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The Fabulous Sylvester: The Legend, the Music, the Seventies in San Francisco
Imagine a pied piper singing in falsetto, wearing sequins, and leading the young people of the nation to San Francisco and on to a liberation where nothing was straight-laced or old-fashioned. And everyone, finally, was welcome--to come as themselves. This is not a fairy tale. This was real, mighty real, and disco-sensation Sylvester was the piper.
Yale-trained sociologist Joshua Gamson uses Sylvester's life to lead us through the story of the 1970s, when a generation took off its shame. Celebrity, sociology, and music history mingle in this endlessly entertaining story of a singer who embodied the freedom, spirit, and flamboyance of a golden moment in American culture.
Yale-trained sociologist Joshua Gamson uses Sylvester's life to lead us through the story of the 1970s, when a generation took off its shame. Celebrity, sociology, and music history mingle in this endlessly entertaining story of a singer who embodied the freedom, spirit, and flamboyance of a golden moment in American culture.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
42 people are currently reading
1025 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Gamson
18 books12 followersJoshua Gamson is an American scholar and author. A graduate of Swarthmore College and the University of California, Berkeley, he served on the faculty of Yale University before becoming a professor of sociology at the University of San Francisco.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 16, 2021
On Memorial Day in 1979 a fan yelled out to Sylvester asking if he was a girl. “Honey, tonight I’ll be anything you want me to be!” Before mainstream cultural awareness of nonbinary gender, Sylvester was a trailblazing icon for gender fluidity. As with so many LGBTQ artists who died from AIDS, Sylvester’s legacy and impact have been continually erased. Sylvester’s life story as a Black queer cultural icon is a template on what it means to make freedom mighty real.
Sylvester was born in 1947 in Los Angeles and left home as a teenager after experiencing homophobic abuse. At 15 Sylvester started to go to gay clubs and built up a group of Black queer friends who called themselves the Disquotays. The group hosted elaborate house parties at Etta James’s house and often dressed up in drag. During the Watts Riots of 1965, the Disquotays ignored police curfew and through a house party, “the only stopped dancing with the National Guard came pounding on the door” (38). At this time it was illegal in LA to do drag: the LAPD used Rule No. 9 to arrest queens nightly. Disquotays carried a rag for emergency makeup removal in the case the cops were on their tail. While Sylvester’s best friend Duchess was interested in medical transition, Sylvester (then known as Dooni) was more interested in remaining gender non-conforming. When Sylvester graduated from high school in 1969 he wore a blue chiffon prom dress.
Sylvester moved to San Francisco and started performing with a drag performance group called the Cockettes. Sylvester had been studying “the transition of Black music from gospel to spiritual music to blues and jazz” and would often incorporate Black cultural signifiers in his performance persona (59). He would draw from his experience singing in the Black church and bring gospel to the clubs. Eventually Sylvester began to sing and perform on his own. Reviewers had no idea how to write about his genre-defying work and gender-bending identity. Sylvester once told an interviewer: “If it takes sequins, if it takes feathers, if it takes makeup, I’ll put it on because that’s what I’m here for” (101). “Individuality! That’s the key to my life” he told another. “I just want to go places and be strange!” (153).
With hit releases like “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” Sylvester became a household name and a global superstar. He became one of the most iconic faces of disco, a world “brimful of strangeness, gayness, mixing, dress-up, drugs, androgyny, and excess” (141). In one night he would sing at three London discos and would be met by mobs. People followed him from club to club. “Sylvester caused riots” said a local reporter. While Sylvester loved the attention, he didn’t really mind what his audience had to say. “If an audience is having an awful time, I turn to my girls and my band and we have an absolutely fabulous time with each other!”
The sad truth is Sylvester got a lot of pushback from his own LGBTQ community for his flamboyant style. Even though he performed in front of 150,000 people at the 1979 Gay Freedom Day Pride and Harvey Milk’s bday party, in 1982 he remarked “I get this conformist shit from queens all of the time. They always want to read me. I’m not going to conform to the gay lifestyle as they see it and that’s for sure.” Andrea Horne, a friend of Sylvester, remarks that Sylvester gave permission for white masc gay men to express their femininity. Sylvester destigmatized effeminacy and gender non-conformity for an entire generation.
Sylvester died of AIDS in 1988. Towards the end of his life he spoke out as an advocate, “It bothers me that AIDS is still thought of as a gay, white male disease…The Black community is at the bottom of the line when it comes to getting information, even when we’ve been so hard hit by this disease.” Till the very end he kept up his distinct humor and camp. After hearing rumors that he had passed away, he told a reporter “Until I call you up and tell you I’m dead…don’t believe it!” When DJ Franklin Crocker asked Sylvester how he wanted to be remembered he proclaimed, “For being fabulous.”
