Sly Stone, the talented and unique lead singer of the band Sly & the Family Stone, passed away in Los Angeles on June 9 at the age of 82. His family said he had been suffering from lung disease.

In a statement, the family said, “Even though we are sad he is gone, his amazing music will continue to inspire people for many years.”

Sly Stone was born Sylvester Stewart in Texas and moved with his family to California as a child. He grew up in a religious home and started singing gospel music with his siblings when he was only 8 years old. They were called The Stewart Four.

The nickname "Sly" came from a friend who misspelled his name. It stayed with him. By age 11, he could play many instruments including the guitar, drums, and keyboard. In high school, he formed a racially mixed music group called The Viscaynes.

As a young man, Sly became a radio DJ and also produced music for other artists. In 1966, he started Sly & the Family Stone with his brother. Their band was special because it included both men and women, and people of different races — which was rare at the time.

Their songs like "Everyday People," "Dance to the Music," and "Family Affair" became big hits. Their performance at the Woodstock festival in 1969 is still considered one of the most powerful moments in music history.

Sly’s music mixed rock, soul, jazz, gospel, and Latin sounds. But in the 1970s, his songs became darker, reflecting the tough times in America like wars and the deaths of important leaders.

Sadly, Sly’s career was affected by drug problems. He stopped showing up to concerts and slowly stepped away from the public eye. In the 2000s, he made a few public appearances and even played with his daughter’s band. He received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

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