Standing at the forefront of funk music, Sly Stone helped push the genre into the spotlight as he fused hints of soul and rock. While spending several decades in the music industry, the singer watched as his contributions led him to gain a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in 1993. Sadly, on June 9th, the icon passed away at the age of 82. Having struggled with numerous health issues over the last few years, Stone’s family explained that he passed peacefully and surrounded by love. And speaking of love, thanks to his legacy, countless singers like Quest Love and Paul Stanley paid their respects to the funk legend.
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Having drawn inspiration from Stone over the years, Questlove jumped on Instagram to share a picture of the singer. He captioned the post writing, “Sly was a giant — not just for his groundbreaking work with the Family Stone, but for the radical inclusivity and deep human truths he poured into every note. His songs weren’t just about fighting injustice; they were about transforming the self to transform the world. He dared to be simple in the most complex ways — using childlike joy, wordless cries, and nursery rhyme cadences to express adult truths.”
While Questlove touched on Stone’s battle with addiction, he mainly focused on the talent the singer possessed and how he forced listeners to look at the world through a different lens. “His work looked straight at the brightest and darkest parts of life and demanded we do the same.”
Paul Stanley Recalls Watching Sly Stone Open For Jimi Hendrix
Another tribute came from KISS’ Paul Stanley. He recalled what it was like to see Stone open for another legend, Jimi Hendrix, during the late 1960s. “Sly Stone Has Died. In 1968 I saw Sly & the Family Stone debut at the Fillmore East in New York City opening for Jimi Hendrix. They were a freight train of bombastic, joyous SouI that would soon climb the charts and change the sound of R&B for so many other artists. Rest In Soul!”
Sly Stone Has Died. In 1968 I saw Sly & the Family Stone debut at the Fillmore East in New York City opening for Jimi Hendrix. They were a freight train of bombastic, joyous SouI that would soon climb the charts and change the sound of R&B for so many other artists. Rest In Soul! pic.twitter.com/CM73zQe4CJ
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) June 9, 2025
Again, the tributes continued to pour in, showing just how many people Stone inspired throughout his career. Chaka Khan insisted, “I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Sly Stone, a true innovator and pioneer of funk who reshaped music and culture. His work with Sly & the Family Stone broke barriers – bringing together races, genders, and genres with bold sound and unapologetic joy.”
Looking over Stone’s discography, Khan added, “Sly’s songs like “Everyday People,” “Stand!,” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” weren’t just hits – they were anthems of unity, love, and revolution.”
While the music industry mourned the death of Stone, his legacy will never dim as his love and passion for music continued to motivate, inspire, and transform.
(Photo by Globe Photos/Shutterstock)
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