06/19/2025
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In Memoriam: Sly Stone, Brian Wilson, and Lou Christie — Three Icons, One Final Curtain Call
This month, the world of music has grown a little quieter with the passing of three monumental artists — Sly Stone, Brian Wilson, and Lou Christie. All three were 82 years old, and each one helped shape the soundtrack of a generation in his own unmistakable way.
Sly Stone was the genius behind Sly and the Family Stone, a band that fused funk, soul, rock, and psychedelia into a socially conscious explosion of rhythm and rebellion. His 1969 anthem “Everyday People” still echoes with unity and purpose, while his grooves lit the spark for countless artists to follow. More than a performer, Sly was a musical revolutionary — unpredictable, unforgettable, and undeniably funky.
Brian Wilson, the sonic architect of The Beach Boys, was more than just a surf-music pioneer — he was a master composer, producer, and arranger whose Pet Sounds album remains one of the most influential in music history. Wilson turned pop into poetry and pain into harmony, forever changing how we hear emotion in music. From “God Only Knows” to “Good Vibrations,” his genius was otherworldly — and his influence eternal.
Lou Christie, known for his soaring falsetto and hits like “Lightnin’ Strikes,” brought drama and teenage yearning to the airwaves like no one else. A master of the teen-tragedy sound, Lou's songs weren’t just records — they were mini-operas of love, lust, and heartbreak, played out over three minutes of musical fireworks. His voice was a lightning bolt all its own.
It’s staggering to think these three legends all left us in the same month… and all at the same age of 82. Each a trailblazer. Each a storyteller. Each a soul who turned sound into spirit.
Rest well, Sly. Rest well, Brian. Rest well, Lou.
Your music never gets old — and neither will your legacy.