imagine a pied piper with a dazzling falsetto, wearing glittery sequins, and leading the people of the nation to a place called liberation, where nothing was straitlaced or old fashioned. and everyone was welcome finally- to come as themselves. this was not a fairytale. this was real and disco sensation sylvester, whose hits included you make me feel (mighty real) and do you wanna funk was that piper, and san francisco was the kingdom where he reigned supreme. (excerpt from the joshua gamson book the fabulous sylvester.)
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in 1978 sylvester released his sophomore album steps II and set dance floors across america on fire with the now legendary tunes you make me feel (mighty real) and disco heat. produced by the god-father of hi-nrg music patrick cowley, these songs would both break the pop top 40 and reach the top of the dance charts. The album would win three billboard music awards and reach gold status making sylvester the first openly gay artists to reach this level of success. sylvester was also one of music's most electrifying performers whose live show included two tons of fun, a group that would later become the weather girls.
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in 1986 sylvester signed to warner bros. records and released mutual attraction which featured the number 1 dance tune someone like you. the tune would also garner major radio airplay on both r&b and pop stations. unfortunately, sylvester became too ill to properly promote the album. after being diagnosed with HIV, sylvester became an avid spokes person and the first african american celebrities to acknowledge the impact of AIDS in the african american community.
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on december 16, 1988 asked his mother to turn off his t.v. so that he can rest. at age 40, sylvester closed his eyes and made his transition. he lives on in the house music we hear when we dance. he lives on in the progress we have made in lgbtq communities. he lives on in the progress we have made in the fight of AIDS. he lives on because divas don't die, divas fly high above.
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in 1979 sylvester recorded a live album. one of the songs he performed was his idol patti labelle's you are my friend. his rendition moves me to tears. tears over a man i have never met. tears for a man i discovered in my teens, years after his death. i cry because his legacy taught me that i too am worth the trip to liberation. we are worth liberation.
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.:you are my friend (live):.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/528466559a2ea09d/
in 1978 sylvester released his sophomore album steps II and set dance floors across america on fire with the now legendary tunes you make me feel (mighty real) and disco heat. produced by the god-father of hi-nrg music patrick cowley, these songs would both break the pop top 40 and reach the top of the dance charts. The album would win three billboard music awards and reach gold status making sylvester the first openly gay artists to reach this level of success. sylvester was also one of music's most electrifying performers whose live show included two tons of fun, a group that would later become the weather girls.
.
in 1986 sylvester signed to warner bros. records and released mutual attraction which featured the number 1 dance tune someone like you. the tune would also garner major radio airplay on both r&b and pop stations. unfortunately, sylvester became too ill to properly promote the album. after being diagnosed with HIV, sylvester became an avid spokes person and the first african american celebrities to acknowledge the impact of AIDS in the african american community.
.
on december 16, 1988 asked his mother to turn off his t.v. so that he can rest. at age 40, sylvester closed his eyes and made his transition. he lives on in the house music we hear when we dance. he lives on in the progress we have made in lgbtq communities. he lives on in the progress we have made in the fight of AIDS. he lives on because divas don't die, divas fly high above.
.
in 1979 sylvester recorded a live album. one of the songs he performed was his idol patti labelle's you are my friend. his rendition moves me to tears. tears over a man i have never met. tears for a man i discovered in my teens, years after his death. i cry because his legacy taught me that i too am worth the trip to liberation. we are worth liberation.
.
.:you are my friend (live):.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/528466559a2ea09d/
love sylvester! i been dying to get his book that was released a few years ago...beautiful song i never heard before.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky to see Sylvester during his "Mutual Attraction" tour and he was amazing. He was great singer and he is missed. What I admired about him most was he was proud of who and what he was and did not let anyone hold him back. May he rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteI have been living in Euorope for the past 9 years and it's shocking to see how much being gay is a NON-ISSUE here.
ReplyDeleteAmerica thinks it so great and they are so forward thinking... let me tell you .. the alarm is ringing it's time to wake up and get out of bed there a hole wide world out there!
Thanks for the Sylvester tribute it was great to read about him and know he's still in your heart..