Sylvers

The
Sylvers

    Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. The Sylvers were a family act tutored by their former opera singing mother, Shirley Sylvers. Originally known as The Little Angels, Leon Frank III, Charmaine, Olympia-Ann and James, started performing at local talent shows in Memphis, before moving to Harlem, New York - providing a more sympathetic audience for their pop R&B.
     Hard work brought local exposure and tours followed as the opening act for Ray Charles and Johnny Mathis among others, during school holiday breaks, until in early 1970 they relocated from east coast to west coast, taking up residence in Watts, Los Angeles, and calling themselves The Sylvers.
     By 1971 younger siblings Foster, Edmund and Ricky, became part of the act and in 1972 the group, already veterans of television exposure on shows with Spike Jones, Groucho Marx and Dinah Shore, signed to Pride Records, a subsidiary of MGM Records. Their debut single, "Fool's Paradise," reached number 13 in Billboard's R&B chart. "Wish That I Could Talk To You" repeated the success, rising three places higher (and to number 77 in Billboard's pop charts). But eleven-year-old Foster, who shone through in the ensemble performances, released a solo single, "Misdemeanour," which reached number 22 in the Billboard pop charts. Later the Sylvers transferred to the main MGM imprint, but had only one chart appearance, "Through The Love In My Heart."
     When Larkin Arnold, then vice president for Capitol Records, signed them in 1975, he hired Motown veteran Freddie Perren to produce them. Perren helped write and produce three number one singles for The Jackson Five and one for Michael Jackson. "I've been blessed to be able to work with families," says Perren, who has also worked with the brothers known as Tavares. "There's usually a thread that holds them together-a low, middle and high singer. God seems to have made a person for each part that needs to be sung."
     The first time Perren heard The Sylvers, he knew he would be working with 24-carat material. "They were pure gold. I was blown away at the intricate harmonies they sang." The group had many of the same strengths as the early Jacksons, including a lead singer (Edmund) who was beginning to mature, but still had a youthful flavor to his voice.
     Lyricist Keni St. Lewis, one of Perren's oldest friends and collaborators, came to rehearsals and suggested they come up with a song using one of the popular words of the day, "boogie." The funky tune that emerged, "Boogie Fever," featured all nine Sylvers, including the youngest sisters Angelia and Pat. The single entered the Hot 100 on February 14, 1976 at 84 and took 13 weeks to climb to number1. Perren says the song was successful because it appealed to kids and young adults, "You didn't need a PhD in music to understand what it was all about. People like to party, it had a recognizable and relatable lyric, the track was really pumping and it was released at the beginning of the disco movement."
     The follow-up, a confection called "Cotton Candy" was less danceable and aimed more at a radio audience. The results were less than sweet. A short chart run peaking at number 57. However the album "Showcase" did do well in sales.
     Perhaps Larkin or Perren, or both, realized their mistake and quickly rectified it with a promotional-only 12" single to clubs to promote The Sylvers next release. "Hot Line" became the group's second biggest single peaking at number 5 on the charts in January of 1977. The album, "Something Special" did produce another charter with "High School Dance" but failed to make it big in the clubs.
     One final album for Capitol Records, the bland 1977 "New Horizons" failed to produce any hits and failed to get any chart or sales action. By this time a move was afoot to the more visible Casablanca Records, who at this point seemed to have the disco market cornered.
     Their 1978 Casablanca Records debut was produced by Leon Sylvers. By this time they were back down to a sextet, four brothers (Edmund, Foster, Ricky and James), and two sisters (Pat and Angelia). "Forever Yours" gave them a promising start at their new label. The first single, "Don't Stop, Get Off" took them back to the charts, even if only at a modest Top 20 R&B.
     For their next album Casablanca pulled out the big guns. Giorgio Moroder produced, while Harold Faltermeyer arranged, and Juergen Koppers mixed. Most of the muscians were from Giorgio's "Munich Machine" line-up. The results were stunning. This is one of the most overlooked treasures of the disco-era. Although "Disco Fever" produced no chart hits, one listen and you'll hear the quality embedded in the grooves. The bright and crisp sounds that could only come from Giorgio, lace this album like any of his other fine productions. Sadly overlooked in the massive amount of releases in 1979 this was to be their last for Casablanca.
     A 1981 release for Solar Records, "Concept" and a 1984 release for Geffen Records "Bizarre," failed to help them regain their previous glory. And the group formally disbanded.
     Their venture to Solar helped Leon establish himself as a producer. He produced three albums for fellow Solar Records act Dynasty, as well as producing albums for The Brothers Johnson, Howard Hewett, and Five Star among others. He also released a solo album, "Leon F. Sylvers III," on Motown in 1989. Sister Charmaine scored a solo hit, of sorts, by providing vocals on Gene Page's 1980 hit "Love Starts After Dark." Baby brother Foster, scored several albums on his own for Capitol, Emi-America and A&M Records. He also found success as an arranger for Shalamar, as a bassist for Dynasty, The Whispers and Howard Hewett, and as a producer for Janet Jackson and Evelyn "Champagne" King. Baby sister Pat (Patricia) can be found as a keyboardist on albums by Janet Jackson, Shalamar, The Whispers and Dynasty and as a background vocalist on Klymaxx's "Never Underestimate The Power Of A Woman," album which featured "Meeting InThe Ladies Room." Younger brother Ricky can be found as guitarist on Howard Hewett and Shalamar albums and as a producer for the S.O.S. Band and The Whispers. And Edmund released a solo album, "Have You Heard," on Casablanca in 1980 and can be found as a percussionist on albums by The Whispers and Janet Jackson, and as a producer for Gladys Knight and Carrie Lucas.
     It's amazing that after a successful run as a sibling singing group, they all went on to other artistic achievements. With the exception of James, Nidra, and Olympia-Ann who left the business for good.