Sylvester was born in 1947 in Los Angeles and left home as a teenager after experiencing homophobic abuse. At 15 Sylvester started to go to gay clubs and built up a group of Black queer friends who called themselves the Disquotays. The group hosted elaborate house parties at Etta James’s house and often dressed up in drag. During the Watts Riots of 1965, the Disquotays ignored police curfew and through a house party, “the only stopped dancing with the National Guard came pounding on the door” (38). At this time it was illegal in LA to do drag: the LAPD used Rule No. 9 to arrest queens nightly. Disquotays carried a rag for emergency makeup removal in the case the cops were on their tail. While Sylvester’s best friend Duchess was interested in medical transition, Sylvester (then known as Dooni) was more interested in remaining gender non-conforming. When Sylvester graduated from high school in 1969 he wore a blue chiffon prom dress.
Sylvester moved to San Francisco and started performing with a drag performance group called the Cockettes. Sylvester had been studying “the transition of Black music from gospel to spiritual music to blues and jazz” and would often incorporate Black cultural signifiers in his performance persona (59). He would draw from his experience singing in the Black church and bring gospel to the clubs. Eventually Sylvester began to sing and perform on his own. Reviewers had no idea how to write about his genre-defying work and gender-bending identity. Sylvester once told an interviewer: “If it takes sequins, if it takes feathers, if it takes makeup, I’ll put it on because that’s what I’m here for” (101). “Individuality! That’s the key to my life” he told another. “I just want to go places and be strange!” (153).
With hit releases like “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” Sylvester became a household name and a global superstar. He became one of the most iconic faces of disco, a world “brimful of strangeness, gayness, mixing, dress-up, drugs, androgyny, and excess” (141). In one night he would sing at three London discos and would be met by mobs. People followed him from club to club. “Sylvester caused riots” said a local reporter. While Sylvester loved the attention, he didn’t really mind what his audience had to say. “If an audience is having an awful time, I turn to my girls and my band and we have an absolutely fabulous time with each other!”
The sad truth is Sylvester got a lot of pushback from his own LGBTQ community for his flamboyant style. Even though he performed in front of 150,000 people at the 1979 Gay Freedom Day Pride and Harvey Milk’s bday party, in 1982 he remarked “I get this conformist shit from queens all of the time. They always want to read me. I’m not going to conform to the gay lifestyle as they see it and that’s for sure.” Andrea Horne, a friend of Sylvester, remarks that Sylvester gave permission for white masc gay men to express their femininity. Sylvester destigmatized effeminacy and gender non-conformity for an entire generation.
Sylvester died of AIDS in 1988. Towards the end of his life he spoke out as an advocate, “It bothers me that AIDS is still thought of as a gay, white male disease…The Black community is at the bottom of the line when it comes to getting information, even when we’ve been so hard hit by this disease.” Till the very end he kept up his distinct humor and camp. After hearing rumors that he had passed away, he told a reporter “Until I call you up and tell you I’m dead…don’t believe it!” When DJ Franklin Crocker asked Sylvester how he wanted to be remembered he proclaimed, “For being fabulous.”
June 19, 2014
Reading Joshua Gamson's memoir of Sylvester was like entering a time machine back to the 70s, 80s. Sylvester's songs defined an era. You could not enter any gay bar or club during those years and not hear the tidal wave sound of his falsetto. I feel fortunate to have attended a memorable concert at the Backstreet Club in Atlanta circa 1981.
Gamson paints a thorough, detailed portrait of the artist from his dysfunctional childhood discotay days in Los Angeles to dying too young of AIDS in San Francisco. The book reveals the multifaceted personality of the diva superstar: his androgyny, generosity of spirit, penchant for the ephemeral, wry humor, conflicted religious convictions, and determination to become an international singing star.
I was sad to learn Sylvester died penniless as is the case with most artists. I surmised early on that Sylvester lived in the moment and shared his success with his family and friends as naturally as breathing. It probably wouldn't have mattered how much money returned to him, and he ultimately lived life to the fullest, on the edge, and broke.
My only criticism of the book was Sylvester's breakup with the Weather Girls. The book quickly glossed over this transition and I would have had enjoyed more history and explanation.
The superstar's roots in the church came full circle at the end of his life. His non-acceptance at a young age probably left scars and I think he lived a conflicted life spiritually speaking.
In the United States, Sylvester did not achieve major celebrity. He was renowned more on other continents than in North America. He was ahead of his time in his act and might have paved the way for future performers to safely reveal their androgyny. In 2014, Sylvester's talent could humble the greatest singers of our time. He was famed to have the ability to sing in a rare six octave range.
I'm happy Gamson's wrote "The Fabulous Sylvester: The Legend, the Music, the Seventies in San Francisco and prevented Sylvester from falling into the shadows of obscurity.
