Sly Stone

Born Sylvester Stewart in Denton, Texas, on March 15, 1943, Sly Stone is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. A pioneering figure in soul and funk music, he is best known as the leader of the groundbreaking group Sly and the Family Stone, which he founded in San Francisco in 1966. Influenced by gospel, rhythm and blues, Motown soul, Californian psychedelic rock, and the protest culture of the 1960s, Sly Stone developed an egalitarian musical vision early on, fusing Black and white musicians, men and women, and diverse styles into an innovative sound. The group is distinguished by its explosive energy, shared vocal harmonies, Larry Graham's pioneering use of syncopated funk bass, and the leader's committed or utopian lyrics. After a promising debut with A Whole New Thing (1967), the group achieved immense success with Dance to the Music (1968), Life (1968), and especially Stand! (1969), which contained the classics "Everyday People," "I Want to Take You Higher," and "Sing a Simple Song." The group became a driving force in the Civil Rights Movement, embodying a more inclusive and joyfully radical America. In 1971, the darker and more introspective album There's a Riot Goin' On marked a turning point with its slow, muffled sounds, marked by post-Woodstock disillusionment, drug use, internal tensions, and paranoia. The influence of this album was immense in the development of funk and hip-hop. Sly Stone continued to record with evolving lineups, releasing Fresh (1973) and Small Talk (1974), followed by a few more discreet projects in the 1970s before gradually withdrawing. He briefly embarked on a solo career with the album High on You (1975), without any notable follow-up. In 1982, he put the finishing touches to Sly and the Family Stone with the album Ain't But the One Way. Overtaken by drug problems and legal disputes, he reappeared sporadically in the 1980s and 1990s, collaborating briefly with former members or appearing at ceremonies such as the Grammy Awards. In 2023, he published his memoir Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), in which he looks back with lucidity and humor on his life, his art, and his fall. On June 9, 2025, Sly Stone died of chronic pulmonary disease at his home in Granada Hills, at the age of 82.