View source for Sly Stone

{{Short description|American musician (1943–2025)}}
{{Redirect|Sylvester Stewart|the character in ''The Day Today''|Sylvester Stuart}}
{{Distinguish|Sly Stallone}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Sly Stone
| background        = solo_singer
| image             = Sly Stone.jpg
| caption           = Photo by Mark Sarfati, taken in 1982, for the East Bay Express, Berkeley, CA
| birth_name        = Sylvester Stewart
| birth_date        = {{birth date|mf=yes|1943|03|15}}
| birth_place       = [[Denton, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date        = {{death date and age|mf=yes|2025|06|09|1943|03|15}}
| death_place       = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| genre             = {{Hlist|
[[Funk]]|[[Soul music|soul]]|[[psychedelic soul]]|[[progressive soul]]<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Hoard|editor1-first=Christian|editor2-last=Brackett|editor2-first=Nathan|year=2004|title=[[The New Rolling Stone Album Guide]]|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|isbn=9780743201698|page=524}}</ref>|[[funk rock]]<ref name=":4"/>|[[avant-funk]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Passings|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1BMEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22avant-funk%22+sly+stone&pg=RA1-PA39|access-date=March 5, 2017|work=[[Billboard Magazine|Billboard]]|date=December 25, 2004|issue=116|publisher=Nielsen}}</ref>}}
| occupation        = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|musician|band leader|record producer}}
| instrument        = {{hlist|Vocals|keyboards|guitar|bass guitar|harmonica}}
| discography       = {{hlist|[[Sly Stone discography|Solo]]|[[Sly and the Family Stone discography|with the Family Stone]]}}
| years_active      = 1956–2023
| label             = {{hlist|[[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]|[[Cleopatra Records|Cleopatra]]|[[Epic Records|Epic]]}}
| past_member_of    = {{hlist|[[Sly and the Family Stone]]|[[The Viscaynes]]}}
| website           = {{URL|slystonemusic.com}}
}}
'''Sylvester Stewart''' (March 15, 1943 – June 9, 2025), better known by his stage name '''Sly Stone''', was an American musician, songwriter and record producer. He was the frontman of [[Sly and the Family Stone]], playing a critical role in the development of [[psychedelic soul]] and [[funk]] with his pioneering fusion of [[Soul music|soul]], [[rock music|rock]], [[psychedelic music|psychedelia]], and [[gospel music|gospel]] in the 1960s and 1970s. [[AllMusic]] stated that "[[James Brown]] may have invented funk, but Sly Stone perfected it," and credited him with "creating a series of euphoric yet politically charged records that proved a massive influence on artists of all musical and cultural backgrounds".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ankeny |first1=Jason |title=Sylvester "Sly Stone" Stewart |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sylvester-sly-stone-stewart-mn0000751663/biography |website=AllMusic |access-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-date=March 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331171308/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sylvester-sly-stone-stewart-mn0000751663/biography |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Crawdaddy!]]'' has credited him as the founder of the "[[progressive soul]]" movement.<ref>{{cite book|page=257|last=Rubiner|first=Julia M.|year=1992|title=Contemporary Musicians: Profiles of the People in Music|volume=8|publisher=[[Gale Research]]|isbn=0-8103-5403-9}}</ref>

Born in [[Denton, Texas]], and raised in the Bay Area city of [[Vallejo, California|Vallejo]] in Northern California, Stone mastered several instruments at an early age and performed gospel music as a child with his siblings (and future bandmates) [[Freddie Stone|Freddie]] and [[Rose Stone|Rose]]. In the mid-1960s, he worked as both a record producer for [[Autumn Records]] and a disc jockey for San Francisco radio station [[KDIA]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gentile |first=Dan |date=February 26, 2024 |title=Sly Stone's autobiography is full of wild Bay Area stories |url=https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/sly-stone-autobiography-review-18601408.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226235259/https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/sly-stone-autobiography-review-18601408.php |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |access-date=May 29, 2024 |work=SFGATE |language=en}}</ref> In 1966, Stone and his brother Freddie joined their bands together to form Sly and the Family Stone, a racially integrated, [[Mixed-gender band|mixed-gender]] act. The group would score hits including "[[Dance to the Music (song)|Dance to the Music]]" (1968), "[[Everyday People]]" (1968), "[[Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)]]" (1969), "[[I Want to Take You Higher]]" (1969), "[[Family Affair (Sly and the Family Stone song)|Family Affair]]" (1971), and "[[If You Want Me to Stay]]" (1973) and acclaimed albums including ''[[Stand!]]'' (1969), ''[[There's a Riot Goin' On]]'' (1971), and [[Fresh (Sly and the Family Stone album)|''Fresh'']] (1973).

By the mid-1970s, Stone's drug use and erratic behavior effectively ended the group, leaving him to record several unsuccessful solo albums. He toured or collaborated with artists such as [[Parliament-Funkadelic]], [[Bobby Womack]], and [[Jesse Johnson (musician)|Jesse Johnson]]. In 1993, he was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] as a member of the group. He took part in a Sly and the Family Stone tribute at the [[2006 Grammy Awards]], his first live performance since 1987. In 2017, Stone was awarded the [[Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=2016-12-20 |title=Velvet Underground, Sly Stone Receive Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/velvet-underground-sly-stone-to-receive-grammy-lifetime-achievement-award-192917/ |access-date=2025-09-29 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> Stone was selected for induction into the [[National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame]] in September 2025.<ref name=R&B25>{{cite news |url=https://soultracks.com/news-national-rhythm-blues-hall-of-fame-announces-2025-inductees/ |title=National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame Announces 2025 Inductees |work=SoulTracks.com |date=September 15, 2025 |access-date=September 25, 2025}}</ref>

Stone released his autobiography, ''[[Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (book)|Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)]]'', in 2023.

==Early life and education==
Sylvester Stewart was born in [[Denton, Texas]], on March 15, 1943, before the family's move to [[Vallejo, California]],<ref name="Cava 2025">{{cite web |last=Cava |first=Marco della |title=Sly Stone dead: Sly and the Family Stone frontman dies at 82 |website=USA Today |date=June 9, 2025 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2025/06/09/sly-stone-dead-sly-and-the-family-stone-copd/75210078007/ |access-date=June 10, 2025 |archive-date=June 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250610041451/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2025/06/09/sly-stone-dead-sly-and-the-family-stone-copd/75210078007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> in the [[North Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)|North Bay]] of the [[San Francisco Bay Area]]. He was the second of five children born to K.C. and Alpha Stewart, a deeply religious couple. As part of the doctrines of the [[Church of God in Christ]] (COGIC), to which the Stewart family belonged, the parents encouraged musical expression in their middle-class household.{{sfn|Selvin|Marsh|1998|p={{page needed|date=June 2025}}}} Sylvester and his brother [[Freddie Stone|Freddie]], along with their sisters [[Rosie Stone|Rose]] and Loretta, formed "the Stewart Four" as children, performing [[gospel music]] in church.<ref name=":0" /> They recorded and locally released a 78 rpm single, "On the Battlefield" b/w "Walking in Jesus' Name", in August 1956.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrington |first=Jim |date=June 9, 2025 |title=One of the greatest Bay Area musicians of all time has died at 82 |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/09/sly-stone-dies-at-82-obit/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=[[The Mercury News]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Only their eldest sister Loretta did not pursue a musical career; the others, including youngest sister [[Vet Stone|Vaetta]] or "Vet", would later adopt the surname "Stone" and pursue musical interests.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Osborne |first=Mark |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Sly Stone, pioneering leader of funk band Sly and the Family Stone, dies at 82 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/sly-stone-pioneering-leader-funk-band-sly-family/story?id=122666345 |access-date=June 14, 2025 |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |language=en |archive-date=June 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250611212447/https://abcnews.go.com/US/sly-stone-pioneering-leader-funk-band-sly-family/story?id=122666345 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kamp |first=David |date=June 10, 2025 |title=Thank You, Sly Stone |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/thank-you-sly-stone-guest-column-1236260666/ |access-date=June 14, 2025 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

