Sly Stone, the visionary behind the Sly and the Family Stone band, died Monday at age 82, according to a statement from his family.
Born Sylvester Stewart, Stone died peacefully in Los Angeles after a prolonged struggle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other health complications, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family.
The family said they were grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers, adding, “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 and the Family Stone was founded in the Bay Area in 1966 and 1967. Their music was a fusion of jazz, psychedelic rock, doo-wop, soul, and funk.
The band's influence reached beyond their brief peak from 1968 to 1971. Their sound inspired artists across genres, from the Jackson Five and the Temptations to Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock.
Stone’s career was marked by personal struggles. By the early 1970s, the pressures of fame, creative demands, and drug addiction began to take their toll.
He became notorious for missing concerts, and his behavior grew increasingly erratic, according to biographer Joel Selvin, who wrote the book "Sly & the Family Stone: An Oral History."
A Life in Music
Born in Denton, Texas, and raised in Vallejo, California, Stone was the second of five children in a close-knit, religious family.He showed musical talent from a young age, performing on stage by age four and mastering several instruments by 11. His early career included work as a Bay Area DJ and producer for local bands before forming Sly and the Family Stone with family members and local musicians.
Stone’s creative spirit endured until the end. According to his family, he recently completed the screenplay for his life story, following the publication of his memoir in 2024.
Stone is survived by his three children.
His family’s statement concluded, “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.”