Sly Stone Sets The Record Straight About His Rumors | Letterman
Uploaded: 2022-04-28T22:27:31.000Z
Description: Watch the stand-up comedy video 'Sly Stone Sets The Record Straight About His Rumors | Letterman' from Letterman on Comedy Buff. Published 2022-04-28. Transcript available.

Watch the stand-up comedy video 'Sly Stone Sets The Record Straight About His Rumors | Letterman' from Letterman on Comedy Buff. Published 2022-04-28. Transcript available.

I'm very excited about my first guest tonight.
In the late 60s, he started making music that sounded like no one else's,
and that remains a major influence on American music today.
He also became one of the most controversial figures in the world of
entertainment.
We're delighted that he's here tonight.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Sly Stone.
Thank you very much for being here.
We're very excited about this, and I appreciate you coming by.
Yeah, I'm sorry.
I know, man. It's all right.
You haven't performed much in the last couple of years?
About nine years I've been retired.
Yeah, nine years. That's a long time.
And first of all, why did you retire?
Well, I got tired, so I retired.
You retired?
Yeah, I thought about that, and that's the only way I can say it.
And then I got tired of being retired, so I'm working.
Yeah.
Now, what happened, what was the one or two reasons that caused you to be tired
of being retired?
I mean, that's everybody's dream to just, you know...
Well, I needed attention and money, and I needed to do songs.
Yeah.
I have songs. I've been blessed to be able to play.
And I was encouraged by my mom, mainly, to kind of not take advantage of my
being able to relate to music and to be able to play it.
Yeah.
If I didn't, it felt like a lack of contribution to society.
Are you going to be recording again soon, or are you working for the...
I'm going to make some hit records.
Make some hit records. Those are the kind to make, by the way.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You know all about that.
Now, where are you working now?
If people wanted to see, is this a complete tour of the country, or are you
just working here and there, or what?
Well, yeah. I got some guys in Chicago that I'm calling the One-Eyed Jacks.
Well, mainly because that's what they called themselves before I met them.
And they're a good group.
Yeah.
And as a matter of fact, Jack wanted me to give his phone number out. Can I do
that?
Yeah.
Yeah, I can. That's all right.
Can Jack give... Can Sly give Jack's phone number out?
If somebody wants to book the group.
Sure.
This man over there, the producer, says he can't be done.
But then again, you know...
Okay.
No, I don't know.
See, I think the problem is Jack might get all kinds of crank phone calls.
No, that's okay. Jack's prepared for that.
Well, then...
I'm telling you the truth.
Then go ahead.
I mean, it's okay.
I know it's fine. I know what you're saying.
All right, go ahead. I don't know what's going to become of this, but...
It's going to be okay.
Okay.
It's in Chicago.
The number is 776.
You see, we're organizing a production company and a promotion company.
When we first started playing, we would play, and sometimes I'd have to pay a
bond.
In case I was late.
And that happened two or three times in a row.
Now, let me ask you about that.
Now that you got the phone number out of the way, what's the area code there in
Chicago?
The area code is 3-1-what?
3-0-5?
No, 3...
Yeah.
Yeah, and ask for Jack.
The number is 776.
3-1-2.
I think they'd just call Chicago Information and ask for Jack.
No.
Okay.
Hey, look.
These guys want work.
Okay.
Why...
I...
Now, let me ask you.
You brought up the fact that occasionally you would show up late or not at all.
Now, is that over?
I mean, why did that happen?
Well, when I first started, I just got...
I came from college, and I'd practiced discipline for so long.
Yeah.
And when I started being late, or...
I couldn't make all the gigs, is what happened.
Yeah.
It seemed that there's no way to make all the gigs when you're playing three
places in one night.
And you only know about one.
Yeah.
Now, did that hurt you, do you think?
Well, sure, it hurt me.
Yeah.
And mainly it hurt the people.
You see what I forgot?
You know, I'd have to pay money to...
And if I didn't show up, they'd keep $20,000, supposedly.
Yeah.
Well, and then I'd go to the city, the place would be sold out, and they'd
trick me, man,
because they knew what kind of person I was kind of, you know, kind of high-strung
a bit.
And so, you know, and I'd say things like,
Sly, if you're late tonight, you'll never play in this city again.
And my natural response at the time, from impetuous youthfulness, I would say,
well...
Yeah.
You know, but I...
But that's in the past.
Yeah, well, yeah, but I forgot about the kids in the audience.
The men spent their last $12 or so.
But now, if you schedule a date, you're going to show up.
I've made the last...
I've been playing small clubs, about 125.
