Sylvester Stewart, professionally known as Sly Stone, is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, renowned for his pivotal role as the frontman of the iconic band Sly and the Family Stone. Born on March 15, 1943, Sly Stone has left an indelible mark on the music industry, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, with his innovative fusion of soul, rock, psychedelia, and gospel, which played a crucial role in the development of funk music.
As acknowledged by AllMusic, Sly Stone not only built upon the foundation laid by James Brown, but also perfected the funk genre, creating a series of euphoric yet politically charged records that have had a profound influence on artists across diverse musical and cultural backgrounds. Crawdaddy! has further solidified his legacy by dubbing him the "founder of progressive soul".