“Sylvester Stewart, who as leader of Sly and the Family Stone served up an intoxicating alchemy of soul, rock and R&B to pave the way for funk music's heyday, has died. He was 82 years old.

The musician's family confirmed his death in a statement shared with CBC News.

"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 [Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease] and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family," the statement reads.“

We've got to live together!
I am no better, and neither are you.
We are the same whatever we do.
You love me, you hate me, you know me and then,
you can't figure out the bag I'm in.

Good words to live by!

He wrote some music that was fun and interesting to listen and dance to back in my late teen and young adult years. I was always kinda sad he didn’t continue with his music.

Outside Playing, I really don’t know too much about him, but I do know his songs. They’re the kind that get you moving.

Sorry to hear this. We recently lost a friend to COPD…age 65.

roxsol, when I saw your (clever) thread title for some reason my mind went to Sly Stallone.🤷‍♀️

He led an innovative band. He lived the advice often given to young musicians "Don't copy X and sing/play like them. Play music your way, do what you do"

He was maybe a victim of his own success, unable to handle it. Skyrocketing to the top, flying too close to the sun like Icarus, and tumbling down and never recovering.

Sly and the Family Stone was a good band with original songs in their own style and, not rare for the times but still not all that common, they were racially integrated. Having both African American and Caucasian musicians.

And I played his music on my radio show

Samkaren

Your resident dj

I saw him live 1970 at Univ. of Illinois. He showed up very late--that was his trademark.

Magnificent talent - and he had a pretty good run for someone who did a lot of drugs. He left us some great music. I've been a longtime fan.

Has anyone else seen the recent Hulu documentary about him? I thought it was really good

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26424928/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_5_tt_3_nm_5_in_0q_sly

Carol, I’m going to look for that documentary. Thanks.

I was just playing his music the other day and of course singing along!!

debra

A couple of his band members gave a ride hitch hiking on my way to Berkeley or Oakland a year or so before they became well known. It must have been in 67 because I was around 16. They introduced themselves and it was about the time they cut their first album. Bay Area was full of garage bands and others hoping to make it big at the time so I gave it little thought. Dang I'm old.

I've enjoyed reading all the comments here. I kind of vaguely remember his always being late for his concerts, and that maybe there were other issues but his music was so totally appealing to so many! I really enjoy listening to his music , still to this day

A master.

rho - yeah, I went to see him when he came to Cleveland. My friend and I decided to sit on the floor, close to the stage, made a mad dash to find a spot amid what seemed like thousands of kids who had the same idea. We waited, and waited, and waited......it was 2AM, maybe 3AM when we decided to give up and leave the arena. We were tired and miserable, inhaled so much dubious smoke from the blue fog that hung over the whole place. I inadvertently stepped on someone's finger when I got up - she yelled and I yelled back! lol

As soon as we got to the parking lot - we heard the announcement "Sly is in the house!" Awww, man. My friend was so ticked, he wanted to go back, I wanted to go home. He nearly fell asleep at the wheel several times driving back home.

That^ was when he was deep into the drugs - the period is covered in the Hulu doc.

Well, the "deep into drugs" part was what blasted him to oblivion and ended his career.