Anybody Remember Foster Sylvers Compared to Michael Jackson?

[bluskyII]

Knowledge is power. Power can bring in the $$$.

I am still surprised how many people thought this song was by M.J. I would guess that the Sylvers were pushed out of the music industry early on because many thought they were or could be equal competitors of the M.J. and the Jackson 5. The family actually had some talented singers and writers.

No Bullshit... but ,over the years, I've prolly won around 1200 to 1300 dollars betting muthafuckas that 'Misdemeanor' was NOT Michael Jackson...

 

[Lola]

Wow, you said squishy

Squishy is a word I have been using now, meaning GAY or feminine acting. I found a somewhat recent pic of this squishy dude from 5 star. Mofo wearing more makeup than the porn women on this site combined. Just damn

 

[bluskyII]

Oh my!!! What is it? It looks like dude has makeup over his facial hair? Dude forgot the lip gloss.

Squishy is a word I have been using now, meaning GAY or feminine acting. I found a somewhat recent pic of this squishy dude from 5 star. Mofo wearing more makeup than the porn women on this site combined. Just damn

 

[Lola]

Oh my!!! What is it? It looks like dude has makeup over his facial hair? Dude forgot the lip gloss.

This is the dude from the 80's group, 5 star, that was posted above.

 

[bluskyII]

What's with the two tear tat? Did dude do some time?

This is the dude from the 80's group, 5 star, that was posted above.

 

[Blunt]

There were countless singers and acts who copied or were inspired by MJ and or the J5. Nothing new about following trends. The J5 copied The Osmonds and other brother acts.

The MJ-sounding lead singer of this popular British group was just 14 or 15 when he had this Top 20 American hit. He died fairly young himself.

"Sad Sweet Dreamer" - Sweet Sensation (1975)

 

[bluskyII]

The update on Foster Sylvers and his family appears to be getting worst as more information comes to light. Check this:

"SYLVERS, FOSTER EMERSON

First Name: FOSTER
Middle Name: EMERSON
Last Name: SYLVERS

Physical Characteristics
Gender: Male Race: African American
Height: 6'2" Weight: 165
DOB: 02-25-1962

Markings
COLOSTOMY APPLIANCE
DENTURES UPPER
PIERCED LEFT EAR
SCAR ABDOMENOTHER

:The victim was Foster's biological niece and he has had a crack problem for years. He was also raped in prison. The rape was violent where he needed repair surgery."

-His sister Olympia also spent time in jail.
-Foster has done a lot of things to support his crack addiction but raping his neice was the worst.
-She was not his only rape victim, he is a serial.
-His younger brother died of AIDS at 17.
-Leon Sylvers, music producer, was blackballed from the industry after embezzling money, after SOLAR dumped him, you never heard from him again."

If the above listed is correct, I am crushed!! This was no misdemeanor. Dang! Dang! Dang!

 

[bluskyII]

You got me on that one. I have never head this song, however, I know I would have assumed M.J. I love learning. I try to learn something each day. You have provided assistant in my quest for today. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_Sensation_(band)

"Sad Sweet Dreamer" was a UK number one single for one week in October 1974 for Sweet Sensation.

The second single from the British soul group, a soaring soul ballad heavily influenced by the Stylistics, and led by lead vocalist Marcel King's falsetto, "Sad Sweet Dreamer" became their first hit. Co-produced by Tony Hatch and songwriter Bob Wackett. The song reached #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 the following spring." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sad_Sweet_Dreamer

There were countless singers and acts who copied or were inspired by MJ and or the J5. Nothing new about following trends. The J5 copied The Osmonds and other brother acts.

The MJ-sounding lead singer of this popular British group was just 14 or 15 when he had this Top 20 American hit. He died fairly young himself.

"Sad Sweet Dreamer" - Sweet Sensation (1975)

 

[Heist]

Squishy is a word I have been using now, meaning GAY or feminine acting. I found a somewhat recent pic of this squishy dude from 5 star. Mofo wearing more makeup than the porn women on this site combined. Just damn

What the fuck is that?!!

Does that classify as a tranny post?

That's the most hilarious shit I've seen this month.

Dude looks 1/3 woman, 1/3 male, 1/3 something else altogether.

I know dude's father has got to feel so fucking disappointed when he looks at his son. He's probably on some, "I don't have a son" shit.

 

[Blunt]

I know dude's father has got to feel so fucking disappointed when he looks at his son. He's probably on some, "I don't have a son" shit.

Which was pretty much Joe Jackson's attitude towards Michael. We know how that ended.

