Music Legend Sly Stone Passes at 82—A True Pioneer of Funk and Soul

The music world has lost a giant. Sly Stone—the visionary behind the genre-defining group Sly and the Family Stone—has passed away at the age of 82, his family confirmed.

Known for breaking barriers in sound, race, and energy, Sly Stone didn’t just create music—he sparked a movement. Blending funk, soul, rock, and psychedelia, Sly and the Family Stone changed the sound of an era and inspired generations that followed.

Born Sylvester Stewart in Texas in 1943, Sly’s musical roots ran deep. He started out in gospel alongside his siblings before the family relocated to the Bay Area, where he became a local DJ and musical prodigy—playing guitar, drums, keys, and bass with ease.
In 1966, he formed Sly and the Family Stone, pulling together his brother Freddie, sister Rose, and other local talent. The band’s first album didn’t make much noise, but it only took one single to shift the culture. When “Dance to the Music”dropped in 1967, it catapulted the group into stardom.
By 1969, they were global. That year’s album Stand! gave us classics like “Everyday People”, their first No. 1 hit, and “Hot Fun in the Summertime”. Their Woodstock performance that August is still considered one of the festival’s most electric sets—Sly had the crowd rocking at 3:30 a.m. like it was prime time.

His music was more than just a groove—it was a message. From racial unity to social justice, Sly wove purpose into every beat. His trailblazing multiracial, mixed-gender band redefined what success in music looked like.

Sly passed peacefully, surrounded by family, after a battle with COPD and other health issues. While his voice is now silent, his sound will live forever.
From the studio to the stage, from the Bay to the Billboard charts, Sly Stone left an indelible mark. Funk wouldn’t be what it is without him. Rest in power to a true music revolutionary.