Sly Stone, the remarkable, eccentric frontman, singer, songwriter, and producer of his family group, Sly & the Family Stone , has died. He was 82.

The musical icon had been battling lung disease, according to a statement provided by his 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," they wrote.

Born Sylvester Stewart, he was the second of five children. As an adolescent, Stone and his family moved from Denton, Texas to Vallejo, California. The family was heavily involved in the Church of God In Christ.

By age 8, Stone was recording gospel music with his siblings, Freddie, Rose and Vaetta as The Stewart Four. You can hear Stone as a child belting out "On the Battlefiel

See Full Page