LittleBLUECorvette said:

babynoz said:

Me...I've been waiting for this one.

I cannot believe they kicked Leon to the curb because of that thieving manager...it's always the same story when people start getting the big head. Then comes the drugs and alcohol.

I was also shocked hearing what happened to Olympia!

Another gorgeous and talented family hits the skids but I'm really happy that Leon continued to do well for himself.

Yeah, all them hits he did for Shalamar and Whispers ect would have been theirs.

True. The Sylvers were on their way to supreme, but it was shocking that they would rule Leon out of the group. Al Ross and other record executives were evil.

silverchild said:

babynoz said:

Me...I've been waiting for this one.

I cannot believe they kicked Leon to the curb because of that thieving manager...it's always the same story when people start getting the big head. Then comes the drugs and alcohol.

I was also shocked hearing what happened to Olympia!

Another gorgeous and talented family hits the skids but I'm really happy that Leon continued to do well for himself.

Co-sign with everything here. Pretty good episode.

Interesting parts that stood out for me:

Olympia's illness and abuse
The group's struggle with disco/maintaining their artistic integrity
Record label troubles/Leon's departure
Al Ross and legal issues
Leon: "Ain't nobody tellin' me I ain't writing for my own group."
Drug and alcohol abuse among members of group, particularly Ricky and Foster

Those commercials annoyed the f**k outta me.

I got mad about the raw deal they fell for. Why is it always the same story? It happens so often you'd think more artists would be wise to the game,

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Last episode, they didn't talk about Billy's fro, they better mention the Sylvers fro!!!!

Wasn't Billy's fro a wig? I think so..

TD3 said:

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Last episode, they didn't talk about Billy's fro, they better mention the Sylvers fro!!!!

Wasn't Billy's fro a wig? I think so..

I don't know, still know fro talk.

I didn't know they were still living in the projects 3 albums deep.

Also, that early footage of them was cool back in the 60s doin that Barber Shop melodies.

babynoz said:

silverchild said:

Co-sign with everything here. Pretty good episode.

Interesting parts that stood out for me:

Olympia's illness and abuse
The group's struggle with disco/maintaining their artistic integrity
Record label troubles/Leon's departure
Al Ross and legal issues
Leon: "Ain't nobody tellin' me I ain't writing for my own group."
Drug and alcohol abuse among members of group, particularly Ricky and Foster

Those commercials annoyed the f**k outta me.

I got mad about the raw deal they fell for. Why is it always the same story? It happens so often you'd think more artists would be wise to the game,

Yeah their deals on Capitol and Casablanca were a mess. The fact that these were young, fresh-faced teenagers that these old guys could exploit and take advantage of was the sad part. It happens more and more even today. Like babynoz said, you'd think more artists would be wise to the game!

LittleBLUECorvette said:

babynoz said:

Me...I've been waiting for this one.

I cannot believe they kicked Leon to the curb because of that thieving manager...it's always the same story when people start getting the big head. Then comes the drugs and alcohol.

I was also shocked hearing what happened to Olympia!

Another gorgeous and talented family hits the skids but I'm really happy that Leon continued to do well for himself.

Yeah, all them hits he did for Shalamar and Whispers ect would have been theirs.

Yep...instead they went for the okey doke.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

I didn't know they were still living in the projects 3 albums deep.

Also, that early footage of them was cool back in the 60s doin that Barber Shop melodies.

Even after the shotgun incident they had to be told to leave,

They had the potential to be more than bubble gum artist...that was the vision Leon had for them.

This was one of the more entertaining and informative eps for me. I kind of had an idea that Leon honed his songwriting and producing skills while with the group before joing SOLAR Records, but I wasn't aware of the extent. I also had no idea that after all he did that he was actually voted out of the group. At least in one case, the split with one of his siblings didn't keep him from working with them. While glancing through the songwriting and producer credits on Evelyn King's greatest hits album, I saw that Foster had co-producing credits on the songs Leon produced for her (Shakedown and Action) from her Face to Face album. Shirley Sylvers was one tough mama. "Maybe your butt can catch the bullets on your way out" LOL.

UnderMySun said:

This was one of the more entertaining and informative eps for me. I kind of had an idea that Leon honed his songwriting and producing skills while with the group before joing SOLAR Records, but I wasn't aware of the extent. I also had no idea that after all he did that he was actually voted out of the group. At least in one case, the split with one of his siblings didn't keep him from working with them. While glancing through the songwriting and producer credits on Evelyn King's greatest hits album, I saw that Foster had co-producing credits on the songs Leon produced for her (Shakedown and Action) from her Face to Face album. Shirley Sylvers was one tough mama. "Maybe your butt can catch the bullets on your way out" LOL.

