Sly Stone, Leader of Sly and the Family Stone, Dies at 82
Sly Stone, whose music crossed racial and genre lines in the 1960s and ’70s, has died at 82. He passed on June 9, 2025, in Los Angeles with family and close friends by his side. His death came after a long struggle with COPD and other medical issues.
Born Sylvester Stewart in 1943 in Denton, Texas, and raised in Vallejo, California, Stone brought a new sound and energy to the music world. He formed Sly and the Family Stone around 1966-67. The band’s lineup was one of the first to mix races and genders in a major act. They delivered tracks that became anthems for unity and joy, including “Everyday People,” “Dance to the Music,” “Family Affair,” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).”
Key details:
- Born in 1943 in Texas, raised in California
- Launched Sly and the Family Stone in the late 1960s
- Known for racially and gender-inclusive group
- Songs included “I Want to Take You Higher,” “Hot Fun in the Summertime”
- Played a major role at Woodstock
- Battled addiction; clean since 2019
- Published memoir in 2023
- Featured in 2025 documentary
- Wrote screenplay shortly before passing
Woodstock Legend
Their Woodstock performance in August 1969 remains one of the festival’s most talked-about moments. Stone’s path later took a darker turn with drug issues that lasted decades. He was arrested in 1983 and later entered rehab. In 2019, he gave up drugs for good. His 2023 memoir and 2025 documentary, Sly Lives!, revisited his journey. He also completed a screenplay just before his death.
“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,” said his family.
His vision changed music and opened new possibilities for artists across genres.
More…
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2025/06/09/sly-stone-dead-sly-and-the-family-stone-copd/75210078007/
- https://people.com/sly-stone-private-health-battle-revealed-after-death-11751127
- https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sly-and-the-family-stone-dead-obituary-1234810064/
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