Sly Stone, the mercurial genius musician who changed the shape of funk and soul, died today. At the time of his passing, he was 82 years old. Born Sylvester Stewart in 1943, he was raised in a religious Pentecostal family in Texas. He later moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he was a key cultural architect of the vibrant 1960s music scene there. His trailblazing sound and style influenced all of popular music, forever changing the fabric of our culture and inspiring generations of musicians.
Stone’s musical journey started at a young age. He launched his professional music career as a member of a gospel quartet that included three of his siblings. They were known as the Stewart Four, and in 1952, cut a single locally. This early exposure to music proved fortuitous and set the stage for his impressive career. As he matured, he became proficient in several instruments. He became the preeminent radio DJ on San Francisco’s colorful countercultural scene.
In the span of a decade, throughout the 1960s, Stone had accomplished what many would consider career-defining achievements. He was the music producer for all those great West Coast garage rock and psychedelic bands, like the Beau Brummels, you know. His 1966 backing of his brother Freddie’s group. By collaborating under one roof, they combined their creative forces to form what would become Sly and the Family Stone. This partnership would propel the band to become one of the most socially and culturally impactful rock groups of the time.
Sly and the Family Stone gained national recognition after their performances at the iconic Woodstock festival and the Harlem Cultural Festival in 1969. Their powerful funk-rock-soul combination made a serious impact on fans and musicians alike. This combination unintentionally cemented their place as one of music’s most popular bands. The band’s 1971 album, There’s a Riot Goin’ On, is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of the 20th century, showcasing Stone’s innovative approach to songwriting and production.
In his home life, Stone enjoyed success as well as disappointment. He was previously married to performer Kathy Silva from 1974 to 1976, with whom he had a son Sylvester Jr. He later had two more children: Sylvyette with Cynthia Robinson and Novena Carmel. His life was not without difficulties. In 1983, he ended up in hot water after being arrested on drug charges for cocaine possession that placed him in prison and made him serve probation time. 1987 would bring him further adverse publicity when the police arrested him for driving while impaired under cocaine. This attack motivated him to escape to Connecticut.
In all of these difficult challenges, Stone did not stop making music. In 2011, he put out Family & Friends, a collection of re-recorded versions of his all-time greats along with some new material. His resilience and passion for music, no doubt, contributed to his retirement longevity.
In 2015, Stone won $5 million in a defamation lawsuit against his former manager and attorney. As well, he had a robust royalties agreement with a production company that was set up as early as 1989. Due to that, he ended up not getting those dollars.
Stone’s family issued a statement following his passing, emphasizing his monumental impact on music: “Sly was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music.” They further expressed their hope that his legacy would inspire future generations: “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.”
Reflecting on his influence, Stone once stated, “I was always happy if someone took the things I was doing and they liked them enough to want to do them on their own. I’m proud that the music I made inspired people.”
With Stone’s passing, the world has lost a true innovator. The impact of his contributions to music will be felt for generations. Artists across genres for generations to come will find themselves inspired by the spirit of his groundbreaking work. His recordings represent a head-twisting imagination and creativity. Further, he redefined the sonic landscape for a whole generation.