SLY STONE

March 15, 1943 - June 9, 2025

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Pioneering psychedelic soul legend Sly Stone has died at the age of 82. The news was confirmed in a statement from his family. “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 statement reads. “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 was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music. 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 Sylvester Stewart in Denton, Texas, in 1943, he grew up in a strongly religious environment, his father a deacon and mother singing and playing guitar at a local church.

Stone formed the group Sly & The Family Stone in 1966. Arguably the first truly interracial major rock act, they mixed rock, gospel, funk, pop, jazz and psychedelia into a heavy-duty mix that was as influential as it was innovative. Hits such as Dance To The Music, Everyday People, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), I Want to Take You Higher, Family Affair and If You Want Me To Stay, and the full-length albums made by Sly & The Family Stone and also Sly as a solo artist, including Stand!, There’s A Riot Goin’ On, Fresh and Small Talk, would be an inspiration to more than one generation of musicians.