I Am Sylvester

This trailblazing artist of the 70's and 80's defied stereotypes directly related to the gay rights movement that started with the Stonewall Riots in 1969. He was the first cross-dressing recording artist who not only was unapologetic about his sexuality but true to his commitment to his artistry as a gender bending star. Sylvester was not trying to hide behind his sexuality like other recording, but was defiant with his record label and representatives that he was not going to play the game in order to have a career. His defining mantra was "I am who I am!" Sylvester was also one of the few solo male disco artists who is considered equal to such successful female artist as Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Irene Cara, Thelma Houston, etc. He had three consecutive gold records as well as a number of #1 chart topping records. Recordings such as Mighty Real, Do You Wanna Funk With Me, Dance Disco Heat, You Are My Friend, Living For The City, among others. He was also the first African-American artist who had video rotation play on MTV, well before Michael Jackson. Sylvester also performed on such shows as American Bandstand. Soul Train and of all ironies, The Merv Griffin Show. He was also the first male to grace the cover of Vogue Magazine. He was a one-of-a-kind original artist that has no equal. Based on the book "Mighty Real: Sharon Davis Remembers Sylvester" by Sharon Davis.