Funk and soul legend of ‘Dance to the Music’ fame dies aged 82

Sly Stone, the singer-songwriter who rose to fame with the band Sly and the Family Stone, has died. He was 82.

“After a prolonged battle with COPD [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,” a statement from his family read, per Variety.

“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.”

Stone’s family also shared that he “recently completed the screenplay for his life story, a project we are eager to share with the world in due course.”

The group rose to fame with the 1969 smash hit “Dance to the Music.”

Sly and the Family Stone singer-songwriter Sly Stone has died (Everett/Shutterstock)

Stone, born Sylvester Stewart in Denton, Texas, was the second of five children. His parents, K.C. and Alpha Stewart, were both deeply religious and raised their children as such.

Growing up, Stone, his brother Freddie, and two sisters, Loretta and Rose, formed the Stewart Four. Together, they performed gospel music and locally released the single, “On the Battlefield.”

Considered a child prodigy, Stone had mastered the keyboard at seven years old. By 11, he had become proficient at the guitar, bass, and drums as well.

In 1966, Stone and Freddie, who had been performing in separate bands, Sly and the Stoners and Freddie & the Stone Souls, respectively, decided to merge the two groups, creating Sly and the Family Stone.

With Stone as the lead singer, Freddie on guitar and vocals, their sister Rose on vocals and keyboard, Cynthia Robinson on trumpet, Greg Errico on drums, Jerry Martini on saxophone, and Larry Graham on bass, the band released their debut album, A Whole New Thing, in 1967.

While the album was mildly received, it did feature their first hit single, “Dance to the Music,” which they later included on their 1968 album of the same name.