Author Topic: Sly Stone living out of a van in Los Angeles (Read 235 times)

The_Ripper · « **on:** September 26, 2011, 11:25:33 AM »

As a hit-making funk pioneer Sly Stone lived like a king in a plush Beverly Hills mansion.

But after seeing his fortune fritter away in a mixture of excess and financial mismanagement, he is now reduced to living in an old camper van in a rough part of Los Angeles.
The Pleasure Way recreational vehicle has now been pictured for the first time, and it is far removed from the luxury fleet of cars the 68-year-old used to enjoy.

The van is parked on a residential street in the Crenshaw neighbourhood, where director John Singleton's gritty film Boyz n the Hood was set.
A cable can be seen running from the side of the van, which is plugged into the mains to provide it with electricity.
As he has no running water he has to rely on the kindness of a retired couple, who allow him to shower inside their home and also make sure he eats once a day.

It is a long way from his old lifestyle, made possible due to his success as one of the pioneers 1960s and '70s funk.

His group Sly & the Family Stone releasing a string of hits including Dance to the Music, Everyday People and Hot Fun in the Summertime.
He used to drive a host of stylish cars, including a Jaguar XKE, Hummers and even a London taxi.
Just a few years ago he could regularly be seen zooming around the streets on a custom three-wheel chopper-style motorbike.

Yet despite all of his problems, the legendary musician said he still wants to perform.

He said: 'My music is a format that will encourage you to have a song you won’t forget.

'That’s why I got so much money, that there are so many people around, and that’s why I am in court. Millions of dollars!

'But now please tell everybody, please, to give me a job, play my music. I’m tired of all this s***, man.'