I just check and he produced one album for the Sylvers under SOLAR Records.

Timmy84 said:

Wow that was a GREAT episode!

Yes, it was Timmy. This is what I had expected consistently constituently from the Unsung series but it hasn't panned out. Anywho. Pretty much knew everything but I didn't know the family voted Leon out, though they were vague reports or rumors of some family strife. For me I wondered what happened at the end when they made the decision to disband and how they made the transition. I now know. I wanted to know a bit more about Edmund's decision to go solo, the stalled solo career, and his decision to move to the east coast. It's an hour show so.. . A lil' surprised Foster is back in the penitentary.

===================

ya can help a sista out

[[Edited 8/1/11 20:52pm]

[Edited 8/2/11 4:56am]

LittleBLUECorvette said:

UnderMySun said:

This was one of the more entertaining and informative eps for me. I kind of had an idea that Leon honed his songwriting and producing skills while with the group before joing SOLAR Records, but I wasn't aware of the extent. I also had no idea that after all he did that he was actually voted out of the group. At least in one case, the split with one of his siblings didn't keep him from working with them. While glancing through the songwriting and producer credits on Evelyn King's greatest hits album, I saw that Foster had co-producing credits on the songs Leon produced for her (Shakedown and Action) from her Face to Face album. Shirley Sylvers was one tough mama. "Maybe your butt can catch the bullets on your way out" LOL.

I just check and he produced one album for the Sylvers under SOLAR Records.

Yep. It was Concept from 1981, which was a pretty good record. Definitely should've made a bigger impact, but by that time, alot of folks kept throwing that naughty "disco" tag on them.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

TD3 said:

Wasn't Billy's fro a wig? I think so..

I don't know, still know fro talk.

TD3 said:

Timmy84 said:

Wow that was a GREAT episode!

Yes, it was Timmy. This is what I had expected constituently from the Unsung series but it hasn't panned out. Anywho. Pretty much knew everything but I didn't know the family voted Leon out, though they were vague reports or rumors of some family strife. For me I wondered what happened at the end when they made the decision to disband and how they made the transition. I now know. I wanted to know a bit more about Edmund's decision to go solo, the stalled solo career, and his decision to move to the east coast. It's a hour show so.. . A lil' surprised Foster is back in the penitentary.

Co-sign with that! It was a pretty good episode, but they didn't focus too much on Edmund. Edmund did have a short-lived solo career and even though he produced and wrote for artists afterwards, his career never took off. I was a little surprised that little Foster is back in prison as well. But overall, I loved the episode!

silverchild said:

LittleBLUECorvette said:

I just check and he produced one album for the Sylvers under SOLAR Records.

Yep. It was Concept from 1981, which was a pretty good record. Definitely should've made a bigger impact, but by that time, alot of folks kept throwing that naughty "disco" tag on them.

As I was telling my daughter; very few artist or groups who made their name during the disco era survived when the era ended. Many of those artist were kinda stigmatized...

"Concept" was a solid album but to little to late i guess. Besides music was about to take another turn so who knows how it would've turned out.

================================

[Edited 8/1/11 20:54pm]

I saw Concept on a vinyl hunt last month but i wasn't about to pay 5.99

for the album without knowing how good it was. Episode was good but it

left you wanting more info but as always you can't get an artist's life story

in a 45 minute show.

TD3 said:

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Last episode, they didn't talk about Billy's fro, they better mention the Sylvers fro!!!!

Wasn't Billy's fro a wig? I think so..

Yes, that was well known back then......

phunkdaddy said:

I saw Concept on a vinyl hunt last month but i wasn't about to pay 5.99

for the album without knowing how good it was. Episode was good but it

left you wanting more info but as always you can't get an artist's life story

in a 45 minute show.

If you like the SOLAR sound you'll dig this album phunk, it's good

babynoz said:

silverchild said:

Co-sign with everything here. Pretty good episode.

Interesting parts that stood out for me:

Olympia's illness and abuse
The group's struggle with disco/maintaining their artistic integrity
Record label troubles/Leon's departure
Al Ross and legal issues
Leon: "Ain't nobody tellin' me I ain't writing for my own group."
Drug and alcohol abuse among members of group, particularly Ricky and Foster

Those commercials annoyed the f**k outta me.

I got mad about the raw deal they fell for. Why is it always the same story? It happens so often you'd think more artists would be wise to the game,

'Hindsight is twenty-twenty'.... this was back in the day still.