Sylvester was identified as a [[musical prodigy]]. By the time he was seven, he had already become proficient on the keyboards, and by the age of eleven, he had mastered the guitar, bass, and drums as well.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Hornik |first=Caitlin |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Sly and the Family Stone singer dies aged 82 |url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/music/news/sly-stone-dead-family-stone-singer-b2766770.html |access-date=June 14, 2025 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref> While still in high school, Sylvester had settled primarily on the guitar and joined a number of high school bands.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mathes |first=Michael |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Sly Stone: soul music's groundbreaking, elusive superstar |url=https://www.cbs19news.com/sly-stone-soul-musics-groundbreaking-elusive-superstar/article_3768709f-07bf-5556-8e66-6fccc4fd1bdc.html |access-date=June 15, 2025 |website=[[KYTX]] |place=[[Agence France-Presse]] |language=en}}</ref> One of these was [[the Viscaynes]], a [[doo-wop]] group in which Sylvester and his friend [[Frank Arellano]]—who was [[Philippines|Filipino]]—were the only non-white members.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Selvin |first=Joel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n16CEAAAQBAJ&dq=Frank+Arellano+Filipino+The+Viscaynes&pg=PT15 |title=Sly & the Family Stone: An Oral History |date=October 11, 2022 |publisher=Permuted Press |isbn=978-1-63758-503-0 |at=One: A Little Prince |language=en}}</ref> During the same period, Sylvester also recorded a few solo singles under the name Danny Stewart.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moderelli |first=Rob |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Sly Stone Passes Away at 82 |url=https://relix.com/news/detail/sly-stone-passes-away-at-82/ |access-date=June 15, 2025 |website=[[Relix]] |language=en-US}}</ref> With his brother, Fred, he formed several short-lived groups, like the Stewart Bros.<ref name="RSbio">{{cite magazine |title=Sly & the Family Stone: Biography |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=November 22, 2007 |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/slythefamilystone/biography |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070918091805/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/slythefamilystone/biography |archive-date=September 18, 2007 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 10, 2025}}</ref> After high school Stone studied music at the Vallejo campus of [[Solano Community College]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Fong-Torres |first1=Ben |title=Sly and the Family Stone: Everybody Is a Star |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sly-and-the-family-stone-everybody-is-a-star-179630/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=March 19, 1970}}</ref> Early on, a fifth-grade classmate misspelled his name "Slyvester," and the nickname had followed him ever after.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tannenbaum |first=Rob |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Sly Stone, funk-rock progenitor and leader of the Family Stone, dies at 82 |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-06-09/sly-stone-dies-at-82 |access-date=June 14, 2025 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US |archive-date=June 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250611073802/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-06-09/sly-stone-dies-at-82 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Career ==
In the mid-1960s, Stone worked as a disc jockey for San Francisco, California, soul radio station [[KSOL]], where he included white performers such as [[The Beatles]] and [[The Rolling Stones]] on his playlists.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Sly Stone – a life in pictures |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2025/jun/09/sly-stone-musician-pictures |access-date=June 9, 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> During the same period, he worked as a staff record producer for [[Autumn Records]], producing for predominantly white San Francisco-area bands such as [[The Beau Brummels]], [[The Mojo Men]], [[Bobby Freeman]], and [[Grace Slick]]'s first band, [[The Great Society (band)|The Great Society]].<ref>{{citation |last=Sterling |first=Christopher H. |page=771 |title=Encyclopedia of Radio |date=March 2004 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-45649-8 |language=en}}</ref>

Stone was influential in guiding [[KSOL-AM]] into soul music and started calling the station K-SOUL.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Thomas |first=Robert A. St |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N8qGDwAAQBAJ&dq=Sly+Stone+was+influential+in+guiding+KSOL+into+soul+music+and+started+calling+the+station+K-SOUL.&pg=PT228 |title=The Riddle of OZ: Father Knows Best |date=September 2, 2020 |publisher=Page Publishing Inc |isbn=978-1-64298-126-1 |at=Chapter Nine: The Superior Man Passes on Virtue, the Lesser Man Passes on Vice |language=en}}</ref> The second station where he deejayed was a popular [[soul music]] station (sans the K-SOUL moniker), at 107.7 FM (now known as [[KSAN-FM|KSAN]]).{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}} While still providing "music for your mind, body, and your soul" on KSOL, Sly Stone played keyboard for numerous major performers including [[Dionne Warwick]], [[Righteous Brothers]], [[Marvin Gaye]], and many more, including at least one of the three Twist Party concerts by then chart topper [[Chubby Checker]] held at the [[Cow Palace]] in San Francisco in 1962 and 1963.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Franklin |first=McKinley |date=June 10, 2025 |title=Dionne Warwick, Jamie Foxx Among Those Paying Tribute to Sly Stone: "May He Rest in Paradise" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/sly-stone-death-reactions-tributes-1236260439/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Selvin |first=Joel |date=January 26, 2002 |title=When 'the Twist' took over / Local DJs staged historic show 40 years ago |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/when-the-twist-took-over-local-djs-staged-2879800.php |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=[[SFGate]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rapp |first=Allison |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Sly Stone Dead at 82 |url=https://wpdh.com/ixp/295/p/sly-stone-dead/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=[[WPDH]] |language=en}}</ref>

In 1966, Sly was performing with his band Sly and the Stoners which included [[Cynthia Robinson]] on trumpet. His brother Freddie was working with his band called Freddie and the Stone Souls with Greg Errico and Jerry Martini. After also adding [[Larry Graham]] as a bassist, they fused the bands together. Working around the Bay Area in 1967, this multiracial band made a strong impression.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 26, 2019 |title=The origins of iconic Bay Area rock bands |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/slideshow/The-origins-of-Bay-Area-rock-bands-162924.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815111639/https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/slideshow/The-origins-of-Bay-Area-rock-bands-162924.php |archive-date=August 15, 2022 |access-date=June 16, 2025 |work=[[SFGate]] |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Sly and the Family Stone's success===
[[File:Sly and the Family Stone (1968 publicity photo).jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|Sly and the Family Stone in 1968. Sly Stone pictured second from left.]]
After a mildly received debut album, ''[[A Whole New Thing (Sly and the Family Stone album)|A Whole New Thing]]'' (1967), Sly and the Family Stone had their first hit single with "[[Dance to the Music (song)|Dance to the Music]]", which was later included on their second [[Dance to the Music (Sly and the Family Stone album)|album of the same name]] (1968).<ref name=":0" /> Although their third album, ''[[Life (Sly and the Family Stone album)|Life]]'' (also 1968), also suffered from low sales, their fourth album, ''[[Stand!]]'' (1969), became a runaway success, selling over three million copies and spawning a number one hit single, "[[Everyday People (Sly and the Family Stone song)|Everyday People]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=#119 Sly and the Family Stone, 'Stand!' (1969) |url=https://www.rs500albums.com/150-101/119 |access-date=June 16, 2025 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Italie |first=Hillel |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Sly Stone, leader of funk revolutionaries Sly and the Family Stone, dies at 82 |url=https://apnews.com/article/sly-stone-dead-7740dc1015499a4535f44881d8875741 |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=[[Associated Press]] |language=en}}</ref> By the summer of 1969, Sly and the Family Stone were one of the biggest names in music, releasing two more top five singles, "[[Hot Fun in the Summertime]]" and "[[Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)]]"/"[[Everybody Is a Star]]", before the end of the year and appearing at [[Woodstock festival|Woodstock]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ives |first=Brian |date=January 28, 2025 |title=Sly & The Family Stone: 15 Essential Tracks (And Who Sampled Them) |url=https://wror.com/listicle/sly-and-the-family-stone-best-tracks/ |access-date=June 15, 2025 |website=[[WROR-FM]] |language=en |archive-date=February 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250206201823/https://wror.com/listicle/sly-and-the-family-stone-best-tracks/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Herbert |first=Geoff |date=June 11, 2025 |title=Woodstock's real standout performance: 'No one was as exciting as them' |url=https://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/2025/06/woodstocks-real-standout-performance-no-one-was-as-exciting-as-them.html |access-date=June 15, 2025 |website=[[The Post-Standard]] |language=en |archive-date=June 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250613221538/https://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/2025/06/woodstocks-real-standout-performance-no-one-was-as-exciting-as-them.html |url-status=live }}</ref> During the summer of 1969, Sly and the Family Stone also performed at the Summer of Soul concerts in Harlem and received an enthusiastic response from the large crowd.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Brancaccio |first1=David |last2=Conlon |first2=Rose |date=July 22, 2021 |title="Summer of Soul" producers on battling Black erasure to make the film |url=https://www.marketplace.org/story/2021/07/22/summer-of-soul-film-producers-harlem-cultural-festival-black-history |access-date=June 15, 2025 |website=[[Marketplace (radio program)|Marketplace]] |language=en}}</ref>