Gamson paints a thorough, detailed portrait of the artist from his dysfunctional childhood discotay days in Los Angeles to dying too young of AIDS in San Francisco. The book reveals the multifaceted personality of the diva superstar: his androgyny, generosity of spirit, penchant for the ephemeral, wry humor, conflicted religious convictions, and determination to become an international singing star.
I was sad to learn Sylvester died penniless as is the case with most artists. I surmised early on that Sylvester lived in the moment and shared his success with his family and friends as naturally as breathing. It probably wouldn't have mattered how much money returned to him, and he ultimately lived life to the fullest, on the edge, and broke.
My only criticism of the book was Sylvester's breakup with the Weather Girls. The book quickly glossed over this transition and I would have had enjoyed more history and explanation.
The superstar's roots in the church came full circle at the end of his life. His non-acceptance at a young age probably left scars and I think he lived a conflicted life spiritually speaking.
In the United States, Sylvester did not achieve major celebrity. He was renowned more on other continents than in North America. He was ahead of his time in his act and might have paved the way for future performers to safely reveal their androgyny. In 2014, Sylvester's talent could humble the greatest singers of our time. He was famed to have the ability to sing in a rare six octave range.
I'm happy Gamson's wrote "The Fabulous Sylvester: The Legend, the Music, the Seventies in San Francisco and prevented Sylvester from falling into the shadows of obscurity.
April 27, 2016
Emotional, Real, Captivating, Page Turner!!! A Great Read! I Loved It!
June 16, 2009
Excellent biography on a performer who was well ahead of his time. Quote: "Don't conceptualize me, I am the concept"
November 26, 2021
This is a wonderful tribute to Sylvester and his musical legacy. It is detailed and competently written, if a bit gushing at times. Like most biographies of this type, it is written in linear fashion, starting with Sylvester's childhood and boyhood. This portion of a biography is often tedious to me, even though it gives all kinds of clues as to the life destiny of the subject. The book picks up momentum about a third of the way in, and I learned a lot about how Sylvester's career arc developed, peaked, and rather flat-lined. What I got from the book were the following key points: 1. He wanted to be a legendary diva similar to Josephine Baker. He saw himself as a diva, and he was enamored (no, CRAZED) about the clothing and accessories that would beam "fabulousness" to the word. However, he was neither a trans-sexual (he enjoyed being both feminine and a rather sexually assertive traditional male apparently). He was also not a drag queen. Instead, he embraced himself fully and reveled in his special-ness as a unique and eccentric character. That was what fascinated people about him, that he lived his life giving one big "F YOU" finger to those who might stigmatize, bully, or harass him for being who he was. Thus he was a role model in spite of the fact that he was quite self-serving and, if not narcissistic, at least proudly in peoples' faces. For that alone he deserved the acclaim and legendary status he earned. 2. He stumbled across "disco", rather than beckoned it or even fully embraced it as his primary bread and butter as a recording artist. He wanted to be a torch singer, a balladeer, a gospel artist, even a rocker. What clicked was a combination of gospel fervor and a series of great dance music hits that connected big time with the gay dance club crowd, and yielded at least one smash hit ("You Make Me Feel Mighty Real"). He luckily found the right people to team with to churn out some dance floor classics, which remain his most passionate and celebrated work, although he could perform his beloved ballads and jazz standards with passion and flair as well.
About half-way into the book it is as if an impending dark cloud can be sensed. The life and times of Sylvester and those who teamed with him was relatively brief before AIDS mowed most of them down and brought the San Francisco gay liberation non-stop party to a tragic end. Particularly sad was the early death of electronic music pioneer Patrick Cowley, who probably was destined for a remarkable career a la Giorgio Moroder if he hadn't died so young of AIDS. He, too , should be remembered, for it was his production skills that took what might have been otherwise ordinary disco jams into the sonic stratosphere that propelled them to the top of the dance music charts. Bravo, Patrick, well done! Imagine "You Make Me Feel Mighty Real" without the trippy keyboard effects and you know why I give props to Patrick. The Two Tons O' Fun also perfectly complemented Sylvester's impassioned style. Martha Wash is a dance music legend in her own right. I could've cared less about "It's Raining Men" but I'm glad they got a big hit!) but just listen to "Earth Could Be Just Like Heaven" or "I Got the Feelin'" to hear how good these ladies were.
If you hated disco I am not so sure you would necessarily hate Sylvester's best dance music tracks. They were electrified with passion and energy, whereas some but by no means not all disco records were formulaic, pleasant, and rather cheesy. Sylvester turned dance floors into Pentecostal church services; he turned a night of dancing into an EXPERIENCE of power, passion, sexual energy, and a spiritual rush. (Now I'm "gushing" a little, just like the author, but really... Sylvester was a mind-blowing artist who elevated dance music to ART. I'm really happy I was there, on the dance floor night after night, to experience that).
