Sly Stone, the leader of popular 60s and 70s R&B Group Sly and the Family Stone is well known for his hit songs “Dance to the Music,” “Everyday People,” “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” and “Hot Fun in the Summertime” and now we’ve learned that despite his celebrity he’s penniless and living in a van.
Four years ago the singer had a home with it’s own vineyard and now it’s being reported that he is fed once a day by a retired couple who also allow him to use their shower.
The New York Post says the situation went downhill for Sly due to over spending, mismanagement of his funds and a substance abuse problem.
According to the Post:
Today, Sly is disheveled [and] paranoid, [claiming] the FBI is after him [and] his enemies have hired hit men. He refuses to let The Post into his camper, but, ever the showman, poses flamboyantly with a silver military helmet and a Taser in front of his Studebaker.
Sly says his troubles began in 2009 when he lost all of his royalty payments after feuding with manager Jerry Goldstein, Sly says he was tricked into giving Goldstein control of his finances in 1989 which in turn provided him with a weekly paycheck.
In 2010 Stone filed a $50 million lawsuit against Goldstein, in his suit Sly claims fraud and 20 years of stolen royalty payments. Making matters worse in 1984 Slone made the foolish decision to sell his publishing catalog to Michael Jackson for just $1 million.
Sly Slone is currently recording new music in his van and is begging anyone from the record industry to listen with no-strings attached.
