Sly Stone homeless in Los Angeles
Yes, Sly Stone, the famous lead singer for the funkadelic R&B band Sly & the Family Stone, is living in a white van Los Angeles.
The singer, songwriter, and record producer, soared to success in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The multi-racial, multi-gender band become one of the most influential of its era. The band's first big hit was "Dance to the Music" and that was followed by "Everyday People" in 1969. But Stone and his band reportedly became heavy illegal drug users after their success, and the band eventually broke up.
Stone is now living and composing on a laptop out of a camper van parked in front of a house in Crenshaw, the New York Post reports. The Post says that a retired couple allows the 68-year-old to shower in their house and feed Stone once a day.
Some have described Stone's slide as a morality tale about abuse of illegal substances and financial mismanagement.
Stone told the Post: “I like my small camper,” he says, his voice raspy with age and years of hard living. “I just do not want to return to a fixed home. I cannot stand being in one place. I must keep moving.”
Four years ago, Stone was living in a Napa Valley mansion.
Born Sylvester Stewart, the second of five children, he grew up singing in church. He emerged as the family's own prodigy, playing keyboards at age seven and mastering guitar, bass, and drums by age 11.
Over the years, Stone has had several "comeback" albums. His latest release, "I'm Back! Family & Friends," came out last month, and features collaborations with Jeff Beck, Bootsy Collins, Ray Manzarek, and Ann Wilson.
