Sharon Redd: The Disco and Hi-NRG Powerhouse

Sharon Redd was an American singer who became a defining voice of the late-disco and early Hi-NRG eras. Her powerful vocals and club anthems, particularly the enduring classic "Can You Handle It," cemented her legacy in dance music history.

Early career

Born in 1945 in Norfolk, Virginia, Sharon Redd began her professional journey as a backing vocalist. Her formidable talent quickly placed her in high demand, leading to significant work with Bette Midler's Harlettes and, most notably, as a featured vocalist for the disco ensemble Musique.

Breakthrough

Redd's solo breakthrough arrived in 1980 with the release of her debut album, Sharon Redd, on the legendary Prelude Records. The album's lead single, the Patrick Adams-produced "Can You Handle It," became an instant and massive club hit, storming to number one on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart and establishing her as a formidable solo act.

Key tracks

Can You Handle It — This quintessential disco anthem remains her signature track, a dancefloor staple that showcased her incredible vocal power and set the standard for the emerging Hi-NRG sound.

Beat the Street — Another major club success from her debut, this track further solidified her status as a Prelude Records powerhouse and a favorite in the burgeoning New York club scene.

In the Name of Love — This 1982 single exemplified her seamless transition into the faster-paced Hi-NRG genre, becoming another top ten hit on the dance charts.

Never Give You Up — Released in 1983, this track demonstrated her continued relevance in the evolving electronic dance landscape of the early 1980s.

Following her initial success, Sharon Redd released her second album, Love How You Feel, in 1981. She continued to record and perform throughout the decade, consistently delivering high-energy performances that made her a beloved figure in the global club community until her passing in 1992.

For fans of the vibrant New York disco and Hi-NRG sound, explore similar artists like Loleatta Holloway, another vocal powerhouse with definitive disco anthems. The driving electronic production behind Sharon Redd's work is echoed in the music of Evelyn Champagne King, who also dominated the dance charts. The legacy of Prelude Records can be heard with Musique, the group where Redd first gained major attention. For the quintessential Hi-NRG energy she helped pioneer, listen to The Weather Girls.

Sharon Redd's electrifying catalog is a permanent fixture on dedicated dance music radio stations, particularly those specializing in classic disco, 80s dance, and Hi-NRG genres. Her music fuels the playlists of online radio streams and specialty FM shows that celebrate the golden age of club music.

The dynamic music of Sharon Redd can be heard on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover her iconic dance anthems through the classic disco and Hi-NRG radio stations available on onairium.com.