 

[bluskyII]

If true, lessons learned:

1. Don't mess with children (in an adult fashion/sexual assault)!!
2. Don't mess with anyone's children (in an adult fashion/sexual assault)!!
2. Don't mess with your siblings children - namely a niece (in an adult fashion/sexual assault)!!
3. Don't mess with the ROCK (Don't be a ROCK Star - Crack is Whack!!)
4. Don't go to prison!!!
5. Don't go to prison for sexually assaulting a child!!
6. Don't go to prison for sexually assaulting your niece!!
6. If you have a ROCK Star addition, seek help. (Crack is WHACK)!!
7. Seeking help in prison after you have sexually assaulted a child, namely your niece is ill advised.
8. If you don't believe it, as Mr. aka Misdemeanor.

If this is true, this if F#$KED up on all levels!!! This is more than disgusting. It is vomitius!! Yeah, I just created that word. WTF went wrong with the brother?

The update on Foster Sylvers and his family appears to be getting worst as more information comes to light. Check this:

"SYLVERS, FOSTER EMERSON

First Name: FOSTER
Middle Name: EMERSON
Last Name: SYLVERS

Physical Characteristics
Gender: Male Race: African American
Height: 6'2" Weight: 165
DOB: 02-25-1962

Markings
COLOSTOMY APPLIANCE
DENTURES UPPER
PIERCED LEFT EAR
SCAR ABDOMENOTHER

:The victim was Foster's biological niece and he has had a crack problem for years. He was also raped in prison. The rape was violent where he needed repair surgery."

-His sister Olympia also spent time in jail.
-Foster has done a lot of things to support his crack addiction but raping his neice was the worst.
-She was not his only rape victim, he is a serial.
-His younger brother died of AIDS at 17.
-Leon Sylvers, music producer, was blackballed from the industry after embezzling money, after SOLAR dumped him, you never heard from him again."

If the above listed is correct, I am crushed!! This was no misdemeanor. Dang! Dang! Dang!

 

[bluskyII]

c/s I think they get so far into being pretty - they may actually forget they were born as a male species.

What the fuck is that?!!

Does that classify as a tranny post?

That's the most hilarious shit I've seen this month.

Dude looks 1/3 woman, 1/3 male, 1/3 something else altogether.

I know dude's father has got to feel so fucking disappointed when he looks at his son. He's probably on some, "I don't have a son" shit.

 

[Mr MajestiK]

yeah i remember the song...my brother had to explain to me how their songs were inferior to the "REAL" Jacksons.

and i'm just shy of 40 now.

man, the 70's were a whole different world.

Sometimes, I just wish we could go back to the 70's.

 

[Blunt]

Family group (4 brothers and a sister) from Chicago who were considered the "First Family of Soul" shortly before the J5 took over that title.

Biggest hit:

"O-o-h Child" (Top Ten in 1970)

The recorded track obviously sounds better than this somewhat off-key live performance.

 

[bluskyII]

Thank for the information update. I remember the song. I really did not know the name of the group.

"The Stairsteps

A Chicago, Illinois group comprised of Burke family members:

Clarence Burke Jnr. (b. 25th May 1949, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.)

James Burke (b. 19th September 1950, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.)

Kenneth (Keni) Burke (b. 28th September 1953, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.)

Dennis Burke (b. 1952, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.)

Alohe Jean Burke (b. 1948, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.)

and Cubie Burke

The Stairsteps were discovered and produced by Curtis Mayfield, this young quintet enjoyed a consistent run of R & B chart success, with releases on the Windy C, Curtom and Buddah labels.

Their father, Clarence Snr was a detective in the Chicago police department and their mother was Betty Burke.

The group got its name, the Five Stairsteps, when Momma Stairsteps as Betty Burke was known, noticed that her kids looked like stair steps when stood next to each other according to their ages.

Most of the band members, Clarence Jr., Alohe, James, Dennis, and Kenneth attended Harlan High School.

The unit's material - 'You Waited Too Long' (1966), 'World Of Fantasy' (1966), 'Come Back' (1966) and 'Danger, She's A Stranger' (1967) - ranged from gentle dance songs to orchestrated ballads, and their fledgling talent was recognized in 1967 with a NATRA award as that year's outstanding R & B group.

StairstepsFamily PortraitStairstepsStairsteps

For two years the group's name was expanded to include five-year-old sibling Cubie, but when the newcomer left in 1969, the line-up reverted to the 5 Stairsteps, later dropping the '5' altogether.

Paradoxically, the 5 Stairsteps' biggest hit, 'O-o-h Child' (1970), a U.S. Top 10 entry, came on parting with Mayfield. Instrumentally self-contained, the quintet pursued a direction similar to Sly And The Family Stone, but they were unable to capitalize on this new-found position.

