High Moon Records proudly announces the official release of The First Family: Live at Winchester Cathedral 1967, the earliest known live recording of the legendary Sly & The Family Stone. Available July 18 on CD, vinyl, and digital formats, this electrifying performance captures the raw brilliance of the band before their meteoric rise to fame.
Recorded in the early hours of March 26, 1967, at Redwood City’s Winchester Cathedral—where the group served as the house band—this previously unreleased set showcases Sly Stone and his revolutionary band at a moment of artistic ignition. The band’s signature blend of rock, soul, funk, and psychedelic energy is already unmistakable, and Sly’s command of the stage is palpable.
Originally a sold-out Record Store Day exclusive, this expanded release includes a deluxe booklet filled with rare photos, exclusive interviews with all original band members, and memorabilia, along with liner notes by GRAMMY®-nominated producer Alec Palao. The CD edition adds an exclusive bonus track: a soul-stirring rendition of Otis Redding’s “Try A Little Tenderness.”
The newly restored tapes—long thought lost until rediscovered in 2002—were recorded by the group’s original manager, Rich Romanello, and mastered by Dan Hersch, with lacquer cut by Kevin Gray. The result is a 50-minute powerhouse of vintage soul covers and early originals that illuminate the foundations of one of music’s most innovative groups.
“The Winchester Cathedral recordings showcase a one-of-a-kind outfit already at the peak of its powers,” says Palao. “The arrangements, energy, and Sly’s leadership point clearly to the road ahead.”
Featured in Questlove’s acclaimed 2025 documentary Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius), this album captures the early brilliance of a band that shattered musical and cultural boundaries—black and white, male and female, rock and soul.
The First Family: Live at Winchester Cathedral 1967 isn’t just a record—it’s a historic document of a revolutionary moment in music. Pre-orders and pre-saves are available now.
