Larry, Live for "Fridays"....I even get up and put on my tornado red shoes and tap along to the songs!!!
A.P. 7/11/2008
Growing up as an "old school" listener, I love this kind of music. Thanks so much for putting real music on so we all can hear what it was like back then. This music is NOT DEAD, it's still alive; and people like "us", the listeners keep it alive!
Babedoll 7/9/2008
This "Private Number" was always a great song. Too bad they did not have more hits. I loved this song. Harper 7/9/2008
Don and Juan were one of the great Doo-Wop singing Duo's out there. Love 'em! "All That's Missing Is You" is one of their rarest records! Northern Soul! Brian Y. 7/2/2008
Larry; What would Friday's be without you and Friday is Always coming in Athens? Jimmy J 6/30/2008
Thank you for this site, I'm french and
I have 40 years. I am a collector of
vinyl and American music oldies, soul,
funk. Il are very few in my french
cas.Je this site is fantastic because I
found some artist American and that
I discovered the other, bravo and
keep this site. 5/20/2008
Hey! I haven't heard this song since I was visiting LLC in the summer of 1972. I was crazy about her... wow! Thanks for sharing this song with the public! MSH 5/19/2008
The words to this song (Expressway to Your Heart) are quite interesting. Larry keep the tunes coming.
TC jJ 5/19/2008
First timer for me. I love your terrific format and exciting info. I feel like I'm back in Athens. ES 5/14/2008
IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS----THIS IS THE BEST!!!! Unknown 5/9/2008
I love it. I am learning about all of these singers and I'm only
16 years old. Unknown 5/8/2008
Hey you,
I LOVE that song by the Casinos
this week. I think it's
one of the prettiest "pop" songs ever
written and a great slow dance song.
:) I keep getting a flash back of a
girl/boy party in 6th or 7th grade.
I remember slow dancing with
someone - maybe Kevin. I can
almost see the room (someone's
basement/ rumpus room) and I
know the guy had on a sweater but I
can't quite see the
face. I'll keep you posted. Anyway -
thanks for playing it for me.
Take care. B. - 4/25/2008
Larry - Thanks so much for Otis!
Can you find "Then You Can Say
Goodbye" by The Casino's? Thanks!
Betsy 4/18/2008
Thanks for sharing the one hit wonder. I'm surprised this only
made it to #7 as its played quite often as an oldie.
Keep the sounds coming. JJ 4/13/2008
Lovin the tunes, Larry.See ya in June. Randy R. 3/21/2008
Mr. Larry; Thanks for all you do for us little people.
Sincerely JJ 3/7/2008
Thanks Larry! Nothing like a Dirty Old Woman! Betsy
3/3/2008
This is very cool.My kind of music. Thanks. George S.
2/29/2008
Larry, Does anyone remember the days at Legion Field with
POCO & Pure Prairie League and the music park behind
the pool and all the good times concerts concerts?
Bill M. 2/29/2008
Mr. Green sure does have a smooth voice. I'm surprised he
didn't do even better. JJ 2/18/2008
Hey Larry - Ever heard of "Dirty Old Woman" by
Denise La Salle? You make my Fridays. Betsy
2/15/2008
Enjoyed Joe Cocker. Thanks folks. - Jim 2/8/2008
This is a great song. Larry keep the tunes coming.
TC YF JJ 2/8/2008
A WONDERFUL site- Thanks for keeping GOOD MUSIC- Alive. - Big Doc-Bdge, GA 2/8/2008
Greetings to all at FIA!
I've been longing to hear "The Bus' by the late, great Billy
Preston. Any chance you got that in your vaults? Here's to
a soulful 2008! Carlos - Cleveland, OH 1/29/2008
Hey Larry, I just read about Miles and Jimi being friends. How about some Hendrix soon.
