The title of There's a Riot Goin On is a reference to an actual riot that broke out during a Sly and the Family Stone concert that never happened. On July 27th, 1970, Sly and his band were set to play a first-of-its-kind concert at the Petrillo Bandshell in Chicago's Grant Park. Before the Family Stone had even arrived, however, an unknown group called Fat Water had performed a three-song set -- but the crowd wasn't expecting the show to have opening acts. As the next band, The Flying Burrito Brothers, appeared on stage, the crowd hurled projectiles at them, inciting a riot that would leave 162 injured. In this final episode of The Opus: There's a Riot Goin On, we look back at the events of that day and what lead up to a Chicago riot that would change music history. HostJill Hopkins welcomes former commissioner of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Mark Kelly and Summer of Soul producer Joseph Patel to discuss the infamous moment that birthed a classic album...
Sly and the Family Stone did more than just write "Family Affair" -- they lived it. On Episode 3 of The Opus: There's a Riot Goin On, we dive into the family dynamics of the band and similar relationships throughout music history. There were actually four Stone relatives in the Family Stone: siblings Sly, vocalist/guitarist Freddie, vocalist/pianist Rose, and background singer Vet. While their tensions were nothing compared to, say, Oasis, there were clashes. That went double for the non-blood related Family members, especially during the period that birthedThere's a Riot Goin On. In this episode ofThe Opus Season 17, hostJill Hopkins welcomes Summer of Soul producer Joseph Patel and music journalist/editor ofBraxton Family Values to look at the Stone siblings' place in the pantheon of relatives making music together, the pros and cons of creating and doing business with family, and why sometimes it works better than others. Listen now, and make sure to like and subscribe toThe Opus...
Record scratch! We've loved diving into the story of Sly and the Family Stone's There's a Riot Goin On, but some production delays have us cryin' just like a baby. We'll return with Episode 3 on February 24th, followed by the 4th and final episode on March 3rd. We apologize for the hold up, appreciate your patience, and thank you for letting us talk to ya. Stay tuned! In the meantime, make sure to like, subscribe, and rate The Opus wherever you get your podcasts.
As Season 17Consequence Podcast Network and Sony’sThe Opus, continues, we're exploring how the legacy of Sly and the Family Stone’s masterpiece There’s a Riot Goin On can still be heard today. Sly and the Family Stone are one of the most covered and sampled artists in all of soul music. Everyone from Jurassic 5 to Janet Jackson, *NSYNC to members of the Wu-Tang Clan have drawn inspiration from the songs onRiot to make classics of their own. In Episode 2 ofThe Opus: There's a Riot Goin On, hostJill Hopkins is joined by Summer of Soul producer Joseph Patel to discuss the artists who have long been Family Stone fans and used the group's music to supplement their own, to fantastic results. Listen now, then like and subscribe to The Opus wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, you can enter to win aSly and the Family Stone prize pack that includesThere's a Riot Goin On and theSummer of Soul soundtrack on vinyl, along with a brand new sound system courtesy of Sony. Fans of The Opus can a...
The Opus is back, kicking off Season 17 of the Consequence Podcast Network and Sony’s music history podcast by exploring how Sly and the Family Stone’s iconic There’s a Riot Goin On was at the vanguard of a soul revolution. Released in 1971, the album ushered in a more mature sound for soul music. It served as the link between the late-'60s psychedelic movement and the burgeoning aggressive turn in funk, a sound that would become popularized throughout the decade. In Episode 1 ofThe Opus: There's a Riot Goin On, hostJill Hopkins and her guests Carlos Santana,Summer of Soul producer Joseph Patel, and music journalist Steve Huey discuss the cultural change the album instigated and how it contributed to the funky stylings that would become a signature of the era. Listen now, and make sure to like and subscribe to The Opus wherever you get your podcasts. Also, enter to win aSly and the Family Stone prize pack that includesThere's a Riot Goin On and theSummer of Soul soundtrack on vin...
Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament once stated that "essentiallyTen was just an excuse to tour." The band clearly just wanted some material to play on the road, as their first tour kicked off just after they'd completed mixing sessions for their debut album; the record wasn't even released yet. The tour -- PJ's only with drummer Matt Chamberlain -- was a short one focusing on the East Coast and Midwest. It wrapped up in Chicago at the famed Cabaret Metro with a concert that is still legendary among Pearl Jam fans. After that Metro gig on July 21st, 1991, the band took a break as they prepared for the release ofTen. The album arrived a month later on August 27th, and by September, Pearl Jam returned for a world tour as one of the newly crowned kings of '90s rock. In this episode of Consequence Podcast Networkand Sony’sThe Opus: Ten, we go back to The Metro to relive that final show of Pearl Jam's first tour so we can see a band on the brink of decades-long stardom. Joining host Jill Hopki...
Ten yielded (no pun intended, Pearl Jam fans) three enduring hit singles: "Alive," "Even Flow," and "Jeremy." But here on Consequence Podcast Networkand Sony’sThe Opus, we focus on the legacy of the entire album -- and the real meat ofTen is on the non-single tracks. The band has opened shows with the record's final track, "Release," ever since the originalTen tour. "Oceans" features some of the most unusual percussion arrangements on any hard rock track of the era. And the label wanted to release "Black" as a single, but the band refused. On Episode 3 ofThe Opus: Ten, we dig into the songs we haven't been hearing on the radio over the last 30 years, and find out why they've become so beloved to Pearl Jam's legions of fans. Listen now, and make sure you subscribe to keep up with all episodes of Season 16 of The Opus. Also, show your love of our show by picking up an official Opus hoodie or T-shirt at the Consequence Shop. Original music by Tony Piazza.
While Season 16 of the Consequence Podcast Networkand Sony’sThe Opus focuses on the unparalleled musical legacy Ten, it's important to note of Pearl Jam has been defined as much by their visuals as their sound. On Episode 2, we explore how bassist Jeff Ament not only contributed to the band's sonics, but their imagery as well. Subscribe now so you can listen to all episodes of Season 16 of The Opus. Also, pick yourself up one of our official Opus hoodies or T-shirts at the Consequence Shop. Original music by Tony Piazza.
The series of events that had to happen to have Ten even exist is wild. Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard were in Green River, but they broke up. Then, they were in a pysch-garage band called Mother Love Bone, whose singer, Andrew Wood, died right before their first album was released. The two of them, and a couple of members of Soundgarden put out a tribute album for Andrew, and this singer they’d heard about from Jack Irons, - the drummer from the Red Hot Chili Peppers - guested on one of the tracks. He’d gotten a copy of some demos Stone and Jeff were working on, wrote lyrics for it, sang over it, and sent it back. The guys liked it, so they hired him to sing in their new band. That song was “Hunger Strike”, that tribute was Temple of the Dog, that guest singer was Eddie Vedder, and that new band was Pearl Jam. This is all only scratching the surface of the strange series of events that had to occur for Ten to come into existence. In this debut episode of The Opus: Pearl Jam's Ten...
Season 15 of Consequence Podcast Network and Sony’sThe Opus comes to its conclusion on a high point as we explore how Cypress Hill put weed rap on the map. Within a few months of its release, the impact of Cypress Hill and the subject matter of some of the raps therein was apparent. Other rappers started writing songs that expanded more on the glory of marijuana. While we think of Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre as pioneers in the art of weed rap, it’s often forgotten that Dre once bragged on record about never smoking weed. But, after Cypress Hill lifted their veil of smoke, Dre got to work on an album called The Chronic. And Cypress Hill’s cannabis candidness wasn’t just relegated to their raps, either. The group became outspoken advocates for the legalization of marijuana, ushering in a new era of pot positivity that Cypress Hill are still pushing forward to this very day.