Evelyn “Champagne” King went from cleaning offices to topping music charts with disco and R&B hits. Her voice, discovered by chance, helped shape the sound of late ’70s and early ’80s dance music. With songs like “Shame” and “Love Come Down,” King made her mark on pop, R&B, and dance floors across the world.
Her journey wasn’t just about fame. It was about consistency, reinvention, and talent that withstood the test of time.
| Full Name | Evelyn King |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Evelyn “Champagne” King |
| Born | July 1, 1960, The Bronx, New York, USA |
| Genres | Disco, R&B, Soul, Funk, Dance |
| Occupation | Singer, Songwriter |
| Years Active | 1977–present |
| Labels | RCA Records, EMI, RNB Entertainment |
| Breakthrough Hit | “Shame” (1978) |
| Biggest Chart Hits |
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| Recent Work | *Open Book* (2007), “Everybody” with Miguel Migs (2011) |
Humble Beginnings and a Musical Family
Evelyn King was born on July 1, 1960, in The Bronx, New York. Her family had deep roots in music and performance. Her uncle, Avon Long, was a well-known Broadway actor and singer. Her father, Erik King, sang backup at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem.
Though born in New York, Evelyn was raised in Philadelphia. Like many artists, she started singing young. But music wasn’t paying the bills. As a teenager, she worked with her mother as a part-time office cleaner at Philadelphia International Records.
That’s when fate stepped in.
One day, producer Theodore “T.” Life overheard her singing in the ladies’ room. He was impressed. So much so that he helped her land a contract with Galaxy Productions and then with RCA Records.
Launching a Career with Smooth Talk
King’s debut album, Smooth Talk, came out in 1977. The lead single, “Dancin’, Dancin’, Dancin’,” didn’t break big. But the second single, “Shame,” became a game-changer.
“Shame” was a perfect mix of disco, R&B, and pop. It climbed to:
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#9 on the Billboard Hot 100
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#7 on the R&B chart
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#8 on the dance chart
It also reached #39 on the UK charts. The single sold over a million copies and was certified gold.
Another hit, “I Don’t Know If It’s Right,” followed. It peaked at:
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#23 on the Billboard Hot 100
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#7 on the R&B chart
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#25 on the dance chart
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#67 in the UK
Smooth Talk reached #14 on the Billboard 200 and #8 on the R&B album chart. It eventually went platinum, cementing King’s place in the music industry.
Building Momentum with Music Box
In 1979, she released her second album, Music Box. It didn’t match the breakout success of her debut but still performed well. The title track and “Out There” became minor hits. The album peaked at #35 on the Billboard 200 and #12 on the R&B chart.
Though it wasn’t a blockbuster, Music Box showed she wasn’t a one-hit wonder.
A New Sound with Kashif
In 1981, Evelyn returned with a new sound. She partnered with producer Kashif Saleem, a pioneer in the use of synthesizers and a driving force in early ’80s R&B.
Together, they created I’m in Love. The title track became a chart-topping hit:
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#1 on the R&B chart
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#1 on the dance chart
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#40 on the Billboard Hot 100
This marked the beginning of a fresh phase in King’s career. Her sound was now funkier and more modern, fitting the post-disco musical landscape.
Peak Success: Get Loose and “Love Come Down”
Her fifth album, Get Loose (1982), brought even more success. The single “Love Come Down,” written and produced by Kashif, became one of her signature songs. It hit:
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#17 on the Billboard Hot 100
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#1 on the R&B and dance charts
Another single from the album, “Betcha She Don’t Love You,” reached #2 on the R&B chart. The album itself was certified gold and became a staple of 1980s R&B and dance playlists.
Continuing Hits and Chart Presence
Evelyn King didn’t stop after Get Loose. Her next few albums yielded more hits, especially on the R&B and dance charts:
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Face to Face (1983): Songs like “Action” and “Shake Down” had strong showings.
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So Romantic (1984): Included “Just for the Night.”
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A Long Time Coming (A Change Is Gonna Come) (1985): “Your Personal Touch” hit #86 on the Hot 100, #5 on the dance chart, and #9 R&B.
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Flirt (1988): Spawned “Flirt” (#3 R&B) and “Hold On to What You’ve Got” (#5 dance, #8 R&B).
Her last charting single in the U.S. came in 1989 with “Kisses Don’t Lie.”
Stepping Away and Making a Comeback
King took a break from recording in the 1990s. Though she continued performing, she didn’t release a new studio album for over a decade.
That changed in 2007 with Open Book. Released on RNB Entertainment, the album featured the single “The Dance,” which reached #12 on the Billboard Dance chart. This marked a modest but solid return to the recording scene.
In 2011, she collaborated with electronic producer Miguel Migs on the song “Everybody,” featured on his album Outside the Skyline. This introduced King’s voice to a new generation of club and deep house listeners.
Legacy and Impact
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Evelyn “Champagne” King helped define the crossover sound between disco, soul, funk, and early ’80s R&B. Her music combined strong vocals, catchy hooks, and infectious dance beats.
“Shame” was one of the first disco hits to feature live instrumentation blended with a club rhythm, setting a blueprint for artists to follow. “Love Come Down” remains a DJ favorite, and both it and “Shame” continue to be sampled and played decades later.
She has influenced countless R&B and pop artists, and her catalog still resonates with fans of classic soul and disco.
Though she never scored a massive number of pop hits, her consistency on the dance and R&B charts reflects a long-standing connection with listeners who value rhythm, energy, and vocal power.