Perhaps one of the sweetest and most unexpected aspects of Sylvester's life was the unflagging love of his mother and siblings. He may have been an "outsider", an "eccentric", etc. but he had support and love throughout his journey, and perhaps this is why there is no indication he resorted to substance abuse or addiction, which are all but cliches in the music world. He was indulgent, and a romantic but also strong and grounded. In the end it can be easily said: the man was true to his life's philosophy: he had FABULOUS down to an art!
I doubt there will be a better biography of Sylvester written than this one. It is a fitting tribute.
About half-way into the book it is as if an impending dark cloud can be sensed. The life and times of Sylvester and those who teamed with him was relatively brief before AIDS mowed most of them down and brought the San Francisco gay liberation non-stop party to a tragic end. Particularly sad was the early death of electronic music pioneer Patrick Cowley, who probably was destined for a remarkable career a la Giorgio Moroder if he hadn't died so young of AIDS. He, too , should be remembered, for it was his production skills that took what might have been otherwise ordinary disco jams into the sonic stratosphere that propelled them to the top of the dance music charts. Bravo, Patrick, well done! Imagine "You Make Me Feel Mighty Real" without the trippy keyboard effects and you know why I give props to Patrick. The Two Tons O' Fun also perfectly complemented Sylvester's impassioned style. Martha Wash is a dance music legend in her own right. I could've cared less about "It's Raining Men" but I'm glad they got a big hit!) but just listen to "Earth Could Be Just Like Heaven" or "I Got the Feelin'" to hear how good these ladies were.
If you hated disco I am not so sure you would necessarily hate Sylvester's best dance music tracks. They were electrified with passion and energy, whereas some but by no means not all disco records were formulaic, pleasant, and rather cheesy. Sylvester turned dance floors into Pentecostal church services; he turned a night of dancing into an EXPERIENCE of power, passion, sexual energy, and a spiritual rush. (Now I'm "gushing" a little, just like the author, but really... Sylvester was a mind-blowing artist who elevated dance music to ART. I'm really happy I was there, on the dance floor night after night, to experience that).
Perhaps one of the sweetest and most unexpected aspects of Sylvester's life was the unflagging love of his mother and siblings. He may have been an "outsider", an "eccentric", etc. but he had support and love throughout his journey, and perhaps this is why there is no indication he resorted to substance abuse or addiction, which are all but cliches in the music world. He was indulgent, and a romantic but also strong and grounded. In the end it can be easily said: the man was true to his life's philosophy: he had FABULOUS down to an art!
I doubt there will be a better biography of Sylvester written than this one. It is a fitting tribute.
December 25, 2013
The fact that I'm currently ridiculously obsessed with all things Sylvester almost tempts me into giving this biography five stars. It is a well-written volume, certainly, and I admire Joshua Gamson for doing his part in rescuing a San Francisco legend from the depths of obscurity. For the first few chapters, though, I was troubled at how much time he spent complimenting Sylvester, so much so that it seemed patronizing at times. Over the course of the book, though, it's clear that Gamson has good intentions, at least. Much of the book is dedicated to the period of Sylvester's life after he moves to San Francisco and joins the Cockettes, up until his successful Step II album. I don't necessarily have a problem with this, in fact this is the portion of the book in which we get to know Sylvester most. It's been established in the beginning of the book that he's fabulous but, here, he begins to become three dimensional. After the Step II period, though, Gamson's overview of Sylvester's life becomes rapidly less detailed. This period seems generally the most obscure and consequently the most fascinating period in Sylvester's life. We know he's upset when Martha and Izora go solo, but we don't get an explanation of his relationship with the two after they leave. Similarly, I'm still baffled at Sylvester's approach to AIDS. It is clear that, when his friend and business partner Patrick Cowley dies of the disease early in the epidemic (when it was still rigidly referred to as GRID), he is affected deeply by it. Yet, we don't understand how it influenced Sylvester. He eludes to an amended sex life, yet there are hints in the text that he remained reckless. We understand that he is inspired to go to church more often, but we don't get much explanation of Sylvester's religious guilt at his own seeming unapologetic flamboyance. Though Gamson conducted infinitesimal interviews with people Sylvester knew, I suspect there was not much secondary information to give an accurate understanding of Sylvester's growth in the post-Step II period. For that, the book suffered. Ultimately, The Fabulous Sylvester offers a glimpse into 1970's gay life in San Francisco and a little context for Sylvester's most memorable and most wild moments, occasionally providing deeper hints of what truly made Sylvester Sylvester.
