Well this is sad… and a scary wake-up call for those who don’t really have full control over their finances. Sly Stone, once one of the biggest names in soul music, is now homeless and living in a white van in a Los Angeles neighborhood. Get the full story after the jump…
(NYPost)
Over the years, Stone has dropped tens of thousands of dollars on his other hobby: automobiles. In his early days, he drove a Jaguar XKE he painted purple. There were Hummers, a London taxi and a beloved Studebaker, which Stone asked to have painted in exchange for this interview. (The Post declined.) A few years ago, he would cruise around LA on a bright-yellow, custom three-wheel chopper. He was known to give cars to friends.
By 1980, the group’s popularity had declined enormously from its heyday. Stone appeared on an episode of “The Mike Douglas Show†and promised, “I’m going to do one more album real quick, and if it’s not instantly platinum, bye-bye.†Sly & the Family Stone’s 10th and final album, 1982’s “Ain’t But the One Way,†flopped.
Stone kept his word and mostly vanished. He was arrested a few times in the 1980s for cocaine possession and performed sporadically, but his days of sold-out shows and magazine covers were gone. A 1987 performance would prove to be his last for 19 years.
He finally reappeared during a 2006 Grammy tribute, shuffling on stage, his posture hunched and his neck bent as a result of a fall he suffered at his home. He arrived midway through a medley of his classic hits, played the keyboard and sang for a few bars, waved, then inexplicably left the stage before the song concluded.
Today, Sly is disheveled, paranoid — the FBI is after him; his enemies have hired hit men. He refuses to let The Post into his camper, but, ever the showman, poses flamboyantly with a silver military helmet and a Taser in front of his Studebaker.
The singer claims his money troubles escalated in 2009, when his royalty payments stopped flowing after Stone accused his manager, Jerry Goldstein, of fraud. Stone says he was tricked into signing a rotten contract with Goldstein in 1989, giving the manager control of his finances in exchange for a weekly paycheck.
Last year, Stone sued Goldstein for $50 million, alleging fraud and 20 years of stolen royalty payments. (Contributing to the singer’s dire financial situation, he foolishly sold his valuable music-publishing rights to Michael Jackson for a reported $1 million in 1984.)
Goldstein did not return calls seeking comment.
The performer’s cash-flow problems forced him out of his Napa Valley house that he rented with money from a 2007 European tour and into cheap hotels and the van in 2009. Stone hopes to soon put the lawsuit and his other woes behind him.
“My music is a format that will encourage you to have a song you won’t forget. That’s why I got so much money, that there are so many people around, and that’s why I am in court. Millions of dollars!†Stone says. “But now please tell everybody, please, to give me a job, play my music. I’m tired of all this s–t, man.â€
Earlier this year, Stone released an album of his hits re-recorded with other artists. Stone has new songs, but he no longer trusts record companies or managers and is wary about making a deal to release another album. He works constantly on new music, often staying up for two days straight, then sleeping for the next two. (In a nice piece of symmetry, some of his 1971 album, “There’s a Riot Goin’ On,†was recorded in a Winnebago.) He has hundreds of new tracks recorded in his van that he keeps for himself. For now, at least.
“But, with new energy, it will feel good to step on stage,†he says. “I see all the guys playing those old songs. Let these guys know, like Lady Gaga, let me come in, just let me come in and pay me if you like it.â€
cocaine is a hell of a drug.
Contact me, I would like a job, I am an expert house sound man! I mixed all of Sly& Family Stone’s concerts then and lived and worked beside th as well as working for Bill Hanley sound mixing house for just about everybody .I also mixed at MSG , RCMH, both BAM and NYC academy of music/ Palladium Disco Asa well as all the WNEW concerts in the Parks as well as building large sound systems for pro users! Ten years later, 1975-1984 I was Road Manager/Technician to pop/funk group SLAVE! Ism still out there, after more than 55 years! Tell Sly it was lay lay trying to just say hello and drink lots of grapefruit juice at the Gorham hotel, I’m Mew York City! He will know it is really me ! Good luck Peace My birthday is ALSO in March (the 3rd!)
Hello it’s Ken Averett, trying to reach Sly of Sly and the Family Stone and /orlarryGraham, Cynthia Robinson(ask her about me both loosing and quickly finding her wallet at the Ectric Circus while they were on stage, I held all the valuables while they’re on stage. Gerry Martini or Rose, Sly’s sister. We lived together for about 7 years. I’d do it all again if I could.Back then , you couldn’t touch Sly Larry , Freddie Greg Errico, who I took on drum tech duties since the other guys weren’t doing Greg “justice” on . Since I was a professional drummer before working with Sly, I thought it was cool to make those drums sound very “big band” and so the story this part of music goes.I also worked for Bill Hanley Sound Services when not touring with Sly&FS ! I’ve mixed just about every music act from the late James Brown to Santana! Also built amp racks and major pa and club dance lighting systems all over the US as well as internationally. I’m still looking for a gig! Seasons Greetings from Lay Lay-A nickname Sly Stone gave me in1965!!PEACE From Ken Averett original Sly and the Family Stone Road Manager ! merry Christmas again .
Please let Sly know I’ll always be on his side. Like I tried to tell him more than once He was the Front man for the greatest pop funk rock- Don’t even try to classify Sly & the Family Stone!! I lived with them and managed their tours and affairs for years! Sly, Fred, Rose, Cynthia, Jerry and Larry Graham their creation Stand dance to the music Everyday People, Singin’ a Sinple Song, Life, M’Lady, Wanna Take You Higher- Thank You for letting Me Be Myself-AGAIN !! Always in my heart from Lay Lay, the nickname Sly and The Family Stone gave me in 1965!! KEN AVERETT the Original Tour/Road Manager for BOTH Sly & FS and 10 years later pop-funk monsters SLAVE 1975-81 my 2nd “Wall of Sound” Sly was the first!-sorry Pink Floyd, you were NOT the FIRST! Peace Ken Averett 53 years of Rock/Pop/Funk/Soul!! I house mix, Build amp racks an build dance club Intel light shows! Any questions class??? Ha ha.