I've not missed one.
I will not be late.
There's nothing that can make me be late.
If the money is strange, I'll let the people in free.
You played for 27 people during the blizzard up in Hyattosport.
Yeah, just because, you know...
Well, that's good.
And you're going to play here tonight.
We've got to pause for a commercial.
We'll be back with Sly Stone.
So, ladies and gentlemen, Sly Stone is here, of course.
Before you play, let me ask you about one thing that may be...
Dealing with a reputation you may have had for not showing up for jobs and so
forth.
Didn't I read just within the last month that you had some problems with the
law in the Midwest, where you were...
Yeah, well, they had more problems with themselves.
No, you know, the charges were naturally, quickly dropped.
Oh, so the charges have been dropped.
Of course, of course.
Can we mention...
You want to mention what the charges were or not?
I'm not sure.
Everything was legal, except there was a headlight out.
And we were in a van that had weird registration, weird whatever, the tags on
the car.
And not my van, not my nothing in there.
But I happened to be in there, and somebody recognized me.
Yeah.
And I am...
You know, people have gotten the habit of, I guess, trying to corner me with
something illegal.
And so far, it just didn't happen.
Okay.
Well, that's good.
But I can't...
I'm glad that they attacked me, because I don't fool around.
Yeah, but it's nice now that you're making an effort to get back into the swing
of things, that that was dropped.
Yeah.
They dropped charges and on and on and on.
But I don't blame them.
You know, I have a reputation for not showing up.
But that reputation will be all over as soon as this next record comes out and
people find out that I make everything.
I'm here at this show.
Yeah.
And I'd like to have to be somewhere tomorrow, the next day, and the next day
in play.
You were not only here.
You were here early and well-dressed and courteous.
Yeah.
That's right.
Thank you.
I mean, let me ask you another question that may be a little embarrassing,
maybe not.
It was presented to me as being, at one time, a popular rumor that you were romantically
involved, or dating, or whatever you do, with Doris Day.
No.
But did you hear the way of those...
See, that's what I mean.
Yeah.
If somebody says, marijuana, they'll point right to me.
Yeah.
It makes me hoarse.
I tried it before.
Yeah.
I don't like it.
But no, but...
I know.
You know what I'm saying, though?
Yeah.
Those kind of rumors start.
Okay.
Now, do you know...
Have you heard this rumor about...
Sure.
Yeah.
I know the lady.
She's a great lady.
I met the lady through her son, Terry.
Now, Terry is in the music business, isn't it?
Right.
She's just a nice lady.
That's all.
I wouldn't date that lady.
I'm too afraid.
Okay.
All right.
Now, tell me about your...
Black folks got to be cool.
They...
They...
Are you still racing cars?
Yeah.
I'm going to get a jigger next.
You never heard of a jigger?
Well, the guy that designed the jigger, he also designed the space mobile for
the moon.
So, um...
But you did...
Didn't you used to drive very fast in automobiles?
I still do.
When I have the room and, you know, it's all safe.
It's moving the room.
Yeah.
Yeah.
All right.
Okay.
I'll tell you what.
In the next segment, uh...
Want a race?
No, no, no, no, no.
Uh, Sly and I will return.
We have a fine program yet to come, and he will be performing on this very show,
uh, right
after the stage.
Ladies and gentlemen, uh, Mr. Sly Stone singing, If You Want Me to Stay.
Yeah.
If you want me to stay, I'll be around today, I'll be available for you to see.
I'm about to go, and if you want me to stay, I'll be around today, I'll be
available for you to see.
I'm about to go, and there you know, want me to stay, I got to be me.
You'll never be in doubt, that's what it's all about, you can't take me back to
rent it and smile.
You'll never be in doubt, that's what it's all about, you can't take me back to
rent it and smile.
You'll never be in doubt, that's what it's all about, because I promise I'll be
gone for a while.
You'll never be in doubt, that's what it's all about, you can't take me back to
rent it and smile.
You'll never be in doubt, that's what it's all about, you can't take me back to
rent it and smile.
You'll never be in doubt, that's what it's all about, you can't take me back to
rent it and smile.
You'll never be in doubt, that's what it's all about, that's what it's all
about, you can't take me back to rent it and smile.
You'll never be in doubt, that's what it's all about, you can't take me back to
rent it and smile.
Number one, gonna be number one, I'll be good.
I'll be good.
One more time.
I'll be good.
I wish I could get my best and go, but go, go, no.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I'll be good.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I'll be good.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I'll be good.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I'll be good.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I'll be good.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I'll be good.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I'll be good.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
Thank you very much.
