His backing singers were affectionately known as The 2 Tonnes of fun, But went on to have a massive hit in their own right after Sylvester lost his battle with aids. They became The Weather Girls,and released Its Raining Men.
Gives me chills watching this and seeing that Huge Talent that gave us all so much Pure Joy on the dancefloor back in those years....I miss those times with all my heart. ❤
Sylvester had a lof fans. He was bigger to his underground fanbase than the popular media fans. I'm a straight man, but I appreciate anyone who loves and gives music to the fullest. RIP Sylvester. GTS!
This shows you that good music is good music. I could feel the energy of that crowd. Dick Clark was not afraid to let anybody perform on American Bandstand.
Sylvester broke many barriers, ethnicity, gender, an artist by all design, un-inihibited freedom to be who she want to be. That era of the 70's was a good memorable time for me. Love and miss you Sylvester
This energy is on 🔥🔥🔥. I didn’t watch alot of American Bandstand growing up but occasionally I would on Saturday afternoons . Normally Soul Train but for Mr Clark to have Sylvester and Martha Wash and Izdora Armstead later the Weather Girls on his show said a lot . Love this performance
Met him on the streets of NYC and Sylvester was warm, kind & genuine is a huge long fur coat (could not miss him!) Got to tell him we were going to see him that same night at The Garage!..oh them memories ; )
them big girls was getting it! I know they had so much fun back then! No body taking pics for Ig, no weirdos going live on fb in the middle of the concert. it look like they just lived in the moment!
I remember that exactly part was used years later in a dance club song but I can't find it. Please, what are the exact words she is singing in this part? English is not my main language and can't understand what she said so I can Google it. Thanks in advance.
It’s 2023 and still love ❤️ love 💕 Sylvester it brings me to tears too see this over 45 years he was dynamic and awesome so beautiful love his look style music 🎶 I wish he was still was with us he was a trailblazer he was special I use to love ❤️ band stand and dick Clark he had all the talent on his show he brought out a lot of stars ⭐️ the good good good old days for music 🎶 fashion .
If you were a Gay boy in the 70's this music was playing everywhere in the clubs, on the radio you could not escape it. Finally after years of hard work the talented African American artist and the LGBT community have put together a new musical bound for Broadway. You owe to yourself, and to the loving sole of Sylvester to get out and see this Musical. You will dance, & you will cry to the lost loves one to AIDS. But looking back it was a time like no other because we were "Mighty Real."
+John Black - Thank you for posting this. I was not a gay boy or gay in the 70s, but a teeny-bopper who listened to the radio, and to be honest, too young to know the big impact this music had on the gay community. But, it was music that I loved and I remember seeing this on AB and dancing to it. It was a great tune , for 'everybody', and Sylvester? One of the greats in dance music, I remember the Mighty Real video and wanted to 'fan' just like Sylvester, I thought it was cool! No boundaries, just music and as a hetero, I am dying to see this play just to celebrate Sylvester's life and contribution!
My mom is a huge Sylvester fan. After seeing "Unsung", their were some songs he sang that my mom played when I was a kid. I couldn't believe it was a man singing those songs all along. This one is my fav. All I want to do is dance.
i love it!! this is one of my favorite performances of SYLVESTER to watch. MARTHA WASH and IZORA ARMSTEAD (RHODES) added a very special element to this song that made it such a classic!!! their voices are amazing. i absolutely love it.
The two acts were fantastic by themselves. Together they take it to another level. I can remember when The Weather Girls were called "Two tons of Fun" . Not necessarily fat shaming but a huge talent. I remember these days with such fondness. What I wouldn't give to re-live one of those
Pure Joy is the only way to describe this performance and artist! You have to be soulless not to feel the electricity pulsing from these three rays of light, Sylvester, Izora Armstead & Martha Walsh..
God bless Sylvester the Original and ONLY diva. Even you must step aside Ms. RuPaul for this legendary disco icon. And godbless Martha Wash to she really was having a great time being part of his group as a back up singer. Just fantastic.....!!! I really miss those days......
LOVE THIS! Found an old CD of disco hits-and I can't stop playing this song!!! I remember the good ol' disco days! Tried to explain to the younger generation how fun the discos were-they just don't get it. Oh well, dance on!
