Larry Graham American bass guitarist Date of Birth: 14.08.1946 Country: USA

Larry Graham: A Biography

Larry Graham is an American bass guitarist who gained popularity in the music industry during the racially charged and politically unstable era of 1960s America. Born in 1946 in Beaumont, Texas, Graham showed exceptional musical talent from a young age. As a teenager, he played guitar, bass guitar, harmonica, and drums, and by the age of fifteen, he was performing with the Dell Graham Trio under the guidance of his mother. He gained experience performing alongside renowned musicians such as John Lee Hooker and Jackie Wilson.

In 1968, Graham joined the group "Sly and the Family Stone" during the height of the popularity of African-American music. It was with this lively and eccentric African-American group that Graham showcased his talent as a bass guitarist and experienced his first true musical success. The group's fantastic hairstyles, costumes, and unconventional stage performances propelled them to the pinnacle of fame. However, like many groups of that era, they struggled with drug problems, leading to both personal and concert-related issues. Unable to cope, Larry Graham left the group in 1972.

After some creative exploration, Graham formed his own group called "Larry Graham Central Station," a name inspired by a subway station in Manhattan, New York. Over the course of several years, the group achieved success and released multiple hit songs. During the 1970s, Graham had the opportunity to collaborate with the talented Betty Davis, the ex-wife of legendary musician Miles Davis. The albums recorded by "Larry Graham Central Station" further cemented Graham's reputation as a great bass guitarist, and their compositions often topped music charts.

In the early 1990s, Larry Graham disbanded "Larry Graham Central Station" and embarked on a solo career. He went on to tour extensively and found himself in the company of popular musicians and actors. In 1993, he was seen with comedian Eddie Murphy, and in 1998, he performed at a concert with Prince.

In 2007, Graham received an offer to reunite with the transformed "Sly and the Family Stone," but the collaboration did not materialize. Today, Larry Graham's name is revered among several generations of guitarists. His innate sense of rhythm, which is characteristic of African-American performers, has solidified his place in the legendary list of jazz-rock music icons.

Discography with "Larry Graham Central Station":
- Graham Central Station - 1974
- Release Yourself - 1974
- Ain't No 'Bout-A-Doubt It - 1975
- Mirror - 1976
- Now Do U Wanta Dance - 1977
- My Radio Sure Sounds Good to Me - 1978
- Star Walk - 1979
- Live In Japan - 1992
- Live In London - 1996
- The Best of Larry Graham and Graham Central Station, Vol. 1 - 1996
- The Jam: The Larry Graham & Graham Central Station Anthology - 2001
- Greatest Hits - 2003

Solo Albums:
- 1980: One in a Million You
- 1981: Just Be My Lady
- 1982: Sooner or Later
- 1983: Victory
- 1985: Fired Up