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Disco Music > Disco People Index > In Memory Of > Karen Young
Karen Young
(1951-1991)
Karen Young (1951-1991)
Artist best known for the Disco hit "Hot Shot" on West End Records. Passed away from complications due to an ulcer.
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COMMENTS ON Karen Young
I have a story about a nice incident that happened to me several years back in my town of Richmond. The oldest shopping center in town was celebrating its 40th Anniversary and they brougth to town the Dovells(Bristol Stomp fame) and I was lucky enough to talk to them about their songs and being on American Bandstand. I mentioned to them that I lover Disco music and they brought up Karen's name and I remembered her song, which I loved to dance to during Disco's heyday. It seems that they grew up with her in Philly. Now it may not seem like a big deal, but I don't ofton get to talk to celebrites and to meet and just talk about music in general and Disco specifly, so it was a great thrill for me.
Also Bernie, I want to commend you for remembering those people that have passed away and have given all of us so much pleasure with their music. Your work and dedication does not go unappreciated. Keep up the good work.
What a voice on the girl. "Hot Shot" sure heated up the dance floor every time it was played. Pop disco at it's very best.
Very few songs I can think of used to set fire to a disco's floor the way "Hot Shot" used to. Most of the time there was never room for me on the floor when that song was played! By the way, this is the kind of song I can't stand to hear "edited". It's so great that I feel cheated whenever I hear one of the edited versions usually included on compilations. Glad I have the original album.
HOT SHOT...STILL MAKES ME WEAK IN THE KNEES
One of my favorites!
What a wonderful performer. She had so many dance tunes, that gave credit to her penchant for skatting.
Hot Shot is timeless, one of the best disco songs of all time. "Baby You Ain't Nothing Without Me" is one of the funniest. "You Don't Know What You've Got" sears with its groove. "Dynamite" is fast and frenetic. One of my favorites of all time. A true Philadelphia native.
As a child of the 70's, Hot Shot was one of those infectious and timeless records.
The other one around that time or later was Foxxy's Get Off.
At first, I did not know the race of the singer but she sang with passion. The latin percussive beat transcended all notions of race because it was enjoyed by everyone.
I played this song over ten years at a party and people young and old, black, white or whatever ran to the floor to dance. That was the cool thing about good music, it has no boundaries.
KAREN, THANK YOU FOR THE TESTPRESSING ON HOT SHOT,IF IT WASN'T FOR MEL WE WOULD HAVE NEVER MET..ALSO THANK FOR YOUR GREAT PERFORMANCE AT THE PARADISE GARAGE TILL WE MEET AGAIN..YOUR FRIEND NOW AND ALWAYS DJ STEVE THE SAGA PEREZ R.I.P.
I used to love her song "Hot Shot" I didn't know this lady was white, her voice was so strong and I remember dancing to this song not stop and playing it over and over again.
So sad! RIP Karen!
I don΄t know who she was, but I have the Hot Shot record and love it. I am so curious to know things about her, but nothing is to be found on the net. How famous was she? Does anyone know anything about her? Even though she is a stranger for me I feel for her when I look at her on the cover of my LP record. And when I knew she was dead I felt and still feel sad.
I remember this song was so hot at the time. Everyone who danced couples had a new little beat to their feet when that little drum beat solo part of the song comes out. I remember doing that special little "hop". Wow, such a long time ago and such great memories. Thanks Karen for the great music and the great memories. God bless, and rest in peace.
it's really sad that she's gone, but she's never forgotten. Karen Young was a wonderful disco singer, and I knew that she was white, and she did sound like she was black, but she had increditable voice. "hot shot" as one of my favorites, and we loved, and she passed away in 1991, I was just 14 1/2 years old at the time. May Karen R.I.P. (1951-1991)
Reading all the posts regarding Karen Young and "Hot Shot" fills me with pride. I am deeply moved by all the truths written about Karen. Her classic dance hit "Hot Shot" stirs up very special memories in anyone who was around during the 1970's, those wonderful years when disco dance music reigned supreme. Since June 2007, I have been working in a studio remaking a totally new version of "Hot Shot" using Karen's entire original lead vocal track from 1978. This amazingly talented artist gave a stellar performance, one that can never be duplicated and will certainly never be forgotten. Because her delivery is so unique and appreciated universally, I have left her performance intact. This way new and previous generations of dance music fans will always be able to experience the magic in Karen Young's unforgettable redition of "Hot Shot," a song I wrote for her almost 30 years ago! The original "Hot Shot" was released in the summer of 1978. This new version should be released for worldwide distribution by the summer of 2007. It should be a very HOT summer! I am very grateful to all the fans of Karen Young and "Hot Shot." Andy Kahn
Dear Andy- I can't wait to hear it!! I remember seeing her perform it on "the Soap Factory Disco" which I used to watch every Saturday night. Thanks for keeping the legacy going! dr.dave, new jersey
Dave, we've got the same birthday. A few years in between, but how cool is that? AK Philadelphia
Very Cool- are you more Leo or Cancer?
definitely more Leo, or so I am told (and feel that way, also!) hotshotakb@aol.com
me, too!