I want to thank everybody who is here tonight.
Tomorrow night, Hunts Hall will be here.
Bill Maher and Stupid Petrix.
Ladies and gentlemen, once again, Sly Stone.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.

Sly Stone Sets The Record Straight About His Rumors | Letterman

I'm very excited about my first guest tonight.
In the late 60s, he started making music that sounded like no one else's,
and that remains a major influence on American music today.
He also became one of the most controversial figures in the world of
entertainment.
We're delighted that he's here tonight.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Sly Stone.
Thank you very much for being here.
We're very excited about this, and I appreciate you coming by.
Yeah, I'm sorry.
I know, man. It's all right.
You haven't performed much in the last couple of years?
About nine years I've been retired.
Yeah, nine years. That's a long time.
And first of all, why did you retire?
Well, I got tired, so I retired.
You retired?
Yeah, I thought about that, and that's the only way I can say it.
And then I got tired of being retired, so I'm working.
Yeah.
Now, what happened, what was the one or two reasons that caused you to be tired
of being retired?
I mean, that's everybody's dream to just, you know...
Well, I needed attention and money, and I needed to do songs.
Yeah.
I have songs. I've been blessed to be able to play.
And I was encouraged by my mom, mainly, to kind of not take advantage of my
being able to relate to music and to be able to play it.
Yeah.
If I didn't, it felt like a lack of contribution to society.
Are you going to be recording again soon, or are you working for the...
I'm going to make some hit records.
Make some hit records. Those are the kind to make, by the way.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You know all about that.
Now, where are you working now?
If people wanted to see, is this a complete tour of the country, or are you
just working here and there, or what?
Well, yeah. I got some guys in Chicago that I'm calling the One-Eyed Jacks.
Well, mainly because that's what they called themselves before I met them.
And they're a good group.
Yeah.
And as a matter of fact, Jack wanted me to give his phone number out. Can I do
that?
Yeah.
Yeah, I can. That's all right.
Can Jack give... Can Sly give Jack's phone number out?
If somebody wants to book the group.
Sure.
This man over there, the producer, says he can't be done.
But then again, you know...
Okay.
No, I don't know.
See, I think the problem is Jack might get all kinds of crank phone calls.
No, that's okay. Jack's prepared for that.
Well, then...
I'm telling you the truth.
Then go ahead.
I mean, it's okay.
I know it's fine. I know what you're saying.
All right, go ahead. I don't know what's going to become of this, but...
It's going to be okay.
Okay.
It's in Chicago.
The number is 776.
You see, we're organizing a production company and a promotion company.
When we first started playing, we would play, and sometimes I'd have to pay a
bond.
In case I was late.
And that happened two or three times in a row.
Now, let me ask you about that.
Now that you got the phone number out of the way, what's the area code there in
Chicago?
The area code is 3-1-what?
3-0-5?
No, 3...
Yeah.
Yeah, and ask for Jack.
The number is 776.
3-1-2.
I think they'd just call Chicago Information and ask for Jack.
No.
Okay.
Hey, look.
These guys want work.
Okay.
Why...
I...
Now, let me ask you.
You brought up the fact that occasionally you would show up late or not at all.
Now, is that over?
I mean, why did that happen?
Well, when I first started, I just got...
I came from college, and I'd practiced discipline for so long.
Yeah.
And when I started being late, or...
I couldn't make all the gigs, is what happened.
Yeah.
It seemed that there's no way to make all the gigs when you're playing three
places in one night.
And you only know about one.
Yeah.
Now, did that hurt you, do you think?
Well, sure, it hurt me.
Yeah.
And mainly it hurt the people.
You see what I forgot?
You know, I'd have to pay money to...
And if I didn't show up, they'd keep $20,000, supposedly.
Yeah.
Well, and then I'd go to the city, the place would be sold out, and they'd
trick me, man,
because they knew what kind of person I was kind of, you know, kind of high-strung
a bit.
And so, you know, and I'd say things like,
Sly, if you're late tonight, you'll never play in this city again.
And my natural response at the time, from impetuous youthfulness, I would say,
well...
Yeah.
You know, but I...
But that's in the past.
Yeah, well, yeah, but I forgot about the kids in the audience.
The men spent their last $12 or so.
But now, if you schedule a date, you're going to show up.
I've made the last...
I've been playing small clubs, about 125.
I've not missed one.
I will not be late.
There's nothing that can make me be late.
If the money is strange, I'll let the people in free.
You played for 27 people during the blizzard up in Hyattosport.
Yeah, just because, you know...
Well, that's good.
And you're going to play here tonight.
