इंस्टाग्राम स्टोरी व्यूअर

He sang in falsetto, performed in drag, and never once pretended to be anything other than what he was when almost no one else in the mainstream dared to be seen that way.

His name was Sylvester. He grew up singing gospel in a Pentecostal church in Watts and left at 13 when the congregation couldn’t accept who he was. He found his people in a group of young Black drag performers, moved to San Francisco, and within a few years became one of the biggest disco artists in the world.

Step II came out in 1978. The single You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) hit number one on the dance charts and became a hit in more than a dozen countries. The album went gold. Pitchfork later rated it 9.2 — one of the highest scores they’ve ever given a disco record.

He was diagnosed with HIV in 1986 and spoke about it openly when shame and silence were the norm. He kept showing up to Pride as his health failed. He died in San Francisco in 1988. He was 41.

And he left every future royalty from his music to two HIV and AIDS charities in San Francisco. Nearly four decades later, that money is still arriving — every time someone plays Mighty Real.

He didn’t live to see the world catch up to him. But the song is still here. The dancefloors he made space on are still here. And his name still belongs in every conversation about the artists who built modern music.

@theofficialsylvester

#Sylvester #StepII #MightyReal #DiscoLegend #SoulMusic

Sylvester, a true icon.

No better way to kick off #PrideMonth than with some "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" turned all the way up.

Play it loud, play it proud! 🏳️‍🌈 Listen to the Disco Pride playlist at the link in bio.

Sylvester, a true icon.

No better way to kick off #PrideMonth than with some "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" turned all the way up.

Play it loud, play it proud! 🏳️‍🌈 Listen to the Disco Pride playlist at the link in bio.

Spend New Year’s Eve with the fabulous Sylvester!

Relive the disco icon’s unforgettable 1979 San Francisco concert with a livestream listening party of Live at the Opera House. ⭐️ Starting at 8 PM EST and spinning through midnight on the official Sylvester YouTube channel today, it’s the most glamorous way to ring in 2026!

Set a reminder to tune in via the link in our bio.

Back in print and more fabulous than ever. The “Disco Ball” Glitter vinyl reissue of Sylvester’s era-defining disco sizzler Step II is out now, alongside a new Deluxe Edition of the album on CD and Digital, bringing together new and classic remixes, alternate mixes, and much more! Order or listen now via the link in bio. 🕺🕺🕺

Back in print and more fabulous than ever. The “Disco Ball” Glitter vinyl reissue of Sylvester’s era-defining disco sizzler Step II is out now, alongside a new Deluxe Edition of the album on CD and Digital, bringing together new and classic remixes, alternate mixes, and much more! Order or listen now via the link in bio. 🕺🕺🕺

Back in print and more fabulous than ever. The “Disco Ball” Glitter vinyl reissue of Sylvester’s era-defining disco sizzler Step II is out now, alongside a new Deluxe Edition of the album on CD and Digital, bringing together new and classic remixes, alternate mixes, and much more! Order or listen now via the link in bio. 🕺🕺🕺

Back in print and more fabulous than ever. The “Disco Ball” Glitter vinyl reissue of Sylvester’s era-defining disco sizzler Step II is out now, alongside a new Deluxe Edition of the album on CD and Digital, bringing together new and classic remixes, alternate mixes, and much more! Order or listen now via the link in bio. 🕺🕺🕺

It’s a mighty real day. The fabulous “Disco Ball” Glitter vinyl reissue of Sylvester’s era-defining disco sizzler Step II is out today, alongside a new Deluxe Edition of the album on CD and Digital, bringing together classic remixes, alternate mixes, and Bright Light Bright Light’s fabulous new spin on “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),” accompanied by new liner notes by Sylvester historian Joshua Gamson on the CD booklet. Order your copy now via the link in bio! 🪩 🪩 🪩

Sylvester never missed a beat in songs or in style. Stripes, sequins, leather: the very textures lighting up Fashion Week 2025 were already part of his dazzling wardrobe decades ago. ✨

The world was Sylvester's stage, but that didn't stop him from slipping into the audience every now and then.

Keith Haring’s cover illustration for Sylvester’s “Someone Like You”, which was his last single to reach the top of the dance charts. Bet they’re both still dancing to it at the great disco in the sky. 🪩🪩🪩

Happy #SylvesterSunday! It’s time to get off the couch and get grooving to this fabulous live performance of “Dance (Disco Heat)” from Sylvester’s disco classic Step II.

Have you ordered the upcoming Disco Ball Glitter vinyl edition of the album yet? Get it now via the link in the bio!

Fall style inspo: Sylvester’s Ritz sweater.

When David Bowie came to San Francisco in October of 1972, he didn’t feel that his audience was too impressed. In fact, Bowie wouldn’t return to the city until four whole years later, in 1976. “They don’t need me,” he told a reporter at the time. “They’ve got Sylvester."

Let's see some hands! Was anyone here amongst the lucky audience who witnessed Sylvester and his Hot Band open for Bowie?

Happy heavenly birthday to the forever real, forever mighty, forever fabulous Sylvester.