Living in San Francisco in the 1960s, he performed in a musical production called Women of the Blues, then joined a short-lived group of transvestite performance artists called The Cockettes in the early 70's (famed transvestite Divine was a member of the group as well). Sylvester can be seen in The Cockettes' outrageous short film Tricia's Wedding, lampooning the wedding of President Nixon's daughter Tricia, and in an eponymous 2002 documentary about the group.
In 1972, Sylvester supplied two cuts to Lights Out San Francisco, an album complied by the KSAN radio station and released on the Blue Thumb label. In 1973, Sylvester & his Hot Band released two rock-oriented albums on Blue Thumb (their self-titled debut was also known as "Scratch My Flower," due to a gardenia-shaped scratch-and-sniff sticker adhered to the cover). Signed a solo act to Fantasy Records in 1977, and working with the production talents of legendary Motown producer Harvey Fuqua. Sylvester later alleged that Fuqua cheated him out of millions of dollars.
Sylvester soon met his frequent collaborator Patrick Cowley. Cowley's synthesizer and Sylvester's voice proved to be a magical combination, and pushed Sylvester's sound in an increasingly dance-oriented direction; his second solo album - Step II (1978) - unleashed two disco classics: "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," and "Dance (Disco Heat)." By this time both his live shows and recordings also recognizably featured the back-up vocals of Two Tons O' Fun: future Weather Girls Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes. 1979 brought three Billboard awards and an appearance in the movie, The Rose, starring Bette Midler.
Moving to Megatone Records in 1982, Sylvester quickly landed a Hi-NRG classic with "Do You Wanna Funk." He was close friends with other Megatone artists Linda Imperial and Jeanie Tracy. Sylvester was also very close to the legendary Patti LaBelle.
Later pressure from the label to "butch up" his image would result in him attending meetings in full-on drag. A drag photo shoot, which he staged and presented to label heads as a gag (calling it his "new album cover") would later grace the cover of Immortal after Sylvester died; it was the label's way of paying tribute to his spirit. In 1985, one of his dreams came true as he was summoned to sing back-up for Aretha Franklin on her Who's Zoomin' Who comeback album. His sole Warner Bros. album was Mutual Attraction in 1986; a single from the album, "Someone Like You," featured original cover art by Keith Haring.
Sylvester died of complications from AIDS on December 16, 1988. His good friend Jeanie Tracy took care of Sylvester during his last days.
In the late 1990's, performance artist Djola Branner (co-founder of the highly influential Pomo Afro Homos troupe) created his acclaimed solo piece and CD Mighty Real around the life of Sylvester.
On September 20, 2004 Sylvester's anthem record, You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real), was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame. A year later, on September 19, 2005, Sylvester himself was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his achievement as an artist.
In 2005, a biography written by Joshua Gamson and titled The Fabulous Sylvester: The Legend, The music, The 70s in San Francisco was published.
2. Sylvester (Sylvester Larsen , born 1973) is a danish artist, who has released 4 albums. He is the son of Kim Larsen. See www.sylvesterlarsen.dk
Blackbird
Sylvester Lyrics
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Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Black bird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Sylvester’s hauntingly beautiful song, “Blackbird,” is a poignant reminder of the power of hope and transformation. The song uses the metaphor of a blackbird, an often-misunderstood creature with a powerful spirit, to inspire listeners to transcend their limitations and take flight. The first stanza speaks directly to the listener, encouraging them to take their broken wings and learn to fly. The blackbird’s song is heard in the dead of night, a time when unexpected miracles can occur. The second stanza emphasizes the importance of seeing clearly, even in times of darkness. The blackbird invites the listener to be free, to soar through the sky, and to break free from the chains that have held them down.
The chorus of the song repeats the message of the verses, encouraging the blackbird to fly into the light of the dark black night. The metaphorical darkness that the bird is flying into is not to be feared, but rather embraced as an opportunity for growth and transformation. The final verse mirrors the first, repeating the message of hope and transformation that has been echoed throughout the song. The blackbird serves as a powerful symbol of resilience and transformation, inspiring listeners to break free from their limitations and take flight.
Line by Line Meaning
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
The blackbird is singing in the stillness of nighttime.
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
Use your past pains and failures as a way to grow stronger and move on.
All your life
Throughout your entire life,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You have always been waiting for a chance to succeed and be happy.
Black bird singing in the dead of night
The blackbird is singing in the stillness of nighttime.
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
Open your eyes and see the world in a new way, even in the midst of despair.
All your life
Throughout your entire life,
You were only waiting for this moment to be free
You have always been waiting for a chance to break free from the things that hold you down.
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Go forth fearlessly, blackbird.
Into the light of the dark black night.
Embrace the mystery and uncertainty of the unknown.
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Go forth fearlessly, blackbird.
Into the light of the dark black night.
Embrace the mystery and uncertainty of the unknown.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
The blackbird is singing in the stillness of nighttime.
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
Use your past pains and failures as a way to grow stronger and move on.
All your life
Throughout your entire life,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You have always been waiting for a chance to succeed and be happy.
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You have always been waiting for a chance to succeed and be happy.
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You have always been waiting for a chance to succeed and be happy.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pianeta Terra
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