We've got to pause for a commercial.
We'll be back with Sly Stone.
So, ladies and gentlemen, Sly Stone is here, of course.
Before you play, let me ask you about one thing that may be...
Dealing with a reputation you may have had for not showing up for jobs and so
forth.
Didn't I read just within the last month that you had some problems with the
law in the Midwest, where you were...
Yeah, well, they had more problems with themselves.
No, you know, the charges were naturally, quickly dropped.
Oh, so the charges have been dropped.
Of course, of course.
Can we mention...
You want to mention what the charges were or not?
I'm not sure.
Everything was legal, except there was a headlight out.
And we were in a van that had weird registration, weird whatever, the tags on
the car.
And not my van, not my nothing in there.
But I happened to be in there, and somebody recognized me.
Yeah.
And I am...
You know, people have gotten the habit of, I guess, trying to corner me with
something illegal.
And so far, it just didn't happen.
Okay.
Well, that's good.
But I can't...
I'm glad that they attacked me, because I don't fool around.
Yeah, but it's nice now that you're making an effort to get back into the swing
of things, that that was dropped.
Yeah.
They dropped charges and on and on and on.
But I don't blame them.
You know, I have a reputation for not showing up.
But that reputation will be all over as soon as this next record comes out and
people find out that I make everything.
I'm here at this show.
Yeah.
And I'd like to have to be somewhere tomorrow, the next day, and the next day
in play.
You were not only here.
You were here early and well-dressed and courteous.
Yeah.
That's right.
Thank you.
I mean, let me ask you another question that may be a little embarrassing,
maybe not.
It was presented to me as being, at one time, a popular rumor that you were romantically
involved, or dating, or whatever you do, with Doris Day.
No.
But did you hear the way of those...
See, that's what I mean.
Yeah.
If somebody says, marijuana, they'll point right to me.
Yeah.
It makes me hoarse.
I tried it before.
Yeah.
I don't like it.
But no, but...
I know.
You know what I'm saying, though?
Yeah.
Those kind of rumors start.
Okay.
Now, do you know...
Have you heard this rumor about...
Sure.
Yeah.
I know the lady.
She's a great lady.
I met the lady through her son, Terry.
Now, Terry is in the music business, isn't it?
Right.
She's just a nice lady.
That's all.
I wouldn't date that lady.
I'm too afraid.
Okay.
All right.
Now, tell me about your...
Black folks got to be cool.
They...
They...
Are you still racing cars?
Yeah.
I'm going to get a jigger next.
You never heard of a jigger?
Well, the guy that designed the jigger, he also designed the space mobile for
the moon.
So, um...
But you did...
Didn't you used to drive very fast in automobiles?
I still do.
When I have the room and, you know, it's all safe.
It's moving the room.
Yeah.
Yeah.
All right.
Okay.
I'll tell you what.
In the next segment, uh...
Want a race?
No, no, no, no, no.
Uh, Sly and I will return.
We have a fine program yet to come, and he will be performing on this very show,
uh, right
after the stage.
Ladies and gentlemen, uh, Mr. Sly Stone singing, If You Want Me to Stay.
Yeah.
If you want me to stay, I'll be around today, I'll be available for you to see.
I'm about to go, and if you want me to stay, I'll be around today, I'll be
available for you to see.
I'm about to go, and there you know, want me to stay, I got to be me.
You'll never be in doubt, that's what it's all about, you can't take me back to
rent it and smile.
You'll never be in doubt, that's what it's all about, you can't take me back to
rent it and smile.
You'll never be in doubt, that's what it's all about, because I promise I'll be
gone for a while.
You'll never be in doubt, that's what it's all about, you can't take me back to
rent it and smile.
You'll never be in doubt, that's what it's all about, you can't take me back to
rent it and smile.
You'll never be in doubt, that's what it's all about, you can't take me back to
rent it and smile.
You'll never be in doubt, that's what it's all about, that's what it's all
about, you can't take me back to rent it and smile.
You'll never be in doubt, that's what it's all about, you can't take me back to
rent it and smile.
Number one, gonna be number one, I'll be good.
I'll be good.
One more time.
I'll be good.
I wish I could get my best and go, but go, go, no.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I'll be good.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I'll be good.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I'll be good.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I'll be good.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I'll be good.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I'll be good.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I'll be good.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go, but I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
Thank you very much.
I want to thank everybody who is here tonight.
Tomorrow night, Hunts Hall will be here.
Bill Maher and Stupid Petrix.
Ladies and gentlemen, once again, Sly Stone.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I could get my best and go.
I wish I co