Foster Sylvers has died aged 64 after a battle with prostate cancer.

The former child star - whose hit single Misdemeanor made him one of the brightest young names in 1970s R and B before he went on to chart-topping success with family group The Sylvers - passed away on Saturday (30.05.26.)

Born in Memphis, the singer, songwriter and musician first found fame at the age of 11 when his debut single Misdemeanor became a major hit in the United States.

He later joined his siblings in The Sylvers, helping the family act achieve mainstream success during the disco era.

His death marks the loss of a performer whose career spanned more than four decades and included solo success, group stardom and studio collaborations with some of R and B's biggest names.

Foster's breakthrough came in 1973 when Misdemeanor, written by his brother Leon Sylvers III, became an immediate success, reaching No. 7 on the Billboard R B chart and No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song propelled Foster onto national television, leading to appearances on American Bandstand and Soul Train, two of the most influential music programmes of their era.

At 11 years old, he became one of the youngest performers to achieve significant chart success in the genre.

A second album followed in 1974 before Foster officially joined The Sylvers in 1975.

The family group was already gaining momentum, but Foster's arrival coincided with its most commercially successful period.

Alongside brother Edmund Sylvers, Foster shared co-lead vocals on Boogie Fever, the infectious disco anthem that topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Soul Singles chart in 1976.

The song remains the group's signature hit and continues to feature on classic soul, funk and disco playlists decades after its release.

The Sylvers became one of the defining family groups of the decade, earning acclaim for their blend of soul, funk and disco.

Led by siblings including Leon Sylvers III and Edmund, the group carved out a unique place in American popular music during a period dominated by acts such as The Jackson 5.

Away from the spotlight, Foster developed a career as a songwriter, producer and studio collaborator.

Following the example of Leon, who became one of the most respected producers in R and B, Foster worked with artists including Dynasty and Evelyn 'Champagne' King.

He co-wrote and performed on Shake Down, which became an R and B hit in 1984, and later continued recording under the name Foster Sylvers and Hy-Tech, releasing music through EMI America and A and M Records.

In 1994, Foster was convicted of a sex offence and served a prison sentence.

He subsequently remained on the California Sex Offender Registry.

His life and career combined major musical achievements with personal controversies that remained part of his public record.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, however, Foster's voice remained associated with some of the most enduring records of the soul and disco era.

From the youthful energy of Misdemeanor to the chart-topping success of Boogie Fever, his work helped define a period in American popular music and secured his place in the history of R and B.