RIP, Sly Stone

As some of you may already have learned, Sly Stone, a revolutionary funk act dating back to the 1960's, died earlier today.

Stone performed at one of the most legendary concerts in music history, as he and his band Sly & the Family Stone were among the original acts at the Woodstock Music Festival of 1969. The band's setlist is often regarded as one of the highlights of that weekend, which is really saying something.

He got his nickname "Sly" during childhood, when a friend accidentally misspelled his name, Sylvester. That nickname then just kind of stuck, and became the name he was best known for.

From a funky sound, his music began to grow a little bit gloomier and more sober in the 1970's, largely as a response to the dark times, including political assassinations and war during the 1960's - particularly MLK, but also JFK, and of course the war in Vietnam.

His musical career was very successful and highly influential. 

Stone's drug problems began to grow more serious over time. This contributed to the decline of his musical career, as he fell into relative obscurity. 

Nevertheless, his influence remained strong. In 2017, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys.

Stone was 82 years old. He died earlier today after battling a lung disease, according to his family.

Sly Stone, visionary funk frontman of the Family Stone, has died at age 82 by Brandon Gates, June 9, 2025: 

https://www.npr.org/2025/06/09/1209525990/sly-stone-obituary