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Sly Stone
When and where: Numerous shows in the early ‘70s
Circumstances: During claustrophobic, drug-fueled recording sessions for their 1971 masterpiece “There’s a Riot Goin’ On,” Sly and the Family Stone captured the growing disenchantment with ‘60s idealism. The mercurial bandleader’s performances from that era embodied that unhinged sensibility. He missed numerous shows from 1970 on, and in 1974, married his then 19-year-old girlfriend, Kathy Silva (seen here), onstage at Madison Square Garden (“Soul Train” host Don Cornelius did the honors).
Did it damage his image? During that era, certainly. In a recent “Vanity Fair” interview, Stone mentions having to pay a bond before shows in case he didn’t show up. But his odd behavior has only increased his legend and made his recent Coachella performance that much more hyped.
