Sly Stone, the trailblazing frontman of the legendary funk band Sly and The Family Stone, has reportedly passed away at the age of 82.

“After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family,” his family said in a statement. “While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come.”

Born Sylvester Stone, the visionary artist formed Sly and The Family Stone with his siblings—brother Freddie, sisters Rose and Vaetta (who performed occasionally), and Loretta, who chose not to pursue music.

The band broke barriers with its electrifying fusion of funk, soul, rock, and psychedelic sound, and made history as the first major American rock band to be racially integrated, both in terms of race and gender. Their groundbreaking work paved the way for generations of artists to follow.

In 1993, Sly and The Family Stone were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing their place in music history.