Remembering Sly Stone: His Life, Legacy and the Songs That Redefined Funk and Rock Forever
From prodigy to pioneer, Sly Stone shaped music forever—now, his family speaks out
The world lost a music icon on Monday, June 9, with the passing of Sly Stone, frontman of Sly and the Family Stone, at his home in Los Angeles. The 82-year-old musician, who showed an interest in music from a very early age, went on to leave his mark on the funk, R&B, soul and rock genres over the years. Here, read about his career, legacy and what his family has said in the wake of his passing.
Sly Stone’s early life and career
Stone, born Sylvester Stewart, earned his nickname after someone misspelled his name as a youngster, and it was during his youth that he first showed promising musical skill. Stone was singing in his church’s choir at as young as 4 years old, and within a few years, he had joined his siblings in recording gospel music. As young Sly grew older, he mastered his skills on the guitar, keyboard, drums and bass, and as a teenager, began performing in bands and music groups such as The Viscaynes.
After high school, Sly headed to college where he studied music, and soon enough, he found success as a DJ for California radio station KSOL. In the late ‘60s, Sly and his brother Freddie joined musical forces. Sly was leading his group, Sly and the Stoners, while Freddie led Freddie and the Stone Souls. Merging their talents, Sly and the Family Stone came to be—and the rest was history.
Sly and the Family Stone’s most iconic songs
As a group, Sly and the Family Stone cemented their status as musical icons thanks to their unique sound. Songs like “Dance to the Music,” “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” “Everyday People,” “Hot Fun in the Summertime,” “I Want to Take You Higher” and “Family Affair” are just a few of the hits that defined this group’s success.
Sly Stone’s personal struggles and legacy
In the early days of the group’s fame, Sly began experimenting with drugs, and over the years, his substance abuse profoundly affected not only his career, often missing live performances, but his personal life as well. Finally, the musician got clean in 2019, and he’s remembered by his loved ones fondly.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone,” his family said in a statement. “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.”
The statement continued, “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.”
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