On a side-note, I'm linking to my favorite Sylvester song- "Someone Like You," a minor hit from his more obscure period in the mid-80's. The electric piano in the intro makes me irrationally happy. While it's interesting that the song's lyrics are sang to an unnamed female (certainly an unfortunate byproduct of the time period), this song showcases, moreso than the more popular "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," the range of Sylvesters falsetto. Enjoy the awesomeness..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8awLd3...
On a side-note, I'm linking to my favorite Sylvester song- "Someone Like You," a minor hit from his more obscure period in the mid-80's. The electric piano in the intro makes me irrationally happy. While it's interesting that the song's lyrics are sang to an unnamed female (certainly an unfortunate byproduct of the time period), this song showcases, moreso than the more popular "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," the range of Sylvesters falsetto. Enjoy the awesomeness..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8awLd3...
January 2, 2024
I wrote to the author, Joshua Gamson, after reading this gem:
“Hey, I want you to know how healing for me it has been to read your book, The Fabulous Sylvester. I was a disco kid/“fag hag” as a teen in the 70s. I often say I never got over the 70s. I’m from a very boring Canadian city but in the gay bars I experienced transcendence. I was too young to understand how special it was and how fleeting. There was no internet, of course, and in Alberta no access to articles about black people, for instance. I didn’t know Sylvester’s story but his disco songs have never left me. Haha. Now I’m 62 and my kids are grownish and I’m finally taking time to FEEL, including a lot of feelings related to that time and not having opportunities to become what disco promised, while being brainwashed as a woman and white person in this sick capitalist culture. I’ve shed a lot of beautiful tears reading this book. Thank you 🙏🏻
It’s a really special book. It’s not often that I read a library book then feel the need to buy it. I’m gonna buy a copy and just carry it around. It’s not often I feel like I need to carry a book around with me! Like a bible! Or a baby version of me! Thank you for the deep feelings.”
“Hey, I want you to know how healing for me it has been to read your book, The Fabulous Sylvester. I was a disco kid/“fag hag” as a teen in the 70s. I often say I never got over the 70s. I’m from a very boring Canadian city but in the gay bars I experienced transcendence. I was too young to understand how special it was and how fleeting. There was no internet, of course, and in Alberta no access to articles about black people, for instance. I didn’t know Sylvester’s story but his disco songs have never left me. Haha. Now I’m 62 and my kids are grownish and I’m finally taking time to FEEL, including a lot of feelings related to that time and not having opportunities to become what disco promised, while being brainwashed as a woman and white person in this sick capitalist culture. I’ve shed a lot of beautiful tears reading this book. Thank you 🙏🏻
It’s a really special book. It’s not often that I read a library book then feel the need to buy it. I’m gonna buy a copy and just carry it around. It’s not often I feel like I need to carry a book around with me! Like a bible! Or a baby version of me! Thank you for the deep feelings.”
July 6, 2018
I picked this book up toward the end of June not realizing that it was both Black Music Month and LGBTQ Pride Month. Kismet, or what?
This book was an awesome read and I really enjoyed it. I learned so much about Sylvester James Jr. and have even more respect for him as an artist and a black man. I was bracing myself for the typical story where the family turns against the gay son and his life spirals through depression, drugs and homelessness but instead I received something more; love. Sylvester was truly groundbreaking. His was the third video by a black artist to appear on MTV! Before Boy George and Prince, a contemporary of David Bowie; he was the definition of androgynous. A truly talented diva with an amazing voice both on and off stage. An advocate for AIDS awareness at the very start of the epidemic, he used his own story to educate people around the world. He was definitely "Mighty Real!" (I couldn't resist.)
This book was an awesome read and I really enjoyed it. I learned so much about Sylvester James Jr. and have even more respect for him as an artist and a black man. I was bracing myself for the typical story where the family turns against the gay son and his life spirals through depression, drugs and homelessness but instead I received something more; love. Sylvester was truly groundbreaking. His was the third video by a black artist to appear on MTV! Before Boy George and Prince, a contemporary of David Bowie; he was the definition of androgynous. A truly talented diva with an amazing voice both on and off stage. An advocate for AIDS awareness at the very start of the epidemic, he used his own story to educate people around the world. He was definitely "Mighty Real!" (I couldn't resist.)
April 1, 2012
I can't believe I've neglected to add Joshua Gamson's "The Fabulous Sylvester" to my list of Goodreads books. I read back when it was released in 2005 and was amazed by its thorough reporting and elegant writing. The beautiful opening chapter still sticks in my mind and I sometimes like to go back and look at it again; one of the best beginnings I've read in almost any biography. All throughout this book you will encounter an amazing ability to synthesize the facts of a life with smart perceptions of cultural meaning. Sylvester is, admittedly, not a major celebrity, but Sylvester's life intersects with a great many events and twists of popular culture that are important.