Blessed to see the Phenomenal Sylvester twice, once at a club called Tracks in Denver and again at the Bourse Building in Philadelphia a couple weeks later.....He made me feel MIGHTY REAL! December 2021
Even fuzzy, this video captures the pure delight the crowd has in watching these dynamic performers. the arrangment is simple but driving and the black church influences are obvious. That, with Sylvesters geat ear and inimitable style made he and Martha and Isadora a force to be reckoned with.
The disco era was the best era ever. Van McCoy-Do the Hustle, Donna Summers-Love to Love You Baby etc, and my favorite, with perfect pitch Sylvester, he left a legacy of music. RIP in heavenly peace Sylvester.
I remember when this actual episode of American Bandstand aired, it was a Saturday afternoon on ABC tv network. I was young, may 9 or 10...I actually thought Sylvester was a woman, I didn't really know about the gay life at that age. Watching this clip made that hair stand up on my arms...those were good times. It's sad how AIDS has effected the world.
I loved Sylvester and Two Tons of fun so much back then. I got to meet Izora Rhodes when she came to the First Interstate Bank to have lunch with her son Orlando when we both worked there. I will never forget that.
Martha Wash was very talented. I loved Syuvester the way he wasn't afraid to show his artistry through fashion and music . JUST LISTEN TO THAT 3:12 CROWD !!! 4 REAL
Hard to believe that the kids got all excited over Sylvester James. He hit #19 in Bilboard, 11-25-78. God bless ya, for postin' it. Thanx! RIP, Sylvester
he was the first gay person i ever saw besides when i used to look in the mirror ..and realized there were others like me and i was 16 ..i used to watch bandstand in 1978-79 on saturdays every week
I was born in the late 60's and raised through the disco era and listening to this song again brings back memories thank you Sylvester and Martha, and Izora.,.RIP. Sylvester and Izora...
I was only 14 when that song came out; that and "Mighty Real" but I knew how special that music was, how special that scene was. I hear those songs and I feel them just like I felt them back then. It was a happy feeling, a happy thing during hard times...
I didn't know "two tons o'fun" aka "the weather girls" were Sylvester's back up singers. Man, they all had some good singing voices. Cream of the crop.
The disco balls are no longer spinning and all of the fabulous discotheques of the 70's have long closed their door's and few remember the hustle but your music live's on forever and a day dear friend.
This was one of the few times on American Bandstand that I remembered it not being so Wholesome, loved this clip! I was on High school at the time and my friends were the ones hustling in the background. Great memories, will never be repeated!
u know they turned the joint out...i remember watching the show live--it was the talk for months....what a performance and what a cut/jam that was the song in the day!!!
Such good times! A fraction of the tech and a hundred times the fun. Donna Summer, RIP, passed today. It was a great time to be young and love to dance. I remember this song; with a few hundred more it defined wearing slinky Quiana dresses and sneaking into clubs in high school.
I remember Sylvester so well! I saw him perform at Catch One in L.A. One word to say, "FIERCE"! I love how Sylvester was way beyond his years & Dick Clark was open minded enough to have him on his show & perform along with Izora Armstead & Martha Walsh. Where did we go wrong, look at today!
Saw him at the Red Parrot in NYC 57st. West side 1979' ...Amazing show. That was the 1st time I had seen & heard him and what a show...you wanted it to go on & on... Good times... Those were the dayz... Peace
This is so great right here! I didn't know Sylvester was on American Bandstand. Him and the girls tore the place DOWN! This is incredible right here and I LOVE this song! They don't make hot songs like this anymore and its a damn shame. God Bless Sylvester.
wow, if this was released today and I bet it would be a hit - it's just great music - miss you Sylvester R.I.P. , you will always live through you music!
Love this lip sync era. Classic, no band or back up singers and sounds like the studio recording is being played. It is nice to see Sylvester though and that is brought me here.
Sylvester was the BOMB! A true pioneer. He caused excitement wherever he went. Disco Heat was one one of my favorite disco jams in the 70s. I was 28 when he passed away. So sad. There will never be another like him. I'm glad that TV One is telling his incredible story of courage, truth and great talent. He is missed.
