Sly Stone, pioneering funk and soul musician, dies aged 82

American songwriter lit up generations of dancefloors with his group Sly and the Family Stone

Sly Stone has died at the age of 82. File picture: Mark Weiss/Getty Images

Sly Stone, the American musician who lit up generations of dancefloors with his gloriously funky and often socially conscious songwriting, has died aged 82.

“After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend and his extended family,” a family statement reads. “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.”