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Formed in 1973 by bassist Larry Graham – their name is a pun, combining his last name with New York’s most famous commuter rail terminal – Graham Central Station was an influential 1970s funk band. Larry Graham – former bassist with Sly & the Family Stone – initially joined a short-lived Latin-influenced rock band called Azteca with Santana guitarist Neal Schon, Jefferson Starship/Hot Tuna keyboardist Pete Sears, and his Family Stone bandmate Gregg Errico on drums. Schon moved on to form Journey, and Graham began producing a band called Hot Chocolate (not the British band). When Larry Graham decided to join the band, he renamed them Graham Central Station. The band’s original line-up also included guitarist David Vega, keyboardists Robert Sam and Hershall Kennedy, percussionist Patrice Banks, and drummer Willie Sparks but the band’s line-up would become fluid over the course of their career. Graham’s slap-bass style of playing became influential, inspiring a new generation of funk, disco, and R&B musicians. Updating the genre-blending style of Sly & The Family Stone, Graham Central Station eventually signed to Warner Bros. Records and released their self-titled debut album in 1974. Later that year, they released their sophomore album Release Yourself. In 1975, they released the Gold-selling album Ain’t No ‘Bout-A-Doubt It featuring the hit single “Your Love”, which reached Number 38 in the charts. The album Mirror was released in 1976, followed by Now Do U Wanta Dance in 1977. The album My Radio Sure Sounds Good To Me (1978) was the first album credited to Larry Graham & Graham Central Station. Star Walk was the original band’s final album, released in 1979. Graham then continued working as a successful solo artist. The band’s legacy was celebrated over the years by compilations and live albums. By Popular Demand was a Japanese-only release in 1997. R&B icon Prince, who was heavily influenced by the band, inspired Graham to record a new Graham Central Station album, GCS 2000. The 1998 album, produced by Prince, features original keyboardist Robert Sam in the line-up. Larry Graham & Graham Central Station returned in 2012 with the album Raise Up.
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