Sly Stone, the groundbreaking musician who revolutionised funk and soul music with his band Sly and the Family Stone, has died at age 82 after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other health issues, according to variety.com.
The music pioneer passed away peacefully surrounded by his three children, closest friend and extended family, according to a statement released by his relatives. His death marks the end of an era for funk music and leaves a void in the entertainment world.
Stone’s influence on modern music cannot be overstated. As songwriter, producer, arranger, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, he created what many consider the blueprint for contemporary funk, hip-hop, and rock fusion. Grammy and Oscar-winning director Questlove recently said Stone “created the alphabet that we are still using to express music.”
Born Sylvester Stewart in Denton, Texas, Stone moved to California as an infant and later became a radio DJ in the Bay Area. He formed Sly and the Family Stone in 1966, creating a revolutionary band that broke racial and gender barriers with its diverse lineup of black and white, male and female musicians.
The group achieved massive success with hits like “Dance to the Music,” “Everyday People,” and “I Want to Take You Higher.” Their 1969 album “Stand!” reached No. 13 nationally and contained four chart singles, including the No. 1 hit “Everyday People.”
Stone’s legendary performance at Woodstock in 1969 became a defining moment of the festival, energizing a crowd of 500,000 during a 3:30 a.m. downpour. The performance was later featured prominently in Michael Wadleigh’s Oscar-winning documentary about the festival.
However, Stone’s career was derailed by drug addiction in the 1970s. His 1971 album There’s a Riot Goin’ On reflected his darker mental state, though it still reached No. 1. By the 1980s, he had largely disappeared from public view, facing legal troubles and homelessness.
Despite his personal struggles, Stone’s musical legacy endured. His innovative use of drum machines, multi-track recording, and genre-blending influenced artistes from Prince to Public Enemy. Hip-hop artistes extensively sampled his work, and jazz legend Miles Davis credited Stone with inspiring his 1972 album On the Corner.
Stone was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and recently completed a screenplay for his life story, which his family plans to share with the world.
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