Dear PrudenceStairsteps

In 1971, the group resurfaced as the Stairsteps with two charting Buddah singles: 'Didn't It Look So Easy' and I Love You-Stop.'

The group appeared in the 1970 movie 'Soul to Soul', a documentary of a benefit concert filmed at New York's Yankee Stadium and on the New York produced nationally syndicated show 'Soul'.

The group broke up in 1972, but whereas the majority entered full-time education, Clarence Jnr and Kenneth became session musicians.

In 1976 the duo resumed work with brothers Dennis and James, securing a contract with George Harrison's Dark Horse label at the behest of singer Billy Preston.

Front CoverRear Cover

Although the Stairsteps returned to the soul Top 10 with 'From Us To You', they split up again soon afterwards.

Invisible Man's BandInvisible Man's Band

Clarence Jnr. subsequently formed the Invisible Man's Band, who recorded two albums, 'The Invisible Man's Band' (1980) and 'Really Wanna See You' (1981).

While Kenneth, latterly known as Keni Burke, enjoyed a successful career as a solo artist and producer.

Alohe Jean Burke is now known as Alohe Rami. She wrote:

'My brothers are doing fine. Clarence Jr is still writing music. Kenneth is still heavily writing and producing. Dennis has his own business with his wife Pat and they are both doing very well. James is drawing and selling some of his artwork and he is retired and laid back. Cubie is a professional dancer. He has danced with The Dance Theater of Harlem, The Atlanta Ballet, Alvin Ailey, and has done commericals for Clairol and choreographed the Atlanta Hawks, and has done the Olympics when they were in Spain. I am a college grad and a scientist. I play trumpet and drums in a concert band. I am also into gaming and raising exotic animals. Most of us live in Atlanta Georgia, except for Clarence Jr. He is residing in Florida for the moment. We give donations to the Cobb Energy of the Art Centre, and I have opened up a scholarship for students who are in need, at my alma mater. I love the fans and I consider them friends. Thank you so much for remembering us.
Sincerely,
Alohe (Rami)'

September 2007

Family group (4 brothers and a sister) from Chicago who were considered the "First Family of Soul" shortly before the J5 took over that title.

Biggest hit:

"O-o-h Child" (Top Ten in 1970)

The recorded track obviously sounds better than this somewhat off-key live performance."

http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Stairsteps.html

 

[vandamation]

Thank for the information update. I remember the song. I really did not know the name of the group.

"The Stairsteps

A Chicago, Illinois group comprised of Burke family members:

Clarence Burke Jnr. (b. 25th May 1949, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.)

James Burke (b. 19th September 1950, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.)

Kenneth (Keni) Burke (b. 28th September 1953, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.)

Dennis Burke (b. 1952, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.)

Alohe Jean Burke (b. 1948, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.)

and Cubie Burke

The Stairsteps were discovered and produced by Curtis Mayfield, this young quintet enjoyed a consistent run of R & B chart success, with releases on the Windy C, Curtom and Buddah labels.

Their father, Clarence Snr was a detective in the Chicago police department and their mother was Betty Burke.

The group got its name, the Five Stairsteps, when Momma Stairsteps as Betty Burke was known, noticed that her kids looked like stair steps when stood next to each other according to their ages.

Most of the band members, Clarence Jr., Alohe, James, Dennis, and Kenneth attended Harlan High School.

The unit's material - 'You Waited Too Long' (1966), 'World Of Fantasy' (1966), 'Come Back' (1966) and 'Danger, She's A Stranger' (1967) - ranged from gentle dance songs to orchestrated ballads, and their fledgling talent was recognized in 1967 with a NATRA award as that year's outstanding R & B group.

StairstepsFamily PortraitStairstepsStairsteps

For two years the group's name was expanded to include five-year-old sibling Cubie, but when the newcomer left in 1969, the line-up reverted to the 5 Stairsteps, later dropping the '5' altogether.

Paradoxically, the 5 Stairsteps' biggest hit, 'O-o-h Child' (1970), a U.S. Top 10 entry, came on parting with Mayfield. Instrumentally self-contained, the quintet pursued a direction similar to Sly And The Family Stone, but they were unable to capitalize on this new-found position.

Dear PrudenceStairsteps

In 1971, the group resurfaced as the Stairsteps with two charting Buddah singles: 'Didn't It Look So Easy' and I Love You-Stop.'

The group appeared in the 1970 movie 'Soul to Soul', a documentary of a benefit concert filmed at New York's Yankee Stadium and on the New York produced nationally syndicated show 'Soul'.

The group broke up in 1972, but whereas the majority entered full-time education, Clarence Jnr and Kenneth became session musicians.

