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The Slap-Bass Pioneer

Johnnie Walker spins his usual eclectic collection of great '70s tunes and talks to slap-bass innovator and 'godfather of funk bass' Larry Graham.

On this week's show, Johnnie's My 70s guest is the hugely influential master of "thumping and plucking", Larry Graham.

Larry played the saxophone, drums, piano and guitar as a child. He then picked up bass whilst playing with his mother on the San Francisco circuit in his teens and was soon spotted by DJ Sly Stone.

Sly invited him to join his new band Sly And The Family Stone and together they went on to change the face of funk and soul music in the 1970s.

It was during this time that Larry perfected his unique slap-bass technique, a style that later inspired artists including Prince. Larry recalls the evolution of slap-bass and his own band, Graham Central Station.

Also this week, Johnnie explores his featured album, Cosmo's Factory, by Creedence Clearwater Revival. The record gave the band their only number 1 album after its release in July 1970.

1 hour, 56 minutes

Last on

Sun 16 Sep 2012 15:00

Music Played

  • Hour 1

    • Blondie

      Sunday Girl

  • Dire Straits

    Sultans Of Swing

  • Featured Album: Creedence Clearwater Revival - Cosmo's Factory

    • Creedence Clearwater Revival

      Travellin' Band

  • Led Zeppelin

    Whole Lotta Love

  • Eagles

    Tequila Sunrise

  • Lynn Anderson

    Rose Garden

  • Eric Clapton

    Lay Down Sally

  • The Rolling Stones

    Miss You

  • Featured Album: Creedence Clearwater Revival - Cosmo's Factory

    • Creedence Clearwater Revival

      Who'll Stop The Rain

  • John Lennon

    #9 Dream

  • The Stranglers

    Nice 'N' Sleazy

  • Toots & The Maytals

    Take Me 91热爆, Country Roads

  • The Korgis

    If I Had You

  • CCS

    Tap Turns On The Water

  • Hour 2

    • Buggles

      Video Killed The Radio Star

  • David Bowie

    Life On Mars?

  • Elvis Presley

    There Goes My Everything

  • The Who

    Behind Blue Eyes

  • Michael Jackson

    Don't Stop Til You Get Enough

  • Elton John & Kiki Dee

    Don't Go Breaking My Heart

  • Queen

    Keep Yourself Alive

  • My 70s: Larry Graham

    • Sly & the Family Stone

      Thank You Falletine Me Be Mice Elf Again

  • Sly & the Family Stone

    Family Affair

  • Santana

    She's Not There

  • Graham Central Station

    Your Love

  • Prince

    I Wanna Be Your Lover

  • Stevie Wonder

    Higher Ground

  • Van McCoy

    The Hustle

  • The Walker Brothers

    No Regrets

  • Featured Album: Creedence Clearwater Revival - Cosmo's Factory

    • Creedence Clearwater Revival

      Long As I Can See The Light

Broadcast

  • Sun 16 Sep 2012 15:00