Music lost a legend today. Sly Stone, the funky visionary behind Sly and the Family Stone, has passed away at the age of 82.
Born Sylvester Stewart in Denton, Texas, Sly wasn’t just a musician, he was bigger than life. His family shared that he died after a long battle with COPD and other health complications, but his legacy remains as vibrant and influential as ever.
If you’ve ever grooved to Everyday People, belted out Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), or felt the soul of Family Affair, you already know the mark he left on music.
Sly was a genius at blending funk, rock, soul, and psychedelia into a sound that was as electric as it was inclusive. His band, Sly and the Family Stone, wasn’t just ahead of its time sonically, it broke barriers as one of the first major groups to be racially and gender integrated.
With three No. 1 hits, a Grammy win, and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, Sly’s impact is undeniable. His trailblazing sound paved the way for generations of artists across genres, from Prince to Lenny Kravitz to Kendrick Lamar.
Just this year, his life story was celebrated in the documentary Sly Lives!, a fitting tribute to a man who helped define the soundtrack of the ’60s and ’70s while continuing to inspire music lovers decades later.
He was eccentric, elusive, and often misunderstood — but above all, Sly Stone was a true original. The music world is quieter today, but the beats he left behind will never stop playing.
Rest easy, Sly. And thank you for lettin’ us be mice elf agin.
