Dionne Warwick, Jamie Foxx Among Those Paying Tribute to Sly Stone: “May He Rest in Paradise”

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The entertainment industry is honoring Sly Stone following the announcement of his passing on Monday, a renowned figure who pioneered the fusion of funk and rock music.

Stone passed away following a lengthy struggle against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and additional pre-existing health complications, according to his family’s statement made on Monday.

Sly sadly departed this life, with his three kids, his most treasured friend, and extended relatives by his side. In a statement, the family shared that while we grieve his loss, we find comfort in knowing that his remarkable musical influence will live on, touching and inspiring people for years to come.

Sly gained recognition in the music world back in 1968, alongside his band Sly and the Family Stone, with their hit song “Dance to the Music” that reached the top 10 on both pop and R&B charts. The group went on to create a string of popular tracks that crossed over genres, such as “Summer of Love,” “Stand!”, “Hot Fun in the Summertime”, “Runnin’ Away”, “If You Want Me to Stay” and “Time for Livin'”, which helped establish their hometown of San Francisco’s musical identity.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Dionne Warwick, who once played the keyboard alongside Sly, shared her sentiments: “I first encountered Sly during his time as a disc jockey. Just like many others, I’ll miss him deeply. My sympathies go out to his family.

At the 2025 BET Awards red carpet, Grammy nominee Durand Bernarr shared with THR, “I hope that he knew he was cherished and honored, and we’re backing him.” Similarly, at the BET Awards, former American Idol contestant and “Over” singer Lucky Daye paid tribute to his impact on the music world, also speaking with THR, “May he find peace today in heaven.

In an interview with THR, Ray Parker Jr., a Grammy-winning artist, expressed his admiration for Sly Stone, stating, “He was my idol. Sly composed the greatest songs ever written, bridging racial divides like no one else. I’m confident that every one of his albums contained a No. 1 Pop hit. The guitars on ‘Thank You for Letting Me Be Myself’ are self-explanatory. There has never been anything quite like it before, and it’s challenging to imagine anything similar again.

Paul Stanley, a founding member and shared lead singer of KISS, expressed on X: “Sly Stone has passed away. Back in 1968, I witnessed Sly & the Family Stone make their debut at the Fillmore East in New York City, opening for Jimi Hendrix. They were an unstoppable force of jubilant, soulful music that would go on to dominate the charts and transform the essence of R&B for countless other musicians. Farewell and may you find peace.

On Instagram, Jamie Foxx wrote, “Legend RIP SLY.”

Questlove, the director of the “Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)” documentary, honored Sly on Instagram by saying, “Ever since his music touched me in the early 1970s, it has become an integral part of my being. Sly was a colossal figure – not just for his revolutionary work with the Family Stone, but for the radical inclusivity and profound human emotions he infused into every note. His songs weren’t just about combating injustice; they were about transforming oneself to change the world. He bravely managed simplicity in complex ways – using innocent joy, voiceless expressions, and nursery rhyme rhythms to convey mature truths.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where Sly and the Family Stone were inducted in 1993, stated on X that “The 1993 Inductees Sly & The Family Stone paved the way for Black popular music to break free on its own terms. With singer, songwriter, and producer @HigherSlyStone leading the charge, they consistently expanded the horizons of pop and R&B with each new composition.

At the Sundance Film Festival, they expressed thoughts about X, saying: “Sly Stone revolutionized music in an unforgettable way. He was a pioneer, a maverick, a visionary. His unique style influenced countless musicians and his fearless spirit transcended barriers.

Below, read more tributes to Stone. 

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2025-06-10 21:24