After the group began touring following the success of ''[[Dance to the Music (Sly and the Family Stone album)|Dance to the Music]]'', The Family Stone drew praise for their explosive live show, which attracted black and white fans in equal measure.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2025 |title=Questlove confronts the 'burden of Black genius' in a new Sly Stone documentary |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/02/10/nx-s1-5290223/questlove-sly-stone-black-genius |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=[[NPR]] |language=en}}</ref> When [[Bob Marley]] first played in the U.S. in 1973 with his band The Wailers, he opened on tour for [[Sly and The Family Stone]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Meschino |first=Patricia |date=September 1, 2021 |title=Bob Marley and The Wailers' 'Capitol Session '73': How the Lost Footage Came to Light |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/bob-marley-wailers-capitol-session-73-lost-footage-9622934/ |access-date=June 14, 2025 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224205152/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/bob-marley-wailers-capitol-session-73-lost-footage-9622934/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Along with [[David Kapralik]] who brought Sly and the Family Stone to [[Epic records]], Stone co-formed Stone Flower Productions, a company that was jointly owned by both of them.<ref name="Goldman 1999">{{cite web |last=Goldman |first=Andrew |title=Music Mogul David Kapralik Says Sony Owes Him Big Money |website=Observer |date=October 4, 1999 |url=https://observer.com/1999/10/music-mogul-david-kapralik-says-sony-owes-him-big-money/ |access-date=June 10, 2025 |archive-date=February 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212091331/https://observer.com/1999/10/music-mogul-david-kapralik-says-sony-owes-him-big-money/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Kapralik played multiple roles in Sly's career, serving as a producer and advisor. Sly was occasionally seen wearing a [[Star of David]] necklace, which some sources have interpreted as a personal nod to Kapralik.<ref name="Goldman 1999" />
The label that had material produced by the company, Stone Flower Records, had their records distributed by [[Atlantic Records]].<ref name="Record World 1969-09-27 p. 27">{{cite magazine |title=Toply Heads Stone Flower Sales |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/69/Record-World-1969-09-27.pdf#page=27 |magazine=Record World |publication-place=New York |date=September 27, 1969 |issn=0034-1622 |oclc=17266622 |page=27}}</ref>

===Personal problems===
With the band's newfound fame and success came numerous problems. Relationships within the band were deteriorating; there was friction in particular between the Stone brothers and Larry Graham.{{sfn|Selvin|Marsh|1998|pp=107, 146–152}} [[Epic Records|Epic]] requested more marketable output.<ref name="Kaliss">{{harvnb|Kaliss|2008|p={{page needed|date=June 2025}}}}</ref> The [[Black Panther Party]] demanded that Stone make his music more [[militant (word)|militant]] and more reflective of the [[black power]] movement,<ref name="Kaliss" /> replace Greg Errico and Jerry Martini with black instrumentalists, and replace manager [[David Kapralik]].{{sfn|Selvin|Marsh|1998|p=89; interview with [[David Kapralik]]}}

After moving to the Los Angeles area in fall 1969, Stone and his bandmates became heavy users of illegal drugs, primarily [[cocaine]] and [[phencyclidine|PCP]].{{sfn|Selvin|Marsh|1998|pp=94–98}} As the members became increasingly focused on drug use and partying (Stone carried a violin case filled with illegal drugs wherever he went),{{sfn|Selvin|Marsh|1998|p=122}} recording slowed significantly. Between summer 1969 and fall 1971, the band released only one single, "[[Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)]]"/"[[Everybody Is a Star]]", in December 1969. This song was one of the first recordings to employ the heavy, funky beats that would be featured in the [[funk]] music of the following decade. It showcased bass player Larry Graham's innovative percussive playing technique of bass "[[Slapping (music)|slapping]]". Graham later said that he developed this technique in an earlier band in order to compensate for that band's lack of a drummer.<ref name="Skanse 1999">{{cite magazine |last=Skanse |first=Richard |date=February 11, 1999 |title=Bass Legend Graham Lays Down the Millennial Funk: Larry Graham |magazine=Rolling Stone |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/larrygraham/articles/story/5920205/bass_legend_graham_lays_down_the_millennial_funk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061205210528/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/larrygraham/articles/story/5920205/bass_legend_graham_lays_down_the_millennial_funk |archive-date=December 5, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

"Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" hit No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 the week of February 14, 1970, and stayed there for two weeks.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=tolsen |date=January 2, 2013 |title=Billboard Hot 100™ |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/ |access-date=June 10, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=November 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125143214/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The single also peaked at No. 5 on the R&B chart, selling over a million copies.<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=song|id=t4149693|pure_url=yes}} allmusic: Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)]. All Media Guide, LLC. Retrieved October 25, 2008.</ref>

Having relocated to Los Angeles with his girlfriend Deborah King, later Deborah Santana (wife of [[Carlos Santana]] from 1973 until filing for divorce in 2007),<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 2, 2007 |title=Carlos Santana's wife files for divorce: report |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/carlos-santanas-wife-files-for-divorce-report-idUSN01515055/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |work=[[Reuters]] |language=en}}</ref> Stone's behavior became increasingly erratic.<ref name=":6" /> After a year since ''Stand!'' was released, the ''[[Greatest Hits (Sly and the Family Stone)|Greatest Hits]]'' album was released that November.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gallucci |first=Michael |date=November 7, 2020 |title=When Sly and Family Stone Summed Up First Era on 'Greatest Hits' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/sly-and-the-family-stone-greatest-hits/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]] |language=en}}</ref> One year later, the band's fifth album, ''[[There's a Riot Goin' On]]'', was released.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Gallucci |first=Michael |date=November 20, 2016 |title=Revisiting Sly and the Family Stone's 'There's a Riot Goin' On' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/sly-family-stone-theres-a-riot-goin-on/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]] |language=en}}</ref> ''Riot'' featured a much darker sound, and most tracks were recorded with overdubbing as opposed to the Family Stone all playing at the same time as they had done previously.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Simpson |first=Dave |date=December 2, 2021 |title='A nation's fabric unravelling': stars on Sly Stone's There's a Riot Goin' On at 50 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/dec/02/a-nations-fabric-unravelling-stars-on-sly-stones-theres-a-riot-goin-on-at-50 |access-date=June 16, 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Stone played most of the parts himself and performed more of the lead vocals than usual.<ref name=":7" /> This was one of the first major label albums to feature a [[drum machine]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=#82 Sly and the Family Stone, 'There's a Riot Goin' On' (1971) |url=https://www.rs500albums.com/100-51/82 |access-date=June 16, 2025 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