![Sylvester & Two Tons O' Fun- "Dance (Disco Heat)" Live 1978 [Reelin' In The Years Archive]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/P7TMZlGBAPs/mqdefault.jpg)
When three voices sound like a full gospel choir....
IKR??? They are JAMMING!!! 🎶🎶
His backing singers were affectionately known as The 2 Tonnes of fun,
But went on to have a massive hit in their own right after Sylvester lost his battle with aids.
They became The Weather Girls,and released Its Raining Men.
He was AMAZING! You can hear the "Black Church" in Sylvester's music. He loved the Church, even though it didn't love him. I know the feeling...
Gives me chills watching this and seeing that Huge Talent that gave us all so much Pure Joy on the dancefloor back in those years....I miss those times with all my heart. ❤
Sylvester had a lof fans. He was bigger to his underground fanbase than the popular media fans. I'm a straight man, but I appreciate anyone who loves and gives music to the fullest. RIP Sylvester. GTS!
Me too, such a talented artist he was
This shows you that good music is good music. I could feel the energy of that crowd. Dick Clark was not afraid to let anybody perform on American Bandstand.
I loved that about Dick Clark, he wasn’t afraid of the various artists performing.
I was sad when I learned that Dick Clark only allowed Black teens in the audience until the 70's after Soul Train started taking away his viewers.
Only after Soul Train was kicking his a**!
This is Disco... The Absolute Queen of Disco for all time is Sylvester...
My Girls Martha AND Izora are great gospel vocal trainers if you need it! Lol! Because they are saaaaaagin honey!
Sylvester broke many barriers, ethnicity, gender, an artist by all design, un-inihibited freedom to be who she want to be. That era of the 70's was a good memorable time for me. Love and miss you Sylvester
Deeva Layde when Izora hollers Get on yo'feet and dance to the beat, that's joy, that's living the moment, right there!
wish I was THERE, lucky you!!!
Yes and didn't have to proclaim or make announcements of gender and just was the sensational Diva that brought happiness to everyone. Very talented
Always loving me some Sylvester
Even she died at 41, she lived a great life, being herself and unapologetic queer. I live her interview with Joan Rivers
This energy is on 🔥🔥🔥. I didn’t watch alot of American Bandstand growing up but occasionally I would on Saturday afternoons . Normally Soul Train but for Mr Clark to have Sylvester and Martha Wash and Izdora Armstead later the Weather Girls on his show said a lot . Love this performance
Just look at the crowds' reaction... they can barely contain themselves! Real music always hits your g-spot! ;-)
THE TWO TONS OF FUN MADE THIS SONG THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO SAY IT.
Th I s I s soooooo magical...Sylvester came to us for the spirit of music.
Met him on the streets of NYC and Sylvester was warm, kind & genuine is a huge long fur coat (could not miss him!) Got to tell him we were going to see him that same night at The Garage!..oh them memories ; )
RIP SYLVESTER No one could rock the crowd like you did . May you always dance around in heaven
I wish there was a time machine and go back to those days, I'm glad I grew up in that era disco was the best, non stop dancing
Rich Arnista Me too i am proud that i was in that DISCO ERA!!! I MISS SYLVESTER N HIS FUNK DISCO VOICE!!...R.I.P. SYLVESTER!!!
I wish I grew up in the Disco Era. I unfortunately grew up during the hip hop and R&B era. LoL. I was born in the wrong generation. 😔😪
them big girls was getting it! I know they had so much fun back then! No body taking pics for Ig, no weirdos going live on fb in the middle of the concert. it look like they just lived in the moment!
The break at 2:56 is one of the most epic moments in the history of music... Work it, Izora, work it!
Yessssss!
I remember that exactly part was used years later in a dance club song but I can't find it.
Please, what are the exact words she is singing in this part? English is not my main language and can't understand what she said so I can Google it. Thanks in advance.
@@baracuboriginal (Get on your feet and dance to the beat and dance!)
Hunnie, they smooth went off and went IN on the American Bandstand!!
he owed everything to the sister's on this song..they carried the hell out of it.
