Talk:Sylvester (singer)

"Transgender"
Did the Cockettes call themselves "transvestites"? Otherwise, it is not appropriate to describe them so. The term is not synonymous with drag, and is in fact considered by many to be insulting. Another, more neutral term would be "crossdressing". —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.73.18.109 (talk) 04:40, 8 May 2009 (UTC)


 * The term originates from the French "coquette" (pronounced "cockett"). It is the feminine form of the adjective "coquet" (pronounced "cockay"). It describes a person very concerned with their looks and always seeking to look their best by carefully choosing their clothes, hairdo, etc.. It also applies to houses and apartments, where it takes the sense of "charming", "well-kept", "fashionable", etc... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.193.109.124 (talk) 02:55, 12 July 2009 (UTC)

Editing
I tidied up the reference list, added the code for a reference list, added an external link to QCC. I may go in and add some more references using all the good external links. --Utilizer (talk) 20:06, 8 December 2008 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Sylvesterportrait.jpg
Image:Sylvesterportrait.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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BetacommandBot 04:58, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

There is a lot of idolatry and messy writing here, it reads like it's lifted from a fan's biography. -- K.C.R —Preceding unsigned comment added by 62.56.52.44 (talk) 02:47, 31 December 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Sylvester - You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) excerpt.ogg
Image:Sylvester - You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) excerpt.ogg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images lacking such an explanation can be deleted one week after being tagged, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot (talk) 06:28, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

Image copyright problem with Image:Sylvester With Patrick Cowley - Do You Wanna Funk excerpt.ogg
The image Image:Sylvester With Patrick Cowley - Do You Wanna Funk excerpt.ogg is used in this article under a claim of fair use, but it does not have an adequate explanation for why it meets the requirements for such images when used here. In particular, for each page the image is used on, it must have an explanation linking to that page which explains why it needs to be used on that page. Please check


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Sourcing
Excessive use of Gamson (2005) should probably be addressed. It is pretty unusual for an article to rely so heavily on a single source. Semitransgenic talk. 21:42, 22 March 2013 (UTC)
 * You have a fair point, but Gamson is the only biographical account of Sylvester's life yet published, hence explaining why this article relies so heavily on it. Midnightblueowl (talk) 14:27, 29 March 2013 (UTC)
 * It may be the most complete biographical account, but there are probably a lot of bits and pieces that could be sourced individually through Google book/news searches. It will most likely be more difficult than researching other subjects since Sylvester went by just one name that isn't particularly unique, but, when combined with other keywords (such as "singer", "transgender", etc), it may very well be doable.  I'm not familiar with the subject, so I wouldn't be the best person to do this, but I'm just guessing that it most likely could be done. - 209.49.229.160 (talk) 18:33, 4 April 2014 (UTC)

Update re: musical?
The final paragraph states "In August 2014, an Off-Broadway musical titled Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical, is scheduled to begin in New York City.[115]". Did this happen, and could someone (who knows) update the page please? MarpoHarks (talk) 11:23, 29 July 2015 (UTC)


 * I've updated this particular section. Midnightblueowl (talk) 15:16, 14 December 2015 (UTC)

Assessment comment
Substituted at 07:28, 30 April 2016 (UTC)
 * The article has been substantially reworked and expanded since that point. Midnightblueowl (talk) 16:28, 9 May 2016 (UTC)

Mentioning his funeral
Shouldn't we add details about his funeral? I have information about that. Attendees included Sylvester's family, Jeanie Tracy, Martha Wash, Loretta Devine, Aretha Franklin. Izora Armstead, who was unable to attend, asked her sister to read a letter she had written. The funeral started with a scripture read from the Old Testament by Reverend Ronnie McFarland, followed by a scripture read from the New Testament by Reverend Carol King. Prayer was given by Reverend Earl Bostick. The Love Mass Center choir sang "I'll Fly Away" and "Going Up Yonder". Expressions were then given by Timmy McKenna and Jeanie Tracy. A musical tape of Sylvester was played. Additional Expressions were by Sylvester's mother Letha Weaver and Wanetta McGilberry. Jeanie Tracy sang "Never Grow Old". Martha Wash also sang a selection but I don't have a source that discloses what song she sang. The eulogy was given by Pastor Walter Hawkins.

Some of this information was also listed during his Unsung documentary. Horizonlove (talk) 18:52, 6 April 2019 (UTC)
 * Might that not be a bit excessive, in terms of the level of detail? Midnightblueowl (talk) 17:54, 7 April 2019 (UTC)
 * I agree and wasn't suggesting that every detail of the funeral be added. I just thought it should be noted when and where the funeral took place and its notable attendees. I also thought it would be nice add that Jeanie sang Sylvester's favorite song "Never Grow Old". Horizonlove (talk) 02:42, 8 April 2019 (UTC)
 * In that case, there's no objections from me. Midnightblueowl (talk) 10:41, 8 April 2019 (UTC)

Middle class family?
I think its pretty dubious that you could view the family Sylvester came from as middle class. He grew up in Watts, his father was absent, his mother had a bunch of children by different fathers, they lived in the projects, etc. These were obviously not well educated people with means. I know Sylvester himself said "Lets just say I came from an upper middle class family" but he obviously wasn't being serious. I personally always preferred to see Sylvester as a kid from the wrong side of the tracks who overcame his background and circumstances and did good for himself. 84.64.246.232 (talk) 14:46, 3 August 2022 (UTC)