Probably the most iconic vocalist of the Disco era during the 70s. She vaulted to fame and maybe even infamy with the song ‘Love to Love you Baby’ – delivered in a breathy, highly sexually charged manner which in the relatively prudish 1970s was considered very risque.
Born LaDonna Gaines in Boston, Massachusetts she adopted and Anglicized her ex-husband’s name of Sommer to Summer and proceeded to conquer the music world of the 70s with her brand of sexy, pounding disco beats and fiery vocals – she did possess an amazing mezzo soprano voice – to the tune of multiple Grammy wins and million selling albums. Every female singer who followed in her wake was a Donna Summer pretender and she was the benchmark of the Disco era.
The high point of her career probably came with the release of the album ‘Live and More’ in which she sang a cover version of ‘MacArthur’s Park‘ which became her first bona fide number 1 hit in the US. This was followed by the album ‘Bad Girls’ which solidified her position as the Queen of Pop in the music industry.
Even though Donna Summer is best known for her prowess in the disco genre, she was also a pretty good songwriter and came up with songs like ‘On the Radio’ and the female empowerment anthem ‘She works Hard for the money‘. In addition to her songwriting skills she could also sing in a variety of genres like R&B, Gospel, Rock and Pop.
R.I.P. Donna Summer multi-talented entertainer that you are. They don’t make ’em like you anymore.
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