Major Controversies Surrounding Sly Stone: A Detailed Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: June 9, 2025

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Sly Stone.

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

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.

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.

July 7, 2007: Appearance at San Jose Summerfest

On July 7, 2007, Sly Stone made a short appearance with the Family Stone at the San Jose Summerfest, singing "Sing a Simple Song" and "If You Want Me to Stay." He left the stage before the end of "Higher" due to the band's late start, which some attributed to Sly Stone while others blamed the promoter.

July 13, 2007: Montreux Jazz Festival Performance

On July 13, 2007, Sly Stone performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival, where over half the audience walked out in disgust before his stage exit.

October 17, 2008: Performance in Santa Rosa, California

On October 17, 2008, Sly Stone played a 22-minute set with the Family Stone at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, California. He left the stage, saying he needed to take a bathroom break but did not return.

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.

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.