Sly Stone, Troubled Genius and Funk Pioneer, Dies at 82

Founder of the revolutionary group Sly and the Family Stone, which reshaped music and challenged social norms in the 1960s and ’70s, American musician Sly Stone has died at the age of 82, his family announced on Monday, June 9. His artistic legacy, as brilliant as it was tumultuous, continues to inspire generations of musicians.

Sylvester Stewart, better known as Sly Stone, passed away peacefully surrounded by his children and loved ones after a long battle with COPD and other underlying health issues. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Sly Stone,” his family said in a statement shared with the American press. “While we mourn his loss, we take comfort in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire generations to come.”

A visionary artist, symbol of unity in a divided America

Born in Texas in 1943 and raised in San Francisco, Sly Stone emerged as one of the great architects of modern funk. A multi-instrumentalist, composer, and visionary producer, he founded Sly and the Family Stone in the late 1960s. The group, notable for its racially and gender-integrated lineup—rare at the time—became a powerful emblem of diversity and unity during the civil rights era.

The band made an instant mark with hits like Dance to the Music (1967), Everyday People (1968), and the R&B classic If You Want Me to Stay (1973). Their electrifying performance at the 1969 Woodstock Festival remains a landmark moment in music history. In just a few short years, Sly and the Family Stone redefined American music with a mix of soul, psychedelic rock, funk, and gospel. Their influence would ripple across generations, from Prince to Miles Davis, from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to the Beastie Boys.

A fall marked by excess, a lasting legend

But behind the brilliance came a descent into chaos. Struggling with fame and addiction, Sly Stone saw his career unravel. Tour cancellations, legal troubles, and reclusion followed, with the musician eventually living in a van. In 2015, he won a legal battle against his former manager over two decades of unpaid royalties. In his 2023 memoir, he revealed he had been clean since 2019.

Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, Sly Stone’s influence on music remains unmatched. His life and legacy were recently honored in the documentary Sly Lives: aka The Burden of Black Genius, directed by musician and filmmaker Questlove. Sly Stone didn’t just play with sound—he reshaped genres, broke down boundaries, and rewrote the rules of music history.