Karen Young

Who was Karen Young?

Karen Young (March 23, 1951 — January 26, 1991[1]) was an American disco-era-flavored pop singer known for her 1978 hit record, Hot Shot. She was able to scat-sing and deliver vocals with ferocious energy, plus she was also a gifted pianist and songwriter.

Young grew up in a Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania rowhouse. She began as a singer of jingles and background vocals for Philadelphia-based production companies. In the early 1970s Young performed with the group Sandd, featuring Frank Gilckin (lead guitar), George Emertz (rhythm guitar), Frank Ferraro (bass guitar) and Dennis Westman (drums).

In 1978, Young released a single of the song Hot Shot, written and produced and by Andy Kahn and Kurt Borusiewicz. The song spent two weeks at number 1 on Billboard' magazine's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and eventually peaked at #67 on Hot 100 in 1978. An album, also entitled Hot Shot, was then released by West End Records of New York City. The song propelled Young to international fame. By 1979, the disco fad dissipated and Young was unable to duplicate her success. Young continued her singing career as a local performer in the Philadelphia area and the song Hot Shot became a one-hit wonder.

Young died of a possible bleeding ulcer in January 1991, at age 39.