Anyone else still listening to this classic disco song in 2021 besides me?
It’s 2023 and still love ❤️ love 💕 Sylvester it brings me to tears too see this over 45 years he was dynamic and awesome so beautiful love his look style music 🎶 I wish he was still was with us he was a trailblazer he was special I use to love ❤️ band stand and dick Clark he had all the talent on his show he brought out a lot of stars ⭐️ the good good good old days for music 🎶 fashion .
American Bandstand bowed down in respect when these divas graced their stage. Sylvester was as real as it gets. RIP.
Imposible to resist the music without dancing! Unforgettable!
Now this is jamming and the crowd is pumped!!! So exciting!!!
RIP Sylvester, Izora, and Dick Clark. So many gone now but not forgotten.
I saw Sylvester and Two Tons of Fun perform in NY & Montreal so talented
Sylvester is serving Alfre Woodard realness here.
..and Roberta Flack with a twist! LOL
rhino79 Not Alfre though. LMAO.
Platynumlove Lol..you are observant and so right! lol
A time when music made you lose your mind in a good way. Disco was probably at it's peak right here.
If you were a Gay boy in the 70's this music was playing everywhere in the clubs, on the radio you could not escape it. Finally after years of hard work the talented African American artist and the LGBT community have put together a new musical bound for Broadway. You owe to yourself, and to the loving sole of Sylvester to get out and see this Musical. You will dance, & you will cry to the lost loves one to AIDS. But looking back it was a time like no other because we were "Mighty Real."
Are there any plans to bring this play to Chicago?
+John Black - Thank you for posting this. I was not a gay boy or gay in the 70s, but a teeny-bopper who listened to the radio, and to be honest, too young to know the big impact this music had on the gay community. But, it was music that I loved and I remember seeing this on AB and dancing to it. It was a great tune , for 'everybody', and Sylvester? One of the greats in dance music, I remember the Mighty Real video and wanted to 'fan' just like Sylvester, I thought it was cool! No boundaries, just music and as a hetero, I am dying to see this play just to celebrate Sylvester's life and contribution!
+John Black I loved Sylvester's music and still do. I will go and see the musical.
So right So actual for the fan lovers of disco & soulfull heart music, it was so much fun and great times back then, 😎:-)
and the early 80s
Oh my this is too fabulous. I need to dance. Rest In Peace Sylvester.
+LaurenJayne Diamond yes
Dick Clark , appreciated talent. Thank You, Dick.
He was a warm, gentle man
Look how much he loves what he does performing
What a Classic!! The audience was on FIRE!!!! I remember that show!!! Brings back Funtastic memories!!!!
My mom is a huge Sylvester fan. After seeing "Unsung", their were some songs he sang that my mom played when I was a kid. I couldn't believe it was a man singing those songs all along. This one is my fav. All I want to do is dance.
All live, nothing but practice, time, blood, sweat and passion for good ass music
i love it!! this is one of my favorite performances of SYLVESTER to watch. MARTHA WASH and IZORA ARMSTEAD (RHODES) added a very special element to this song that made it such a classic!!! their voices are amazing. i absolutely love it.
Those ladies can sing!
@@misterx8592 yes they can!
The Weather Girls!
The two acts were fantastic by themselves. Together they take it to another level. I can remember when The Weather Girls were called "Two tons of Fun" . Not necessarily fat shaming but a huge talent. I remember these days with such fondness. What I wouldn't give to re-live one of those
@@MichaelSorbello-yo4nl yes. I totally agree
Pure Joy is the only way to describe this performance and artist! You have to be soulless not to feel the electricity pulsing
from these three rays of light, Sylvester, Izora Armstead & Martha Walsh..
the weather girls
they later became the weather girls
Wonderful times! I was just like those screaming disco-crazy kids in the audience! Love it :)
Sylvester lives forever in his music
Stephen Hardy he was deep
God bless Sylvester the Original and ONLY diva. Even you must step aside Ms. RuPaul for this legendary disco icon. And godbless Martha Wash to she really was having a great time being part of his group as a back up singer. Just fantastic.....!!! I really miss those days......
