Sly Stone, a pioneer of funk music and leader of the band Sly and the Family Stone, has died, according to PEOPLE. He was 82.

On Monday (June 9), Sly’s family said the band’s frontman died surrounded by loved ones following a “prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues.”

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone,” the statement reads. “After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family. While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come.”

“Sly was a monumental figure, a

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