People is reporting that Sly Stone, the leader of the band Sly & The Family Stone, one of the most influential bands in the development of funk, soul, R&B, rock and psychedelic music, has died. He was 82.
“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 on Monday, June 9. “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. 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.”
“We extend our deepest gratitude 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,” it concluded.
Sly and the Family Stone’s membership included two of his actual siblings, and they released massive hits like “Dance To The Music,” “Everyday People” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).” However, his drug use and behavior affected the group, which split up for good in the ‘80s.
Sly was born Sylvester Stewart in Denton, Texas, in 1943. The family soon moved to California, where Sly began singing in the church choir from the age of 4, alongside his siblings. His nickname Sly came about when a classmate misspelled his name, and once he changed his stage surname from Stewart to Stone, his siblings Freddie and Rose, both of whom joined him in Sly and the Family Stone, did the same.
Read more at People.com.
Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is out now via Sony. The album complements the 2025 documentary directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson, which debuted at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. A trailer for the film can be found below.
Sly Lives! showcases some of the best tracks by Sly & The Family Stone, offering a perfect fusion of psychedelic soul and funk. In addition to the well-known hits, the soundtrack also includes seven rare and previously unreleased mixes and alternate versions, along with three new edits by Questlove and Brooklyn-based DJ, remixer, and hip-hop producer J. Period.
The film features notable guests such as Andre 3000, D’Angelo, Chaka Khan, Q-Tip, Nile Rogers, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, George Clinton, Ruth Copeland, and Clive Davis. Additional guests include those closest to Sly, including his band members Jerry Martini, Greg Errico, Larry Graham and Cynthia Robinson and family Sylvette Phunne Robinson, Novena Carmel, and Sylvester Stewart Jr., who offer the best insights into Sly’s life by sharing anecdotes from their time together.
Follow BraveWords on social media… Facebook page, Facebook Group, X/Twitter, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and YouTube.
Visit https://linktr.ee/bravewords
The post SLY STONE – Funk-Rock Pioneer And SLY & THE FAMILY STONE Leader Dead At 82 appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
Continue reading...
“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 on Monday, June 9. “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. 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.”
“We extend our deepest gratitude 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,” it concluded.
Sly and the Family Stone’s membership included two of his actual siblings, and they released massive hits like “Dance To The Music,” “Everyday People” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).” However, his drug use and behavior affected the group, which split up for good in the ‘80s.
Sly was born Sylvester Stewart in Denton, Texas, in 1943. The family soon moved to California, where Sly began singing in the church choir from the age of 4, alongside his siblings. His nickname Sly came about when a classmate misspelled his name, and once he changed his stage surname from Stewart to Stone, his siblings Freddie and Rose, both of whom joined him in Sly and the Family Stone, did the same.
Read more at People.com.
Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is out now via Sony. The album complements the 2025 documentary directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson, which debuted at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. A trailer for the film can be found below.
Sly Lives! showcases some of the best tracks by Sly & The Family Stone, offering a perfect fusion of psychedelic soul and funk. In addition to the well-known hits, the soundtrack also includes seven rare and previously unreleased mixes and alternate versions, along with three new edits by Questlove and Brooklyn-based DJ, remixer, and hip-hop producer J. Period.
The film features notable guests such as Andre 3000, D’Angelo, Chaka Khan, Q-Tip, Nile Rogers, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, George Clinton, Ruth Copeland, and Clive Davis. Additional guests include those closest to Sly, including his band members Jerry Martini, Greg Errico, Larry Graham and Cynthia Robinson and family Sylvette Phunne Robinson, Novena Carmel, and Sylvester Stewart Jr., who offer the best insights into Sly’s life by sharing anecdotes from their time together.
Follow BraveWords on social media… Facebook page, Facebook Group, X/Twitter, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and YouTube.
Visit https://linktr.ee/bravewords
The post SLY STONE – Funk-Rock Pioneer And SLY & THE FAMILY STONE Leader Dead At 82 appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
Continue reading...