The band's cohesion slowly began to erode, and its sales and popularity began to decline as well. Errico withdrew from the group in 1971 and was eventually replaced with [[Andy Newmark]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ives |first=Brian |date=January 28, 2025 |title=Sly & The Family Stone: 15 Essential Tracks (And Who Sampled Them) |url=https://rock929rocks.com/listicle/sly-and-the-family-stone-best-tracks/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=[[WBOS]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sylvester |first=Bruce |date=November 24, 1972 |title=Audience awaits arrested Sly; Stone performance unexciting |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-audience-awaits-arreste/174650692/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |location=Boston, Massachusetts |pages=29 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Larry Graham and Stone were no longer on friendly terms, and Graham was fired in early 1972 and replaced with [[Rustee Allen]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jisi |first=Chris |date=June 8, 2025 |title="Sly turned his back on me in the control room, giving a shout whenever he heard something he liked": How Larry Graham's hand-picked replacement supercharged this 1973 hit for Sly & The Family Stone with an iconic bassline |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/bassists/rustee-allen-sly-and-the-family-stone-if-you-want-me-to-stay |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=[[Guitar World]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Selvin |first=Joel |date=August 9, 1998 |title=The Bleak Days Of Sly And the Family Stone / For the first time, band associates talk about the drugs and violence that led up to the ouster of bassist Larry Graham |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/the-bleak-days-of-sly-and-the-family-stone-for-2997684.php |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=[[SFGate]]}}</ref> He was also part of the band's later released albums, ''[[Fresh (Sly and the Family Stone album)|Fresh]]'' (1973) and ''[[Small Talk (Sly and the Family Stone album)|Small Talk]]'' (1974), but still dealt with drug use and decline in popularity.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Murph |first=John |date=March 23, 2023 |title=Sly Stone: After the Last Hurrah |url=https://www.npr.org/2007/03/23/9085519/sly-stone-after-the-last-hurrah |access-date=June 17, 2025 |work=[[NPR]] |language=en}}</ref>

Live bookings for Sly and the Family Stone had steadily dropped since 1970, because promoters were afraid that Stone or one of the band members might miss the gig, refuse to play, or pass out from drug use.<ref name="EndofFamily">{{harvnb|Selvin|Marsh|1998|pp=141–145}}</ref> These issues were regular occurrences for the band during the 1970s, and had an adverse effect on their ability to demand money for live bookings.<ref name="EndofFamily" /> In 1970, 26 of 80 concerts were cancelled, and numerous others started late. At many of these gigs, concertgoers rioted if the band failed to show up, or if Stone walked out before finishing his set. Ken Roberts became the group's promoter, and later their general manager, when no other representatives would work with the band because of their erratic gig attendance record.{{sfn|Selvin|Marsh|1998|pp=186–189}} In January 1975, the band booked itself at [[Radio City Music Hall]] in New York. The famed music hall was only one-eighth occupied, and Stone and company had to scrape together money to return home.<ref name="TheEnd">{{harvnb|Selvin|Marsh|1998|pp=188–191}}</ref> Following the Radio City engagement, the band was dissolved.<ref name="TheEnd" />

Rose Stone was pulled out of the band by Bubba Banks, who was by then her husband. She began a solo career, recording a Motown-style album under the name Rose Banks in 1976. Freddie Stone joined Larry Graham's group, [[Graham Central Station]], for a time; after collaborating with his brother one last time in 1979 for ''[[Back on the Right Track]]''. He then retired from the music industry and eventually became the pastor of the Evangelist Temple Fellowship Center in [[Vallejo, California]]. Background vocalist trio [[Little Sister (band)|Little Sister]] was also dissolved; [[Mary McCreary]] married [[Leon Russell]] and released recordings on Russell's Shelter Records label.<ref>Ankeny, Jason. "[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p5327/biography|pure_url=yes}} Leon Russell]". ''Allmusic''. Retrieved February 5, 2007.</ref> Andy Newmark became a successful session drummer, playing with [[John Lennon]], [[Roxy Music]], [[B. B. King]], [[Steve Winwood]], and others.<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p109550/credits|pure_url=yes}} Credits for Andy Newmark]. ''Allmusic''. Retrieved February 5, 2007.</ref>

===Later years===
Stone went on to record four more albums as a solo artist (only ''[[High on You (Sly Stone album)|High on You]]'' (1975) was released under just his name; the other three were released under the "Sly & The Family Stone" name).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Jason P. |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Sly Stone, of Sly and the Family Stone, Dead at 82 |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/sly-stone-death-family-stone.html |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=[[Vulture (magazine)|Vulture]] |language=en}}</ref> In 1976, Stone assembled a new Family Stone and released ''[[Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I'm Back]]''. 1979's ''[[Back on the Right Track]]'' followed, and in 1982 ''[[Ain't But the One Way]]'' was released, which began as a collaborative album with [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]], but was scrapped and later completed by producer [[Stewart Levine]] for release.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite magazine |last=Yorker |first=The New |date=September 26, 2011 |title=Playlist: Leaving Some Stones Unturned |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/playlist-leaving-some-stones-unturned |access-date=June 16, 2025 |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |language=en-US |issn=0028-792X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ain't But the One Way |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/aint-but-the-one-way-mw0000455797 |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> None of these later albums achieved much success.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Chris |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Sly Stone, Funk-Rock Pioneer Who Led the Family Stone, Dies at 82 |url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/sly-stone-dead-funk-rock-pioneer-family-stone-1236423831/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

Stone also collaborated with [[Funkadelic]] on ''[[The Electric Spanking of War Babies]]'' (1981), but was unable to reinvigorate his career.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |date=June 10, 2025 |title=Sly Stone Believed Everybody Is a Star: The Massive Legacy of an Avant-Funk Revolutionary |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/sly-stone-sly-and-the-family-stone-tribute-1235361170/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In the early 1980s Sly Stone was also part of a George Clinton/Funkadelic family project with [[Muruga Booker]] called "The Soda Jerks".<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 22, 1981 |title=Investing in music is risky |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-investing-in-music-is/174635140/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |location=Detroit, Michigan |pages=81 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

In June 1983, Stone was arrested and charged with [[cocaine]] possession in [[Fort Myers, Florida]].<ref name="PEOPLE.com">{{Cite magazine |first=Ralph |last=Novak |url=http://people.com/archive/the-decline-and-fall-of-sly-stone-vol-45-no-24/ |title=The Decline and Fall of Sly Stone |volume=45 |issue=24 |date=June 17, 1996 |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=November 1, 2017 |language=en-US |archive-date=November 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171104135845/http://people.com/archive/the-decline-and-fall-of-sly-stone-vol-45-no-24/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He served 3 years probation, and was then jailed again for violating parole.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sly Stone jailed for violating probation - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/06/08/Sly-Stone-jailed-for-violating-probation/1470550123200/ |access-date=February 13, 2025 |website=UPI |language=en |archive-date=February 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250217152611/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/06/08/Sly-Stone-jailed-for-violating-probation/1470550123200/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Stone managed to do a short tour with [[Bobby Womack]] in the summer of 1984.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webb |first=Todd |date=May 18, 1984 |title=Sly Stone Starts Pandemonium, Steals Stage at Bobby Womack Concert |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1984/05/18/sly-stone-starts-pandemonium-steals-stage-at-bobby-womack-concert/62803092007/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=[[The Oklahoman]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> and in 1986, Stone was featured on a track and its music video from [[Jesse Johnson (musician)|Jesse Johnson]]'s album ''Shockadelica'' called "Crazay".<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Coleman |first=Mark |date=November 9, 1986 |title=Random notes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-american-republic-random-notes/174646812/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |work=[[Daily American Republic]] |location=Poplar Bluff, Missouri |pages=49 |publication-place=[[Rolling Stone]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

In 1985, Stone released a single, "Eek-ah-Bo Static Automatic", from the ''[[Soul Man (film)|Soul Man]]'' soundtrack, and the song "I'm the Burglar" from the ''[[Burglar (film)|Burglar]]'' soundtrack.<ref name=":8" /> He also co-wrote and co-produced "Just Like A Teeter-Totter", which appeared on a [[Bar-Kays]] album from 1989.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Animal - Bar-Kays {{!}} Album |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/animal-mw0000202663 |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>

In 1990, he gave an energetic vocal performance on the [[Earth, Wind & Fire]] song "Good Time".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/feb/05/good-time-the-greatest-moments-of-maurice-white-and-earth-wind-fire|title=Good time: the greatest moments of Maurice White and Earth, Wind & Fire|first=Angus|last=Batey|work=The Guardian |date=February 5, 2016}}</ref> Stone also shared lead vocals with Bobby Womack on "When the Weekend Comes" from Womack's 1993 album ''I Still Love You''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 17, 1987 |title='80s' rock and soul singers keep Redding tradition alive |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news-80s-rock-and-soul-singe/174637530/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |work=[[The Miami News]] |location=Miami, Florida |pages=30 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> In 1992, Sly and the Family Stone appeared on the [[Red Hot Organization]]'s dance compilation album, ''[[Red Hot + Dance]]'', contributing an original track, "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (Todds CD Mix)."<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=July 10, 1992 |title="Red, hot" |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-red-hot/174539813/ |access-date=June 15, 2025 |work=[[The Atlanta Journal]] |location=Atlanta, Georgia |pages=31 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> The album attempted to raise awareness and money in support of the [[AIDS epidemic]], and all proceeds were donated to AIDS charities.<ref name=":1" />

