The concept of Sly Stone collaborating with REO Speedwagon in a recording studio may initially appear unusual and far-fetched. However, when you delve deeper into the trajectory of the funk music pioneer’s career, the rationale behind this unexpected partnership becomes evident. Sly has always been known for his bold and unpredictable choices in music, which is a testament to his creative spirit and passion for music production.

Throughout his illustrious career, Sly Stone consistently demonstrated an affinity for the unexpected, a trait that defined both his artistic endeavors and personal style. His unwavering love for creating music is a core reason why he found himself jamming with REO Speedwagon one random night in the early 1970s. As former drummer Alan Gratzer recounts, “We were at the Record Plant in Sausalito when Sly burst through the door around 10 PM. We were in the midst of our work when he dumped a massive pile of sound on the console, about a foot high. He exclaimed, ‘Hey cats, this sounds fantastic! Mind if I add a little something to this?'”

At that moment, they were in the studio working on “You Can Fly,” a track from their 1974 album Lost in a Dream. The song embodies a progressive essence reminiscent of earlier albums while infusing a touch of funky psychedelia. It’s quite understandable why Sly would be drawn to the track. He contributed significantly, playing bass, piano, and guitar, and according to Gratzer, he was eager to enhance the song even further. “He added a rhythm part, then layered on a bass line,” recalls the REO co-founder. “Around midnight or one in the morning, he turned to me and asked, ‘Mind if I call my drummer?’ I responded, ‘Actually, I do mind if you call your drummer. It’s getting pretty late.'”

Listen to REO Speedwagon’s ‘You Can Fly’ Featuring Sly Stone

Having Sly as a guest on their album was an exhilarating experience for the band, although they now express regret over not promoting his contribution more prominently. “I looked at the back of the album, and it was printed in the smallest type I’ve ever seen,” Gratzer reflects today. Interestingly, this encounter with Sly was not their last. “He showed up while we were recording demos for Hi Infidelity in Hollywood. Someone knocked on the door, and the studio owner said, ‘Uh, Sly’s at the door, and he’s holding a gun. Should I let him in?’ We all panicked and said, ‘No, don’t let him in, are you crazy?'”

“That was a turning point for him. He was wandering the streets, trying to find his way back into studios,” he continues. “It’s truly unfortunate. Fortunately, he’s completely sober now. At the end of the documentary, you see him as a grandfather surrounded by his grandkids and children. His family has reunited with him, so it indeed has a happy conclusion.”

Honoring the Enduring Legacy of REO Speedwagon

The surviving members of REO Speedwagon, excluding lead vocalist Kevin Cronin, are scheduled to reunite on June 14 at the State Farm Center in their hometown of Champaign, Illinois. This special concert aims to generate funds for the Moffitt Cancer Center, which conducts vital research on genitourinary cancer. As bassist Bruce Hall announced on Facebook when the concert was revealed, this one-off retrospective event was organized by the city, and all band members, including Cronin, were invited. “This is a fantastic opportunity to raise funds for our cancer research foundation,” Hall expressed to a fan who inquired about Cronin’s absence. “I’m thankful for this chance. I still hope for a true REO farewell tour, but as I’ve mentioned repeatedly, Kevin would also need to be part of that for it to happen.”

READ MORE: REO Speedwagon Will Stop Touring Amid ‘Irreconcilable Differences’

Although Cronin will not be present during this concert, fans can look forward to an impressive evening filled with an array of hits from the band’s extensive catalog. During a conversation with UCR, Gratzer highlighted “Only the Strong Survive” from the 1979 album Nine Lives, along with “Sing to Me,” a composition by Gary Richrath from the 1978 album You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish, as examples of the tracks they will perform.

Listen to REO Speedwagon’s ‘Sing to Me’

“It’s been quite the journey. We went through several iterations to finalize the setlist, but now we have it, and I believe it’s fantastic,” he shares. “There’s early material and some songs that haven’t been performed live before. However, the classic hits that fans want to hear will definitely be included. I think many attendees will be longtime diehard fans from Champaign and the Midwest who are familiar with our earlier albums and their songs.”

Gratzer and Hall will be joined by co-founder and keyboardist Neal Doughty, alongside vocalists Terry Luttrell, Mike Murphy, and guitarist Steve Scorfina. They will pay tribute to late REO guitarist and songwriter Gary Richrath, as well as late bassist Gregg Philbin during the concert. Richrath’s son, Eric, is also set to join them as a special guest and will perform with the band.