Sly Stone Tribute: “Thank You” Live in 1974 with Rustee Allen on Bass
With Sly Stone’s recent passing, we’ve been digging back into the performances that remind us why his music hit so hard and still does. This one, from a 1974 episode of The Midnight Special, is a funk clinic. “Thank You” might’ve come out a few years earlier, but this version still punches with full force.
By this point, Rustee Allen had taken over bass duties from Larry Graham. And he absolutely owns it here. The slap and pop may not be as raw as Graham’s early takes, but Allen locks in with a feel that’s tight, clean, and completely in the pocket. It’s a great reminder that the Family Stone’s rhythm section never let up, even as the lineup changed.
Sly’s legacy isn’t just about the records. It’s about the energy, the message, and the fearless mix of soul, funk, and rock that defined a generation. This clip captures all of that in four and a half minutes.
No Treble CEO Jody Miller is a Chicago-based bassist, guitarist, engineer, and producer best known for his bass gear demo videos and as the co-host of The Bass Nerds podcast.
I’m glad to see that Rustee Allen my fellow bass brother from Oakland is finally getting his due recognition. He used to have a gig at a club in Jack London Square, in Oakand back in the late 1980s. Me and my friends came down there one night, one friend was saxophonist,the late J. Spencer. Rustee was totally cool and let us sit in. He even let me play his bass and gave me a few pointers which I cherish to this day. We were invited to come sit in a few more times. He’s a great guy and awesome bass player.