Sly Stone, the legendary singer-songwriter and funk musician behind Sly and the Family Stone, has died. In a statement, Stone’s family said that he recently passed on “after a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues.” He was 82 years old.
Born Sylvester Stewart in Denton, Texas, Stone grew up in Vallejo, California. He began performing with his siblings at an early age, making his first gospel recording with his brother Freddie and his sisters Rose and Loretta in 1952. He played in several groups on the Bay Area scene and soon became a disc jockey at the R&B station KSOL, later switching to KDIA.
In the late 1960s, Stone formed Sly and the Stoners, which would develop into the iconic Sly and the Family Stone. The band featured Fred Stewart (guitar, vocals), Larry Graham, Jr. (bass, vocals), Greg Errico (drums), Jerry Martini (saxophone), Cynthia Robinson (trumpet), and Rosie Stone (piano), who all had different racial backgrounds, which was virtually unheard of at the time. Landing a deal with Epic, the group released their debut album A Whole New Thing in 1967.
‘Dance to the Music’, the single that became the title track of their next record, peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band followed it up with Life in September 1968, and two months later, they landed their first No. 1 with ‘Everyday People’, which would appear on 1969’s Stand!. In 1969, The Family Stone performed at Woodstock and headlined the Harlem Cultural Festival.
At the peak of the band’s popularity, Sly developed a debilitating drug addiction, and his music grew thematically darker and musically slower. There’s a Riot Goin’ On, Sly and the Family Stone’s intense and masterful fifth album, came out in November 1971. The group’s original lineup released its final album, Small Talk, in 1974, before Sly Stone issued his debut solo album, High on You, the following year.
After the Family Stone was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, Stone made no public appearances for over a decade. In 2006, he gave his first public performance since 1987 as part of a Family Stone tribute at the Grammy Awards.
In 2011, Stone released the album I’m Back! Family and Friends. Earlier this year, Questlove released the illuminating documentary SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius). In 2024, Stone published his memoir Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), and his band’s earliest known concert recording is scheduled to be released next month as The First Family: Live at the Winchester Cathedral 1967.
In their statement, Stone’s family said:
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone. After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family. 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.
Sly was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music. His iconic songs have left an indelible mark on the world, and his influence remains undeniable. In a testament to his enduring creative spirit, Sly recently completed the screenplay for his life story, a project we are eager to share with the world in due course, which follows a memoir published in 2024.
We extend our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers during this difficult time. We wish peace and harmony to all who were touched by Sly’s life and his iconic music.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your unwavering support.