LOVE THIS! Found an old CD of disco hits-and I can't stop playing this song!!! I remember the good ol' disco days! Tried to explain to the younger generation how fun the discos were-they just don't get it. Oh well, dance on!
We were lucky to be around during the disco era.
Blessed to see the Phenomenal Sylvester twice, once at a club called Tracks in Denver and again at the Bourse Building in Philadelphia a couple weeks later.....He made me feel MIGHTY REAL! December 2021
I'm telling my age but I remember watching this episode on TV when I was a little girl! My momma loved, loved, loved this song!
+Grandma Dynamite stop lying, you know you was throwing down to sylvester at a club or party ;)
Hector Castro Lol... No but I sure wish I was old enough to do so.
Right on for your beloved mother!
A HOUSE MUSIC PIONEER
Sylvester and The Weather Girls wiped that floor clean and brought the House Down!
Even fuzzy, this video captures the pure delight the crowd has in watching these dynamic performers. the arrangment is simple but driving and the black church influences are obvious.
That, with Sylvesters geat ear and inimitable style made he and Martha and Isadora a force
to be reckoned with.
I love American Bandstand, and I like the crowd reaction @ 3:15
OH how I miss those days that you just didn't give a shit about how you danced, but you got out there and DANCED!
The women were called, 'Two Tons of Fun.' Sylvester, he was such a queen. You can't deny their music - at the top of their game.
If this song dont make you move or tap your feet your just dead DISCO IS STILL ALIVE IT NEVER DIED🤗🤗🤗🤗♥♥♥♥
The disco era was the best era ever. Van McCoy-Do the Hustle, Donna Summers-Love to Love You Baby etc, and my favorite, with perfect pitch Sylvester, he left a legacy of music. RIP in heavenly peace Sylvester.
Sylvester was the best and rocked his music. I miss him and the Disco era. I was living the life. Lol.
One of the best songs at the clubs to dance to. Great memories
Got a chance to say hello to Sylvester when he visited Sydney,Australia...a surprisingly shy,sweet man in person
R.I.P Sylvester and Izora!!!!!
+MikeKrysta1 Gone but have not been forgotten
+Vincent Hayes Hatter i was 9 AT THE TME
🙏🏾 Amen
They were great!
How did they beautiful Izora die?
I remember when this actual episode of American Bandstand aired, it was a Saturday afternoon on ABC tv network. I was young, may 9 or 10...I actually thought Sylvester was a woman, I didn't really know about the gay life at that age. Watching this clip made that hair stand up on my arms...those were good times. It's sad how AIDS has effected the world.
The people in the audience are loosing their minds....That was what Sylvester brought to music....
They are jamming man.
I loved Sylvester and Two Tons of fun so much back then. I got to meet Izora Rhodes when she came to the First Interstate Bank to have lunch with her son Orlando when we both worked there. I will never forget that.
It feels good seeing Sylvester.
Martha Wash was very talented. I loved Syuvester the way he wasn't afraid to show his artistry through fashion and music . JUST LISTEN TO THAT 3:12 CROWD !!! 4 REAL
Sylvester was very talented. I may not agree with his flamboyant style, you can't deny the talent.
I Loved Slyverter in 1978.
I was lucky enough to see Sylvester perform at the club 4001 in Dallas back around 1984.........talk about amazing days!
Esa si era musica hermosa
Y recuerdos tambien cuando todas las familias nos reuniamos sanamente para comer y bailar.
Hard to believe that the kids got all excited over Sylvester James. He hit #19 in Bilboard, 11-25-78. God bless ya, for postin' it. Thanx! RIP, Sylvester
the place just a oozing disco ...this performance with the disco lights and bandstand dancers pretty much sums up the bliss of disco... bravo
Such positive energy with this performance, I love it.
Sylvester James Jr 1947- 1988 Iconic
Forget Sylvester!!! THIS IS MARTHA WASH!!!!! 😍😍😍😍😍
he was the first gay person i ever saw besides when i used to look in the mirror ..and realized there were others like me and i was 16 ..i used to watch bandstand in 1978-79 on saturdays every week
Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes..... wonderful with the King of Disco.......beautiful memories
I was born in the late 60's and raised through the disco era and listening to this song again brings back memories thank you Sylvester and Martha, and Izora.,.RIP. Sylvester and Izora...
what pure fun. He was so far ahead of his time. none of us knew what was ahead.
