|
 |
 |
 |
Dave Cooper
Roermond, the Netherlands
19 Dec 2010 |
The first time I heard Sylvester was in 1972. I loved his music and I bought his first album Sylvester & The Hotband and took it to Australia with me when I moved there to live in a big sandstone terrace house on the harbour at Balmain. I was surprised to find that he was even at that early stage he was known in the camper circles of far-off Sydney society ! When I returned to San Francisco in 1974 Sylvester had played and was playing parts in the clique of people from the communes like Kaliflower, Hunga Dunga and the Cockettes; and many of my friends, lovers and acquaintances were among those tribes. It was a great and momentous time ... perhaps the most intense memory was of the Castro Fair of 1978 when he was at the height of his Disco Magnificence - pumping and funk-strutting way away above and over the heaving, seething army of sweaty and happy men. But perhaps the most memorable moment was being confronted by the vision of him barrelling down Castro Street in tow of his great Russian Greyhounds ... like a TransAtlantic ship in the night ... all foghorns amid the dance disco heat, indeed ! |
|
John Mehring
San Francisco
27 May 2013 |
Michael T. Roper memorialized Sylvester in his book, Memories of My Gay Brothers (2000). |
|
Michael Bailey
Sacramento, CA
10 Dec 2018 |
I worked for Sylvester's management company, Borzoi Music, and Sylvester's manager, Tim McKenna, for 4 years. Prior to that I worked for Megatone Records, founded by Marty Blecman and Patrick Cowley. Prior that that I assisted Bill Motley found Moby Dick Records. That was almost 40 years ago, yet it often seems like yesterday. These folks were the jewels in the crown of my life. I would not be who I am today without them. |
|
Gigigisele
Beverly hills,Calif
17 Feb 2013 |
I was a young girl who adored your disco sound and falsetto. You are and always be a brave person. May you be a..hero to every unique child that comes into the world. I read your auto-biography detailing your last days in San francisco..much love. A fan... |
|
Chris N (TotoFoto)
Paris, France
12 Mar 2020 |
The proof of Sylvester's greatness (in my opinion) was to have and show such immense talent, and still be so down-to-earth. At the height of his fame, I used to see him in Cala supermarket, shopping while dressed in short-shorts and wearing thongs. We chatted several times, and he was always charming. Girl! You went to soon. |
|
Joel Stevens
Oakland Ca
1 Dec 2009 |
Sylvester, the first time I ever laid eyes on you was when I saw the album cover of STARS. You looking up to heaven in that way you did behind those big sunglasses, with that yes lord jesus look on your face..I knew we were soul mates. I still know it today. I have one hero, and that is you. When I get to heaven the first thing Ima ask God is please can I see Sylvester now? thank you for your legacy here on earth. However short lived, you've had the greatest impact on my life and that of countless others. You are missed! The world was a better place because you were in it. You are my friend....I am so grateful to have your spirit with me. Ima do right by you and get your name in that Grove over there gurl. For all the chilrens to remember you..peace and love gurl. We'll have us some church up in heaven when I get there, trust and believe Forever yours, glitterboy |
|
David LaCour Simien
Los Angeles
31 Oct 2019 |
Sylvester was a defining artist and incredible musician. He is a true icon and a shining beacon for marginalized persons. I am currently developing a feature film on his life and music which will honor his truly admirable courage in the face of tremendous oppression and cultural resistance. He deserves far more credit and appreciation than he ever received during his lifetime and career. The title of the film is Sylvester: Both Sides and will be in production in late 2020. He is deserving and worthy of the honor of having his life and music front and center which was never the case during his lifetime. He is the true godfather of EDM. |
|
Ronny
Los Angeles
2 Dec 2009 |
You made us feel mighty real! I remember seeing you pride parade when I first moved to SF. You were in a wheelchair .... but honey you WORKED it! Another time I was working ..... uh WALKING Castro and you were having lunch sitting looking out the window. I stopped when I saw you and said Sylvester?. You gave me that big ol' smile, waved and said Hey, baby how you doing?. Made my day!!! |
|
Jewell St. Clair
Kansas City, MO
8 Nov 2017 |
I had the privilege of seeing Sylvester perform (with his Weather Girls!) live, on stage, in crowded Market Street during the 1980 Gay Pride celebration. Omg, what fun -thousands of gay people gyrating to his music! Then again in Summer 1983 for his 30th birthday celebration at Hexagon House in Russian River, though he hobbled onto stage after breaking his ankle. Those were the days & nights, my friends, when Castro rumbled with the frenetic beats of Sylvester's disco tunes. Patrick Cowley-infused tunes. Only thing that even comes close to capturing what it was like are scenes from the (American version of the TV) series, Queer as Folk. I still have his long-play mixed vinyl version of his more popular tunes. You can't calm my feet in the disco heat, dancin' thru the night, til mornin' light shines on me! I volunteered to be a safety monitor for Gay Pride in June/1989 and was disappointed to hear that he had passed away (by then I had moved away from SFO). He will never be forgotten, nor will those times, and all the beautiful men & women of SFO's early gay scene, BA (before AIDS). RIP. |
|
John Mehring
San Francisco
20 Apr 2013 |
Over a decade, AIDS proved devastating to these San Francisco musical colleagues: First, Patrick Cowley, who trailblazed electronic music, died in 1982, at 32. Next, Sylvester, disco performer extraordinaire, died in 1988, at 41. Then, Frank Lovende, died in 1990, at 43. Finally, Marty Blecman, died in 1991, at 37. |
|
Terry Bryan
Temmessee
17 Jan 2023 |
I lived at the Russian River in the 1980s and published This Month on the River which as I added more and more areas to it, it became This Month Art, Entertainment & Travel. The Woods Resort always took the color center spread. At that time it was owned by Carl Bruno. Sylvester entertained at The Woods many times. I never missed any of his performances there. I can still hear his incredible voice singing and blowing the roof off the Hexigon House! In the summer the place was so packed that cars were parked along Armstrong Woods Road halfway to town.And Sylvester brought the biggest crowds. |
|
Don D Dennerline
KailuaKona, HI
15 Sep 2023 |
Tim McKenna was a dear friend of mine & my later partner Peter Goddard in the late 70's - 80's in San Francisco. I got to see Sylvester & the Two Tons of Fun = Toad Hollow = corner of 18th & Castro few times. The crowd flowed into the street to watch this group HOLLA!! What a friggen BLAST !! Caught him at Castro Street Fair = in a STUNNING Black & Red Chanel mini dress outfit with matching hat ...= Also caught his last visit on the street in the wheelchair. Broke our hearts .. I will always remember his southern queen wit = he was sharp & we both shared Hotlanta stories ...!! I will always remember him FLYING down Castro St on his seafoam Vespa = mink cost sailing in the wind behind him.. I will always remember him on the Joan Rivers New Years Eve show = after he signed big record deal and was heading International. We were dancing at the Galleria that New Years Night = Sylvester was projected 3 stories high on the wall on Joans show. He looked stunning = curly Red wig and all... We screamed out heads off at our bouy making it big. What a night1. We had front row center seats for his memorial at Circle Star Center in southbay. Patti LaBelle, Pointer Sisters, Luther Van Dross and more sang his songs = we cried our eyes out ... Those were the days my friend - we thought they'd never end ... DDD |
|
|
| Copyright © 2009. No part of this database may be copied or reproduced without permission. |
|
|
