Sly Stone, one of many pioneers of funk music, has died aged 82, his household have mentioned.
As entrance man for his band Sly And The Household Stone, the musician fused soul, rock, psychedelia and gospel to take the sound that outlined an period within the Nineteen Sixties into new territory, second solely to James Brown because the early founders of funk.
A number of of the band’s seminal tracks turned recognized to a wider viewers after they have been subsequently sampled by hip hop artists.
“Everyday People” was sampled by Arrested Improvement, whereas “Sing A Simple Song” was sampled by Public Enemy, De La Soul and Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg.
Stone’s household has mentioned in a press release he died after a battle with power obstructive pulmonary illness (COPD) and different well being points.
A press release issued by his publicist on behalf of Stone’s household mentioned: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly And The Family Stone.
“After a chronic battle with COPD and different underlying well being points, Sly handed away peacefully, surrounded by his three kids, his closest good friend, and his prolonged household.
“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 was a monumental determine, a groundbreaking innovator, and a real pioneer who redefined the panorama of pop, funk, and rock music. His iconic songs have left an indelible mark on the world, and his affect stays simple.
“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 prolong our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of affection and prayers throughout this tough time. We want peace and concord to all who have been touched by Sly’s life and his iconic music.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your unwavering support.”
Stone, born Sylvester Stewart in Texas, and his group have been regulars on the US music charts within the late Nineteen Sixties and Seventies, with hits equivalent to “Dance to the Music,” “I Want to Take You Higher,” “Family Affair,” “If You Want Me to Stay,” and “Hot Fun in the Summertime”.
He performed a number one position in introducing funk, an Afrocentric type of music pushed by grooves and syncopated rhythms, to a broader viewers.
James Brown had solid the weather of funk earlier than Stone based his band in 1966, however Stone’s model of funk drew new listeners.
It was celebratory, eclectic, psychedelic and rooted within the counterculture of the late Nineteen Sixties.
Nevertheless, Stone later fell on onerous instances and have become hooked on cocaine, by no means staging a profitable comeback.
His music turned much less joyous within the Seventies, reflecting the polarisation of the nation after opposition to the Vietnam Battle and racial tensions triggered unrest on school campuses and in African-American neighbourhoods in large US cities.
Picture:
Sly Stone performs throughout a live performance with Sly & The Household Stone on the forty first Montreux Jazz Competition. Pic: Reuters
In 1971, Sly and the Household Stone launched “There’s a Riot Goin’ On,” which turned the band’s solely #1 album.
Critics mentioned the album’s bleak tone and slurred vocals denoted the rising maintain of cocaine on Stone.
However some known as the file a masterpiece, a eulogy to the Nineteen Sixties.
Within the early Seventies, Stone turned erratic and missed exhibits. Some members left the band.
However the singer was nonetheless a sufficiently big star in 1974 to draw a crowd of 21,000 for his wedding ceremony to actress and mannequin Kathy Silva at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York.
Ms Silva filed for divorce lower than a 12 months later.
Sly and the Household Stone’s album releases within the late Seventies and early Nineteen Eighties flopped, as Stone racked up drug possession arrests.
The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame in 1993 and Stone was celebrated in an all-star tribute on the Grammy Awards in 2006.
He sauntered on stage with a blond mohawk haircut however bewildered the viewers by leaving mid-song.
In 2011, after launching what would turn out to be a years-long authorized battle to say royalties he mentioned have been stolen, Stone was arrested for cocaine possession.
That 12 months, media reported Stone was dwelling in a leisure car parked on a road in South Los Angeles.
Stone had a son, Sylvester, with Ms Silva.
He had two daughters, Novena Carmel, and Sylvette “Phunne” Stone, whose mom was bandmate Cynthia Robinson.
