A filmmaker’s epic pursuit of Sly Stone. “Fame attracts wonderful people. Fame also attracts guns and dogs…”
In August 2005, Michael Rubenstone, an aspiring filmmaker, received a call from Sly Stone’s sister, Vaetta Stewart. “Vaetta – Vet – was in a Sly & The Family Stone tribute band, Phunk Phamily Affair,” explains Rubenstone. “She called me out of the blue one day and said, ‘I need you to book us a gig in LA.’ She said, ‘Trust me. It’s going to be worth it.’”
Rubenstone had been working on a documentary about Vet’s elder brother. It was proving to be a frustrating experience. Stone had barely been seen in public since 1993, when he and the Family Stone were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and Rubenstone’s own attempts to locate him had been met with obstruction and obfuscation. Suddenly, Vet’s phone call made contact with the elusive musician a very real possibility.
“Sly lives in LA, so maybe the prospect of seeing his sister and his niece Lisa and Cynthia [Robinson] playing his music could draw him out,” says Rubenstone. “I felt like this was my best shot to get him. And sure enough, he pulls in driving a custom Harley three-wheel trike.”
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