I had the pleasure of knowing Karen and singing with her back in the day. I was the lead singer with an all girl band called The Upper Hand and met Karen at Chubby Checkers managers office. Karen was one of a kind with a voice and personality bigger than life and could play a mean piano. I know she is making music in heaven.
HI Andy, I was just on the cruise from Buenos Aires to Rio. I saw you perform w/ Pamala Stanley. I was trying to find you to introduce myself but you were nowhere to be found. You are an amazing pianist. I was hoping you and her would do a piano version of "Hot Shot". Dr.Dave
Dr. Dave, send email to hotshotakb@aol.com
It's August 11, 2007. All the new mixes, the remake of Karen Young's "Hot Shot" are about to be released. I have been thinking about Karen and Kurt Brusiewicz a lot recently - the great times we shared as collaborators in the studio and always as friends. Their spirit is certainly alive. It has guided me through the studio sessions over the last year while I've been working on putting together all the new versions that will bring Karen's incredible vocal performance on "Hot Shot" back to life. I know that Karen and Kurt will be beaming once again, as they did when we were producing "Hot Shot" 30 years ago!
I just loved the song! But what really made me love Karen was at the 77 Billboard Disco Convention. Karen was promoting her new song by performing live with tape at Paradise for the DJ's, we/the crowd wanted HOT SHOT and started chanting. After 5 or so minutes of this she came on saying they didnt have the audio track and it was difficult to sing accapella (sp?), but with our help she would try. Half the crowd clapped one rhythm the other half syncopated and she rocked the house. Never have I seen this again. It was electric.
RIP Karen Young
I was at a huge party celebrating the release of HOT SHOT at the DCA Club in Philadelphia. If I remember correctly, it started around 6PM with food and drink in obscene abundance. Karen was due to appear around midnight. I think they started playing the music for HOT SHOT around 11, and we danced ourselves into a poppers induced frenzy until she finally appeared on the stage/dance floor to add the vocals to the music. We did not know who Karen Young was at that time, and I was expecting a sexy African American woman. We were surprised when she finally did appear, to see who she really was. There was no doubt that she was fabulous, and so were we at the time!!! That night is a highlight memory of the time I lived in Philadelphia, and HOT SHOT is still one of my favorite disco songs of all time.
December 1, 2007. "HOT SHOT - The Karen Young Reheat", has just been released for club play by MaxRoxx Music. The album includes a remix by DJ Ralphi Rosario and Craig J, an original remake and two dubs by the MaxRoxx team, and for the first time in years, the 1978 original 12-inch version, with a 126 bpm and a sonically-enhanced bottom. An advance-release CD will be available for purchase from Perfect Beat on December 12 (perfectbeat.com) December 27 is the scheduled street date for worldwide digital download. My partners at MaxRoxx Music and I are thrilled to be unleashing Karen Young's historic vocal on "Hot Shot" once again. Karen's performance on this classic dance hit will now be available for all those who knew it "back in the day" and also for those who have yet to discover the magic of it that captivated the world in 1978 when the record went to #1. Thanks to everyone who helped make "Hot Shot" one of those extraordinary songs that triggers happy memories of that era known as The Disco Years. Disco lives on in our hearts, our minds, and our spirit. Andy Kahn
Andy, Congratulations on the remix!! I can't wait to get it!!! drdave
"HOT SHOT - The Karen Young Reheat" is now available on PerfectBeat.com. Advance Digital release scheduled on Beatport.com on 12/27/07. Worldwide Digital release scheduled first week January 2008. Included is remix by DJ Ralphi Rosario. I hope everyone loves hearing Karen's amazing vocal performance once again. It still thrills ME!!
MaxRoxx Presents "HOT SHOT - The Karen Young Reheat" has entered Billboard Magazine's Dance/Club Chart with a Bullet at #46. The CD is available from Perfect Beat, an advance download will be available 12/27/07 on Beatport and worldwide digital release is scheduled for 1/8/08. I am honored that Karen Young's vocal performance of "HOT SHOT" from almost 30 years ago is once again back in the clubs, on people's lips and in the rhythms of their feet. What an honor and tribute to her! Andy Kahn - MaxRoxx Music
IF THERE EVER WAS A SONG THAT SMOKED HOT SHOT BY KAREN YOUNG MAN OH MAN NEVER KNEW SHE WAS WHITE OR DIED AT 4O
Look at all the postings regarding this PHILLY girl. As a Jersey Boy, I ran into her all the time at one DISCO or another. She had a very strong voice, and was a genuine person. Never any bull from her, she talked streight! She sang OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! HOT SHOT is a CLASSIC DISCO record. What I would do with my two turntables and two copies of HOT SHOT was legendary. Those perfect re-mixes could last as long as forty minutes in 1977. The floor kept growing and growing! I think they would have danced all night if I just played HOT SHOT all night long. They loved it so much. At one point in 1977, you could be at STUDIO 54, go next door, cross the street and every club would be playing HOT SHOT!!! When she died, I played HOT SHOT all night long. I was home, alone, without KAREN YOUNG. GOD BLESS!
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