Today in rock history: On this date in 1947, Sylvester James Jr. was born in Los Angeles, California. Later using the stage name of simply Sylvester, the singer/songwriter/performer was undoubtedly one of the most colorful and exciting artists to emerge during the disco era. Although the singer had previously sung for a rock and roll outfit called The Hot Band and was a member of the bawdy San Francisco collective of drag queens and performers called The Cockettes, Sylvester’s greatest success came as an overtly flamboyant disco superstar. His biggest hits included the underground disco and gay dance club classics “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” and “Dance (Disco Heat).” Backed by strong, soulful backup singers who called themselves Two Tons O’ Fun, Sylvester’s sleek, falsetto voice up against the powerful vocals of his accompanists made for fantastic performances set to a thumping disco beat. The backup singers would eventually part ways with the singer, rename themselves The Weather Girls and score a massive dance hit of their own with a 1983 party song “It’s Raining Men.” Sylvester was one of the first musical performers to publicly identify himself as a gay man and worked closely with many HIV/AIDS-related charities throughout his life. He continued making records right up until his AIDS-related death in 1988 at the age of 41. For many who were part of the predominately gay underground disco scene, Sylvester was known as the true queen of disco.

Today in rock history: On this date in 1994, California-based punk rock band Bad Religion released its eighth album, Stranger Than Fiction. The album is notable in that it was the band’s first album to be released by a major record label. After the enormous success it achieved on independent record label Epitaph Records, the band was courted by Atlantic Records, one of the most famous and influential major record labels of all. The union was successful; the record sold incredibly well and was considered to be a massive hit for the band. Exposure on MTV as well as radio airplay in larger markets helped the album achieve respectable sales numbers and expose the previously underground band to a wider audience. Singles from the record included “21st Century (Digital Boy),” “Infected” and the album’s title track. The album featured guest appearances by members of Rancid and Pennywise, two of Bad Religion’s contemporaries, and was warmly embraced by the band’s fanbase.

Today in rock history: On this date in 1997, a week after Princess Diana’s tragic death, her close friend, singer Elton John performed a newly revised version of his 1973 composition “Candle In The Wind” at her funeral. Taking place at London landmark Westminster Abbey, the tearful funeral showcased a somber version of the song that featured newly revised lyrics in tribute to the princess as written by Elton’s longtime songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin. The only time John has ever performed that particular version of the song was at this memorial to the late princess; however, he did record the song for release as a CD single not long after. Elton and Bernie agreed to donate all of the proceeds of the single’s sales to various charities Diana was very involved with throughout her life. The re-recorded single in her honor wound up selling 33 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling single in the history of music. Elton John's farewell tour comes to Tampa's Amalie Arena on November 28 — get more information on the show here.

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Elton John's three-year, 300-date farewell tour is coming to Tampa — here's how to get tickets

Today in rock history: On this date in 1979, funk/R&B band Kool & the Gang released its breakout album, the highly successful Ladies Night. After many years in the early 1970s as a little-known yet strong and mighty funk band, the group went through something of a commercial slump in the mid-'70s. However, with the creation of this slick soul-pop influenced record, its luck changed. The addition of smooth, sleek lead singer James “J.T.” Taylor found the group perfecting its blend of commercial, danceable and infectious brand of music, and the music caught on instantly. Fueled by the album’s title track, which immediately became an empowering female anthem, the album reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s R&B albums chart and made it as high as No. 13 on the pop albums chart. That single as well as its follow up, “Too Hot,” were both Top 10 singles and capitalized on the disco craze that was still burning brightly at the time of the album’s release. The album also kicked off the most commercially viable era for the band, which followed this major hit with another chart-topping album, 1980’s Celebrate, which featured another monster hit, the party anthem, “Celebration."