Challenges in the Life of Sly Stone in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and Sly Stone faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Sly Stone, born Sylvester Stewart, is a highly influential American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as the frontman of Sly and the Family Stone, a band that significantly shaped the funk genre by blending soul, rock, psychedelia, and gospel music in the 1960s and 1970s. Often credited with perfecting funk after James Brown's initial invention, Stone created politically charged, euphoric records that influenced diverse artists. He is also recognized as the founder of the "progressive soul" movement due to his innovative musical approach.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1970: Live bookings decline

Since 1970, live bookings for Sly & the Family Stone had steadily dropped because promoters were afraid that Stone or one of the band members might miss the gig, refuse to play, or pass out from drug use. In 1970, 26 of 80 concerts were cancelled, and numerous others started late.

1971: Slowing of Recording

By 1971, as Sly Stone and his bandmates became heavy users of illegal drugs, recording slowed significantly.

1976: Separation from Kathy Silva

In 1976, Sly Stone and Kathy Silva separated after their son was mauled by Stone's dog. Silva cited drugs and weirdness as reasons for leaving, despite their attempts to reconcile.

June 1983: Arrest for Cocaine Possession

In June 1983, Sly Stone was arrested and charged with cocaine possession in Fort Myers, Florida, leading to probation and subsequent jail time for parole violation.

1989: Start of Period Without Royalty Payments

In 1989, Sly Stone claims he did not receive any royalties from this year until 2009.

1993: Rented Beverly Hills mansion

In 1993, Sly Stone rented a Beverly Hills mansion from Chase Mellon III, which he was later accused of trashing in 1995.

1995: Lawsuit from ex-landlord

In 1995, Sly Stone was accused by his ex-landlord, Chase Mellon III, of trashing a Beverly Hills mansion he rented in 1993. Mellon claimed to have found gold paint smeared in bathrooms, blackened marble floors, and broken windows. Mellon also said that Stone had drug problems. According to his ex-wife, Silva, Sly never grew out of drugs, lost his backbone, and destroyed his future.

August 18, 2009: Homelessness Claims

On August 18, 2009, The Guardian reported that the forthcoming documentary "Coming Back for More" by Dutch director Willem Alkema, claimed Sly Stone was homeless and living off welfare while staying in cheap hotels and a camper van. The film alleges that Sly Stone's former manager, Jerry Goldstein, cut off his access to royalty payments following a dispute over a 'debt agreement', forcing Stone to depend on welfare payments.

2009: End of Period Without Royalty Payments

In 2009, Sly Stone claims he did receive any royalties before January 2010 when a lawsuit was filed against Jerry Goldstein. Sly Stone testified that he had not been paid any royalties between 1989 and 2009.

January 2010: Lawsuit Against Jerry Goldstein

In January 2010, Sly Stone filed a $50 million lawsuit against Jerry Goldstein, accusing him of cheating him out of royalty payments and fraudulently convincing him to give up rights to his songs and the Sly and the Family Stone trademark. Sly Stone testified that he had not been paid any royalties between 1989 and 2009. Jerry Goldstein filed a countersuit for slander following a rant by Sly Stone at the Coachella Festival.

September 25, 2011: Report of Homelessness

On September 25, 2011, Willem Alkema wrote in the New York Post that Sly Stone was homeless and living out of a white camper-van in Los Angeles. A retired couple ensured he ate once a day, and Sly Stone showered at their house.

January 2015: $5 Million Awarded in Lawsuit

In January 2015, a Los Angeles jury ruled in favor of Sly Stone in his lawsuit against Jerry Goldstein, awarding him $5 million.

December 2015: Award Overturned in Lawsuit

In December 2015, the $5 million award to Sly Stone was overturned by an appellate court, citing that the trial judge did not instruct the jury to consider that Sly Stone had assigned his royalties to a production company in exchange for a 50% ownership stake.