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Music Legend Sly Stone Dead at 82
Funk-rock icon Sly Stone, the mastermind behind Sly and the Family Stone, has passed away at the age of 82. His family confirmed the news on Monday, stating he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones after a battle with COPD and other health issues.
Born Sylvester Stewart in Denton, Texas, Stone’s musical journey began early. He recorded a gospel single with his siblings as the Stewart Four at the tender age of eight.
A natural talent, he mastered multiple instruments by age eleven and performed in various high school bands, including the integrated group, the Viscaynes, in the late 1950s. He honed his musical skills at Vallejo Junior College and became a popular DJ known for his eclectic tastes, championing both R&B and white artists like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Stone’s groundbreaking band, Sly and the Family Stone, ignited the music scene in the late 1960s and early 1970s with hits like “Dance to the Music,” “Hot Fun in the Summertime,” “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” and “Family Affair.” Their electrifying performance at the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival was immortalized in the Oscar-winning documentary “Summer of Soul.”
Despite early success, Stone faced financial hardship, health issues, and periods of homelessness. Known for his reclusive nature, he remained a potent creative force. His memoir, published in 2023, candidly explored his struggles with substance abuse and other personal demons.
Stone’s family remembers him as a “monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer.” They expressed gratitude for the support of his fans and emphasized his enduring musical legacy, which includes a recently completed screenplay for his life story.
They also shared the news that his memoir, published in 2023, would be followed by a film currently in development. Sly and the Family Stone were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.