RIP Sly Stone

End of the spring

And here she comes back
Hi, hi, hi, hi there
Them summer days
Those summer days

 My favorite Sly & the Family Stone song, "Hot Fun in the Summertime," is also the first by them I remember hearing in the Summer/Fall of 1969. 

 I figure Sly & the Family Stone's records were the first forms of funk music I ever heard too.  Of course, their music was much more than that.  Bridging Rock with Soul with bits of psychedelica and helping invent funk made his peak years irresistible. Sly's reign was a quick one.  1968-73 were the best years of his musical life.  After 1973's Fresh things turned sour in a hurry.  1969's Stand and '71's There's A Riot Going On are his masterpieces.  Defining his sound and a sound that would be copied by others for decades after.  

  Questlove's 2025 documentary Sly Lives! is a much needed reevaluation of Stone's legacy.  Recommended to all beyond his classic music years.  My own favorite Sly songs are the ones I heard early on in my youthful radio years.  Yes, the big hits.  But later on I grew to love songs love Smilin', You Can Make It If You Try,  Que Sera Sera, M'Lady.