Funk pioneer Sly Stone dies at 82

Funk genius Sly Stone, leader of a band that pioneered racial integration, has died at the age of 82 , his family told the American press on Monday.

An effervescent hybrid of psychedelic soul, hippie consciousness, blues-like funk, and rock built on black gospel, their music captivated millions of people during a golden age until it sank into the tunnel of drugs.

The singer gave a memorable concert with his band at the Woodstock festival in August 1969.

"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone," his family said in a statement.

The frontman of the band Sly and the Family Stone "died peacefully, surrounded by his three children , his closest friend and his family" after a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other health problems, his family said, according to Variety magazine.

"We take comfort in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire future generations," he added.

With her vibrant stage energy and her lyrics, which often denounced racial prejudice , Stone became a star.

He released albums spanning various musical genres. But he retired in the early 1970s , and personal struggles eventually broke up the group.

He reappeared sporadically through tours, erratic television performances, and a failed reunion in 2006 on the Grammy Awards stage.

Over the course of five years, they left an indelible impact on American and world music, from the group's debut hit "Dance to the Music" in 1967 and the first of their three number one hits, "Everyday People" a year later, to the 1970s rhythm and blues masterpiece "If You Want Me To Stay."

For many, Sly was a musical genius who created the sound of the future. It was "like watching a black version of the Beatles," funk legend George Clinton told CBS News of his old friend.