Cynthia Robinson

Cynthia Robinson (January 12, 1944 – November 23, 2015) was an American musician, best known for being the trumpeter and vocalist in Sly and the Family Stone.[2] Her voice and presence were featured in the hit "Dance to the Music".

Cynthia Robinson
Born(1944-01-12)January 12, 1944[1]
Sacramento, California, U.S.
DiedNovember 23, 2015(2015-11-23) (aged 71)
Carmichael, California, U.S.
GenresFunk, soul, R&B
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsTrumpet, vocals
Years active1967–2015
Associated actsSly and The Family Stone

Robinson was among the first female trumpeters in a major American band, and the first such player in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was the only member of the original Family Stone to continue working with Sly Stone after the band fell apart in 1975. She played in the funk band Graham Central Station with Family Stone bandmate Larry Graham, starting in 1974.

Personal life

Robinson grew up in Sacramento, California. She lived in Oak Park, a neighborhood in Sacramento. She attended William Land Elementary, California Middle School and Sacramento High School where she played trumpet in the school band. In high school, Robinson was taunted by the boys in her band class for being a black girl playing a "white boy's instrument". Robinson even recalled teachers suggesting she take up a different activity and save the trumpet for the boys, but Robinson was in love with the trumpet.

Robinson was the mother of two daughters:[2] Laura Marie Cook and Sylvyette Phunne Robinson (fathered by former band leader, Sly Stone)[3].

Legacy and death

Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Sly and the Family Stone. In 2006, she reunited with the original band members of Family Stone.[2]

On November 23, 2015 Robinson died of cancer in Carmichael, California at the age of 71.[1]

Appears on
  • Stargard – Back 2 Back - Warner Bros. Records – BSK 3456 (1981)[4]
  • Funkadelic – The Electric Spanking Of War Babies – Warner Bros. Records – BSK 3482 (1981) – Tracks: "Funk Gets Stronger" (Part I), "Funk Gets Stronger" (Killer Millimeter Longer Version) / "She Loves You"[5]
  • Graham Central Station – GCS2000 – NPG Records (1998) – Track: "GCS2000"[6]
  • The Robert Cray Band - Time Will Tell - Sanctuary Records 06078-84613-2 (2003) – Track: "Your Pal"[7]

References
  1. Grimes, William (November 26, 2015). "Cynthia Robinson, Sly and the Family Stone Trumpet Player, Dies at 71". The New York Times. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  2. Graff, Gary (November 24, 2015). "Cynthia Robinson of Sly & the Family Stone Dead at 69". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  3. https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2015/11/24/457256347/remembering-cynthia-robinson-co-founder-of-sly-the-family-stone
  4. Discogs Stargard – Back 2 Back
  5. Discogs Funkadelic – The Electric Spanking Of War Babies
  6. Discogs Graham Central Station – GCS2000
  7. Discogs The Robert Cray Band – Time Will Tell


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