New book on Sly & the Family Stone to publish

I Want to Take You Higher
The Life and Times of Sly & the Family Stone
by Jeff Kaliss
Foreword by Sly Stone / Preface by George Clinton

Book event with author Jeff Kaliss
Sun Nov 16 at 5 pm, Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

About the book
Author Jeff Kaliss scored the first face-to-face interview with the reclusive superstar in over 20 years, making this book a must-read for any rock ‘n’ roll fan. From his anthemic early hits (“I Want to Take You Higher,” “Family Affair,” “Dance to the Music”) that powered Woodstock, through the moody meditations of “There’s a Riot Going On” and beyond, Sly and the Family Stone have left an indelible stamp on rock, funk, pop, and hip hop.

The story follows the evolution and dissolution of Sly and the Family Stone, from local favorites to global rock stars whose success was undermined by drugs and self-delusion. Kaliss brings this turbulent tale right up to date, through Sly’s enigmatic 2006 Grammy performance and recent comeback concerts, which have left audiences buzzing.

With cooperation from Sly himself, as well as numerous band members and associates, including Jerry Martini, Greg Errico, Freddie Stone, and David Kapralik, I Want to Take You Higher is as close to an authorized biography of Sly as we’re ever likely to see. Also features a preface by George Clinton.

About the author
Jeff Kaliss has been writing for over a quarter-century about a wide variety of music and other forms of entertainment. His articles have appeared in Jazziz, Guitar Player, the San Francisco Chronicle, Christian Science Monitor, Los Angeles Times, and Oakland Tribune, among others. He lives in San Francisco.

Advance praise:
“It’s amazing, although not exactly surprising, that Sly & the Family Stone’s volatile story has never fully been told. But now it has, and the tellers include the elusive and elliptical Sly Stone himself. Whatever else he is, he’s a stone genius; a major influence on R&B, funk, pop and rock musicians since he emerged in 1968. Through Sly and his band, this book offers additional lessons, about traversing life as well as about making music.” — Ben Fong-Torres, author of Not Fade Away: A Backstage Pass to 20 Years of Rock & Roll and Becoming Almost Famous: My Back Pages in Music, Writing and Life

“A vibrant and compelling celebration of this seminal band whose breakthrough music changed the world.” — Nina Rosenblum, award-winning director of The Skin I’m In and Liberators

I Want to Take You Higher: The Life and Times of Sly & the Family Stone
by Jeff Kaliss
Foreword by Sly Stone / Preface by George Clinton
Published by Backbeat Books, an imprint of Hal Leonard Corporation
October / $24.95 / Hardcover
232 pages, plus photo insert