A funky life – in pictures

By: newstosavepepole

Date:

June 10, 2025

Sly Stone of Sly And The Family Stone poses in London on 16 July 1973.

Getty Images Sly Stone wears a red hat and red jacket embelished with rhinestones. — Sly Stone of Sly And The Family Stone poses in London on 16 July 1973.

Sly Stone, a funk-rock star who led the group Sly and the Family Stone, has died at the age of 82, his family said in a statement.

A statement said he had suffered a “prolonged battle” with the lung disease COPD.

Stone, whose real name was Sylvester Stewart, grew up singing gospel with his siblings, and went on to play the Woodstock music festival in 1969.

On the way, Stone was a San Francisco radio DJ, before he and his band hit the big time with hits including It’s a Family Affair and If You Want Me to Stay.

Stone was a giant of funk music, known for blending psychedelia, funk, rock and soul, his big style and even bigger hair.

Here is a selection of images from his life.

Before Sly Stone, the young Sylvester Stewart started out as a radio DJ in San Francisco, California.

Getty Images A young Sly Stone wears a tweed jacket and sits in front of an old-fashioned microphone with a folder in front of him. He looks into the camera. — Before Sly Stone, the young Sylvester Stewart started out as a radio DJ in San Francisco, California.

Sly formed his eponymous band, Sly and the Family Stone, in the late 60s. Here, they are pictured in concert in 1973 – tambourine, flares and all.

Getty Images Sly and other members of Sly and the Family stone sing on stage in front of a rainbow backdrop. — Sly formed his eponymous band, Sly and the Family Stone, in the late 60s. Here, they are pictured in concert in 1973 – tambourine, flares and all.

If You Want Me To Stay was one of the band’s most famous songs, released in 1973 on the album Fresh. The band are pictured recording together that year, with Sly in the middle of the group.

Getty Images Sly Stone sings and dances in the centre of a room with other members of the band pictured around him in a circle on various instruments. Two large amplifiers are dotted around the room. — If You Want Me To Stay was one of the band’s most famous songs, released in 1973 on the album Fresh. The band are pictured recording together that year, with Sly in the middle of the group.

Sly and The Family Stone frequented television show stages. Here they are in 1974 performing on Soul Train, a hugely successful American music programme.

Getty Images A large sign that reads "Soul Train" in capitals hangs above a stage where Sly and the Family Stone perform to a dancing audience — Sly and The Family Stone frequented television show stages. Here they are in 1974 performing on Soul Train, a hugely successful American music programme.

It’s a family affair. Several of Sly’s siblings were in the band. His sister Rosie (pictured bottom left) and his brother Freddie (hidden behind Sly’s hair) were key members. Also pictured are Cynthia Robinson (behind Rosie) Larry Graham, Greg Errico and Jerry Martini (from left descending to right).

Getty Images A black and white image of Sly and the Family Stone. They stand between two white boards, close to one another. — It’s a family affair. Several of Sly’s siblings were in the band. His sister Rosie (pictured bottom left) and his brother Freddie (hidden behind Sly’s hair) were key members. Also pictured are Cynthia Robinson (behind Rosie) Larry Graham, Greg Errico and Jerry Martini (from left descending to right).

Stone married model and actress Kathy Silva (right) on 5 June 1974. Their wedding was far from intimate: tens of thousands of fans packed out the Madison Square Garden stadium in Manhattan to watch the couple tie the knot live on stage. Later, they held their reception in the Waldorf-Astoria, where this shot was taken.

Getty Images Sly Stone and his newlywed wife Kathy Silva grin and laugh, dressed in gold. She has confetti scattered through her hair. — Stone married model and actress Kathy Silva (right) on 5 June 1974. Their wedding was far from intimate: tens of thousands of fans packed out the Madison Square Garden stadium in Manhattan to watch the couple tie the knot live on stage. Later, they held their reception in the Waldorf-Astoria, where this shot was taken.

Stone occasionally played alone during periods of internal strife for the band in the 1970s. Following drug issues, the group later fizzled out.

Getty Images Sly Stone rides a large elaborate chopper style motorbike in a black and white image. He has a leather jacket on with a large white star on the collar. — Stone occasionally played alone during periods of internal strife for the band in the 1970s. Following drug issues, the group later fizzled out.

In 2006, the artist hit the Grammys stage in Los Angeles. He is remembered by his family as “a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music”.

Getty Images Sly Stone is pictured later in his life wearing a huge white leather belt with the word 'Sly' embellished in silver. He has a matching silver jacket with the collar popped, and a tall bleached mohawk. He plays a white keyboard and sings into two microphones on stands. — In 2006, the artist hit the Grammys stage in Los Angeles. He is remembered by his family as “a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music”.

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