Sly Stone, one of the pioneers of funk music, has died aged 82, his family have said.
As front man for his band Sly And The Family Stone, the musician fused soul, rock, psychedelia and gospel to take the sound that defined an era in the 1970s into new territory, second only to James Brown as the early founders of funk.
Several of the band’s seminal tracks became known to a wider audience when they were subsequently sampled by hip hop artists.
“Everyday People” was sampled by Arrested Development, while “Sing A Simple Song” was sampled by Public Enemy, De La Soul and Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg.
Stone’s family has said in a statement he died after a battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other health issues.
A statement issued by his publicist on behalf of Stone’s family said: “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 COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family.
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“While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come.
“Sly was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music. His iconic songs have left an indelible mark on the world, and his influence remains undeniable.
“In a testament to his enduring creative spirit, Sly recently completed the screenplay for his life story, a project we are eager to share with the world in due course, which follows a memoir published in 2024.
“We extend our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers during this difficult time. We wish peace and harmony to all who were touched by Sly’s life and his iconic music.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your unwavering support.”
Stone, born Sylvester Stewart in Texas, and his group were regulars on the US music charts in the late 1960s and 1970s, with hits such as “Dance to the Music,” “I Want to Take You Higher,” “Family Affair,” “If You Want Me to Stay,” and “Hot Fun in the Summertime”.
He played a leading role in introducing funk, an Afrocentric style of music driven by grooves and syncopated rhythms, to a broader audience.
James Brown had forged the elements of funk before Stone founded his band in 1966, but Stone’s brand of funk drew new listeners.
It was celebratory, eclectic, psychedelic and rooted in the counterculture of the late 1960s.
However, Stone later fell on hard times and became addicted to cocaine, never staging a successful comeback.
His music became less joyous in the 1970s, reflecting the polarisation of the country after opposition to the Vietnam War and racial tensions triggered unrest on college campuses and in African-American neighbourhoods in big US cities.
In 1971, Sly and the Family Stone released “There’s a Riot Goin’ On,” which became the band’s only Number 1 album.
Critics said the album’s bleak tone and slurred vocals denoted the increasing hold of cocaine on Stone.
But some called the record a masterpiece, a eulogy to the 1960s.
In the early 1970s, Stone became erratic and missed shows. Some members left the band.
But the singer was still a big enough star in 1974 to attract a crowd of 21,000 for his wedding to actress and model Kathy Silva at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Ms Silva filed for divorce less than a year later.
Sly and the Family Stone’s album releases in the late 1970s and early 1980s flopped, as Stone racked up drug possession arrests.
The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and Stone was celebrated in an all-star tribute at the Grammy Awards in 2006.
He sauntered on stage with a blond mohawk haircut but bewildered the audience by leaving mid-song.
In 2011, after launching what would become a years-long legal battle to claim royalties he said were stolen, Stone was arrested for cocaine possession.
That year, media reported Stone was living in a recreational vehicle parked on a street in South Los Angeles.
Stone had a son, Sylvester, with Ms Silva.
He had two daughters, Novena Carmel, and Sylvette “Phunne” Stone, whose mother was bandmate Cynthia Robinson.