In 1995, ex-landlord Chase Mellon III accused Stone of trashing the [[Beverly Hills]] mansion Mellon rented to him in 1993. Mellon says that he found bathrooms smeared with gold paint, marble floors blackened, windows broken and a gaunt Stone emerging from a guest house to say, "You’re spying on me." Sly Jr., then studying to be a recording engineer, told ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'', "Nobody purposely destroyed the house. I’d thrown parties. My dad had a few get-togethers. We weren't aware of the damage." The damage, however, was not just superficial. "Sly never grew out of drugs," says ex-wife Silva. "He lost his backbone and destroyed his future."<ref name="PEOPLE.com" />

His last major public appearance until 2006 was during the 1993 [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] induction ceremony where Stone showed up onstage to be entered into the Hall of Fame along with the Family Stone.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Edel |first1=Victoria |last2=DeSantis |first2=Rachel |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Sly Stone, Sly and the Family Stone Frontman, Dead at 82 |url=https://people.com/sly-stone-dead-age-82-sly-and-the-family-stone-8637240 |access-date=June 15, 2025 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |language=en |archive-date=June 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250610132255/https://people.com/sly-stone-dead-age-82-sly-and-the-family-stone-8637240 |url-status=live }}</ref> His son, Sylvester Stewart Jr., told ''People Magazine'' in 1996 that his father had composed an album's worth of material, including a tribute to [[Miles Davis]] called "Miles and Miles."<ref name="PEOPLE.com" />

On August 15, 2005, Stone drove his younger sister [[Vet Stone]] on his motorcycle to Los Angeles' [[Knitting Factory]], where Vet was performing with her Sly and the Family Stone [[tribute band]], the Phunk Phamily Affair.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kamp |first=David |date=July 3, 2007 |title=Sly Stone's Higher Power |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2007/08/sly200708 |access-date=June 15, 2025 |website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Stone kept his helmet on during the entire performance, and a film crew, conducting a documentary on Sly and the Family Stone later released as ''[[On the Sly: In Search of the Family Stone]]'', was at the show and captured this rare sighting on film.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Bradbury |first=Andrew Paine |date=August 18, 2005 |title=Sly Stone Joins Family |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sly-stone-joins-family-76475/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2009, the documentary film ''[[Coming Back for More (film)|Coming Back for More]]'' detailed his dire financial situation.<ref name="Michaels 2009">{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/aug/18/sly-stone-living-on-welfare | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Sean | last=Michaels | title=Sly Stone living on welfare, claims documentary | date=August 18, 2009}}</ref> On August 18, 2009, ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that the forthcoming documentary, ''Coming Back for More'' by Dutch director Willem Alkema, claims Stone was homeless and living off welfare while staying in cheap hotels and a camper van. The film alleges that Stone's former manager, [[Jerry Goldstein (producer)|Jerry Goldstein]], cut off his access to royalty payments following a dispute over a 'debt agreement', forcing Stone to depend on [[Welfare spending|welfare]] payments.<ref name="Michaels 2009"/> On September 25, 2011, Alkema wrote in the ''[[New York Post]]'' that Sly Stone was homeless and living out of a white camper-van in Los Angeles: "The van is parked on a residential street in [[Crenshaw, Los Angeles|Crenshaw]], the rough Los Angeles neighborhood where ''[[Boyz n the Hood]]'' was set. A retired couple makes sure he eats once a day, and Stone showers at their house."<ref>{{cite web|last=Alkema|first=Willem|title=Funk legend Sly Stone homeless and living in a van in LA|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/the_rise_and_fall_of_sly_stone_qijyKoYzmAqer1PA0YogSJ|work=New York Post|date=September 25, 2011|access-date=July 23, 2012|archive-date=August 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825092413/http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/the_rise_and_fall_of_sly_stone_qijyKoYzmAqer1PA0YogSJ|url-status=live}}</ref>

Stone had filed suit against Goldstein for $50&nbsp;million in January 2010, accusing Goldstein of cheating him out of years' worth of royalty payments for the songs he had written. He testified that he had not been paid any royalties between 1989 and 2009. The litigation further claimed that Goldstein had used fraudulent practices to convince him to give up the rights to his songs, and made the same claim about the Sly and the Family Stone [[trademark]].<ref>The Detroit Free Press, January 30, 2010, page 11A</ref> Goldstein filed a countersuit for slander following a rant by Stone at the [[Coachella Festival]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2011/09/sly-stone-homeless-sly-and-the-family-stone.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title=Ministry of Gossip | date=September 27, 2011 | archive-date=September 29, 2011 | access-date=September 28, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929031747/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2011/09/sly-stone-homeless-sly-and-the-family-stone.html | url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2015, a Los Angeles jury ruled in favor of Stone, awarding him $5&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/sly-stone-awarded-5-million-in-royalty-lawsuit-20150128 | magazine=Rolling Stone | title=Sly Stone Awarded $5 Million in Royalty Lawsuit | first=Daniel | last=Kreps | date=January 28, 2015 | access-date=September 11, 2017 | archive-date=July 27, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727054622/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/sly-stone-awarded-5-million-in-royalty-lawsuit-20150128 | url-status=live }}</ref> However, in December 2015, the award was overturned when an appellate court ruled that the trial judge had not told the jury to take into account the fact that Stone had assigned his royalties to a production company in exchange for a 50% ownership stake. In May 2016, Stone's attorneys appealed that decision.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-sly-stone-royalties-20151211-story.html |title=Why Sly Stone still can't collect royalties from his classic songs |first=Randall |last=Roberts |date=December 12, 2015 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=January 8, 2017 |archive-date=October 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010225624/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-sly-stone-royalties-20151211-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://thesource.com/2016/07/23/sly-stone-of-the-legendary-sly-and-the-family-stone-awarded-5-million-in-unpaid-royalties/ |title=Sly Stone of the Legendary Sly and the Family Stone Awarded $5 Million in Unpaid Royalties |last=Eustice |first=Kyle |date=July 23, 2016 |work=The Source |access-date=January 8, 2017 |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221173223/http://thesource.com/2016/07/23/sly-stone-of-the-legendary-sly-and-the-family-stone-awarded-5-million-in-unpaid-royalties/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.law360.com/articles/821880/sly-stone-royalties-suit-gets-new-trial-after-appeal |title=Sly Stone Royalties Suit Gets New Trial After Appeal |last=Sieniuc |first=Kat |date=July 27, 2016 |publisher=Law360.com |access-date=January 8, 2017}}</ref>

===Mid-2000s tributes===
[[File:Sly and the Family Stone (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Stone in 2007]]
A Sly and the Family Stone tribute took place at the [[Grammy Awards of 2006|2006 Grammy Awards]] on February 8, 2006, at which Stone gave his first live musical performance since 1987. Sly and the original Family Stone lineup (minus Larry Graham) performed briefly during a tribute to the band, for which the headliners included [[Steven Tyler]], [[John Legend]], [[Van Hunt]], [[Nile Rodgers]], and [[Robert Randolph (guitarist)|Robert Randolph]]. Sporting an enormous blonde [[Mohawk (hairstyle)|mohawk]], thick sunglasses, a "Sly" beltbuckle and a silver lamé suit, he joined in on the song "I Want To Take You Higher". Hunched over the keyboards, he wore a cast on his right hand (the result of a recent motorcycle accident), and a hunched back caused him to look down through most of the performance. His voice, though strong, was barely audible over the production. Stone walked to the front of the stage toward the end of the performance, sang a verse, and then, with a wave to the audience, sauntered offstage before the song was over.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/9384446/slys_strange_comeback |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060303102112/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/9384446/slys_strange_comeback |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 3, 2006 |title=Sly's Strange Comeback |last=Wilkinson |first=Peter |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=February 24, 2006 |access-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref>

