Legendary funk pioneer Sly Stone of “Sly and the Family Stone” has passed away at the age of 82, leaving behind a groundbreaking musical legacy. Sly was, of course, a multi-talented musician who had a stellar music career throughout the ’60s and ’70s, being one of the pioneers of Funk and everything Funk-related.
Breaking Ground in Music
Sylvester Stewart, better known as Sly Stone in the music community, got his musical start as a young man growing up and grew to be one of the most influential music artists of his era. For a while, he worked as a radio DJ in San Francisco, CA, at a soul radio station called KSOL-AM, which he called K-SOUL, where he played artists like The Beatles on his playlist. Later on in 1966, he himself would start performing with his band, Sly and the Family Stone. Their first big hit was the song “Dance to the Music”, with other hits like “Everyday People,” “Everybody’s a Star,” and “Hot Fun in the Summertime.”
A Sly Stone of Life
Sly lived an eventful life with some very ups and downs moments in and out of the public eye, but always seemed to inspire those around him. This all can be seen in the Oscar-winning doc “Sly Lives: aka the Burden of Black Genius,” directed by Questlove of the Roots. Stone was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with his band in 1993 for his influence on music and black history, inspiring others to stand up for their civil rights and equality. His music would continue to move others to speak up for their rights and way of living.
A Legacy He Leaves
In a statement by the Stone family from Variety, “After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family. 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 will continue to shine and inspire others to move forward with their musical dreams. Inspiring bands and artists like Rick James, Black-Eyed Peas, Maroon 5, John Legend, and more.
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