Sly Stone homeless

Sly Stone is homeless and living in a camper van in Los Angeles.

The legendary funk pioneer – former leader of 'Family Affair' group Sly and the Family Stone – has fallen on hard times, which claiming he has been defrauded out of royalties and on problems with drugs, which have led to him living in a mobile home since 2009.

He told the New York Post newspaper: "I like my small camper. I just do not want to return to a fixed home. I cannot stand being in one place. I must keep moving."

The singer and songwriter - real name Sylvester Stewart - last year sued his former manager, Jerry Goldstein, for $50 million, alleging he had stolen his royalties for 20 years. Sly claims that in 1989 he was tricked into signing a contract with Jerry which gave him control of his finances in exchange for a weekly paycheque.

Although Sly works on new material constantly, he has yet to release a full album because he has a distrust of managers and record companies, although he is still keen to work with new artists and wants to return to the stage.

He said: "My music is a format that will encourage you to have a song you won’t forget. That’s why I got so much money, that there are so many people around, and that’s why I am in court. Millions of dollars!

“But now please tell everybody, please, to give me a job, play my music. I’m tired of all this s**t, man.

“But, with new energy, it will feel good to step on stage. I see all the guys playing those old songs. Let these guys know, like Lady Gaga, let me come in, just let me come in and pay me if you like it.”