“Unsung” revisits the life and career of Evelyn Champagne King.
Born in the Bronx, NY and later relocating to Philadelphia, PA, it was family that exposed Evelyn King to music. Her uncle performed in a Broadway opera, her dad sang back-up for groups at the famous Apollo theater, and she and her mother worked at Philadelphia International Records. It seems, then, that it was only a matter of time before Evelyn King found a way to make her contribution to music.
More about Evelyn Champagne King from AllMusic:
Singer Evelyn “Champagne” King first came to fame with the million-selling ’70s disco smashes “Shame” and “I Don’t Know if It’s Right.” Born July 1, 1960, in the Bronx, NY, she had a showbiz lineage. Her uncle was actor/singer/dancer Avon Long, who first played Sportin’ Life in the play Porgy and Bess and later starred in the ’70s play Bubblin’ Brown Sugar. Her father, Erik King, was a singer and often augmented groups that appeared at New York’s Apollo Theater. By her teens, King had relocated to Philadelphia with her mother, and began singing in several groups. To make ends meet, King and her mother became cleaning women. For a teenager, King‘s voice was quite mature; many at first thought she was a grown woman.
While working one night at Philadelphia International Records’ recording base, producer T. Life overheard some tantalizing vocals coming from a washroom. There he discovered 16-year-old Evelyn King and her mother. Signing the singer to a production deal and a contract with RCA,Life‘s first single with Evelyn “Champagne” King was “Dancin'”Dancin’ “Dancin’.” Her debut LP Smooth Talk was released August 1977. But it was a song written by John Fitch and Reuben Cross, called “Shame,” that gave her career-launching success. The extended mix began gaining radio play and eventually the Top Ten on the R&B and pop charts by spring 1978. The follow-up, “I Don’t Know if It’s Right,” also went gold, peaking at number seven R&B, number 23 pop in fall 1978. Smooth Talk went gold, and she made two more LPs with T. Life: Music Box and Call on Me.
After teaming with a new producer, Kashif, King recorded two number one R&B hits during the early ’80s, “I’m in Love” and “Love Come Down.” Several of her LPs also placed high on the charts, including 1980’s Call on Me, the following year’s I’m in Love, and 1982’s Get Loose. She signed to EMI-Manhattan in 1988, and was teamed with Leon F. Sylvers IIIfor Flirt, which included the tender ballad “Kisses Don’t Lie.” On The Girl Next Door, the singer worked with house producer Marshall Jefferson.In 1990, Kingrecorded the album I’ll Keep a Light On for the British label Expansion, whose featured musicians were Larry Graham, Jeff Lorber, andPaul Jackson, Jr. She didn’t return until 2007, when she released Open Book for RNB Entertainment. Many of the singer’s classic sides are on Love Come Down: The Best of Evelyn “Champagne” King.
Learn more about Evelyn Champagne King’s ascension into stardom in this episode of “Unsung.”