A Sly and the Family Stone [[tribute album]], ''[[Different Strokes by Different Folks]]'', was released on July 12, 2005, by [[Starbucks]]' [[Hear Music]] label, and on February 7, 2006, by Epic Records. The project features both [[cover versions]] of the band's songs and songs which [[Sampling (music)|sample]] the original recordings. Among the artists on the record are [[The Roots]] ("Star", which samples "Everybody is a Star"), [[Maroon 5]] and [[Ciara]] ("[[Everyday People]]"), [[John Legend]], [[Joss Stone]] and [[Van Hunt]] ("[[Family Affair (Sly and the Family Stone song)|Family Affair]]"), [[The Black Eyed Peas]]' [[will.i.am]] ("Dance to the Music"), and [[Steven Tyler]], [[Joe Perry (musician)|Joe Perry]], and [[Robert Randolph and the Family Band|Robert Randolph]] ("[[I Want to Take You Higher]]"). [[Epic Records]]' version of the tribute album, which included two additional covers ("Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey" and "Thank You (Falletinme Be Mice Elf Agin)") was released in January 2006.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7567410/sly_stone_joins_family |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206040554/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7567410/sly_stone_joins_family |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 6, 2007 |title=Sly Stone Joins Family |last=Bradbury |first=Andrew Paine |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=August 18, 2005 |access-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref>

===Re-emergence===
On Sunday, January 14, 2007, Stone made a short guest appearance at a show of The New Family Stone band he supported at the [[House of Blues]]. On April 1, 2007, Stone appeared with the Family Stone at the [[Flamingo Las Vegas]] Showroom, after [[George Wallace (American comedian)|George Wallace]]'s standup act.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/do/2007/apr/02/566652378.html |title=John Katsilometes on how George Wallace aligned the stars to coerce one big star to perform at Flamingo Las Vegas |newspaper=Las Vegas Sun |date=April 2, 2007 |access-date=June 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102234517/http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/do/2007/apr/02/566652378.html |archive-date=January 2, 2008}}</ref>

On July 7, 2007, Stone made a short appearance with the Family Stone at the San Jose Summerfest.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Selvin |first=Joel |date=July 9, 2007 |title=Sly Stone takes the stage, but the flair is a no-show |url=https://www.sfgate.com/music/article/sly-stone-takes-the-stage-but-the-flair-is-a-2553127.php |access-date=June 15, 2025 |website=[[SFGate]] |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125075912/https://www.sfgate.com/music/article/Sly-Stone-takes-the-stage-but-the-flair-is-a-2553127.php |url-status=live }}</ref> He sang "Sing a Simple Song" and "If You Want Me to Stay", and walked off stage before the end of "Higher". Stone cut the set short, in part, because the band began their set over 90 minutes late and had to finish before a certain time. While many blamed Stone for this incident, others believed that the promoter was at fault.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Quillen |first=Shay |date=July 8, 2007 |title=Sly Stone shows up, goes nowhere fast in San Jose concert |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2007/07/08/sly-stone-shows-up-goes-nowhere-fast-in-san-jose-concert/ |access-date=June 15, 2025 |website=[[The Mercury News]] |language=en-US |archive-date=May 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505141545/http://www.mercurynews.com/2007/07/08/sly-stone-shows-up-goes-nowhere-fast-in-san-jose-concert/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A similar scene took place at the [[Montreux Jazz Festival]] on July 13, 2007, where he played for only 20 minutes before exiting the stage.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 21, 2007 |title='70s funk legend gets shy instead of sly on stage |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-vancouver-sun-70s-funk-legend-gets/174639120/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |work=[[The Vancouver Sun]] |location=Vancouver, Canada |pages=20 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> This was part of a European tour that Stone and the rest of the band went on in July that year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Swash |first=Rosie |date=May 15, 2007 |title=Sly Stone back in the family for European tour |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/may/15/news.rosieswash |access-date=June 16, 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

[[File:Sylvester Stone.jpg|thumb|right|215px|Stone in 2007]]On October 17, 2008, Sly played with the Family Stone at the [[Wells Fargo Center for the Arts]] in Santa Rosa, California. He played a 22-minute set and ventured offstage, telling the crowd "I gotta go take a piss. I'll be right back." He never returned.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bohemian.com/bohemian/10.22.08/music-slystone-0843.html |title=Music & Nightlife: Sly Stone |publisher=Bohemian.com |access-date=June 7, 2011 |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708082343/http://www.bohemian.com/bohemian/10.22.08/music-slystone-0843.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On [[Memorial Day]], May 25, 2009, Stone re-emerged once again, granting an hour-long interview with [[KCRW-FM]], a Los Angeles [[NPR]] affiliate, to discuss his life and career.<ref>{{Citation |work=KCRW |title=Sly Stone Interview on KCRW "Morning Becomes Eclectic" |date=May 25, 2009 |url=https://archive.org/details/SlyStoneInterviewOnKcrwmorningBecomesEclectic?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=February 13, 2025}}</ref>

On Labor Day, September 7, 2009, Stone appeared at the 20th annual African Festival of the Arts in Chicago, Illinois with [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]] and [[Parliament-Funkadelic]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Riedy |first=Jack |date=November 2, 2023 |title=When Sly Stone fronted a Chicagoland bar band |url=http://chicagoreader.com/music/music-feature/sly-family-stone-one-eyed-jacks/ |access-date=June 15, 2025 |website=[[Chicago Reader]] |language=en-US |archive-date=June 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250612210756/https://chicagoreader.com/music/music-feature/sly-family-stone-one-eyed-jacks/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On December 6, 2009, Stone signed a new recording contract with the LA-based [[Cleopatra Records]] and on August 16, 2011, ''[[I'm Back! Family & Friends]]'' was released, his first album since 1982's ''[[Ain't But the One Way]]''. The album features re-recorded versions of Sly and the Family Stone hits with guest appearances from [[Jeff Beck]], [[Ray Manzarek]], [[Bootsy Collins]], [[Ann Wilson]], [[Carmine Appice]], and [[Johnny Winter]], as well as three previously unreleased songs.<ref>{{Citation |title=I'm Back! Family & Friends - Sly Stone: Album |work=AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/im-back!-family-friends-mw0002184138#review |access-date=February 13, 2025 |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113171558/https://www.allmusic.com/album/im-back%21-family-friends-mw0002184138#review |url-status=live }}</ref>

Stone appeared in later years with George Clinton and performed with his daughter Novena's band, Baby Stone.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sly Stone performing with daughter - UPI.com |url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2009/05/26/Sly-Stone-performing-with-daughter/54361243392948/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=February 13, 2025 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref>

