SLY STONE PASSES AWAY AT 82

Sly Stone, the legendary frontman of Sly and the Family Stone, passed away on June 9, 2025, at the age of 82 in Los Angeles. His family confirmed that he died peacefully, surrounded by his three children, a close friend, and extended family, following a prolonged battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other unspecified health issues. COPD, a progressive lung condition often linked to smoking or long-term exposure to irritants, causes breathing difficulties and symptoms like chronic cough and breathlessness. By 2020, Stone’s health had reportedly deteriorated significantly.
Stone was a pioneering musician whose genre-fusing blend of funk, rock, soul, and psychedelia in the late 1960s and early 1970s reshaped popular music. His band, Sly and the Family Stone, was groundbreaking as the first major American group to be racially integrated and include both men and women playing instruments, producing hits like “Dance to the Music,” “Everyday People,” “Family Affair,” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).” Their 1971 album There’s a Riot Goin’ On is often hailed as a landmark record. Stone’s influence extended to artists like Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, George Clinton, and countless hip-hop and R&B acts, with his work sampled over 1,000 times.
Despite his musical genius, Stone struggled with drug addiction and erratic behavior, which led to a decline in his career by the mid-1970s. He largely retreated from the public eye, facing personal challenges, including homelessness and legal issues in later years. However, he experienced a resurgence of interest with the 2024 memoir Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) and the 2025 documentary Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius), directed by Questlove. His family noted that Stone recently completed a screenplay about his life, which they plan to share in the future. They expressed gratitude for fans’ support, emphasizing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to inspire generations.

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