Reclusive 1970's rock, funk and soul icon Sly Stone has participated in what will be his first-ever comprehensive biography. Titled 'I Want to Take You Higher: The Life and Times of Sly & the Family Stone,' the project was written by San Francisco-based entertainment scribe Jeff Kaliss and is due this October from Backbeat Books.

The tome traces the entire history of the frontman and his infamous backing band, replete "with cooperation from Sly himself, as well as numerous band members and associates, including Greg Errico and David Kapralik," according to the publisher. Despite a number of chart-topping hits from landmark discs including 1968's 'Dance to the Music,' 1969's 'Stand' and 1971's 'There's a Riot Going On', Stone retreated into personal and professional seclusion more than 30 years ago after succumbing to drug dependency and erratic behavior.

The bio is noteworthy because, as Kaliss pulled the first face-to-face interview with Stone in 20 years, "'I Want to Take You Higher' is as close to an authorized biography of Sly as we're ever likely to see," according to the publisher. The 300-page project promises an extensive photo gallery.