A Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Sly Stone was a true Funk legend, cementing soul, Funk and psychedelic rock as the premier genres of the late ’60s and early ’70s. He was born in 1943 in Denton, Texas. He formed a gospel group with three siblings at a young age; he would later be recognized as a musical prodigy, mastering keyboards, guitar, bass and drums. He worked as a DJ at San Francisco radio station KSOL, before forming Sly & the Stoners, while his brother formed another band. They combined groups in 1966, renaming the collective as Sly & the Family Stone. Sly & the Family Stone was a melting pot, both of sounds and racially; they were the first multi-cultural rock group. Also at this time, he recruited Funk virtuoso Larry Graham on bass.

In 1967, they recorded their first album to acclaim and modest success. Following two disappointing records in 1968, they released Stand! in 1969. On this album were the hits “Sing a Simple Song” and “Everyday People”, their first #1 hit. The success of Stand! landed Sly a performance at the Woodstock Music Festival, which was recorded and featured in the film documenting the concert (above).

Their newfound success, money and drug use would take its’ toll on the band throughout the early ’70s. The record company wanted more hits, while the Family wanted nothing but to do more drugs. Only one single was recorded through 1971, “Thank You (Falletinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”, which went #1 in 1970. By 1972, the band had imploded in a fury of drug use, musical complacency and mismanagement. They only had a few more notable hits, “Family Affair” and “If You Want Me to Stay” among them. The band dissolved in 1975. Sly had a modestly successful solo career, but his constant drug use has left him in a tough place in life. It’s a sad reminder of what drugs can do to talented individuals.