August 28, 2016
The best biography I've ever read. Joshua Gamson writes Sylvester's life not as an examination, but almost as if was an actual witness from birth to death.
If you read this biography, I highly suggest that when an album is discussed, stop reading, listen to the album, go back to reading. Immerse yourself in it. Feel inspired. Feel the realness.
If you read this biography, I highly suggest that when an album is discussed, stop reading, listen to the album, go back to reading. Immerse yourself in it. Feel inspired. Feel the realness.
July 29, 2018
There's no way a book about Sylvester could be anything but interesting. In addition it's a little time capsule of life in San Francisco during the seventies and eighties. I enjoyed reading it.
January 8, 2015
I waited three years for the publisher to put this book on Kindle, and wouldn't you know it, they gave me an early present. FINALLY, I got to read about one of my favorite singers!
I miss Sylvester. I remember the first time I heard his live rendition of Patti LaBelle's You Are My Friend. He and the Two Tons o'Fun tore that song up and back. They sang the words off that song! Every time I hear it, I still get goosebumps. Sylvester was so ahead of his time and his early demise due to AIDS was just tragic. Everything you thought you knew about Sylvester, I can guarantee you one thing, you did not. After reading this book, I got a better sense of who Dooni a/k/a Sylvester really was.
From his early childhood, sexual abuse, and lost loves and a broke heart, Sylvester weathered the storm. What I loved about his family is that although they knew he was openly gay, they never strayed from him. If anything, Sylvester kept his lifestyle away from them. His grandmother was such a driving force behind making him who he was and accepting all his "strangeness". When people said he was different or strange, he'd respond, "that's ok!" And he's right!
I learned many things about him that I never knew and had a few surprises. I only wish I got to see him perform in person. I've seen all his videos and heard most of his music, but to experience a live "Sylvester" had to be the supreme ultimate. His falsetto was off the chain and he could belt out the vocals like nobody's business.
I really miss Sylvester. His contribution to R&B and the movement of the gay revolution was outstanding. He's still a shining star! If you love biographies, this is the one to read.
Side Note: Joshua did a great job detailing the 70s and disco and made you feel like you were a part of it. Well written! Also, the Kindle version did not have any pictures and I was little bummed about that. Not sure if the paper versions have pics or not?
I miss Sylvester. I remember the first time I heard his live rendition of Patti LaBelle's You Are My Friend. He and the Two Tons o'Fun tore that song up and back. They sang the words off that song! Every time I hear it, I still get goosebumps. Sylvester was so ahead of his time and his early demise due to AIDS was just tragic. Everything you thought you knew about Sylvester, I can guarantee you one thing, you did not. After reading this book, I got a better sense of who Dooni a/k/a Sylvester really was.
From his early childhood, sexual abuse, and lost loves and a broke heart, Sylvester weathered the storm. What I loved about his family is that although they knew he was openly gay, they never strayed from him. If anything, Sylvester kept his lifestyle away from them. His grandmother was such a driving force behind making him who he was and accepting all his "strangeness". When people said he was different or strange, he'd respond, "that's ok!" And he's right!
I learned many things about him that I never knew and had a few surprises. I only wish I got to see him perform in person. I've seen all his videos and heard most of his music, but to experience a live "Sylvester" had to be the supreme ultimate. His falsetto was off the chain and he could belt out the vocals like nobody's business.
I really miss Sylvester. His contribution to R&B and the movement of the gay revolution was outstanding. He's still a shining star! If you love biographies, this is the one to read.
Side Note: Joshua did a great job detailing the 70s and disco and made you feel like you were a part of it. Well written! Also, the Kindle version did not have any pictures and I was little bummed about that. Not sure if the paper versions have pics or not?
May 31, 2015
I love drag queens. I love a man who knows how to beat his face, stomp down the street like a super model and wear a dress better than any woman alive. Sylvester had all of that going on and so much more.
Sylvester was born with the gift of fabulosity and he knew it. From a young age it was apparent that he was gifted, he could sang and he knew how to dress either as a boy or a girl. He also knew he was gay from an early age and felt no shame in that. Sylvester knew himself and refused to let anyone define him, he simply was Sylvester.
Gamson takes us through his years with the Cocketts to the ups and downs in his solo career and in his personal life. Sylvester never achieved the level of fame his talent deserved but that didn't stop him from living like the super star he knew he was. He spent his money on clothes, jewelry and friends like a sailor on shore leave and was a mega slut. Being a mega slut in San Francisco in the 70's and 80's was bad for your health and unfortunately Sylvester would succumb to AIDS in his early 40's.
Despite the fact that this book is about so many things I love it just didn't suck me in like I thought it would.
