Soul and dance singer EVELYN THOMAS died on Sunday July 21st, aged 70. As yet, no details re forthcoming.
Ms Thomas was born in Chicago in 1953 and is probably best known for her hit, ‘High Energy’ – a UK top five hit and a US dance chart topper. She was raised within the gospel tradition but after moving to New York she began a career in musical theatre, then, working with her band, The Move Mixers, she was “discovered” by UK soul DJ and producer Ian Levine who was looking for a distinctive true soul voice for his production work. Their first collaboration was the energized ‘Weak Spot’ which became her first chart success, peaking at number 26 in the UK, and securing her an appearance on Top Of The Pops. Further success seemed to elude her till she became a fixture on the Northern Soul scene, touring clubs as part of the Chicago Soul Revue, with people like Barbara Pennington and LJ Johnson.
In 1984, she reunited with Levine to record the track ‘High Energy’ on which Levine cleverly mixed elements of gay disco and the Motown music which had been his passion. In 2022 Rolling Stone magazine listed it amongst the best 200 dance tunes of all time.
Levine who was amongst the first to announced Ms Thomas’ death said: “It is hard for me to accept that my lifelong protege really has left us. Her music will outlive us all.”
We also believe that Levine was working on a new song for Evelyn. It’s suggested that her daughter intends to record it as a tribute to her mother’s legacy.
