WE MOURN THE LOSS OF THE ‘QUEEN OF DISCO’
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanWe were all saddened to learn that the ultimate ‘Queen of Disco’, the reminder of a distant and carefree era, Donna Summer, passed away on Thursday, May 17th. She was only 63 years old.
It seems like only yesterday that we were dancing to her hits and to this day we still hum along to the sweet sounds of “Love to Love You Baby” and “She Works Hard for the Money”.
Donna Summer came on to the music scene in the 70’s with a power and pizzazz that only legends can create. Her infinite beauty was matched only by her talented and harmonious voice. One of her #1 hits was the disco remake of Richard Harris’ hit “MacArthur Park” and the first of four songs to make it to the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles Chart.
As the 70’s came to an end, Summer worked to update her sounds to the changing times which did not prove to be easy. However, she did make her mark in rock music, inspirational and even won a Grammy for her R&B music. In fact, she was a five-time Grammy winner.
In 2002, Summer hired Hollywood publicist, Michael Levine, to help her “rebrand and reinvent her image”.
Summer was a very private person and it was a tremendous shock to learn that she had been suffering from cancer. Friends and admirers alike had the kindest of words and the most heartfelt of sympathy to express on this great loss from La Toya Jackson to Barbra Streisand.
Donna Summer was surrounded by her family in Florida on this melancholy day. A family statement was put out calling Summer “a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith”. Her family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Donna Summer’s honor to the Salvation Army.
She will live on in our hearts. She will be at peace with other great artists like Whitney Houston.
PHOTO CREDITS: Getty Images
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