Sly Stone, frontman of Sly and the Family Stone, dead at 82

Sly Stone, the frontman of Sly and the Family Stone, has died after a long battle with COPD, which is a lung condition. He was 82.

Stone's family shared a statement with Fox News Digital.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone. 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," the statement began.

It continued, "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 figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music. 

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"His iconic songs have left an indelible mark on the world, and his influence remains undeniable. 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," the family said. 

"We extend our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers during this difficult time. We wish peace and harmony to all who were touched by Sly's life and his iconic music. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your unwavering support," the statement concluded.

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Sly & the Family Stone included two of Sly's siblings - Freddie and Rose. The group released hits including "Everyday People," "Dance to the Music," and "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)." 

Sly, legally known as Sylvester Stewart, was born in Denton, Texas in 1943.

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By 1966, Sly had his own band, Sly and the Stoners, and his brother Freddie had his group, Freddie and the Stone Souls. They decided to merge their bands, creating, Sly & the Family Stone. The group began performing together in 1967.

George Clinton, a funk legend, told CBS in 2023 that seeing Sly and the Family Stone was like "seeing the Black version of The Beatles."

"He had the sensibility of the street, the church, and then, like, the qualities of a Motown, you know, Smokey Robinson - he was all of that in one person," Clinton said at the time.

Sly began using drugs heavily between 1970 and 1971. People reported that he missed a third of the band's performances during that time period.

In the '80s, Sly began producing solo music. "Some people actually believed that I could not finish a project. I was pissed off at a lot of things. So much got on my nerves," he told people in 1980.

In 1983, Sly was arrested for cocaine possession and went to a rehabilitation center in 1986. He stayed out of the public eye, except for a few rare moments over the past several decades.

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Sly finally broke free of his struggle with drugs and came clean in 2019. He spoke to The Guardian at the time and shared that a doctor told him the drugs would kill him eventually.

"That time, I not only listened to the doctor but believed him. I realized that I needed to clean up. I concentrated on getting strong so that I could get clean. My kids visited me at the hospital. My grandkids visited me. I left with purpose," Sly told the outlet.

In 2023, Sly released his memoir, "Thank You."

Sly is survived by his children: Sylvyette, Novena and Sylvester Jr.