Graham Central Station
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Graham Central Station was a funk band named after founder Larry Graham (formerly of Sly and the Family Stone) and Grand Central Station in New York City.
The band's origins date from when Santana guitarist Neal Schon formed the band Azteca along with Larry Graham (bass guitar) and Gregg Errico (drums), both from Sly and the Family Stone, and Peter Sears (keyboards), from Hot Tuna and Jefferson Starship. Santana bass guitar player Tom Rutley would move into to the bass spot with Azteca. That band, like Santana with heavy Latin influences, would eventually morph into Graham Central Station, while Schon would found Journey.
Graham Central Station's biggest hit was "Your Love", which charted at number 9 in 1975. The group also integrated gospel music sounds into their music, and played with the dichotomy between the funk/rock star image and the "sanctified" gospel group image. Some of their recordings feature the Tower of Power horn section.
[edit] Personnel
- Larry Graham: vocals, bass, guitar, fuzz bass, clavinet, organ, piano, drums, percussion
- Patryce Banks: vocals, electric funk box, tambourine
- Hershall Kennedy: vocals, clavinet, trumpet
- Robert Sam: vocals, piano, organ
- David Vega: vocals, guitar
- Willie Sparks: vocals, drums
- P. CaboOse: tenor saxophone
- Milt Holland: percussion
- Lenny Williams: vocals
- Freddie Stone: guitar
- Noel Closson: Drums (Former band member)
[edit] Discography
- Graham Central Station 1974, Warner Bros.
- Release Yourself 1974, Warner Bros.
- Ain't No 'Bout-A-Doubt It 1975, Warner Bros.
- Mirror 1976, Warner Bros.
- Now Do U Wanta Dance 1977, Warner Bros.
- My Radio Sure Sounds Good to Me 1978, WEA
- Star Walk 1979, Warner Bros.
- The Best of Larry Graham and Graham Central Station, Vol. 1 1996, Warner Bros.
- Graham Central Station 2000 1998, NPG (produced with the artist formerly known as Prince)
- The Jam: The Larry Graham & Graham Central Station Anthology 2001, Rhino
- Greatest Hits 2003, Rhino Flashback
