Which soul singer's real name is Sylvester Stewart?

The soul singer whose real name was Sylvester Stewart was Sly Stone.

Born in Denton, Texas, in 1943, Stewart became known professionally as Sly Stone. He was the frontman and creative force of Sly and the Family Stone, the groundbreaking group that blended soul, funk, rock, gospel and psychedelia during the late 1960s and 1970s.

The name “Sly” began as a childhood nickname: a classmate reportedly misspelled “Sylvester” as “Slyvester,” and the shortened version stayed with him. “Stone” became part of the family’s musical identity; several of his siblings, including Freddie Stone and Rose Stone, performed with him in Sly and the Family Stone.

Before becoming famous, Stewart worked as a radio disc jockey in San Francisco and helped introduce listeners to an unusually broad mix of music. His band’s inclusive lineup and adventurous sound made songs such as “Dance to the Music,” “Everyday People” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” landmarks of American popular music.

A frequent mix-up is confusing Sly Stone with the band name. Sly Stone was the individual performer and bandleader; Sly and the Family Stone was the larger group.