Sly Stone.

Sly Stone entered the world on March 15, 1943 in Denton, Texas, the son of K.C. and Alpha Stewart. He grew up in Vallejo, California, where he attended Vallejo High School and later Solano Community College. Siblings Freddie and Rose Stone would later join him in the Family Stone.

Stone began his career as a disc jockey and record producer in the San Francisco area, working for Autumn Records and producing Bobby Freeman’s 1965 hit ‘C’mon and Swim’. He formed Sly and the Family Stone, whose signature hits included Stand, Everyday People, Hot Fun In The Summertime, and Everybody Is A Star. The band performed at Woodstock in 1970 and was voted the 43rd Greatest Artist in Rock n Roll by Rolling Stone. Stone also appeared in films like Stealth 2005, ‘A Knight’s Tale’ 2001, and Zodiac 2007.

Stone married Kathy Silva at Madison Square Garden on June 4, 1974 before 21,000 guests to boost concert attendance; Silva filed for divorce four months later. He had three children: Phunne Robinson, Sylvester Stewart Jr., and Novena Carmel. Stone’s family held a private funeral at Hollywood Forever Cemetery before cremation at Chapel of the Pines Crematory.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Stone and Sly and the Family Stone in 1993. Rolling Stone ranked them the 43rd Greatest Artist in Rock n Roll. Stone received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His music continues to influence funk, soul, and rock, as reflected in his 1993 Rock Hall induction and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.