They were among the great family acts in R&B history, but their creative work and discography are sometimes underappreciated. The Sylvers rose to fame during the 1970s, initially consisting of the four eldest siblings—Olympia, Leon, Charmaine, and James and performing as “The Little Angels.” The prodigies appeared on both regional and national televisions shows, and opened for acts like Johnny Mathis and Ray Charles. In 1972, joined by brothers Edmund (d. 2004) and Ricky, they rebranded as The Sylvers, releasing three albums with MGM/Pride: The Sylvers, The Sylvers 2, and The Sylvers 3. These albums produced several moderate hits, including “Fool’s Paradise” and “Wish That I Could Talk to You.”
The addition of younger siblings Foster (d. 2023), Angie, and Pat in 1975, under Capitol Records and producer Freddie Perren, marked their peak. Their single “Boogie Fever” became a number one hit on both R&B and Billboard Hot 100 charts. Their album Showcase featured hits like “Cotton Candy,” and Something Special in 1976 included the smash “Hot Line” and “High School Dance.” During this time, members of the group – particularly Foster – also became teenage pin-up stars.
Seeking a more mature R&B audience, The Sylvers produced New Horizons in 1977 but faced commercial disappointment. Leon Sylvers left to produce for Sound of Los Angeles (SOLAR) Records, and the group’s next album, Forever Yours, released under Casablanca Records, included the top 20 hit “Don’t Stop, Get Off.” However, subsequent albums, including Disco Fever and Concept (on which the group reunited with Leon for SOLAR Records), struggled to replicate earlier success.
After a brief resurgence in 1984 with the album Bizarre, The Sylvers disbanded in 1985. Despite this, members continued individual projects and occasional collaborations. Leon Sylvers, notably, became a significant music producer in the 1980s for such SOLAR acts as The Whispers and Shalamar.
The Sylvers’ legacy endures through their contributions to the R&B and disco genres, marked by their dynamic family harmonies and enduring hits.
