United Kingdom, June 9 -- Sly Stone has died aged 82.

The musician - who was best-known as the frontman for Sly and the Family Stone - "passed away peacefully" following a lengthy battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.

A statement from his family reads: "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.

"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."

Sly's family also hailed the music star as a "groundbreaking innovator, an...