Sly Stone, funk and soul legend, dies at 82 as tributes pour in
Sly Stone, the visionary musician whose groundbreaking, psychedelic-infused funk helped define the sound of the late ’60s and early ’70s, has died at the age of 82.
“After a prolonged battle with COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend and his extended family,” his family said in a statement.
“While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come.”
They added that Stone “recently completed the screenplay for his life story, a project we are eager to share with the world in due course.”
Born Sylvester Stewart in Denton, Texas, Stone was raised in Vallejo, California, and began his music career in the 1960s as a disc jockey at San Francisco’s KSOL.
It was during this time he formed the group Sly and the Stoners, which would evolve into the legendary Sly and the Family Stone.
He founded the band alongside three of his younger siblings: Freddie (guitar and vocals), Rose (keyboards and vocals), and Vet (background vocals).
The lineup also included bassist and vocalist Larry Graham, saxophonist Jerry Martini, trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, and drummer Greg Errico.
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Known for their vibrant stage costumes and genre-defying sound, Sly and the Family Stone fused funk, R&B, soul, and Motown into a powerful musical force.
Their songs ranged from infectious, upbeat dance anthems to bold, socially conscious tracks addressing racism, inequality, and political turmoil.
Their work blended innovative, bass-driven soul with the raw energy of rock.
As a songwriter, producer, arranger, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and electrifying performer, Stone, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, propelled Sly and the Family Stone to the top of the charts with a string of dynamic and often experimental hits.
After the breakup of his band, Stone became increasingly reclusive, though he did appear at Sly and the Family Stone’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Years later, in 2006, he made his first public appearance since 1987 with a brief performance during a Grammy Awards tribute to the group.
Earlier this year, his life and legacy were explored in Sly Lives: aka the Burden of Black Genius, a documentary by Grammy and Oscar-winning Summer of Soul director Questlove.
The film also includes candid reflections from several Black artists on the unique pressures that accompany creative and commercial success.