<p>David McAlmont travels to San Francisco to tell the glittering and sad tale of gay black diva Sylvester James, famed for his disco hit Mighty Real. Sylvester's short life says much about US civil rights movements, the politics of the American music business and the devastating effects of Aids.</p>

David McAlmont travels to San Francisco to tell the glittering and sad tale of gay black diva Sylvester James, famed for his disco hit Mighty Real. Sylvester's short life says much about US civil rights movements, the politics of the American music business and the devastating effects of Aids.

Mighty Real: Sylvester James

<p>Hear the voices at the heart of global stories. Where curious minds can uncover hidden truths and make sense of the world. The best of documentary storytelling from the BBC World Service. 
From conflict in the Middle East to the advance of AI, to the front line of the climate emergency, we go beyond the headlines. Each week we dive into the minds of the world’s most creative people, take personal journeys into spirituality and connect people from across the globe to share how news stories are shaping their lives.</p>

Society & Culture

Documentary

Hear the voices at the heart of global stories. Where curious minds can uncover hidden truths and make sense of the world. The best of documentary storytelling from the BBC World Service. From conflict in the Middle East to the advance of AI, to the front line of the climate emergency, we go beyond the headlines. Each week we dive into the minds of the world’s most creative people, take personal journeys into spirituality and connect people from across the globe to share how news stories are shaping their lives.

Share Mighty Real: Sylvester James

Sign up to save your podcasts

Mighty Real: Sylvester James

Mighty Real: Sylvester James

More shows like The Documentary Podcast

Global News Podcast

From Our Own Correspondent

Newshour

In Our Time

Witness History

The History Hour

6 Minute English

Learning English Conversations

The Interview

Lives Less Ordinary

Discovery

BBC Inside Science

Science Weekly

The Inquiry

The Audio Long Read

Unexpected Elements

Today in Focus

You're Dead to Me

The Missing Cryptoqueen

Americast

The Bomb

The Global Story