Collection of Sylvester Concert Recordings, Sheet Music, and Other Material, 1979-1986

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Summary

Title:
Collection of Sylvester concert recordings, sheet music, and other material
Dates:
1979-1986
Creators:
Abstract:
Extent:
15.5 linear feet (9 cartons, 3 oversized boxes, 1 leather bag)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Collection of Sylvester concert recordings, sheet music, and other material. GLBT Historical Society

Background

Scope and content:

Sylvester (born Sylvester James Jr.) was a disco-soul singer-songwriter known for his androgynous appearance, falsetto singing voice, and the moniker the “Queen of Disco.”The collection includes numerous recordings of Sylvester’s 1979-1985 concerts and television and radio appearances, held on approximately 130 audio reels, 90 audio cassettes, and 20 VHS and U-matic tapes. Also included are sheet music, most likely for live performances; publicity photographs; posters; newspaper clippings; several audio cassette and 7-inch vinyl singles; a large leather bag that contained the sheet music; and an overlay featuring Sylvester’s handwritten comments on a publicity photograph. The collection donor received these materials from Barbara Smookler, who probably received them from Tim McKenna, Sylvester’s manager.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Thomas Maravilla, July 2024. Addition in November 2024.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by GLBT Historical Society staff.
Date Prepared:
1979-1986
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

All requests for reproductions and/or permission to publish or quote from material must be submitted in writing to the GLBT Historical Society Archivist. Permission for reproductions and/or permission to publish or quote from material is given on behalf of the GLBT Historical Society as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred citation:

Collection of Sylvester concert recordings, sheet music, and other material. GLBT Historical Society

Location of this collection:
989 Market Street, Lower Level
San Francisco, CA 94103, US
Contact:
(415) 777-5455
reference@glbthistory.org
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