One of the original members of Sly & The Family Stone, Cynthia Robinson, has died at the age of 69 from cancer. Called “one of the best trumpeters in the world” by Sly Stone, Robinson played with the band from 1966 (Sly & The Stoners) until its dissolution in 1975. She would later on go to play with Family Stone bass player Larry Graham and his Graham Central Station, also working with icons like George Clinton and Prince. 

Since 2006, Robinson had been performing as a part of the Family Stone with saxophonist Jerry Martini and drummer Gregg Errico, as well as her daughter to Sly Stone, Sylvette Phunne Stone. In remembrance of Cythnia Robinson and her contributions to one of the era’s pioneering soul, funk, psych bands, here is a 1969 performance from the Harlem Cultural Festival, capturing the Family Stone at its peak:

I can’t understand why The GRAMMYs chose not to acknowledge the passing of my friend and band-mate, Cynthia Robinson….

Posted by Freddie Stone on Monday, February 15, 2016