The Sylvers singer and child star Foster Sylvers dead at 64 after cancer battle
The Sylvers singer and child star Foster Sylvers dead at 64 after cancer battle
Gemma Jones & Hannah FurnellSun, May 31, 2026 at 8:39 PM UTC
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Foster Sylvers has died at the age of 64 after a cancer battle -Credit:Facebook (Facebook)
Former child star Foster Sylvers has died at the age of 64. The musician rose to fame during the 1970s, performing with his family in their band The Sylvers.
His brother, Leon Sylvers III, confirmed that Foster had died in hospice care following a battle with stage four pancreatic cancer. Following his passing, his daughter Erin shared a photograph of her father on Facebook, poignantly writing, "Rest well, Daddy. I love you so much."
Foster played bass for the family group, which achieved chart success with songs including Boogie Fever, Fool's Paradise and Hot Line. This marks the second time one of the siblings has died from cancer, after Edmund's death from lung cancer in 2004. Before that, the youngest brother, Christopher, who never performed with the group, died in 1985 from hepatitis, aged just 18.
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The remaining Sylvers siblings are Olympia, Leon, Charmaine, and James, who formed the original quartet called Little Angels, along with Joseph, Ricky, Angie, and Pat. Throughout their career together, the siblings released 10 albums, all issued during the 1970s, and were often compared to the Jackson family.
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The first album Foster recorded, a solo project he made with his brother Leon, was released in 1973, when he was only 10 years old. Due to his widespread popularity, Foster appeared on multiple American television shows, including American Bandstand and Soul Train.
Former child star Foster Sylvers has died at the age of 64 after a cancer battle -Credit:Getty Images
Two years later, he joined the family band and took on co-lead vocal responsibilities with Edmund on their 1976 number-one single Boogie Fever.
By the 1980s, the group decided to adopt a new approach to stay competitive within the decade's changing music scene. As a result, Foster took over lead vocal responsibilities for their 1981 hit Come Back Lover, Come Back. The group officially disbanded four years later, with Foster later forming his own band, Hy-Tech, in 1989.
The band's biggest hit was Boogie Fever, released in November 1975. In the track, the narrator describes how his girlfriend has suddenly changed and now "boogies" to disco rhythms while dining, viewing movies, and more. After recognizing she has "boogie fever," he calls a doctor, only to find he has caught the fever himself.
Foster Sylvers' brother, Leon Sylvers III, confirmed that he died in hospice care following a battle with stage four pancreatic cancer -Credit:Michael Ochs Archives
Though Edmund handled most of the song, a 13-year-old Foster had a notable role in the bridge. Since its debut, the track has featured in many films and television shows, including Despicable Me, Roll Bounce, and the Stephen King miniseries The Stand.
Following his death, supporters flocked to social media in large numbers to honor the singer. One stated, "RIP, you were a great talent, along with your siblings, you will never be forgotten."
One further commenter recalled, "I remember him performing with his older siblings. However, my favorite song of his was/still is "Misdemeanor," with his sisters, Angela and Patricia, singing background and doing their choreographed dance steps (on Soul Train). R.I.P. Foster Sylvers."
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