In 1976 the duo resumed work with brothers Dennis and James, securing a contract with George Harrison's Dark Horse label at the behest of singer Billy Preston.

Front CoverRear Cover

Although the Stairsteps returned to the soul Top 10 with 'From Us To You', they split up again soon afterwards.

Invisible Man's BandInvisible Man's Band

Clarence Jnr. subsequently formed the Invisible Man's Band, who recorded two albums, 'The Invisible Man's Band' (1980) and 'Really Wanna See You' (1981).

While Kenneth, latterly known as Keni Burke, enjoyed a successful career as a solo artist and producer.

Alohe Jean Burke is now known as Alohe Rami. She wrote:

'My brothers are doing fine. Clarence Jr is still writing music. Kenneth is still heavily writing and producing. Dennis has his own business with his wife Pat and they are both doing very well. James is drawing and selling some of his artwork and he is retired and laid back. Cubie is a professional dancer. He has danced with The Dance Theater of Harlem, The Atlanta Ballet, Alvin Ailey, and has done commericals for Clairol and choreographed the Atlanta Hawks, and has done the Olympics when they were in Spain. I am a college grad and a scientist. I play trumpet and drums in a concert band. I am also into gaming and raising exotic animals. Most of us live in Atlanta Georgia, except for Clarence Jr. He is residing in Florida for the moment. We give donations to the Cobb Energy of the Art Centre, and I have opened up a scholarship for students who are in need, at my alma mater. I love the fans and I consider them friends. Thank you so much for remembering us.
Sincerely,
Alohe (Rami)'

September 2007

Question... Is this the same Keni Burke that made,' Risin' to the top'?... I thought it was... but I could be wrong???

 

[Blunt]

Question... Is this the same Keni Burke that made,' Risin' to the top'?... I thought it was... but I could be wrong???

 

[Kush]

One more hit...High School Dance.

I still have that 45 in my old record collection. I was a little kid, but I remember my older siblings dancing to this!


[flash]http://www.youtube.com/v/PGXogaoYZBA&hl=en&fs=1[/flash]

I remember dancing to this in my pajamas when it played on Soul Train. Still got the scratchy 45 from my sister.

 

[Duece]

 

[Duece]

The Sylvers were hot for like a quick minute in the mid to late seventies. They were obvious J5 ripoffs and wannabes but The Jackson 5 were groundbreaking. There was no one else doing what they were doing for bubblegum soul and then funky disco and soulful r&b ballads.

This has been going on in every generation in modern music from the twenties until now. Remember The Monkees? They had a few hits of course but were blatant Beatle ripoffs.

I did still like some of The Sylvers' cuts though. They were also great for teeny boppers to have a crush on and to fill up the black teen magazines of that time. This was still when light skinned brothas were all the rage. Light skinned high yellow long haired black chicks like Jane Kennedy were also considered the stone foxes back then.

I've listened to most of the Sylvers catelogue and I don't really see much of a similarity to The Jacksons, they don't have similar voices plus adding their sisters into the group gave them an obvious different sound.

I could wrong, I'm in my mid 20s and I'm looking back

 

[RunawaySlave]

The Sylvers were no Jackson family, but they were pretty good...

now the Osmonds...

exactly

 

[Blunt]

I've listened to most of the Sylvers catelogue and I don't really see much of a similarity to The Jacksons, they don't have similar voices plus adding their sisters into the group gave them an obvious different sound.

Huh?? They were similar in that they were a family group, with a youthful lead singer, that produced some catchy bubblegum/R&B tracks in the '70s.

One of MANY such acts that followed that very successful Jackson 5 formula during that time (both black and white). The Sylvers wouldn't have existed in the form they did without the Jackson 5.

 

[Ralo Lawson]

Leon Sylvers Inventor of the Independent Producer

"Born Leon F.Sylvers III on March 7th 1953, in Memphis, Tennessee. He's is an accomplished songwriter and producer. From Memphis, Tennessee, Leon began his musical career with his family group The Sylvers, with his early songs including 'Misdemeanor' for brother Foster Sylvers in 1973. From here he became a respected songwriter within the Los Angeles dance music scene, his production showcasing the 'Solar' sound at Solar Records (Sound Of Los Angeles Records). With label boss Dick Griffey he instigated groups such as Dynasty (producing 'I Don't Want To Be A Freak') and writing and producing for label mates Shalamar ('Take That To The Bank', 'Second Time Around' and 'Night To Remember') and The Whispers ('And The Beat Goes On' and 'Tonight'). Elsewhere he has written and / or produced for artists including: Gladys Knight & The Pips ('Save The Overtime For Me') Evelyn 'Champagne' King ('Hold On To What You've Got') Stacy Lattisaw ('You Ain't Leavin') The Detroit Spinners ('Right Or Wrong') Gina Foster ('Love is A House') The Brothers Johnson ('You Keep Me Coming Back') Dynasty ('I've Just Begun To Love You') Krystol ('After The Dance Is Through') Lakeside ('Power') Glenn Jones ('Finesse') The Whispers ('And The Beat Goes On') Howard Hewett, Gene Page ('Love Starts After Dark') Shalamar ('The Second Time Around') and Real To Reel ('Love Me Like This') among many others."

