He pretty much coined an entire genre. There were certainly influences but what he pulled together from them spawned so much in turn.
Stand! and There's a Riot Goin' On taken together pretty much tell the narrative of Flower Power's dissolution into disillusionment more compellingly than any historical textbook ever could. 'Everyday People', 'Family Affair', and 'Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)' are among the finest songs of all-time, and the Greatest Hits that he and the Family Stone unleashed upon us as they were journeying from utopian idylls to dystopian ennui is possibly the very best of all such compilations. I never clued myself up as to why Sly's star blazed so briefly (multiple friends told me that I needed to watch some recent doco knowing full well that I rarely do such things) but fuck, for about a good half-decade or so there his was a star that blazed as bright as anyone else's in music history. RIP to one of the genuine greats.