In January 2015, Sly Stone, along with four of his bandmates, appeared at a convention dedicated to honoring the band and its legacy. Called LOVE CITY CONVENTION, it occurred in [[Oakland]] at the Den Lounge inside the Fox Oakland Theater.<ref name = "Love City CON">
{{Cite news
 | title       = Love City (advertisement)
 | work        = [[Oakland Tribune]]
 | publisher   = [[Digital First Media]]
 | location    = [[Oakland, California]]
 | issn        = 1068-5936
 | page        = 7
 | date        = January 22, 2015
| url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-love-city-advertisement/174209216/
 | access-date = June 10, 2025
| via         = [[Newspapers.com]]
}}</ref> In October 2023, Stone's autobiography ''[[Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (book)|Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)]]'' was published.<ref name="2023-10-18_S">{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Jack |date=October 18, 2023 |title=Sly Stone's Memoir Is Almost As Fascinating As the Fact That It Exists at All |language=en-US |work=Slate |url=https://slate.com/culture/2023/10/sly-stone-book-thank-you-memoir-review.html |access-date=November 25, 2023 |issn=1091-2339 |archive-date=October 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021001942/https://slate.com/culture/2023/10/sly-stone-book-thank-you-memoir-review.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2023, a single titled "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (2023 Mix)" was released by Cleopatra Records.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (2023 Mix) - Single by Sly Stone on Apple Music |date=November 9, 2023 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/santa-claus-is-coming-to-town-2023-mix-single/1715553854 |access-date=January 2, 2024 |language=en-US |archive-date=January 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102235604/https://music.apple.com/us/album/santa-claus-is-coming-to-town-2023-mix-single/1715553854 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Stone and producer [[Terry Melcher]] spent time together at Melcher's home in the late 1960s, and on more than one occasion Stone saw [[Charles Manson]] there.<ref name="Manson Encounter">
{{Cite web |last1=Cummings |first1=Chris |date=November 22, 2018 |title=A Tale of Two "Serás": How ''Heathers references'' Doris Day and Sly Stone's non-family affair |url=https://www.tiff.net/the-review/a-tale-of-two-seras-heathers |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303072933/https://www.tiff.net/the-review/a-tale-of-two-seras-heathers |archive-date=March 3, 2020 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |website=[[TIFF Cinematheque]] |publisher=[[Toronto International Film Festival]]}}</ref> According to Stone in a 2009 interview with ''[[LA Weekly]]''{{'}}s Randall Roberts, he was once at Melcher's home playing music and had a small disagreement with Manson there, though Stone did not know who Manson was at the time.<ref name="2009 KCRW Interview">
{{Cite news |last1=Roberts |first1=Randall |date=May 25, 2009 |title=Sly Stone Interviewed on KCRW: Discusses Doris Day, Terry Melcher, Charles Manson and "Que Sera Sera" |url=https://www.laweekly.com/sly-stone-interviewed-on-kcrw-discusses-doris-day-terry-melcher-charles-manson-and-que-sera-sera/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303072932/https://www.laweekly.com/sly-stone-interviewed-on-kcrw-discusses-doris-day-terry-melcher-charles-manson-and-que-sera-sera/ |archive-date=March 3, 2020 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |work=[[LA Weekly]] |publisher=Semanal Media LLC |location=[[Los Angeles]] |issn=0192-1940}}</ref> Stone met Melcher's mother, [[Doris Day]], through Melcher when Stone was interested in an old car that he thought one of them owned. When he met Day, he told her how much he liked her song "[[Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)|Whatever Will Be, Will Be]]", and they sat at the piano and sang it. After that, a rumor spread that Stone and Day were involved romantically.<ref name="Doris Day">
{{Cite book |last1=McGee |first1=Garry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cfbcA3zFlNgC&dq=%22Terry+Melcher%22Sly+Stone%22Car&pg=PA41 |title=Doris Day: Sentimental Journey |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-7864-6107-3 |location=[[Jefferson, North Carolina]] |page=41 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720042752/https://books.google.com/books?id=cfbcA3zFlNgC&pg=PA41&lpg=PA41&dq=%22Terry+Melcher%22Sly+Stone%22Car&source=bl&ots=WKQLbd-fBe&sig=ACfU3U2H7xzWWZaiqHOPrUIlvnYnlqNsng&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjR4p7-3f3nAhWMXisKHb7rBWQQ6AEwEnoECAsQAQ#v=onepage&q=%22Terry%20Melcher%22Sly%20Stone%22Car&f=false |archive-date=July 20, 2021 |url-status=live |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref><ref name="Pop Matters Interview">
{{Cite web |last1=Reynolds |first1=Mark |date=May 2, 2017 |title=MUSIC, On Wanting Sly Stone to Take Us Higher Yet Again BY MARK REYNOLDS |url=https://www.popmatters.com/on-wanting-sly-stone-to-take-us-higher-yet-again-2495394101.html?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303072944/https://www.popmatters.com/on-wanting-sly-stone-to-take-us-higher-yet-again-2495394101.html?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1 |archive-date=March 3, 2020 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |website=[[PopMatters]] |publisher=PopMatters LLC |oclc=1122752384 |location=[[Chicago]]}}</ref>

=== Family and children ===
Stone's cousin, [[Moses Tyson, Jr.]], is a [[gospel music]]ian and [[organist]].<ref name="BET">{{cite web |title=Moses Tyson Jr. |url=http://www.bet.com/topics/m/moses-tyson-jr.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150409123045/http://www.bet.com/topics/m/moses-tyson-jr.html |archive-date=April 9, 2015 |access-date=February 10, 2025 |work=[[BET]]}}</ref>

Stone married model-actress Kathy Silva on June 5, 1974, during a sold-out performance at [[Madison Square Garden]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Sly Stone with Wife Kathy Silva |url=http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/BE021966/sly-stone-with-wife-kathy-silva |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522200352/http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/BE021966/sly-stone-with-wife-kathy-silva |archive-date=May 22, 2013 |access-date=September 8, 2012 |publisher=Corbis Images}}</ref> Their outfits were designed by [[Halston]]. They made elaborate plans for a laser-light show, a real-life "angel" flying on wires dropping gold glitter all over the crowd, and for thousands of doves to be released.<ref name=":10">{{Cite journal |last=Orth |first=Maureen |date=June 17, 1974 |title=A Family Affair — for 23,000 |url=https://maureenorth.com/1974/06/a-family-affair-for-23000-sly-stones-wedding/ |journal=Newsweek |volume=83 |issue=24 |pages=62}}</ref> The [[American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals|ASPCA]] threatened a lawsuit, which kept the doves from flying and the Garden wouldn't let the human "angel" fly unless Stone and company posted a $125,000 security bond.<ref name=":10" /> They declined to pay the fee, and also opted not to pay for the 200 extra security guards the venue demanded in order to allow the wedding party to stage a processional right through the audience.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilkening |first=Matthew |date=June 5, 2014 |title=40 Years Ago: Sly Stone Gets Married in Front of 21,000 Fans at Madison Square Garden |url=http://theboombox.com/sly-stone-madison-square-garden-wedding/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107055236/http://theboombox.com/sly-stone-madison-square-garden-wedding/ |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=November 1, 2017 |website=The Boombox}}</ref> The $25,000 reception, courtesy of Columbia Records, was held at the Starlight Roof of the Waldorf-Astoria's Starlight Roof,

Stone and Silva's son Sylvester Jr. was born in 1973.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sheff |first=David |date=January 14, 1980 |title=After Three Years of Taking Himself Higher, but Nobody Else, Sly Stone (of the Family) Tries a Comeback |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20075592,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310000517/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20075592,00.html |archive-date=March 10, 2011 |access-date=November 14, 2013 |work=People}}</ref> They separated in 1976 after their son was mauled by Stone's dog.<ref name="PEOPLE.com" /> Silva later told ''People'' magazine. "I didn't want that world of drugs and weirdness." Still, she remembers, "He'd write me a song or promise to change, and I'd try again. We were always fighting, then getting back together."<ref name="PEOPLE.com" />

Stone's daughter Sylvyette, who now goes by her middle name Phunne, was born c. 1976. Her mother was Stone's band member [[Cynthia Robinson]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Leovy |first=Jill |date=December 3, 2015 |title=Cynthia Robinson, trumpeter and founding member of Sly and the Family Stone |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-1204-cynthia-robinson-20151205-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006075417/http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-1204-cynthia-robinson-20151205-story.html |archive-date=October 6, 2018 |access-date=October 5, 2018 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> His second daughter, Novena Carmel, born 1982,<ref name="Rolling Stone Obit" /> is a singer and performer, and also a booking agent at the Little Temple club in Los Angeles,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trivedi |first=Naman |date=June 10, 2025 |title=Sly Stone Family: All On Ex-Wife Kathy Silva And Daughters Sylvyette And Novena Carmel |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-buzz/sly-stone-family-all-on-ex-wife-kathy-silva-and-daughters-sylvyette-and-novena-carmel-article-151823053 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609215023/https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-buzz/sly-stone-family-all-on-ex-wife-kathy-silva-and-daughters-sylvyette-and-novena-carmel-article-151823053 |archive-date=June 9, 2025 |access-date=June 15, 2025 |website=[[Times Now]] |language=en}}</ref> and currently a co-host for the popular public radio station [[KCRW]] on Morning Becomes Eclectic.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2025 |title=Novena Carmel |url=https://www.kcrw.com/people/novena-carmel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531221454/https://www.kcrw.com/people/novena-carmel |archive-date=May 31, 2025 |access-date=June 9, 2025 |website=KCRW |publisher=[[NPR|National Public Radio]] |location=[[Santa Monica, California]]}}</ref>

== Death ==
On June 9, 2025, Stone died at his home in [[Granada Hills, Los Angeles]], at the age of 82.<ref name="Rolling Stone Obit">{{cite magazine |last1=Leight |first1=Elias |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Sly Stone, Family Stone Architect Who Fused Funk, Rock, and Soul, Dead at 82 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sly-and-the-family-stone-dead-obituary-1234810064/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609195812/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sly-and-the-family-stone-dead-obituary-1234810064/ |archive-date=June 9, 2025 |access-date=June 9, 2025 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Murphy |first=Brian |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Sly Stone, dazzling funk maestro with the Family Stone, dies at 82 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2025/06/09/sly-stone-music-family-dies/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609235644/https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2025/06/09/sly-stone-music-family-dies/ |archive-date=June 9, 2025 |accessdate=June 9, 2025 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> His family said in a statement provided to ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' that Stone had died of [[chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]] and "other underlying health issues".<ref name="Rolling Stone Obit" /> He was cremated at [[Chapel of the Pines Crematory]].