Needless to say the Sylvers' were all very young and experience. The people around them including their mother didn't have a clue about business management or business law. They never thought in a million years they wouldn't own the rights to their family name.... which should have been trademarked ™. An ethical and independent legal counsel could've explained the things they needed to do to protect themselves and all intellectual property.

As you've mentioned, this mess happens, still....

This was a great episode! I didnt know much about the Sylvers before and this Unsung made me want to know them more and check out more of their music. That Mama Slyver is a strong, tough lady. I admire that she found the strength to leave a bad relationship and take her 10 kids with her!

Watched the show, was saddened by the tragedies that hit that family. I have to give props to the mother for raising her 10 kids after her lousy husband abandoned her and the family.

Just heartwrenching what happened to Olympia (not sure if I have her name right), as well as the Sylvers getting taken for their money. A shame they didn't have someone with business sense to manage them. In conclusion, it was good to see a story about them. I really appreciated them when they were out there as a family unit singing good music and leaving us with classics.

NaughtyKitty said:

This was a great episode! I didnt know much about the Sylvers before and this Unsung made me want to know them more and check out more of their music. That Mama Slyver is a strong, tough lady. I admire that she found the strength to leave a bad relationship and take her 10 kids with her!

I thought this was a great episode as well but very sad. Mama Slyver, God bless you, raising ten kids on your own. I notice they didnt interview Chairmaine yet she appeared on the show. I can't imagine going thru what she went thru I guess drugs was a way of numbing the pain. I admire the family confessing their drug and alcohol addiction. Just the thought of the family voting out their own brother who was the songwriter/producer is preposterous very bad mistake. Pardon me for saying this but another story of a white man ripping off a black artist They signed a deal giving him 50% of their future earnings???? Really SMH Damn it was 10 in the group how small was their check? Say what you want about Joe Jackson but he would've never agreed to that.

It sparked an interest in me to listen to their other recordings besides Hotline, Misdemeanor, and Boogie Fever. I like 'Forvever Yours' now. One thing the narrator of the show pointed out was Leon Slyvers deserves to be in the same category as Babyface, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Teddy Riley in regards to producer/songwriter he certainly gets overlooked.

RIP Edmound Slyvers and Christoper Slyvers

Stay strong Charmaine.

[Edited 8/2/11 10:20am]

^Yes, I agree 1sotrue.

1sotrue said:

NaughtyKitty said:

This was a great episode! I didnt know much about the Sylvers before and this Unsung made me want to know them more and check out more of their music. That Mama Slyver is a strong, tough lady. I admire that she found the strength to leave a bad relationship and take her 10 kids with her!

I thought this was a great episode as well but very sad. Mama Slyver, God bless you, raising ten kids on your own. I notice they didnt interview Chairmaine yet she appeared on the show. I can't imagine going thru what she went thru I guess drugs was a way of numbing the pain. I admire the family confessing their drug and alcohol addiction. Just the thought of the family voting out their own brother was was the songwriter/producer is preposterous very bad mistake. Pardon me for saying this but another story of a white man ripping off a black artist They signed a deal giving him 50% of their future earnings???? Really SMH Damn it was 10 in the group how small was their check? Say what you want about Joe Jackson but he would've never agreed to that.

It sparked an interest in me to listen to their other recordings besides Hotline, Misdemeanor, and Boogie Fever. I like 'Forvever Yours' now. One thing the narrator of the show pointed out was Leon Slyvers deserves to be in the same category as Babyface, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Teddy Riley in regards to producer/songwriter he certainly gets overlooked.

RIP Edmound Slyvers and Christoper Slyvers

Stay strong Charmaine.

For all the lamenting of record compainies ripping off artist ( they still do) those "standard" music industry manager contracts ripped off so many artist. Why do you think Michael Jackson was able to purchase a large part of the Beatles music catalogue or Aerosmith former manager is co-owner of their music catalogue even though he never wrote a note of music. Of course Aerosmith only discovered that after they came out of their drug haze. The record industry and music manager's have been equal opportunity theives. These people would steal from their own mamma if she wasn't paying attention.

