Sly Stone, the visionary musician whose groundbreaking, psychedelic-infused funk helped define the sound of the late ’60s and early ’70s, has died at the age of 82.
“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,” his family said in a statement.
“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.”
They added that Stone “recently completed the screenplay for his life story, a project we are eager to share with the world in due course.”
As a songwriter, producer, arranger, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and electrifying performer, Sly Stone, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, propelled Sly and the Family Stone to the top of the charts with a string of dynamic and often experimental hits.
Their work blended innovative, bass-driven soul with the raw energy of rock.
Earlier this year, his life and legacy were explored in Sly Lives: aka the Burden of Black Genius, a documentary by Grammy and Oscar-winning Summer of Soul director Questlove.
The film also includes candid reflections from several Black artists on the unique pressures that accompany creative and commercial success.
More to follow…
