Sly Stone, who passed away at 82, was a transformative figure in music and fashion during the 1960s and 1970s. His flamboyant onstage style combined sequins, unique hats, and an array of hairstyles, embodying freedom and creativity. Stone's influence paved the way for future artists, particularly Black male performers, to break boundaries in pop culture, transcending traditional genres. His ability to blend elements from soul, reggae, punk, gospel, and rock showcased a narrative of diversity and complexity, underscoring his role as a cultural icon who represented all facets of society.
It was impossible to look at photographs and video snippets of Stone during his heyday in the 1960s and early 1970s and not see the bricks and mortar out of which modern pop stars, from Prince to Pharrell Williams, built their image.
Stone didn’t represent a niche or a subculture. He was every culture.
His eclectic style reflected the role that he played in popular entertainment - his ability to seemingly exist outside of any one musical box while being intimately familiar with the inner workings of a multitude of them.
Stone's clothes spoke to the breadth of his talent, his interests, and his expertise. It was a style that dabbled in the aesthetics of soul, reggae, punk, gospel and rock.
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