Sly Stone, Funk-Rock Pioneer, Dies at 82
- Sly Stone, iconic musician and frontman of Sly and the Family Stone, has passed away at the age of 82 after battling COPD and other health issues.
Sly Stone, who took audiences higher during memorable performances at Woodstock and the Fillmore West, but whose career was plagued by drug problems and periodic disappearances, has died. He was 82.
Stone died after a "prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues," his family said Monday.
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"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone," they wrote in a statement. "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 and the Family Stone burst onto the scene in 1968 with the cathartic "Dance to the Music" and followed with a string of crossover smash hits that defined their hometown San Francisco's "Summer of Love," including "Stand!," "Hot Fun in the Summertime," "Runnin' Away," "If You Want Me to Stay" and "Time for Livin'."
The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and inspired everyone from Herbie Hancock to George Clinton's P-Funk, Michael Jackson, Curtis Mayfield, Bob Marley, The Isley Brothers, Prince, Public Enemy, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Eyed Peas, The Roots, OutKast and Kendrick Lamar. Stone's life was the subject of significant discussion this year thanks to Questlove's documentary Sly Lives, which was released to significant acclaim earlier this year.
"Sly was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music," Sly's family said. "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."
Born on March 15, 1943, in Denton, Texas, Sylvester Stewart came from a family of devout Christians who took their beliefs with them when they moved to Vallejo, California, a suburb northwest of San Francisco. Reared on church music, he was 8 when he and three of his siblings recorded a gospel single as The Stewart Four.
A musical prodigy who picked up the name "Sly" in grade school, Stone was adept at keyboards, guitar, bass and drums by 11, and he went on to perform in several high school bands, one of which, The Viscaynes, boasted a then unheard-of mixed lineup and released a few singles.
After attending Vallejo Junior College, Stone got a job as a fast-talking DJ at San Francisco R&B station KSOL, where his eclectic taste stoked his popularity, working the new British bands like The Beatles, The Animals and The Stones into the station's soul format.
By the time he brought his show to crosstown KDIA, he had already been producing records for the local label, Autumn Records, thanks to DJ Tom Donahue, who recommended him. The company was the home for such Bay Area bands as The Beau Brummels, The Charlatans, The Great Society and The Mojo Men. In 1964, Stone produced Bobby Freeman's Top-5 pop hit, "C'mon and Swim."
After leading a band called Sly and the Stoners, featuring trumpet player Cynthia Robinson, Stone brought in his brother Freddie on guitar, sister Rose on keyboards, Gregg Errico on drums, Jerry Martini on sax and Larry Graham on bass to complete Sly and the Family Stone.
They drew the interest of Epic Records, where they signed and released their debut album, A Whole New Thing at the end of 1967's Summer of Love.
Despite critical acclaim, A Whole New Thing failed to resonate with audiences. However, the subsequent release of a new single, "Dance to the Music," from the album of the same name, vaulted into the top-10 on both the pop and R&B charts.
"Everyday People" (and its B-side, "Sing a Simple Song"), released in late 1968 and followed by the album Stand! In May of 1969, marked the crossover emergence of the band, going to No. 1 on both the pop and R&B charts, followed by the title track and its B-side, "I Want To Take You Higher." The album climbed to No. 3 R&B and No. 13 pop, the band's first certified platinum seller, with iconic non-singles such as "Sex Machine."
There's a Riot Goin' On is arguably Stone's masterpiece, both critically and commercially — it went to the top of both the Pop and R&B album charts within a few weeks of its release in November 1971. The transformative masterpiece of race and song — a template for the later work of Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar, among others — the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
That turned out to be Sly's last hurrah. In June 1973, the band released a new single, "If You Want Me to Stay." (The departures of Graham and Errico during this period hastened the band's demise.)
Continuing with Epic, Sly recorded High on You in 1975 and Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I'm Back a year later.
In June 1983, Stone was arrested in Fort Myers, Florida, and charged with cocaine possession.
He toured with Bobby Womack, recorded with Jesse Johnson and released several songs from soundtracks, including "Eek-a-Boo Static Automatic" for Soul Man (1986) and "I'm the Burglar" for Burglar (1987).
Stone sightings were sporadic after that, though he did appear for his Rock Hall induction and at the 2006 Grammys, where he briefly and bizarrely participated in a multi-artist tribute to the band featuring John Legend, Fantasia, Adam Levine, Ciara, Steve Tyler and Joe Perry. He abruptly waved goodbye midway through "I Want to Take You Higher," disappearing into the night.
Sly Stone is survived by a son, Sylvester Jr. (from first wife Kathy Silva), and two daughters, Sylvette (whose mom is Robinson) and Novena Carmel.
"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," his family said. "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your unwavering support."
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