Donna Summer

Donna Summer was a singer-songwriter who is most recognised for her prominence in the 1970's pop era. From Boston, Donna first became interested in music through singing in her church choir. Summer became drawn in by the 1960's radical ways of living and became the lead of psychedelic rock band Crow. She then became part of a touring production of the musical Hair and spent several years living in Germany where she became fluent in the language and married Helmut Sommer- his surname inspired her stage name.

Among some of her biggest hits are 'Love to Love You Baby', 'I Feel Love', 'Hot Stuff' and 'No More Tears (Enough is Enough)'. This string of hits caused her to become known as the 'Queen of Disco'. She also became an icon in the gay community due to her appearances at the Studio 54 club in New York.

Donna has won 5 Grammies in her lifetime and is considered to be a musical legend by people such as Elton John, Gloria Gaynor, Barbra Streisand and Barack Obama.

In 2012, Donna died from lung cancer. She was thought not to be a smoker and she believed that she contracted the disease from poisonous particles from the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. Donna's mother also died from the disease in 1995.

Over 35 years in the industry, she had a total of 31 number one hits on the Billboard Pop/R&B,Disco/Dance Album charts combined. She is ranked at number 24 in the 50th anniversary edition of Billboard Magazine's Hot 100 Artists of All Time.

Occupation:

Singer

Nationality:

American

Born:

December 31, 1948

Died:

May 17, 2012 (aged 63)

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Jan 23, 17:32
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Dec 12 2012, 10:16
Donna Summer, Rush, Public Enemy for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Nov 08 2012, 16:26
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Jun 27 2012, 10:51
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May 26 2012, 15:55
Beyoncé pays tribute to Whitney, Donna Summer at comeback gig - video
May 22 2012, 20:24
Donna Summer to be laid to rest in private funeral on Wednesday
May 21 2012, 09:47
Robin Gibb, Donna Summer, Adam Yauch tributes at Billboard Awards 2012
May 20 2012, 23:33
Cee Lo Green to honour Adam Yauch at Billboard Music Awards
May 20 2012, 19:00
Rita Ora claims second week at No.1 with 'R.I.P.'
May 20 2012, 17:37
Cee Lo Green to perform 'Fight to Win' at 2012 Billboard Music Awards
May 19 2012, 14:14
Scissor Sisters' Ana Matronic pays tribute to Donna Summer
May 18 2012, 10:40
Donna Summer 'believed 9/11 dust particles gave her cancer'
May 18 2012, 09:57
Elton John: 'Donna Summer should be in Hall of Fame'
May 18 2012, 03:13
Barack Obama 'saddened' by Donna Summer passing
May 17 2012, 17:51
Donna Summer 1948-2012: Her life in pictures
May 17 2012, 17:38
Donna Summer 1948-2012: Reaction and tributes
May 17 2012, 17:23
Donna Summer 1948-2012: Five of her best hits - videos
May 17 2012, 16:42
Donna Summer dies, aged 63
Mar 14 2012, 10:07
Alexandra Burke to duet with mother Melissa Bell on new album
Sep 28 2011, 10:42
Rod Stewart, The Cure nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Jun 20 2010, 14:25
Rowland confirms release date for new LP
Sep 23 2009, 20:09
Rock Hall of Fame inductee list announced
Jun 21 2008, 18:56
Album Review: Donna Summer: 'Crayons'
Jun 09 2008, 07:36
Singles Review: Donna Summer: 'I'm A Fire'
Feb 25 2008, 19:48
Disco star Donna Summer plans comeback