=============================================

[Edited 8/2/11 9:14am]

damn! i just got u-verse and unfortunately my tier doesn't include tv one (but i get that damn BET, though). i would have loved to have seen this ep.

i was in total love with the sylvers, foster in particular of course. even though i was a fan of the j5/jacksons, i was just at that 'tween' age to have that girlish crush on foster. *sigh* so sad to know he's in prison.

it was just so quick the way they burst on the scene, retreated a bit and then came roaring back with 'boogie fever'. then they had that next album with 'hotline', then it was like they just disappeared. i knew that leon went on to produce those jams for shalimar, but it was just so crazy the way the rest just disappeared.

i hope unsung comes out on dvd or something, cause i definitely want to see this episode.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

UnderMySun said:

This was one of the more entertaining and informative eps for me. I kind of had an idea that Leon honed his songwriting and producing skills while with the group before joing SOLAR Records, but I wasn't aware of the extent. I also had no idea that after all he did that he was actually voted out of the group. At least in one case, the split with one of his siblings didn't keep him from working with them. While glancing through the songwriting and producer credits on Evelyn King's greatest hits album, I saw that Foster had co-producing credits on the songs Leon produced for her (Shakedown and Action) from her Face to Face album. Shirley Sylvers was one tough mama. "Maybe your butt can catch the bullets on your way out" LOL.

I just check and he produced one album for the Sylvers under SOLAR Records.

I have that album. I was surprised they overlooked that project.

kibbles said:

damn! i just got u-verse and unfortunately my tier doesn't include tv one (but i get that damn BET, though). i would have loved to have seen this ep.

i was in total love with the sylvers, foster in particular of course. even though i was a fan of the j5/jacksons, i was just at that 'tween' age to have that girlish crush on foster. *sigh* so sad to know he's in prison.

it was just so quick the way they burst on the scene, retreated a bit and then came roaring back with 'boogie fever'. then they had that next album with 'hotline', then it was like they just disappeared. i knew that leon went on to produce those jams for shalimar, but it was just so crazy the way the rest just disappeared.

i hope unsung comes out on dvd or something, cause i definitely want to see this episode.

They post a "remixed" version of the episode on their website.

TD3 said:

1sotrue said:

I thought this was a great episode as well but very sad. Mama Slyver, God bless you, raising ten kids on your own. I notice they didnt interview Chairmaine yet she appeared on the show. I can't imagine going thru what she went thru I guess drugs was a way of numbing the pain. I admire the family confessing their drug and alcohol addiction. Just the thought of the family voting out their own brother was was the songwriter/producer is preposterous very bad mistake. Pardon me for saying this but another story of a white man ripping off a black artist They signed a deal giving him 50% of their future earnings???? Really SMH Damn it was 10 in the group how small was their check? Say what you want about Joe Jackson but he would've never agreed to that.

It sparked an interest in me to listen to their other recordings besides Hotline, Misdemeanor, and Boogie Fever. I like 'Forvever Yours' now. One thing the narrator of the show pointed out was Leon Slyvers deserves to be in the same category as Babyface, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Teddy Riley in regards to producer/songwriter he certainly gets overlooked.

RIP Edmound Slyvers and Christoper Slyvers

Stay strong Charmaine.

For all the lamenting of record compainies ripping off artist ( they still do) those "standard" music industry manager contracts ripped off so many artist. Why do you think Michael Jackson was able to purchase a large part of the Beatles music catalogue or Aerosmith former manager is co-owner of their music catalogue even though he never wrote a note of music. Of course Aerosmith only discovered that after they came out of their drug haze. The record industry and music manager's have been equal opportunity theives. These people would steal from their own mamma if she wasn't paying attention.

=============================================

[Edited 8/2/11 9:14am]

You are so right TD3 I forgot about the Beatles they certainly got ripped off. Then again they were all novices to the business alot of them never read what they was signing. They let their manager make too many financial decisions that affected them years later I didnt know about Aerosmith but remember Billy Joel had to sue his former manager.

(FOSTER SYLVERS: REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER)

Foster Sylvers the youngest member of the "Sylvers" singing group who once produced tracks for Janet Jackson-is now a registered sex offender. The above mug shot and the nature of his crime is featured on a National Sex Offender Website connected to Megan's Law, The Attorney General & the Department Of Justice. His crime is listed as follows: Oral Copulation: Victim unconscious of the nature of the act.

[Edited 8/2/11 11:02am]

daPrettyman said:

kibbles said:

damn! i just got u-verse and unfortunately my tier doesn't include tv one (but i get that damn BET, though). i would have loved to have seen this ep.

i was in total love with the sylvers, foster in particular of course. even though i was a fan of the j5/jacksons, i was just at that 'tween' age to have that girlish crush on foster. *sigh* so sad to know he's in prison.

it was just so quick the way they burst on the scene, retreated a bit and then came roaring back with 'boogie fever'. then they had that next album with 'hotline', then it was like they just disappeared. i knew that leon went on to produce those jams for shalimar, but it was just so crazy the way the rest just disappeared.

i hope unsung comes out on dvd or something, cause i definitely want to see this episode.

They post a "remixed" version of the episode on their website.