Love the website, Joy 1/18/2008
Great to get the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Thanks, Pat M. 12/28/07
A great way to enjoy the history of music and the beautiful sounds of the blues. Robert B. 12/7/2007
Enjoyed your special on the Rolling Stones. I would like to see more on Blues Artist old and young. Keep it Groovin. Robert B. 11/28/2007
Larry, Johnny Guitar Watson really brings back some wasted brain cells! Wore out the grooves in that album the year it came out. Thanks David L. 11/9/07
Watson is the man!!! Your Bro. Young Robert! 11/9/07
OMG, This song (Humble Pie - Thirty Days In The Hole) so reminds me of you Larry and 1972! LOL Andrie - 10/5/07
I love this website, I have to listen to this each and every day. Thank you very much. I will share this with all my
co-workers and friends. Nate 9/30/07
Love this site! I call it "Continuing Music Education"! I know the songs, but I didn't know all the stories behind the people who performed them. Andrie - 9/23/07
Can you dig up Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel by Tavares? Thanks! D. - Cleveland OH 8/17/07
The site is wonderful Larry and the music is just awesome!!! I love visiting It's Friday In Athens!!!! Please keep this going forever!!!! - Dierdra L. - President/CEO, Getan Records, THE LIGHTHOUSE GOSPELETTES!!! Athens, GA 7/29/07
It's Friday? How about "Don't Roll Your Bloodshot Eyes at Me" for a little local flavor? Mark B. 7/27/07
Consider the Manhattans on Friday’s! Frank P. 7/27/07
Larry!!!! You MADE my day with "Build Me Up"! I'm on vacation in Santa Barbara and sent it to my co-workers with the threat that I can now play it anytime I want! Psych! Hello Don M in the bay area and to Betsy! Everyone raves about your site, Larry! It's awesome! Gratefully yours, Scotty 7/20/07
Hey Larry, Before the summer's over we need something from the summer of love for its 40th anniversary. It's for us in the bay area. Don M. 7/13/07
Hey Larry The music is just great.Would also like to hear'The Horse' by Cliff Nobles. Thanks. Double Divine 7/6/07
Hey Larry, Remember those instrumentals that played before the top of the hour on AM Radio? How about "The Horse" by Cliff Nobles or "Soul Finger".
Thanks! Betsy K. 6/30/07
Larry, If I ever need a D.J. Guess what,You The Man!!! Thanx: Corndog 6/22/07
Yes! it's Friday and I'm up here jammin' in Cleveland, OH. How about some Soul Generation - Body & Soul (That's the Way It's Got to Be) Ya'll remember that one? Have a great weekend! losplus 6/22/07
How about Earth, Wind and Fire? Angie G. 6/6/07
Hooray for Friday!! Mary A. 6/1/07
This group (The Four Tops) is great. Thanks VM Jimmy J. - 5/25/07
Thanks for a Friday of Dusty Springfield, The Look of Love. Erica from Red Lobster, thanks for the look. - F.L. 4/5/07
I love this site! Any chance I could hear "Coldest Days Of My Life" by the Chi-Lites? - 4/4/07
I would love to hear "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous
Brothers or "Fats" Domino's "Ain't That a Shame" or
"Blueberry Hill." Thanks, Patrick - 3/30/07
Hey Larry! You are amazing! I have my whole office dancing to these! Just great! Can you do a BeeGees for my boss and slip in Build Me Up Buttercup? I sing it anyway at work, may as well have the music to go along with it (the more to torture my co-workers with! Looking forward to all the Fridays-with-Larry! :) Scotty - 3/30/07
Oh, my goodness, you found "Black Pearl." I nearly fainted this am, when I opened the site. Thank you sooooo much. Blessings P.W. Smith - 3/30/07
Please add "Black Pearl" by The Checkmates...not sure what year, but thinking mid 60's. Thanks sooooooo much.
P. Smith - 3/23/07
This is a great website. My mom always listened to the "Oldies" station here, and I wanted to be just like my Mom, so I started listening to it and I loved it, and this website has some of my favorites. M. Pierce - 3/22/07
Hey, I love the t-shirt. I have had it on
since I got home from Arizona. You did a
good job. That was a great song last Friday (Wang Dang Doodle)
- didn't know it but who ever requested it is someone I
would like to hang with. And then today we had
The Zombies....that took me back to 8th grade and one of
my first boy/girl parties. They were always held in
someone's basement and the lights would go off by 9:00.