I was only 14 when that song came out; that and "Mighty Real" but I knew how special that music was, how special that scene was. I hear those songs and I feel them just like I felt them back then. It was a happy feeling, a happy thing during hard times...
I didn't know "two tons o'fun" aka "the weather girls" were Sylvester's back up singers. Man, they all had some good singing voices. Cream of the crop.
The disco balls are no longer spinning and all of the fabulous discotheques of the 70's have long closed their door's and few remember the hustle but your music live's on forever and a day dear friend.
Esa música disco al estilo de silvester es inconfundible los sonidos y los arreglos jamás se podrá repetir por que esa música es para siempre
Makes todays club music seem dead!! glad i was there!!!!!!
What a time to be alive. Grateful
Sylvester (RIP), Martha, and Izora (RIP) were on FIRE!!!!!!!!!!
wow, you must have some great memories & stories to tell?!
This was one of the few times on American Bandstand that I remembered it not being so Wholesome, loved this clip! I was on High school at the time and my friends were the ones hustling in the background. Great memories, will never be repeated!
soundtrack of our lives. i know right where i was... youth wasted on the young. i treasure this trio RIP #Izorah #Sylvester #Harvey
The Palms on Polk Street in the late '70's. They rocked the house!! I've not been the same since.
He/she was a genious. He gave the performance to all those extraordinary black women singing with those huuuuuuge amazingly voices...
u know they turned the joint out...i remember watching the show live--it was the talk for months....what a performance and what a cut/jam that was the song in the day!!!
Such good times! A fraction of the tech and a hundred times the fun. Donna Summer, RIP, passed today. It was a great time to be young and love to dance. I remember this song; with a few hundred more it defined wearing slinky Quiana dresses and sneaking into clubs in high school.
Impossible not to dance to this music. This was the real thing!
I remember Sylvester so well! I saw him perform at Catch One in L.A. One word to say, "FIERCE"! I love how Sylvester was way beyond his years & Dick Clark was open minded enough to have him on his show & perform along with Izora Armstead & Martha Walsh. Where did we go wrong, look at today!
Saw him at the Red Parrot in NYC 57st. West side 1979' ...Amazing show.
That was the 1st time I had seen & heard him and what a show...you wanted it to go on & on...
Good times...
Those were the dayz...
Peace
OMG I'm dancing again! Wish I was back at the Gallery Bar on Cathedral St. in baltimore wearing my leather!
Era imposible resistir esta música sin bailar! Inolvidable!
I rember this song pumping out of disco speakers in 1978.the 70,s were good.
don cornelius did want want him on soul train ... rip mr clark he said fuck it this is misic
Dick Clark "Loved" Disco. He felt that people were at their happiest at that time.
I didn't know that about Don Cornelius..thanks for that tidbit
myeyesinside out You mean Don Cornelius did NOT want him on Soul Train
looks like a lot of fun. I was so young in the 70's but remember watching all the fun around me.lexi
Just can't believe this song will be almost 40 years old in a few years.
Next year it will be 40 years old.
This is so great right here! I didn't know Sylvester was on American Bandstand. Him and the girls tore the place DOWN! This is incredible right here and I LOVE this song! They don't make hot songs like this anymore and its a damn shame. God Bless Sylvester.
I wish I was born in the 70s, but at least I got to enjoy the music of the 80s, me being born in 1981. Love this song.
patrick cowley and anthony tony sylvester the perfect mix .. in memory
wow, if this was released today and I bet it would be a hit - it's just great music - miss you Sylvester R.I.P. , you will always live through you music!
Love this lip sync era. Classic, no band or back up singers and sounds like the studio recording is being played. It is nice to see Sylvester though and that is brought me here.
Sylvester was the BOMB! A true pioneer. He caused excitement wherever he went. Disco Heat was one one of my favorite disco jams in the 70s. I was 28 when he passed away. So sad. There will never be another like him. I'm glad that TV One is telling his incredible story of courage, truth and great talent. He is missed.