Sly Stone, beloved patriarch of Sly & The Family Stone, had died at the tender age of 82.
The news was confirmed by the family in a statement.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone,” it reads. “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.”
The Stone family shared, “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.”
Described as a “monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music,” Stone’s music “left an indelible mark on the world, and his influence remains undeniable.”
Sly was born Sylvester Stewart in Denton, Texas on March 15, 1943. Not long after, his family moved to California, where Sly began singing in the church choir from the age of 4, alongside his siblings. His moniker “Sly” came from a classmate misspelling his name. After he changed his surname from Stewart to Stone, his siblings Freddie and Rose— both of whom joined Sly and the Family Stone— followed suit.
Initially, the band started out as Sly’s band, Sly and the Stoners, and Freddie’s Freddie and the Stone Souls in 1966. Ultimately, they joined forces. As noted in his memoir, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), “The band had a concept — white and Black together, male and female both, and women not just singing but playing instruments. That was a big deal back then, and it was a big deal on purpose.”
Sly and the Family Stone began performing together in 1967 and also released their debut album, A Whole New Thing. They went on to have hits such as “Everyday People,” “If You Want Me To Stay,” “Dance To The Music,” “Hot Fun in the Summertime” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”/”Everybody Is a Star.”
After Sly and the Family Stone were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, he mostly remained out of the public eye. He did appear during a 2006 Grammy tribute. Earlier this year, Questlove released the documentary Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius), which highlighted the musician’s rise and fall.
Film’s producer, Joseph Patel, said during a screening, “Ahmir’s first thing he said was, ‘Let’s tell this story with a lot of empathy.’ That’s not empathetic [to show him during his health issues].” He revealed, “We interviewed Sly for [the Oscar-winning documentary] Summer of Soul in 2020. And he had just gotten clean, and he just — he doesn’t have the motor function. He can’t speak in full sentences. His eyes reveal a precociousness and a lucidity that’s there, but his motor function doesn’t exist.”
Questlove believed that the “most important part” was to highlight Stone as a person rather than a personality, because “it’s rare that Black people get seen as humans.”
The family thanked fans “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.” He is survived by his children.
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