Sly Stone 'to sue former manager'

Sly Stone has reportedly filed a $50m (£30.9m) legal claim against his former manager.

The funk musician, real name Sylvester Stewart, is suing Jerry Goldstein over alleged fraud and stolen royalties, the BBC reports.

The 66-year-old, who fronted 1970s group Sly and the Family Stone, claims that Goldstein registered the group's name with authorities as his own and used it to divert millions in royalties to fund his luxurious lifestyle.

Stone has asked the Los Angeles Superior Court for the full accounts from royalty collection companies to determine the exact figure allegedly taken from him.

Lawyer Robert Allen claimed the legal action showed "a dark side of the music business where some of these artists are being robbed of their intellectual property and the fruits of their genius by unscrupulous people who prey on their trusting nature and lack of business and legal knowledge."

A representative for Mr Goldstein has yet to comment.

Last year it was reported that Stone was claiming social security and living in cheap hotel accommodation.