12/07/2025
Two Great Losses
Sly Stone passed June 9th 2025.
Sly and the Family Stone was a huge part of my life and a huge influence in all my song writing. So many of his songs have been in my musical consciousness for years. From “Sing a Simple Song” to “You Can Make It If You Try” to “Stand” to “Family Affair” and of course, "Every Day People".
I always loved his songwriting theme of unification.
His music is timeless and will continue to inspire.
Godspeed Sly Stone.
Brian Wilson passed June 11, 2025.
I remember being a teenager and hearing “Surfer Girl” for the first time on the radio. It completely made me pull my car over and simply listen to all the beautiful unique sounds that were presenting this amazing song to me.
A month or so later, I heard “In My Room” and it immediately became an anthem of approval to my teenage feelings, fears and confusions.
Many years later, during the covid pandemic, the world was thrown into isolation, and I was emotionally once again sent back into my teenage feelings. Alone in my room I recorded a little video message.
Thank You Brian Wilson for enriching my life.
Sincerely,
Steve Perry
