Sly Stone, pioneer of early funk music, dies

Sly Stone, 1 of the pioneers of funk music, has died aged 82, his household person said.

As beforehand antheral for his set Sly And The Family Stone, the instrumentalist fused soul, rock, psychedelia and gospel to instrumentality the dependable that defined an epoch successful the 1970s into caller territory, 2nd lone to James Brown arsenic the aboriginal founders of funk.

Several of their seminal tracks became known to a wider assemblage erstwhile they were subsequently sampled by artists specified arsenic Arrested Development, Public Enemy, De La Soul, Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg.

A connection issued by his publicist connected behalf of his household said: "It is with profound sadness that we denote the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly And The Family Stone.

"After a prolonged conflict with COPD and different underlying wellness issues, Sly passed distant peacefully, surrounded by his 3 children, his closest friend, and his extended family.

"While we mourn his absence, we instrumentality solace successful knowing that his bonzer philharmonic bequest volition proceed to resonate and animate for generations to come.

"Sly was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a existent pioneer who redefined the scenery of pop, funk, and stone music. His iconic songs person near an indelible people connected the world, and his power remains undeniable.

"In a testament to his enduring originative spirit, Sly precocious completed the screenplay for his beingness story, a task we are anxious to stock with the satellite successful owed course, which follows a memoir published successful 2024.

"We widen our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of emotion and prayers during this hard time. We privation bid and harmony to each who were touched by Sly's beingness and his iconic music.

"Thank you from the bottommost of our hearts for your unwavering support."