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Irish Times
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Sly Stone, pioneering funk and soul musician, dies aged 82
Sly Stone , the American musician who lit up generations of dance floors with his gloriously funky and often socially conscious songwriting, has died aged 82. 'After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend and his extended family,' a family statement read. 'While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come.' With his group Sly and the Family Stone, Stone tied together soul, psychedelic rock and gospel into fervent, uplifting songs, and became one of the key progenitors of the 1970s funk sound alongside James Brown and others. The group's hits include three US No 1 singles – Everyday People, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) and Family Affair – plus Dance to the Music, I Want to Take You Higher, Hot Fun in the Summertime and more. READ MORE The 1971 album There's a Riot Goin' On, a moody reflection on civil rights and the corrupted idealism of the postwar era created predominantly by Stone apart from the rest of his band, is widely regarded as one of the greatest of the 20th century. Among those paying tribute to Stone was musician and actor Queen Latifah, who heralded an 'innovator [and] funk aficionado.' Waterboys frontman Mike Scott wrote: 'Thank you for all the inspiration, for breaking ground so others could follow and for being the sassiest, funkiest being on planet earth'. Born Sylvester Stewart to a Pentecostal religious family in Texas in 1943, Stone grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. His first music came in a gospel quartet with three siblings, the Stewart Four, who put out a locally released single in 1952. As a young man he became well known in the fertile musical scene of countercultural San Francisco: a multi-instrumentalist and radio DJ who had a series of local bands and worked as a producer for garage rock and psychedelia groups such as the Beau Brummels. In 1966, he fused his band Sly and the Stoners with his brother Freddie's group Freddie and the Stone Souls, to form Sly and the Family Stone. Their breakthrough came the following year with Dance to the Music, and success was fully established by their fourth album in two years, Stand! (1969), which eventually sold more than three million copies. The band's stylistic and racial diversity attracted a broad audience, and they played both of the defining music festivals of 1969, Woodstock and the Harlem cultural festival. Hits continued more fitfully during the early 1970s, and the group – notorious for no-shows at concerts – slowly fractured amid increasing drug use. Stone would record There's a Riot Goin' On predominantly on his own, applying one of the earliest uses of a drum machine; albums such as Fresh!, with its Richard Avedon portrait of Stone on the cover, were also primarily his work. The band split entirely in 1975, though Stone continued to use the band name for solo releases. Despite having laid the rhythmic groundwork for disco, Stone couldn't sustain his career in the late 1970s, and his addiction to cocaine worsened. He continued to perform with peers such as Funkadelic and Bobby Womack, but album releases dried up after 1982's Ain't But the One Way. He was arrested in 1983 for cocaine possession, and for driving under the influence of cocaine in 1987, prompting him to flee California for Connecticut. He was apprehended two years later, and sentenced to 55 days in prison, five years' probation and a fine. Travel on well SLY STONE 1943-2025, singer, songwriter, musical director, producer, frontman, funkster, pioneer, genius. Thankyou for all the inspiration, for breaking ground so others could follow and for being the sassiest, funkiest Being on planet earth. — Mike Scott (@MickPuck) His difficulties meant that he was little seen during the 1990s, and it wasn't until 2006 that he performed in public again, at a tribute to Sly and the Family Stone at the Grammy awards. He performed with the Family Stone on a tour the following year, but often erratically, and made a lacklustre appearance at 2010's Coachella festival. His final album, I'm Back! Family & Friends, featuring re-recordings of old songs alongside three new tracks, was released in 2011. In 2015 he was awarded $5m in a lawsuit against his former manager and attorney, successfully arguing that royalty payments had been diverted from him, though he ultimately wasn't awarded the money due to the terms of a 1989 royalties agreement with a production company. Difficulties with royalties meant that Stone spent many of his latter years in poverty; in 2011 he was living in a camper van in a residential area of Los Angeles – voluntarily, he claimed – and relying on a retired couple for food. 'Sly was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music,' the family statement added. 'His iconic songs have left an indelible mark on the world, and his influence remains undeniable. In a testament to his enduring creative spirit, Sly recently completed the screenplay for his life story, a project we are eager to share with the world in due course, which follows a memoir published in 2024.' That memoir, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), was praised in a Guardian review: 'The charm, playfulness, humour and personality of Stone's songs come through in his on-page voice'. In a 2023 interview with the Guardian accompanying its publication, he said: 'I was always happy if someone took the things I was doing and they liked them enough to want to do them on their own. I'm proud that the music I made inspired people.' Stone was married from 1974 to 1976 to Kathy Silva, with whom he had a son, Sylvester Jr. He later had two further children: Sylvyette with Cynthia Robinson, and Novena Carmel. – Guardian
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Alphabet Soup Of Financial Advisory
