Little Sister was a short-lived R&B trio with strong ties to the legendary Sly Stone. Though their time in the spotlight was brief, their impact on soul and funk music was notable. With charting singles like “You’re the One” and “Somebody’s Watching You,” they left behind a small but memorable legacy in the early 1970s.
Their story starts in gospel, transitions through the psychedelic soul era, and ends amid the chaos that surrounded Sly Stone’s later years. This is the story of Little Sister.
| Artist Name | Little Sister |
|---|---|
| Origin | San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA |
| Years Active | 1966–1975 |
| Genres | R&B, Soul, Funk, Gospel |
| Labels | Gospel, Music City, Stone Flower |
| Associated Acts | Sly and the Family Stone |
| Notable Songs | “You’re the One”, “Somebody’s Watching You”, “Stanga” |
| Innovations | Among the first to use a drum machine in a hit R&B single |
From Gospel Roots: The Heavenly Tones
Before they were known as Little Sister, the group performed as The Heavenly Tones, a gospel quartet from the San Francisco Bay Area. The lineup featured:
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Vaetta “Vet” Stewart (Sly Stone’s younger sister)
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Mary McCreary
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Elva “Tiny” Mouton
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Tramaine Hawkins
The group started singing while still in high school. They recorded the gospel album I Love the Lord (1966) and a single called “He’s Alright” on the Music City label. Their sound was rooted in faith, but their paths would soon change.
Joining the Family: Background for Sly and the Family Stone
Sly Stone was forming something new—Sly and the Family Stone, a band that fused rock, soul, funk, and psychedelia. He brought in his sister Vet and renamed The Heavenly Tones as Little Sister to serve as backing vocalists for the band.
By then, Tramaine Hawkins had left to pursue a solo gospel career. The trio was now Vet Stewart, Mary McCreary, and Tiny Mouton.
Little Sister provided background vocals on major hits like:
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“Everyday People”
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“Stand!”
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“Sing a Simple Song”
Their harmonies blended seamlessly into Sly’s layered and complex productions. They weren’t just background singers—they were essential to the Family Stone’s signature sound.
Spotlight Singles on Stone Flower Records
In 1970, Sly Stone signed a production deal with Atlantic Records and launched Stone Flower, his own imprint. He wanted to use this as a space for experimental sounds and side projects. One of the first releases on Stone Flower was Little Sister’s “You’re the One.”
“You’re the One” (Part I & II)
Released in February 1970, “You’re the One” was written and produced by Sly Stone. The song had two parts, split across the A and B sides of the 45 RPM single.
It was funky, rhythmic, and radio-friendly. The record quickly made an impact:
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#22 on the Billboard Hot 100
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#4 on the Billboard R&B chart
This was the group’s biggest hit and gave them their only entry into the mainstream Top 40.
“Somebody’s Watching You”
Later that year, the group released another single: “Somebody’s Watching You,” backed with “Stanga.”
This track was a reworking of a song originally recorded by Sly and the Family Stone for their 1969 Stand! album. The new version by Little Sister had one major innovation—it used a drum machine for the rhythm track. In fact, it’s believed to be the first hit song to use a drum machine.
Sly Stone used the Maestro Rhythm King MRK-2, the same device he later used on his hit “Family Affair.”
Chart-wise, the song also did well:
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#8 on the Billboard R&B chart (1971)
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“Stanga,” the B-side, reached #44 on the R&B chart in 1972.
Although “Somebody’s Watching You” didn’t crack the pop Top 40, it became influential thanks to its futuristic production.
The Group’s Decline
After 1970, Little Sister never released another single. Sly Stone abandoned Stone Flower in 1971. Without his guidance, Little Sister couldn’t continue recording as a standalone act.
In 1972, Mary McCreary left to start a solo career and later recorded duets with her then-husband Leon Russell. She was replaced briefly by Lucy Hambrick, but the group never returned to prominence.
They continued to perform backup vocals for Sly and the Family Stone until the band’s breakup in 1975. The dissolution was largely due to Sly’s escalating drug use and erratic behavior, which made working with him difficult.
When the Family Stone fell apart, Little Sister disbanded as well.
What Happened to the Members?
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Vet Stewart stayed involved in music. She performed in Sly and the Family Stone reunion efforts and later with a funk tribute band called Phunk Phamily Affair.
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Mary McCreary enjoyed modest solo success and also gained recognition for her collaborations with Leon Russell.
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Elva Mouton and Lucy Hambrick faded from the spotlight, and very little is publicly known about their lives after Little Sister.
Legacy and Influence
Little Sister is remembered for:
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Their harmonies on classic Sly and the Family Stone records.
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Being one of the first acts to use a drum machine in a charting single.
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Representing the untapped potential of girl groups during the early 1970s funk explosion.
Their records are rare and collectible. “You’re the One” and “Somebody’s Watching You” are both included on several funk and soul compilation albums.
In 2010, remastered versions of the Stone Flower releases—including Little Sister’s tracks—were released as part of Sly Stone: The Collection by Light in the Attic Records.
Final Thoughts
Little Sister didn’t get the longevity or recognition of many other acts of their era. But their contributions—especially through their work with Sly Stone—helped shape the evolution of soul, funk, and electronic production techniques.
Even decades later, “You’re the One” and “Somebody’s Watching You” still hold up as funky, innovative, and ahead of their time.
If you’re a fan of 70s soul or the Family Stone legacy, they’re definitely worth a listen.