That song always seem to bring on lots of smooching. I will
not be naming names.... ;)
Thanks again,
Betsy
This is awesome!!! Thanks for the great
site and fabulous music!! WooHoo!! Jen B. - 2/18/07
I could not have picked a better artist. Thanks, Pat M.
Thank you Larry - You have made my day! Betsy K.
Mr. Larry, I really enjoyed Roy Head-Hey Hey. YF
Jim J. - 2/5/07
This always gets my Friday off to a great start! Love it!
Debbie - 1/26/07
Every once in a while my mornings are worth rising for, this has been one of them with Tina Turner.
Thanks Bill S. - 1/19/07
Keep up the good work. JJ - 1/19/07
Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2007! I remember at this time in 1969 we were really gettng into Abbey Road! But oh, how I love the sweet soul music of the 60's and 70's as well. Thanks for your work in keeping this music alive. And keep on sending it, Brother! Dennis M. - 12/29/06
Moonchild Diva in Motown - found the site by looking for Billy Stewart! I think you answered my question...who played bass on Billy's recordings? SO THANK YOU for clearing up the mystery! - 12/11/06
Billy Stewart , alright, one of my favorites. Also, Jerry Butler, Major Lance, Willy Tee....
Your friend, Dirk H.
Thanks for Billy Stewart Larry - You have made
my day! Betsy K. - 12/8/07
I look forward to Friday's email. This is great.
Linda L. - 12/8/07
Wow! From your personal E-Mail account. I forward "Its Friday in Athens!!!" on to my friends often. The folks here at work are trying to figure me out. Their 56 year old C.E.O. sits in his office every Friday morning booming out R&B. Though it works for me, its not the type of behavior they expect from someone in my position. BLUES BANKER!
T. Turgeon -
Thanks for Joe T. Luv'd it! Roy Head and the Traits?
Hope you had a good Turkey Day.
T. Turgeon - 11/27/07
I keep waiting for Jackie Wilson and Billy Stewart....I have
decided that like me, you have an older brother or sister
who had you listening to this music as a kid.
Hope all is well your way.
Betsy K. - 11/25/06
How about a little Joe Tex? T. Turgeon
Thanks, "I LOVE IT! Makes my day! M.N. - 9/29/06
WOW WOW WOW AN OUTSTANDING REVIEW OF THE real STYLE OF MUSIC - Atlanta Cooking - 9/23/06
In my time, this is the most fascinating music I have ever heard. **86 - 8/17/06
Keep up the great and extremely important work. We met I believe at Michael Guthrie's house a few weeks ago at the HVARII Reunion. I am a great lover of our R&B and it's great to see someone who truly cares about it. Ole!
T. Turgeon - 8/2/06
Again, the "It's Friday" series is great - I love it
every week and have sent it on to so many folks -
thanks again. Betsy K.
Aretha is my personal favorite so far! Peggy M.
LOVE THIS...I NEED SOMETHNG TO GET ME THROUGH THE DAY !!!! C. Lady - 6/3/07
Great! Perfect! Dance Music I Love It!!! Laine L.
I think you missed your calling as a DJ! Nicki S.
Keep 'em coming!! I really enjoy listening to "my kind of music". Thank you. Mary M.
I like getting your email every Friday, keep it coming!
Carlas A.
DON'T FORGET THE 'QUEEN OF SOUL'........ ARETHA!!!!! YOUR MAKING MY FRIDAYS. RONK
MY FRIENDS REALLY LIKE FRIDAY IN ATHENS! ONE IS SENDING EVERYONE AT THE COURTHOUSE AN EMAIL. Ron H.
THANKS SO MUCH EACH WEEK! Nancy W.
This makes me smile! Ray C.
Great job, keep up the good work. Terry T.
I SAVE UNTIL FRI AFTERNOON, BY 5:00 P.M. I'M REVVVVED!!! RONK - 5/19/06
Thanks for this humanitarian service to get us crunk for district wide planning. Wilson Pickett reminds us to put a “spotlight on Otis Redding y’all”. Yeah,yeah, oh yeah. Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-Faaa! Karl S.
