Sly Stone has died at the age of 82. He was best known as the frontman of Sly and the Family Stone, a band that forever changed the sound of American music in the late 1960s and ’70s with its bold mix of soul, rock, funk, and gospel.
The cause of death was a “prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues,” according to a statement released by his family.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone,” Stone’s family said. “Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family. 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.”
Born in Texas in 1943, Sly started performing with his siblings when they were still kids. They recorded their first song, “On the Battlefield” in 1952.
Later, the group released several hits like Dance to the Music, Everyday People, and Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin). But as the years went on, his struggles with addiction and erratic behavior began taking a toll. The group eventually fell apart for good in the 1980s.
Sly tried to continue with solo work, but his career never regained its momentum, and his addiction issues remained a constant shadow.
As things fell apart professionally, his home life came with its own set of problems. He had three children, including one with his former wife, Kathy Silva. But his addiction didn’t stop at the stage door.
His marriage broke down, and the connection with his kids grew complicated over time.
He and His Ex-Wife, Kathy, Had a Lavish Wedding That Felt Like a Concert
On June 5, 1974, Sly Stone and actress Kathy Silva tied the knot in one of the most over-the-top weddings the music world had seen. The ceremony took place right at Madison Square Garden, just before Sly and the Family Stone played a sold-out show. Fans had no idea they were witnessing both a concert and a wedding rolled into one.
Kathy had already made a name for herself in shows and films like Bearcats!, Soylent Green, and Switch. By the time they walked down the aisle, the duo was already parents to a baby boy, Sylvester Stewart Jr., who was born the year before, in 1973.
But their marriage started to fall apart quickly, with Sly caught up in both fame and heavy drug use.
They split just two years later, in 1976, when Sly’s dog attacked their son.
Looking back years later, Kathy told PEOPLE, “He beat me, held me captive and wanted me to be in ménages à trois. I didn’t want that world of drugs and weirdness.” She also said, “He’d write me a song or promise to change, and I’d try again. We were always fighting, then getting back together.”
He Had Two More Children
The same year his marriage to Kathy came to an end, Sly welcomed a daughter named Sylvyette Phunne. She was born in 1976, and her mother was Cynthia Robinson, one of the original members of his band.
A few years later, in 1982, the late artist became a father again. His second daughter, Novena Carmel, was born to a woman named Olenka. Today, Novena is a singer and also co-hosts the popular KCRW radio show Morning Becomes Eclectic.
Her mother has since passed away. Novena often remembers her with loving tribute posts, especially around her birthday.
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As for Sly, their bond was distant. In an interview with People, Novena once shared, “I didn’t have a lot of interaction” with him, blaming his long-standing addiction for the space between them.