Sylvester was born with the gift of fabulosity and he knew it. From a young age it was apparent that he was gifted, he could sang and he knew how to dress either as a boy or a girl. He also knew he was gay from an early age and felt no shame in that. Sylvester knew himself and refused to let anyone define him, he simply was Sylvester.
Gamson takes us through his years with the Cocketts to the ups and downs in his solo career and in his personal life. Sylvester never achieved the level of fame his talent deserved but that didn't stop him from living like the super star he knew he was. He spent his money on clothes, jewelry and friends like a sailor on shore leave and was a mega slut. Being a mega slut in San Francisco in the 70's and 80's was bad for your health and unfortunately Sylvester would succumb to AIDS in his early 40's.
Despite the fact that this book is about so many things I love it just didn't suck me in like I thought it would.
March 17, 2017
I'm sure you remember the hit 'You make me feel mighty real' but perhaps not the man with the falsetto voice who sang it. I vaguely remember a promotional film on Top of the Pops of a strange looking black man in shorts submerged behind plants - almost as if the director was trying to hide him. I think I'd heard he was a drag queen which in the seventies seemed something exotic and definitely not from Bedford where I grew up. A biography about Sylvester should have been an automatic five stars - it's about seventies music, San Francisco (a city that I have visited and love) at a historically interesting time and features a larger than life character. Gamson has done lots of research and talked to everyone who knew Sylvester (who died of AIDS in 1988) and the book has won an award. Unfortunately, he is a sociologist and he writes like a journalist - reporting what happened and what other people saw but never allowing us to look through Sylvester's eyes.
February 24, 2009
I think I was crying for the last forty pages as Sylvester's illness unfolded, which is a remarkable contrast to the first 40, in which I was entertained but also unsure of how this person, his music, his time would resonate with me personally. I'm impressed with what I imagine was a great deal of research and interviewing and transporting by the author into another person's life and being able to make it seem like you were there. There were many sentences that were a gift for thinking about fame, identity, gender, self-expression, disco, race, status quo, and family.
I'm looking forward to reading Freaks Talk Back and Claims to Fame.
I'm looking forward to reading Freaks Talk Back and Claims to Fame.
July 22, 2011
A very moving and informative life of a brave human being and truly unique superstar. Gamson tells Sylvester's story with clarity, wry humor, and respect, weaving in with it the ebbing and flowing of San Francisco's freedom culture. Definitely recommended to readers who admire (in John Waters' phrase) "minorities who don't even fit in with their own minorities." I may have to donate it to my school's library. Thanks to Apop Records in St. Louis for carrying it!
June 19, 2023
An EXTRAVAGANZA….Sylvester James aka Dooni aka Dominique Deveraux was asked by Joan Rivers “ are you a drag queen?” and he simply stated “I’m just Sylvester.”
Sylvester is an icon,San Francisco legend and a personal hero of mine.His legacy is incomparable and gives access and foundation to those that come after.
Dooni is Divinity!
Sylvester is an icon,San Francisco legend and a personal hero of mine.His legacy is incomparable and gives access and foundation to those that come after.
Dooni is Divinity!
December 21, 2020
If anything I’d liked to say that this book is as fabulous as anything Sylvester related is expected to be. I started to read looking just for a few chapters to gather some information about Sylvester’s days as a disco queen for academic purposes but Joshua Gramson narrative took me by surprise and soon I was all obsessed with Syl’s life, San Francisco and the disco/dance scene (as if I already wasn’t, but for sure this took me to another level).
I took off one star because I felt the last third of the book - Sylvester post Step II era - is less detailed and lacks more sources and loses the rhythm Gramson imprints on his book since chapter 1. But don’t let this fool you: this is still a well written and researched piece on Sylvester’s life and much more. The ending is devastating of course but it still brings a happy feeling to your heart. Sylvester might be dead but he was - is - real.
I took off one star because I felt the last third of the book - Sylvester post Step II era - is less detailed and lacks more sources and loses the rhythm Gramson imprints on his book since chapter 1. But don’t let this fool you: this is still a well written and researched piece on Sylvester’s life and much more. The ending is devastating of course but it still brings a happy feeling to your heart. Sylvester might be dead but he was - is - real.
September 21, 2018
Very interesting book..I have always loved Sylvester's music...especially Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)....that song whenever I hear it...I think of Studio 54 in it's heyday.
I really liked this book, because Sylvester was ahead of his time being completely unaffected by what people thought of him throughout his life. He was a black man who was gay and gender fluid...before gender fluid was a word.
The book spoke about one minute he was in drag with a beat face, to another time when he was wearing boy drag.
He was just Sylvester.
I like how the book discussed all the different phases of his life...from a kid in LA to the big celebrity he was to when he was dying of AIDs.
I really liked this book, because Sylvester was ahead of his time being completely unaffected by what people thought of him throughout his life. He was a black man who was gay and gender fluid...before gender fluid was a word.
