Sly Stone, the groundbreaking American musician who reshaped the sound of funk, soul and rock, has died at the age of 82 following complications from chronic lung disease.

Surrounded by loved ones, the singer passed peacefully, his family confirmed on Monday, 9 June.

Born Sylvester Stewart in Texas and raised in California, the muso’s genre-bending talent emerged at an early age singing gospel music with his siblings. As the driving force behind the renowned band, Sly and the Family Stone, he championed a radical mix of psychedelic soul and social consciousness.

Their hits, including “Family Affair”, “Dance to the Music”, and “Everyday People”, became staples of the 1970s counterculture movement.

The band’s racial and gender integration, both on stage and in their sound, broke new ground. Stone’s 1971 album, “There’s a Riot Goin’ On”, is widely hailed as a funk masterpiece.

Despite career highs, his later years were marked by reclusion, addiction, and financial struggles. Yet his influence has remained unshaken, continuing to inspire generations of artists across genres.

Stone published a memoir in 2024 and recently completed a screenplay about his life. Tributes have poured in from across the music world, honouring a true original whose sonic and cultural legacy continues to resonate.

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