Thanks. What a pleasant surprise to get to work and open this e-mail- glad I started with yours first. Melanie B.
Thanks for the Friday emails Larry!! I really enjoy them.
Kim S.
Thanks for the sound of good music. I really do love my oldies but goodies. E. Luke - 5/19/06
Thanks!!! This is great! Jane B.
Great site! How about some Sam Cooke??? - 5/19/06
Thanks for the music! Steve P.
I love this! Thanks. Dianne M.
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your
Friday emails. Thanks for including me! Betsy K.
I appreciate the link – good stuff! Jon W.
I LIKE IT!!!!!! Thanks and HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Barbara S.
THIS IS GREAT!!!!!! Susan R.
So in your spare time you try to cheer up everyone? Thanks, Lori R.
I love these songs. Thanks. Terri S.
Awesome……Thanks for doing this, we all look forward to it every week. I’ve sent it to everyone I know! Debi D.
I needed this today! Thanks. Susan S.
Good selection for this fabulous Friday!!!!!
Thanks for the Music this morning. I think I could listen to this all day, if people didn't think I was crazy for MOVING in my chair. Have a great weekend. Joyce G.
Sly & the Family Stone is an American funk, soul and rock band from San Francisco, California. Originally active from 1966 to 1983, the band was pivotal in the development of soul, funk, and psychedelic music. Headed by singer, songwriter, record
producer, and multi-
instrumentalist Sly
Stone, and containing several of his family members and friends, the band was the first major American rock band to have an integrated lineup in both race and gender.
Brothers Sly and singer/guitarist Freddie Stone combined their bands (Sly & the Stoners and Freddie & the Stone Souls) at the end of 1966. Sly and Freddie Stone, trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, drummer Gregg Errico, saxophonist Jerry Martini, and bassist Larry Graham completed the original lineup; Sly and Freddie's sister, singer/keyboardist Rose Stone, joined within a year. This collective recorded five Top 10 hits and four groundbreaking albums, which greatly influenced the sound of American pop music, soul, R&B, funk, and hip hop music. In the preface of his 1998 book For the Record: Sly and the Family Stone: An Oral History, Joel Selvin sums up the importance of Sly & the Family Stone's influence on African American music by stating "there are two types of black music: black music before Sly Stone, and black music after Sly Stone". The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
During the early 1970s, the band switched to a grittier funk sound, which was as influential on the music industry as their earlier work. The band began to fall apart during this period because of drug abuse and ego clashes; consequently, the fortunes and reliability of the band deteriorated, leading to its dissolution in 1975. Sly Stone continued to record albums and tour with a new rotating lineup under the "Sly & the Family Stone" name from 1975 to 1983. In 1987, Sly Stone was arrested and sentenced for cocaine use, after which he went into effective retirement.
As of 2008, Sly & the Family Stone had reunited for a series of shows beginning with several dates at the House of Blues in Anaheim and West Hollywood California.
The Stewart family was a deeply-religious middle-class household from Denton, Texas. K.C. and Alpha Stewart held the family together under the doctrines of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) and encouraged musical expression in the household. After the Stewarts moved to Vallejo, California, the youngest four children (Sylvester, Freddie, Rose, and Vaetta) formed "The Stewart Four", who released a local 78 rpm single, "On the Battlefield of the Lord" b/w "Walking in Jesus' Name", in 1952. The eldest sister, Loretta, was the only Stewart child not to pursue a musical career.
While attending high school, Sylvester and Freddie joined student bands. One of Sylvester's high school musical groups was a doo-wop act called The Viscaynes, in which he and a Filipino teenager were the only non-white members. The Viscaynes released a few local singles, and Sylvester recorded several solo singles under the name "Danny Stewart".
By 1963, Sylvester had become Sly Stone, a disc jockey for San Francisco R&B radio station KSOL, where he included white performers such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones into his playlists. During the same period, he worked as a record producer for Autumn Records, producing for San Francisco-area bands such as The Beau Brummels and The Mojo Men. One of the Sylvester Stewart-produced Autumn singles, Bobby Freeman's "C'mon and Swim", was a national hit record. Stewart recorded unsuccessful solo singles while at Autumn.