It's important to understand that a designation or title is not the same as a certification or license. The requirements for having a title range from rigorous to nothing. getty Why do people spend more time finding a good mechanic or plumber than they do a financial advisor? One reason: The average investor has no idea what the various financial designations mean, let alone the requirements for obtaining them. It's important to understand that a designation or title is not the same as a certification or license. The requirements for having a title range from rigorous to nothing. Between Queen Latifah and Queen Elizabeth, only Liz could knight someone. Some titles are just made up and used as marketing tools. This is especially true in the financial-planning world. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), which is designed to protect American investors, lists 253 financial designations on its database. These range from Bucket Plan Certified to Registered Financial Gerontologist to Rollover Specialist (I had a dog once who might have qualified for that last one). Ironically, FINRA's database does not list Financial Advisor, Financial Consultant, Wealth Manager, or Financial Planner – four of the most common titles you'll encounter1. This means there are no standardized requirements (either legal or regulatory) for these titles, and anyone can put them on their business cards2. I believe Financial Planner is one of the most misrepresented titles in the industry. Comparatively, a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP professional) has a college degree, at least three years of experience, has taken eight master-level-type courses, and passed a grueling test (it took me 18 months to earn mine). Being certified or not certified is extremely different. In other words, all financial designations are not created equal. Some have rigorous standards that must be met and maintained to keep that title. Some encourage investors to verify the status of anyone claiming to hold that title. And some have a formal disciplinary process to handle grievances. Other designations are relatively easy to earn and can be maintained by simply paying a yearly fee. And just because a certain title requires an official FINRA examination doesn't mean its holder is the financial equivalent of a brain surgeon. I'm not saying that every CFP is good and trustworthy and beyond this type of criticism. They are not. But it's a much better place to start. Fortunately, it's easy to check an advisor's title and history. You have three great resources: Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., memberFINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond JamesFinancial Services Advisors, Inc. Evans Wealth Strategies is not a registeredbroker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Every investor's situation is unique, and you should consider your investmentgoals, risk tolerance and time horizon before making any investment. Prior tomaking an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor aboutyour individual situation. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with theappropriate professional. The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to bereliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not astatement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and itdoes not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Mary ClementsEvans and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Evans Wealth Strategies 1134 Pennsylvania Ave., Emmaus, PA 18049610-421-8664
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Quincy Jones' L.A. Mansion Being Sold For $60 Million Just Months After His Death
Quincy Jones's longtime Bel Air mansion is back on the market for just under $60 million, five months after his death. The music pioneer acquired the land in 1972 for $200,000, according to the Wall Street Journal, and worked with a friend/architect to build the custom estate that was his primary residence since 2002. 'My father loved his home so much,' said Rashida Jones in a statement. 'He created it from the ground up with his boundless imagination and the talent of his high school friend, legendary architect Jerry Allison. Our family has a lifetime worth of wonderful memories and meaning imbued in this home.' The mansion spans 25,000 square feet nestling five bedrooms and 17 bathrooms across three interconnected wings, which are accessible by stairs and an elevator. It also has amenities like a wine room, tasting area, game lounge, several bars, a private balcony, gym, den, recording studio, screening room, gallery, tennis court, and an infinity pool with a spa. The 2.3 arch ground additionally boasts breathtaking views of the San Gabriel Mountains, Pacific Ocean, and Los Angeles skyline. The home's layout and decor was inspired by Jones' global travel as mentioned in a 2008 interview with Smithsonian. 'The whole world is represented here, from Morocco to Nefertiti to the Tang dynasty. Global gumbo, that's where it's at,' he explained. 'We hope the new owner will continue the legacy of love and laughter and beauty that is synonymous with the name Quincy Jones,' Rashida added. The listing is held by David Kramer and Andrew Buss of the David Kramer Group at Compass. Of the listing, Kramer stated, 'There are homes built for spec, and others that seem to trade hands often — but then there are homes like this, which almost never come to market. It's truly special.' More from Samara Joy's Carnegie Hall Debut Unlocks Full Circle Memory From Her Youth: Watch Queen Latifah, Whoopi Goldberg, And Oprah Winfrey Honor Quincy Jones At Oscars 2025 Queen Latifah To Perform Quincy Jones Tribute At 2025 Oscars
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why Two FBI Shows (And The Equalizer) Actually Got Canceled, According To CBS
