Disco Queen Evelyn Thomas, Known for ‘High Energy,’ Dies at 70

Evelyn Thomas, the iconic vocalist celebrated for her hit “High Energy,” has died at the age of 70.

The news was confirmed by her longtime producer and mentor, Ian Levine, on July 21, 2024. No cause of death has been disclosed.

Born on August 22, 1953, in Chicago, Thomas gained recognition when Levine discovered her in 1975. Her debut single, “Weak Spot,” achieved chart success in 1976, marking the start of her rise in the music industry.

Thomas’s career peaked with the release of “High Energy” in 1984. The song, co-written and co-produced by Levine and Fiachra Trench, topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart and reached No. 85 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It became a defining track in the hi-NRG genre, selling seven million copies worldwide and continuing to resonate with over 15 million streams on Spotify.

Known for her powerful voice and four-octave range, Thomas continued to impact the dance music scene with hits like “Reflections” and “How Many Hearts.” Her final studio album, *Standing at the Crossroads* (1986), featured these successful tracks.

Levine revealed that Thomas had reached out to him recently, and although she was too ill to record a final song titled “Inspirational,” her daughter, YaYa Diamond, plans to record it as a tribute.

Thomas’s legacy in dance music remains significant, with her contributions continuing to be celebrated by fans and industry figures alike.