== Legacy ==
Along with [[James Brown]] and [[Parliament-Funkadelic]], [[Sly and the Family Stone]] were pioneers of late 1960s and early 1970s funk. Their fusion of [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] rhythms, infectious melodies, and [[psychedelia]] created a new pop/soul/rock hybrid, the impact of which has proven lasting and widespread. [[Motown]] producer [[Norman Whitfield]], for example, patterned the label's forays into harder-driving, socially relevant material (such as [[The Temptations]]' "Runaway Child" and "[[Ball of Confusion]]") based on their sound. The pioneering precedent of Stone's racial, sexual, and stylistic mix, had a major influence in the 1980s on artists such as [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] and [[Rick James]]. Legions of artists from the 1990s forward – including [[Public Enemy]], [[Fatboy Slim]], [[Beck]], [[Beastie Boys]], and [[LL Cool J]]'s popular "Mama Said Knock You Out" along with many others – mined Stone's seminal back catalog for hook-laden samples.<ref name="RSbio" />

=== Film and television ===
In season 5, episode 6 of [[Law_&_Order|“Law & Order”]], Lt. Anita Van Buren mentions to her sons that she likes Sly Stone’s music.

Greg Zola made a documentary about Sly Stone, ''Small Talk About Sly''. It was begun on, or prior to 2006.<ref>''The Guardian'', Mon March 20, 2006 - [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/mar/19/urban.popandrock Looking at the devil - Barney Hoskyns] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810091352/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/mar/19/urban.popandrock|date=August 10, 2017}}</ref><ref name="google.com">''Bach Perspectives, Volume 13 Bach Reworked'', By Ellen Exner · 2020 - {{ISBN|9780252052514}} - [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Bach_Perspectives_Volume_13/_-oHEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%E2%80%9CSmall+Talk+About+Sly%22&pg=PT207 5.]</ref> It was completed prior to 2017. It has been described in Ellen Exner's book, ''Bach Perspectives, Volume 13 Bach Reworked'' as a series of interviews about the musical background and contributions of Sly Stone. It is viewable in sections.<ref>''Groove Theory, The Blues Foundation of Funk'', By Tony Bolden · 2020 - {{ISBN|9781496830630}} - [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Groove_Theory/EZQAEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%E2%80%9CSmall+Talk+About+Sly%22&pg=PA243&printsec=frontcover Page 243 NOTES, 32.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250221052401/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Groove_Theory/EZQAEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%E2%80%9CSmall+Talk+About+Sly%22&pg=PA243&printsec=frontcover|date=February 21, 2025}}</ref><ref name="google.com" />

Michael Rubenstone's ''On the Sly: In Search of the Family Stone'' was released in 2017. In the film, Rubenstone travels across the United States in a bid to track down those who were involved with Sly Stone. The film played at the [[Slamdance Film Festival]].<ref name="Shimkus 2017">{{cite web |last=Shimkus |first=Ali |date=January 23, 2017 |title=Slamdance Film Review: On The Sly: In Search of the Family Stone |url=https://www.slugmag.com/arts/film/film-reviews/slamdance-film-review-sly-search-family-stone/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250221052046/https://www.slugmag.com/arts/film/film-reviews/slamdance-film-review-sly-search-family-stone/ |archive-date=February 21, 2025 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |website=SLUG Magazine - Salt Lake UnderGround}}</ref>

The documentary ''[[Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)|Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius)]]'' by [[Questlove|Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson]] was released in 2025. It explores the challenges black performers face, and celebrates how Stone was able to establish a healthy life after the pressures of show business and fame''.''<ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Citation |last=Questlove |title=Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius) |date=February 13, 2025 |type=Documentary, Music |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26424928/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |others=André 3000, Chaka Khan, George Clinton |publisher=ID8 Multimedia, MRC Film, Media Rights Capital (MRC)}}</ref> Some interviews from ''Small Talk About Sly'' and Michael Rubenstone's ''[[On the Sly: In Search of the Family Stone]]'' were used in the documentary.<ref name="Gyarkye 2025">{{cite web |last=Gyarkye |first=Lovia |date=January 24, 2025 |title='Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius)' Review: Questlove's Admiring Portrait Gives Sly Stone His Flowers |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/sly-lives-aka-the-burden-of-black-genius-review-questlove-1236115869/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129104547/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/sly-lives-aka-the-burden-of-black-genius-review-questlove-1236115869/ |archive-date=January 29, 2025 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>

Before Stone died, he was working on a screenplay based off his 2024 memoir. His family commented: "Sly recently completed the screenplay for his life story, a project we are eager to share with the world in due course."<ref name="Rolling Stone Obit" />

==Discography==
{{Hatnote|See [[Sly Stone discography]] and [[Sly and the Family Stone discography]]}}
* ''[[High on You (Sly Stone album)|High on You]]'' (1975)
* ''[[I'm Back! Family & Friends]]'' (2011)

==Books==
* {{Cite book |last1=Stone |first1=Sly |last2=Greenman |first2=Ben |author2-link=Ben Greenman |year=2023 |title=Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin): A Memoir |title-link=Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (book) |publisher=AUWA Books |publication-place=New York |isbn=978-0-374-60698-5 |oclc=1404449224 |ref=none}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
* {{cite book |last=Kaliss |first=Jeff |title=I Want to Take You Higher: The Life and Times of Sly & the Family Stone |publisher=Backbeat Books |publication-place=New York |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-87930-934-3 |oclc=1256254959 |url=https://archive.org/details/iwanttotakeyouhi0000kali |url-access=registration |via=Internet Archive}}
* {{cite book |last1=Selvin |first1=Joel |author-link1=Joel Selvin |last2=Marsh |first2=Dave |author2-link=Dave Marsh |title=Sly and the Family Stone: An Oral History |publisher=Avon Books |publication-place=New York |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-380-79377-8 |oclc=1036874725 |url=https://archive.org/details/slyfamilystoneor00selv |url-access=registration |via=Internet Archive}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite magazine |last=Kamp |first=David |title=Sly Stone's Higher Power |date=July 3, 2007 |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2007/08/sly200708 |url-access=subscription |magazine=Vanity Fair |publication-place=London |issn=0961-5520 |oclc=64109659 |access-date=June 10, 2025}}
* {{Cite magazine |last=Kiersh |first=Edward |title=Sly Stone's Heart of Darkness |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CBAN_GTP9B4C&pg=PA44 |magazine=Spin |publisher=Spin |publication-place=London |date=December 1985 |issn=1752-6442 |oclc=226020131 |pages=44–50, 65, 67}}
* {{Cite book |last=Lewis |first=Miles Marshall |author-link=Miles Marshall Lewis |title=Sly and the Family Stone's There's a Riot Goin' On |publisher=Continuum |publication-place=New York |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-4411-5151-3 |oclc=1119910161}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons category|Sly Stone}}
* {{Official website|www.slystonemusic.com/}}
* {{IMDb name| 0829854}}
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{{Sly and the Family Stone}}
{{1993 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}{{Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award}}{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stone, Sly}}
[[Category:1943 births]]
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[[Category:20th-century African-American male singers]]
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