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. CBS seemingly added more entries than usual to the annual list of canceled and ending TV shows, which means the upcoming TV schedule will look quite different once the fall months arrive. More recently network canceled its two FBI spinoffs, and then followed up by pulling the plug on Queen Latifah's The Equalizer in early May. The decisions have left some fans in arms, and now they've been addressed by one of CBS' head honchos. Speaking at CBS' Fall TV schedule reveal event (via TVLine), the network's President of Entertainment Amy Reisenbach addressed the nature of the business while speaking to the cancellations of FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted, neither of which cracked the Top 20 primetime shows by way of Live + 35 Day engagement. (Meanwhile, mothership drama FBI was #11.) Namechecking the latest tentatively titled spinoff, which boasts Lucifer's Tom Ellis in the lead role, Reisenbach said: Obviously we love working with Dick [Wolf] and we're so excited to be bringing CIA onto the schedule. have to be fiscally responsible, and ultimately those deals and the shows just weren't penciling out for us for an economic perspective. It's definitely true that network series' cast contracts tend to work more in the actors' favor as the seasons build up, and the sixth season usually marks negotiation time for such deals. As such, it's often when network execs go hardest on weighing the pros and cons of keeping a show on the air. FBI: Most Wanted was indeed at that point, with Season 6 set to wrap up on May 20, while FBI: International was only on for four seasons before the cancellation news. And despite not cracking the delayed-viewing Top 20 for all of TV, the dramas' total viewerships still handily beat out a lot of other primetime offerings, averaging around 6.5 million. Perhaps if both or either had been more of a draw for younger demographics, their fates could have changed. The past month has been rough for The Equalizer fans. First, the previously announced plan for a backdoor spinoff starring Bosch's Titus Welliver and Harlem's Juani Feliz went belly-up. Two days after the ep aired in mid-April, it was reported that CBS would not be moving forward with the follow-up project. Then, just a couple of weeks later, the news broke that The Equalizer wouldn't be moving forward with Season 6, despite Queen Latifah and others reportedly agreeing to take a salary cut to balance any budgetary issues. When addressing that particular decision, Amy Reinsenbach stated: It's never easy to end shows. We had a lot of options this year, and the schedule is really full. So we always have to look at all of our shows, look at the aggregate, the creative, where they are in their life cycle, what the finances look like, what the ratings are…. And we make those tough decisions. In the case of the Sunday night offering, ratings almost definitely played heavily into the cancellation decision, as The Equalizer's average nightly viewership shrank by nearly two million viewers, which isn't so easy to sweep away and feel confident while ordering new seasons. At this point, no plans are seemingly being made to shop The Equalizer or CBS' other canceled shows around to other networks, which is understandable. For now, they can all be streamed in full with a Paramount+ subscription.
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
CBS has now canceled 8 TV shows ahead of 2025-2026 season
IT is bad news for fans of TV cop dramas, as CBS has axed some of its most high profile shows. This season alone, the broadcaster has announced the end of eight major shows. 4 4 4 One of the shows on the chopping block is the beloved S.W.A.T which is coming to an end after eight seasons. CBS had previously axed the show after six seasons, but brought it back for a short-lived revival. Starring Criminal Minds alum, Shemar Moore, the long-running police action drama debuted in 2017. Elsewhere, CBS has canceled FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International after six and four seasons on air respectively. Another cop show that won't be returning to CBS is the Queen Latifah-led, The Equalizer. Latifah reacted to the news on social media with a photo of her character, Robyn McCall, holding up a gun with the words, 'I'm the one you call when you can't call 911.' 'Stepping into a kick-a** role like Robyn was everything I hoped it would be,' she wrote of The Equalizer which has been on air for five seasons. 'The Equalizer blew past every dream we had for it, and having the opportunity to do this for five seasons feels surreal.' She continued, 'Thank you to our amazing cast, crew, producers, and writers. I can't say enough about the fancy. All who have been so loyal, loud, and ride-or-die. That's exactly why we keep doing this. We can't thank you enough. It means the world to us.' Reality endurance show, The Summit, won't be making a return after it received harsh reviews including one person online describing it as "the worst show ever." CBS renews hit action series for Season 5 – but fans are 'concerned' as fate of another beloved show remains in limbo The show's premise saw sixteen strangers trek the New Zealand Alps with $1 million each and facing extreme challenges and brutal twists along the way. Comedy, The Neighborhood, starring Cedric the Entertainer and New Girl's, Max Greenfield will come to an end after 8 seasons. Another sitcom to get the chop, is led by Wayans family members, Damon Sr and his son Damon Jr. Poppa's House follows a legendary talk radio host and happily divorced "Poppa" has his point of view challenged at work when a new female co-host is hired, but this also won't be returning for a second season. S.W.A.T lead actor, Shemar, reacted to its cancellation and penned on Instagram: "SWAT IS CANCELED.... AGAIN!!! "After 8 seasons... CANCELED... maybe this time for good!!! "But my momma didn't raise NO QUITTER!!! No Matter what, I AM GRATEFUL n THANKFUL. Almost 31 years in this game of Hollywood..." 4