http://www.myspace.com/leonsylvers

Yeah Leon Sylvers is one of the greatest producers and bass players of all time. Foster was bad on the bass too. He played the bass on "In The Raw" for the Whispers and few other cuts on that album but Leon is the MAN! That guy was Solar records. I saw an interview with the Whispers and Scotty said that when they recorded "And The Beat Goes On" they didn't have a way to isolate the the drums so certain parts could be totally muted out of the track like you can do today with drum machines and Leon wanted to be able to mute some drums parts without taking out the whole drum track so he played the entire drum kit individually and the kick drum by hand with a mallet over and over until he got it right. That song is something like 13 minutes long and that drum track sounds flawless so you know he had to do mad takes of that to get it right. Scotty also said he played every instrument on that song and had to fight with Scotty to get him to sing the now legendary party line "Hey Scotty!" "Yeah" "What that mean?"

Here's that youtube interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRKDrktZ-qU

 

[Pack Rat]

Bow...


Earthquake happens at the 3:15 mark, watch their faces Carol played it off..she said the earth just moved
Singing starts at 5:00 mark....no J5 with Michael

 

[DV8ed]

Yep, I sure do. Everyone was trying to "find" ther next J5.

Hot line was my grove god I'm old

Me too!!!

Most people don't know/remember that this was actually Janet Jackson's FIRST hit song!

Weird how it never gets any play anywhere today or even since the late 80s.

I have never heard that song again but I liked it when it was out.

Not even listed on Youtube!

This was my favorite song on her 1st album.

 

[Duece]

Huh?? They were similar in that they were a family group, with a youthful lead singer, that produced some catchy bubblegum/R&B tracks in the '70s.

One of MANY such acts that followed that very successful Jackson 5 formula during that time (both black and white). The Sylvers wouldn't have existed in the form they did without the Jackson 5.

Blunt any group with a bunch of boys singing and dancing will be compared to the Jackson 5. Read what I said again, I listened to most of their music yesterday evening mostly checking for similarities to the Jacksons with in their sound.

 

[Blunt]

Blunt any group with a bunch of boys singing and dancing will be compared to the Jackson 5. Read what I said again, I listened to most of their music yesterday evening mostly checking for similarities to the Jacksons with in their sound.

I lived through that time and they most certainly were going for the Jackson Five vibe. That was the whole point. Of course, they didn't sound exactly alike, but they were obviously doing the same bubblegum R&B and pop (only without Motown's help).

They were one of many such groups that had some brief success in the wake of The Jackson Five.

Not the least of which were ...

 

[Lick]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgrr-H4-4H0

The Sylvers (group) were compared to the Jackson Five, as well.
If you are old enough, you should remember. I believe their mom recently released a book on the family and the tragedies that went along with the showbiz.

Holler back if you remember!!!

Did she tell about the incest? They had that bad! I know more than I want to know....

 

[Pack Rat]

OMG...The Defranco Family...I remember buying the album..had a song on there called Gorilla

 

[Duece]

Did she tell about the incest? They had that bad! I know more than I want to know....

Incest?
What the hell?

 

[DollarDay]

Incest?
What the hell?

spill the beans on those stories!

 

[Duece]

spill the beans on those stories!

Considering what I've read about Foster, you might not want to use that gif.

 

[will_right]

Yeah they had 1 or 2 hits I think.

ONE OR TWO HITS? you are badly mastaken..they had many more. The Debarge Family was also compaired to the Jackson Five. And for the record (Outside Of Michael Jackson,Janet & Jermaine)The rest of the jackson Members could'nt sing for SHIT! So Member for Member the Debarge Family had MORE talented singers in the family..do your own research..So..as Michael Clarke Duncan would say in the green mile "Take my hand boss and See foe yoseff"

 

[will_right]

And I remember everyone thought the Jackson's song this song:

THESE are the ones that had two hits NOT the Sylvers

 

[dahype1x]

And I remember everyone thought the Jackson's song this song:

wow! they could definitely pass for the jacksons.....