Plenty of rock musicians and movie stars are known for the passions for cars. But not too many celebrities get attention for living in their vehicles. Re-meet funk icon Sly Stone, the top-selling artist and former car buff who’s now living in a van in a rough Los Angeles neighborhood.

Stone, with the ensemble he put together called The Family Stone, had numerous hits beginning in 1968 with โ€œDance to the Music,โ€ followed by โ€œEveryday People,โ€ โ€œFamily Affair,โ€ โ€œThank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)โ€ and โ€œStand!โ€

Sly Stone now among the everyday homeless people 1

Like other celebrities, he loved cars. According to several media accounts, he once drove a Jaguar XKE he painted purple. And he had Hummers, a London taxi and a Studebaker he still owns.

A few years ago, according to the lengthy article in The New York Post, he cruised around LA on a bright-yellow, custom three-wheel motorcycle. And he gave cars to friends.

After years of little performing and lots of drug and personal problems, Stone appeared for a few minutes on network television during the 2006 Grammy Awards. Looking unsure of himself and hunched over, he arrived on stage during a tribute to his music, played the keyword and sang for a short spell and abruptly left the stage.

According to a Fox News report, Stone, 68, parks his camper in a residential neighborhood of Crenshaw and relies on the generiosty of a retired couple who gives him food and the use of a shower.

During an interview with The New York Post, Stone said he’s still writing music and has plans for a new album. A movie documentary about Stone’s life is reportedly scheduled for release later this year.

Article Last Updated: February 3, 2024.

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