Today the Castro Biscuit honors the memory of one of our neighborhood's most famous citizens-the original Queer Disco diva-Sylvester-who lost his struggle against AIDS twenty four years ago today.

There's little doubt of the lasting cultural influence Sylvester had on Disco and HI NRG Dance music of the 70's and 80's or how strains of his genius continues to ripple through today's music. His sound has inspired artists in both style, uncompromising creativity and sampled to fuel their own endeavors. Sylvester James found his way to SF in 1969 from his hometown of Watts in LA where he'd been raised within the confines of his local AME baptist church choir and as one of his mother's most cherished children. Upon arriving Sylvester found kindred, outside the box, spirits in San Francisco - most notably with SF's Queer, gender bending, premier tripping, glitter doused, drag/theatre troupe - The Cockettes. His vocal stylings of Blues greats Josephine Baker and Billie Holiday standards brought down the house when he opened for many of the Cockettes wildly chaotic and grand productions. He worked with them until after their infamous New York City debut and disappointingly short Broadway run. Sylvester decided that he wanted to buckle down and get serious. Now was the time to work on his own vision of his music.

Sylvester collaborated with singer, writer and producer, Patrick Crowley another out, popular and rising star of the SF, HI NRG, Disco sound scene. Patrick co-founded the much respected Megatone Records, along with Marty Blecman. They introduced him to many of the movers and shakers of SF's Dance music world. Sylvester put together a band. After two disappointing LP releases via Blue Thumb Records, Sylvester and his newly named 'Hot Band', went looking for something extra to add to the mix. Head way came when Sylvester and the boys enlisted the talent of two amazing singers whose background were, like Sylvester's own, deeply rooted in the experience of the Gospel music. Martha Wash and Izora Armstead, collectively became his muses, best friends and back up singers he lovingly dubbed-Two Tons of Fun. These women were the last pieces of the puzzle Sylvester had been searching for to help create the perfect sound that'd thrust him and his music onto the world's exploding Disco stage.

His third album, self titled, 'Sylvester' -the first with his new, East Bay based label, Fantasy - was well received by critics and fans. His fourth album, 1977's, Step II, Sylvester's perfect alchemy of music, rhythm, talent and timing paid off spawning two big hits 'You Make Me Feel Mighty Real' and 'Dance Disco Heat'. With the success of these world wide hits came more time under the often harsh and conservative public spotlight. Sylvester kept his unabashed flame on high whether performing for the very white, afternoon, talk show, television circuit  or for a writhing throng of his adoring people at the City's largest dance club, The Trocadero Transfer Disco, in SoMa. Sylvester eventually left Fantasy Records joining forces with his friend and Dance music mentor, Patrick Crowley, at Magatone Records ensconced here in the Castro on Noe Street. Sylvester and Megatone created four more albums and one mega huge, infectious dance track-'Do You Wanna Funk? Sylvester's 'girls', Two Ton's of Fun, transformed as well and signed with Megatone as, The Weather Girls, whose smash hit, 'It's Raining Men' continues, like Sylvester's songs, to be played the world over.

Patrick Crowley tragically died in 1982 during those very early days in the Age of AIDS. As the panic and reality around the pandemic gained steam-cutting down man after man in his prime during the eighties Sylvester worked tirelessly on many AIDS benefits. He help raise much needed funds and awareness about the disease until his own HIV infection began to take it's toll. Sylvester's last public appearance was at the Castro Street Fair in October of 1988. The MC on the main stage introduced him pointing up to where he sat on his apartment balcony overlooking the Fair action at Castro and Market. The crowd, numbering in the tens of thousands, gave him a rousing ovation that lasted for nearly 15 minutes. People openly wept realizing, as he frailly waved to the crowd from his wheelchair, soaking in the love that showered down on him. Most realized in all likelihood this would be the last time any of us would ever see our hero. Sylvester died two months later at the age of 41 on December 16th, 1988.

Oakland based writer and USF professor, Joshua Gamson, has penned the definitive biography of Sylvester, The Fabulous Sylvester, found on the shelves of the Castro's Books, Inc. The lauded biography beautifully worms it's way through every aspect of his life, music and creative experience. The picture that unfolds is both endearing and often much more complicated than many would believe. Getting inside the minds and souls of our modern day ancestors of the LGBT movement is an important way to learn one's history and see just how far we've come as a people. I am still inspired by the authentic, brave life that Sylvester led and how he never gave up or compromised his dreams. We should all strive to keep it so 'mighty real'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue2UXnxp8Rs   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrmtlGcO0AM   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0Vh-a2l6SY   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKKsI2seeTM (Sylvester in his 'Butch' look for American Bandstand)