Disco Queen Donna Summer dies at 63

Donna Summer

Story by Reuters

Photo by Frances Martel

Bio Link:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Summer  

Previous Blog Link: http://kirktanter.blogspot.com/2009/12/donna-summer-love-to-love-you-baby.html

Queen of disco Donna Summer, famous for her 1970s hits like "Hot Stuff," "Last Dance" and "She Works Hard for the Money," died on Thursday at the age of 63, her publicist said. No cause of death was given but celebrity website TMZ.com said Summer had been suffering from cancer, and died in Florida.

"Early this morning, surrounded by family, we lost Donna Summer Sudano (Born: LaDonna Adrian Gaines on December 31, 1948)  a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith. While we grieve her passing, we are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy," the singer's family said in a statement issued through spokesman Brian Edwards. The Boston-born Summer began her career in Germany where she performed in productions of the shows "Hair" and "Porgy and Bess."

Her breakthrough hit was the song "Love to Love You Baby" released in 1975. She later dominated the disco era with the songs "Last Dance," "Hot Stuff" and "Dim All the Lights." http://kirktanter.blogspot.com/2009/12/donna-summer-love-to-love-you-baby.html

In 1983 she scored a massive hit with "She Works Hard for the Money." Summer won five Grammys