Larry Graham Birth name Larry Graham, Jr. Born August 14, 1946 (age 68) Beaumont, Texas, United States Genres Funk, soul, R&B Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter, producer Instruments Vocals, bass guitar, guitar, keyboards, organ, harmonica Years active 1961–present Labels Epic, Warner Bros., NPG, RhinoSphinx Associated acts Sly and the Family Stone, Prince, Graham Central Station, Drake Website www.larrygraham.com Notable instruments White Moon bass nicknamed as Sunshine, Fender Jazz Bass Larry Graham, Jr. (born August 14, 1946) is an American bass guitar player, both with the popular and influential psychedelic soul/funk band Sly and the Family Stone, and as the founder and frontman of Graham Central Station. He is credited with the invention of the slapping technique, which radically expanded the tonal palette of the bass, although he himself refers to the technique as "thumpin′ and pluckin′".[1]