The book spoke about one minute he was in drag with a beat face, to another time when he was wearing boy drag.
He was just Sylvester.
I like how the book discussed all the different phases of his life...from a kid in LA to the big celebrity he was to when he was dying of AIDs.
September 26, 2023
A very long and arduos read. I felt that this book dragged on in every section…certain parts just seemed unnecessary in describing who Sylvester was and how influential he was as a person and a queen performer. The book took tangents on other subjects and people that seemed irrelevant to the bigger message at hand. Too much…”then this happened then this happened and that person did this this and this” that held no weight to the book and just an unbearable amount of external noise. I had to really push through this book. But despite all that I am grateful to now know who Sylvester is and they’re journey to stardom to the way they envisioned.
July 5, 2024
Joshua Gramson, professor and biographer, pens a perfect coming-of-age story of one of the most acclaimed disco divas of all time. From his modest beginnings in 1950s Watts, to his meteoric rise as a performer headlining San Fran's Filmore theater troop, The Cockettes, a chanteuse at several favorite SF haunts, and later front man of his own rock group, and beloved disco performer, The Fabulous Sylvester explores and chronicles James's life with spirit and intelligence. A+
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2022
I'm so bummed out. I really adore Sylvester's music, but I really didn't adore this biography of him. I trudged through to the 50% mark before I gave up.
It is really informative about the cultural changes that took place in San Francisco in the 1970s, so this may appeal to quite a few readers, but the writing style just wasn't for me.
It is really informative about the cultural changes that took place in San Francisco in the 1970s, so this may appeal to quite a few readers, but the writing style just wasn't for me.
March 20, 2023
Could do with some editing as i felt it was a bit rambly and all over the place at times. But it was fascinating to read about Sylvester and San Francisco in the 70s and 80s before the onset of AIDS.
May 5, 2024
What an amazing book - takes you through the colourful and brave life of him through his childhood, the realisation that he was gay and all his fabulousness - bold but sad with aids being a large part of the story
April 7, 2019
This book is amazing.
April 25, 2021
Everybody is a star.
Everybody is one.
You're a star,
And you only happen once.
Everybody is one.
You're a star,
And you only happen once.
October 23, 2024
In addition to being an informative book about Sylvester, this is an excellent time capsule of gay life in the 70's and 80's.
December 11, 2024
An amazing story that is beautifully told. A joy to read!
August 14, 2021
I picked up this book after Alok Vaid-Menon reviewed it, and I was not disappointed. I was not aware of Sylvester, and before reading the book I watched his video for "Mighty Real." Instantly, I was transfixed.
This is my favorite biography I've ever read. I loved learning about Sylvester's life, treated with so much consideration and reverence by Gamson. As a nonbinary person trying to navigate a binary society, I admire Sylvester's ability to be himself truly and share it with the whole world. Sylvester was about freedom, self-expression, fabulousness, realness. He continuously refused to be edited, toned down, or conformed. The book is a page-turner and I loved every minute of it - Gamson's writing is both meticulously researched and delightfully narrative. He gives a sense of San Francisco in the 60s-80s that puts the reader right there, from the sweaty, ecstatic discos, to the horrors of the AIDS epidemic. I especially enjoyed reading about his chosen sisters and his enduring relationship with the women in his family. Sylvester's story is an important piece of queer history that I hope will not be forgotten.
This is my favorite biography I've ever read. I loved learning about Sylvester's life, treated with so much consideration and reverence by Gamson. As a nonbinary person trying to navigate a binary society, I admire Sylvester's ability to be himself truly and share it with the whole world. Sylvester was about freedom, self-expression, fabulousness, realness. He continuously refused to be edited, toned down, or conformed. The book is a page-turner and I loved every minute of it - Gamson's writing is both meticulously researched and delightfully narrative. He gives a sense of San Francisco in the 60s-80s that puts the reader right there, from the sweaty, ecstatic discos, to the horrors of the AIDS epidemic. I especially enjoyed reading about his chosen sisters and his enduring relationship with the women in his family. Sylvester's story is an important piece of queer history that I hope will not be forgotten.
July 28, 2008
currently so obsessed with sylvester!... i really enjoyed reading about the discotay days and the cockettes and all of Sylvester's flaming around town. its the kind of book that makes me proud of my hometown of san francisco for the amazing gay history there is here. i like that the book exposed the bullshit of the castro and makes no illusions about the general shittiness of the murder of Harvey Milk and Moscone, the AIDS epidemic, etc. i was raised to hate disco, but i have recently unleashed my inner drag queen and am loving this music (sorry dad). after reading this book i have a new respect for Sylvester- someone who could sing, perform, did whatever the hell they wanted, was loving and gracious and seemingly without fear.
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