Sly Stone has passed away at 82 after struggling with COPD and other health problems.
Raised in Vallejo after being born in Texas, Sly Stone—real name Sylvester Stewart—jumped into music first as a DJ on KSOL in San Francisco, spinning records before the world knew his name. He started with Sly and the Stoners, but that was just the beginning; soon, he brought together his siblings—Freddie, Rose, and Vet—and joined up with Larry Graham, Jerry Martini, Cynthia Robinson, and Greg Errico to create what would become Sly and the Family Stone.
Their group wasn’t just about the sound, but the look too—wild costumes, bold colors, and a style that stood out as much as their music. Funk, R&B, soul, and Motown all mixed together in their songs, sometimes making you want to dance, sometimes making you think about tough things like injustice and unrest.
Albums like A Whole New Thing in 1967 got things started, but the hits kept coming: Dance to the Music, There’s a Riot Goin’ On, Fresh, and finally Small Talk in 1974 with the original members. Sly’s solo album High on You came next, and years later, the group’s last album Ain’t but the One Way dropped in 1982.
We sometimes wonder how many lives Sly’s songs have touched, and how different music would sound without him.
Sly became more private after the band split, but he made a big appearance at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, and then surprised everyone at the 2006 Grammys with a tribute performance.
Lately, Questlove put out a documentary called Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius), and Sly shared his story in a memoir titled Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin). Soon, fans will get to hear The First Family: Live at the Winchester Cathedral 1967, which is the earliest known concert recording from Sly and the Family Stone.
Statement From Sly Stone’s Family:
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone. After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family. 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.
