Sly Stone

Sly Stone (born Sylvester Stewart; March 15, 1943) is an American musician, songwriter, and bandleader who founded Sly and the Family Stone. Emerging from the San Francisco Bay Area, he helped shape late-1960s and early-1970s popular music by fusing funk, soul, rock, and psychedelia with socially charged lyrics and exuberant performances. With a racially integrated, mixed-gender lineup, the group scored major hits including “Dance to the Music,” “Everyday People,” “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” and “Family Affair.” Their influential albums include *Stand!* (1969) and *There’s a Riot Goin’ On* (1971).